I am a Korean High school student. The age is 18.
My impassioned wish is to enter NYU.
I want to study Movie director’s work.
But unfortunately, I don’t have a good GPA in Korean school now.
So I want to attend Both a Korean school and a certified American online school at the same time
If I get a good GPA from an online school, would it be possible to get into NYU?
Is there anything else I should prepare for with an online school?
It’s not clear to me what you want to do -you’re 18. Have you graduated high school in Korea or in your final year? Are you planning on spending 4 years doing an entire US online high school in the hopes of getting a good GPA for NYU? GPA is only part of the admissions process as you need to submit a portfolio for Tisch film school at NYU too, and the admissions rate is very low. It doesn’t seem like a good idea to do this if the only reason is to try get into NYU.
And cost could be a barrier as well. NYU is need aware for applicants so your level of need can be considered as part of your admissions application.
If you take college courses at all, and plan to apply as a transfer student Transfer applicants are ineligible for NYU scholarships .
To get your student visa to study here, you will need to complete a certificate of finances showing you have all the money to fund your college costs here. This can include guaranteed financial aid awarded, but it can not include potential income, loans, etc.
After you complete your studies in the US, your student visa will expire and you will need to return to Korea. I’m not sure OPT is available for film jobs. @MYOS1634 might have a better idea.
Please understand that becoming a movie director is something VERY few new college graduates do…most film students start off in very low paying jobs.
And NYC is a very expensive place to live…even while in college.
What is your Plan B?
For what? High school or what?
I want to be a director someday. And I want to study about that process. I know it is not easy. I chose NYU because they give money to international students. (I need that scholarship)
If there another reasonable option (other good colleges) exists I want to find a way to get in there.
By the way, What portfolio do I need to get into the film department? I heard it’s not easy to go with just only pure online school process even if the GPA is high, what additional activities should I do?
I’m desperate with this.
Also, I want to settle down in America and work as a director. My question is, I heard that certified online schools are no different from locally educated ones, is it possible to get a scholarship?
I’m hoping @MYOS1634 addresses this. I’m not sure this will be an easy task for you.
NYU will determine your financial need. As noted, the school is need aware for admissions for international students. Your level of financial need can be looked at when your application for admission is reviewed.
You will also need to fund travel, and health insurance, buy books, etc. You will need money for all of that too.
And you will need a film portfolio. This would include samples of some of,the films you have made. Do you have that?
Please clarify…you are 18 years old. Have you finished high school?
It’s not common for NYU to give a lot of funding to internationals, and they are need aware for internationals which means that needing a scholarship can reduce your chances of admission. If you need a scholarship to cover full cost of attendance to be able to go, it is extremely rare for an international student to get that. You would need to have not only an outstanding academic record and portfolio but also probably a number of excellent extra curricular activities. You should probably be realistic that this is unlikely to happen.
That would require someone sponsoring you for a work visa, which is extremely rare for a new graduate. To settle down permanently you would need a green card, which is a whole other thing than just a work visa and has different requirements.
This tells me that you have probably not really done much research into NYU film school, as it is right there on the page that describes what you need to do for admissions.
https://tisch.nyu.edu/film-tv/admissions_film_tv_portfolio
https://tisch.nyu.edu/film-tv/admissions_film_tv_portfolio/the-creative-portfolio
Not yet. i will graduate next year.
One year student period left.
If you are finishing HS in 2025 spring…you need to be applying to colleges this fall. Are you ready to do so?
No no I will graduate 2025 December.
So you will be applying for admission to college for Fall 2026? Or what?
NYU does NOT give financial aid to international transfer students. International Applicants
You need to make films, have you done any filmmaking so far?
Can you study film at a university in your home country?
If you graduate from a US based university, you will be able to stay in the country one year (OPT) after earning your degree. After that, your visa will expire unless a company sponsors you (every company I’ve ever worked for sponsors international people, but it’s highly competitive) or you get your green card.
Here are some resources about applying to film school (I am not recommending you work with a college counselor…but do look online for other FREE resources)
I don’t know exactly when to apply, but if I have to apply in the fall of my graduation year, I think it will probably be next year in autumn. If my preparation is slowed down (online school) I think fall 2026 will also be possible.
I know that online schools sometimes take about two years or a year and a half depending on the person.
Can you clarify exactly what it is that you plan to study at online school? I am not sure how the Korean high school system works, but the US is different to many other countries in that it is the transcript for all 4 years of high school that a college looks at for admissions, whereas many countries have a final school leaving exam that is the only or most important factor. I am not sure what you are planning to do for 1-2 years in a US online high school that will improve your chances?
Well, that’s bad news.
Firstly, I like philosophy. That might be get advantage. And I’m planning to make a little film with some of my friend who knows about cinema information.
I think it’s quite despairing news. I want to work as a director or film official in the US, so is there a good way?
Thanks.
The Korean film industry is vibrant and exciting, and a number of movies make it to the US circuit. I think you should seriously explore a career at home, and if you are really good you will get noticed in the US - at a career stage where it will make much more sense for a company to sponsor you for a work visa.