Hi guys.
I committed to NYU Tisch a couple of months ago as I received an acceptance into their drama program after I auditioned for musical theatre only. I received an email on Friday with my studio placement and discovered I was not in the musical theatre studio but instead in the Meisner acting studio. This is really disappointing for me as I was admitted into several other MT programs and chose NYU because I was informed that applying to musical theatre only (instead of all studios) would guarantee my admission into the MT studio.
I’ve made some calls and honestly have received no help, so I would really like some advice on where to go next. I rejected the other MT programs I got into and from my understanding, it is past the deadline to commit to them.
NYU is very expensive and I received very little aid. I know NYU has a fantastic acting program and the Meisner studio is probably great but I’m just not sure it is worth 90K for me to be in a studio that I might be unhappy in.
I am heavily considering trying to transfer and redo the college audition process but I’m unsure where to even start with that. I also have been considering maybe taking a gap year… but I would like to go to college and was very excited to attend NYU.
If anyone has any advice, I’d really appreciate it.
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There has to be someone there who will answer, who can clarify.
But you said while your audition was for MT, your acceptance was into drama. So that might have been your indication there. But talk to a faculty - perhaps there are opportunities to match your interest in drama.
Some of your turn downs may still be taking apps or extended theur acceptance date. Reach out to #2,3, and 4 to see so you have a plan for if / when you decide to leave NYU.
Good luck.
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It sounds like an administrative error somewhere. If you applied MT only, you should have been able to assume that admittance into the drama program meant admittance into NSB. Who have you been able to speak with? I’d call the head of the drama program and/or head of drama program admissions?
How frustrating. I’m sorry this is happening to you.
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I called the Tisch Drama number and they said they would see but all studio placements are final. I’ve been trying to call them back to see if there is any update but no answer though it says their office is open.
Trying to reach out to my other programs to see if there is space available.
Is MT a part of drama - otherwise when accepted did you ask the question as to why not MT?
Off topic but maybe for future college applicants, maybe it’s best to let deadlines pass rather than turn down acceptances.
This way in case anything goes wrong, you still have options as you haven’t turned them down.
Sorry you are in this position. Who gave you this information? This is likely the individual you need to speak with.
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This is a well-established part of how the NYU drama admission process works. If you apply MT-only, you will not be considered for other studios. That’s why it seems like an admin mistake somewhere.
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Hopefully you are right - that the student chose MT only on their application:
ALL STUDIOS" OPTION
This option is for those students for whom Tisch Drama is their overriding objective. These candidates will be considered for placement in the musical theatre studio first. If we feel they are a good fit, we will place them there. If not, we will place them in one of the acting studios.
“MUSICAL THEATRE ONLY” OPTION
This option is for those students who want to use their undergraduate experience to study musical theatre. If we do not feel they are a match for our musical theatre program at this time, they will not be accepted into NYU.
If “well established” OP has to be able to refer to either a person or document at NYU that codifies this process. If that exists they will have a clear basis to show that their decision was based on this understanding.
If however it is not documented or hadn’t been directly communicated OP will face a tougher challenge.
I am suggesting the most expedient way to get this fixed to OPs satisfaction.
I’m looking for my artistic review form but it isn’t available anymore as my applicant portal changed when I received my acceptance. The only email I have is a confirmation of my audition material rather than a confirmation of what studio option I selected.
We selected MT only or All Studios on an iPad in the audition room and our choice was never uploaded anywhere in my audition portal.
Are you 100% certain you selected MT ?
Argh, I’m sorry, that’s so incredibly aggravating.
This page says program chair is Tomi Tsunoda and provides an email and phone for her, is that what you tried? Faculty
Or Robert Hoyt /Tisch Drama admissions?
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No, I haven’t reached out to her. I definitely will. Thank you!
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it’s on the NYU website.
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Good luck. I hope it resolves for you.
Just to clarify, you said you did MT only in the audition room on an iPad but their website notes you had to choose it before you booked your audition. So you’d have done this at home on your computer there.
Just ensuring that you didn’t misstep because if you did, you won’t get resolution like you want. The first sentence of the second paragraph below alludes to what I’m pointing out.
I would certainly reach out to other schools that accepted you to see if they reconsider.
From NYU
Yes. We should begin by saying studio placement is done by the Department. Tisch Drama has six acting studios and one musical theatre studio that provide primary artistic training for our incoming students. If you choose a Musical Theatre artistic review, we will consider you for placement in the musical theatre studio first. If we feel you are a good fit, we will place you there. If not, we will automatically consider you for placement in one of the acting studios.
When you book your artistic review session online, we will ask you if you would like to be considered for placement in all studios or only in the musical theatre program. If Tisch Drama is your overriding objective, choose ALL STUDIOS. If you plan to pursue an undergraduate course of study solely in musical theatre, you might consider choosing MUSICAL THEATRE ONLY. Please keep in mind, however, that if you choose MUSICAL THEATRE ONLY but we do not feel you are a good fit for the musical theatre program, you will not be considered for any acting studios nor will you be accepted into NYU.
What other acceptances did you get and which are you interested in pursuing if you dont go to NYU? If you had several then re-auditioning next year is a great idea.
I believe they do allow people to change their mind or correct a misstep all the way up through the audition - that’s why they always ask again at the audition. But I agree the case is stronger if you can point to your original form where you chose MT-only. It’s so frustrating you’re unable to access that document now.
Which people responding here have personal experience with Tisch and studio assignments there. Perhaps they can identify themselves so you will know who has first hand experiences and who does not.
That might be helpful.
ETA…I’m familiar with studio assignments for musicians, but not for acting and musical theater so I will defer to those who have this experience in their backgrounds.