I applied early action II to NYU Tisch (film/tv prod) and got accepted. It’s a ton of money and I’ve heard it might be hard to get in the business from NY compared to already being by LA. Should I accept NYU and spend the money to go there since it’s a #2 film school and not see the admission decisions from my other schools, or do you think I should decline and see if I get into one of the Cali schools? I would like whatever will help me in the long run in the film/tv business. Thank you if anyone can give their input!
^Meant Early Decision II
Why apply ED to NYU if you were uncertain?
I don’t believe NYU had early action - only early decision and regular decision. Believe early decision is binding so don’t believe you have a choice if you did this. Also, Chapman has already notified their film production students so not sure why you haven’t heard from them.
ED is binding unless financial reasons make attendance impossible. Schools are very reluctant to release ED students from their offers unless there are extenuating circumstances. You also agreed to withdraw other applications once accepted to NYU. It’s unfair to the other schools, and their applicants, to keep your applications active once you have a binding agreement.
If finances are an issue, I’d suggest contacting NYU to work that out. Otherwise, I’d advise withdrawing the other applications. Not doing so can bring negative consequences.
Congrats on Tisch! It’s a great school. Good luck!
Did you receive any scholarship aid from NYU, or just the standard federal loans? Can your family make up the difference without taking on more debt than the federal loans? That is the issue to resolve. NYU accepts many students each year who turn it down because of the cost. NYU won’t be surprised one bit if you do that too.
Run some numbers here: http://www.finaid.org/calculators/awardletter.phtml
and here: http://www.finaid.org/calculators/loanpayments.phtml
The industry you want to go into is notoriously poor-paying at the beginning. You don’t want to start your career with a boat-load of debt.
@happymomof1, one of mine turned down an admissions offer from NYU because the financial aid offer was minuscule, which isn’t unusual. They were an RD applicant. Being an ED applicant, though, is different. Your are right that it is an issue that needs to be resolved.
OP, have you received a financial aid offer from NYU? If so, and it is insufficient, the school might understand. It does seem in your interest to figure it out sooner rather than later. You can maybe approach it as a financial matter. For example, if you have not been offered aid, ask if you are being considered for it and when you will here. Let them know what you feel like you can pay. If you have been offered and it is impossible or extremely difficult for you to pay that, let them know. If they don’t help you make it an affordable option, then you can do whatever is required to withdraw from your commitment. I have not been through this process, so others might be able to offer advice. But I think responding promptly is to your advantage. And it’s most fair to your peers and the other schools where you’ve applied, which I’m sure is also a consideration. Good luck, be positive and honest and it can work out fine.
Yes I am allowed to decline NYU by March 1st because they hardly gave me anything but I might be able to scrape by with some loans. I’d just want to make sure I’m making the right decision because I could get into Chapman (TV writing and production) or LMU and I was thinking proximity to LA could lead to more opportunity after graduation. I just don’t know if I’d be stuck totally jobless with nowhere to go after NYU.
If you can decline NYU, definitely do so.
You’re entering a high-risk field that is mostly dependent on individual talent anyway, so shelling out or borrowing a ton for NYU makes no sense.
I wouldn’t turn down NYU on the basis that it will be easier to get a job if you go to a school in Southern California. A film degree from any school is risky, in that good jobs in the film industry are hard to get no matter where you went to school.
@simba9, yes but NYU would cost a ton. Entering a risky field, taking on a ton of debt makes no sense.
@PurpleTitan Wouldn’t the other schools cost a ton, too? Seems like the question is whether it’s better to go to film school in NY or Southern California, rather than, “Is it worth it to go to film school.?” If it’s the former question, then guaranteed admittance into NYU would be better than turning it down in the hope that opportunities would be better in California.
@simba9: Someone who can get in to Tisch (even if ED) likely would be in the running for at least some merit scholarships from Chapman and LMU. I’m pretty certain those schools are like most privates where the vast majority of students get some discount (ahem, scholarship) or fin aid.
@PurpleTitan I guess if hscreen can’t afford NYU and is confident they can get decent financial aid from Chapman or LMU, those would be good options. But they’d be taking a gamble. I do think the opportunities are better for someone with a degree from Tisch than from Chapman or LMU, although as we both recognize, it’s tough to get a good job in the film industry no matter where you go to school.
The issue is affordability. Once the loans are more than the federal student loans, it is time to kick the college/university off the list and move on. If the Chapman and LMU don’t work out immediately, there are a whole bunch of options in the CA state system that are likely to prove affordable. The OP should look at his/her backup plan, and think hard about making that work.
You signed a binding ED agreement. If NYU is affordable you are bound to go. If it is unaffordable you should decline now. Your decision to attend NYU or not should be based on finances alone and not if you get into another preferred college down he road.
How much can you pay without borrowing? Since NYU didn’t give you much aid, you can turn down the ED offer if you can’t afford it. Don’t try to borrow the cost of NYU.
My S is 1st yr Chapman Film. Had a full ride at LMU. NYU and USC too big. Also, had scholarship from Emerson. He Loves Chapman and Is very hands-on and because of the size feels very connected with the students and falculty. 40% Scholarship. Earned Scholar status after first semester.
You can appeal for more aid! Fight for yourself you’re worth it! If possible I’d go to USC or NYU! Also, UCLA, USC, NYU, and Columbia are the 4 big film schools so… USC has the “USC film mafia” which could help you get a job later down along the lines! However, I expect USC would be more expensive…