NYU: Tisch for Drama

stagemum
Wed, 12 Sep 2012 13:21:12 +0000

I would never dream of discouraging anyone from pursuing a dream, but I hope that you know that Tisch, like all other auditioned BFA programs, is exceedingly competitive, and that the entire application and audition process will be almost impossible if your parents are not “on board” with you. Tisch is one of the largest schools (broken down into individual studios), and so it admits more students than most, but it also receives thousands of applications annually. They have very high academic standards, also, although they will always show a little flexibility in the case of stunningly talented applicants. Your grades and standardized test scores should be very solid, at least. If you want to pursue a degree in theater, you should start researching a lot of different schools, and not get your heart set too intently on one. Even brilliant students, with loads of talent, will probably get some rejections. These programs have acceptance ratios similar to Harvard’s. If your parents aren’t supportive, you will have additional financial and logistical challenges, because you probably will have to make travel arrangements for auditions, and consider the price-tags (NYU is notoriously expensive, and can be pretty stingy with financial aid).