NYU Tisch v Berkeley

Colleges & Universities New York University
1

Hi everyone!

I’m an aspiring comic in Southern California. I live in the outskirts of LA, and I’m working hard for a successful life in screenplay writing, sketch writing, and stand up comedy. I’m rather humble, but my work is (from what I’ve heard) really good. I occasionally mess around at The Groundlings, and this winter, I’m going to do a few open mic nights at The Improv.

I’m a first year community college student as well. I entered with 11 AP courses, so technically, I’m a sophomore (I applied to UC Berkeley, UCLA, UCSD, and UCSB). I feel as if I’ll get in, because I have a 4.0 (100% average) and some really solid ECs. If I get into Berkeley and LA, I’ll probably choose Berkeley.

If I go to Berkeley, I’ll do stand up at San Fran, and maybe join their satirical newspaper, “Heuristic Squelch”. I’m a political science major, so I’d be studying that.

At NYU I’d be at Tisch. Andy Samberg and Adam Sandler, two of my idols, went there. New York is popping for stand up, so I’d love to be there. I won’t have to pay rent or anything, so the only two things on my mind would be my studies and my stand up (and part of my studies would be my stand up). The only downsides I could imagine would be the price, the lower ranking, and the fact that I’d transfer in as a sophomore, rather than a junior. At NYU, I’d be a part of their improv team as well.

Overall, I’d much rather be at Tisch and major in Screenplay writing or Drama. On the other hand, UC Berkeley is ranked much higher, and with financial aid it’d be around $8,000 a year all inclusive.

I might also chose UCLA…but if I’m going to stay in Cali, might as well Berkeley. Also, I’m kind of getting sick of LA. I’m no actor (yet), and I don’t have an agent, so it doesn’t mean much to me.

What do y’all think?

I know that a lot of comedians start after college, but I’d rather start now. Comedy is what gets my heart beating and is what wakes me up every day. I could see myself at SNL.

Also, what would I need to get into Tisch? Just the common app and supplementary writings, right?

2

SAT scores?

3

I’d apply with AP scores as test scores.

4 AP Statistics
4 AP United States Government
4 AP United States History
4 AP Psychology
4 AP Macroeconomics
3 AP Physics 1
3 AP English Language
3 AP Environmental Science

But this ain’t a chance me. I’m assuming I’d get in. Which is better, considering my situation?

4

Would it be easier for you to get into UC schools since you are from California? Both of them are really good schools but I would rather choose Berkeley considering the tuition and rankings. If you want to go somewhere far away frm home then you should definitely choose NYU

5

Tisch schools generally require supplementary material- portfolio, creative sample, extra essays, auditions depending on the school you are applying to. Out of all the university Arts schools my D applied to, NYU Tisch was the absolute most involved many fold. After that, all other applications were quite easy. The Tisch application weighs academics and arts 50/50

6

Tisch is very competitive – both academically and talent-wise. Besides the creative portfolio, you also need to have an audition.