<p>Lamestream,
My understanding is that the application does not go directly to the individual schools. The art/film/photo portfolio or audition goes directly to Tisch or Steinhardt, but the application itself has to pass an academic review by admissions. In a portfolio/ audition - based program, the portfolio/audition is 50% of the application. The other 50% is test grades, GPA, Ec’s, recommendations, etc (reviewed first by admissions). It is true that the academic criteria used for each school is different.</p>
<p>If a portfolio/audition is a “yes”, but the academic review is a “no” or a “maybe”, then there is some back and forth between the department and admissions. But here again, admissions gets the final say.</p>
<p>That was explained to me in detail when older D applied for Vocal Performance 4 years ago, and was confirmed when younger D (accepted ED1) applied to studio art.</p>