<p>I am 17 years old, and filmmaking is my passion.
When I was 11, my grandfather handed me his camcorder and told me to go capture something. Since then, I’ve made three feature-length films, ten short films, and have created a small business in filming people’s original ideas in narrative form. I know this is what I want to do with my life. </p>
<p>I want to become a director, but more importantly I want to take what I know, what I love and improve my craft at the finest institution. For me, that is New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts for Film. </p>
<p>Here’s my dilemma…
My GPA is low, the majority of my SAT scores are below what is deemed acceptable for admission, and my AP’s and subject tests are weak.</p>
<p>On paper, I am an unqualified candidate academically, but in my heart and on the screen of my work I know that I can succeed. How can I best represent myself in order to gain acceptance into NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and continue to practice my passion?</p>
<p>Lets see those stats first.</p>
<p>I mean, it’s Tisch. So academics won’t be as much of a factor as if you were applying for Stern or CAS. However, they can reflect on your motivation and work ethic, especially if your GPA is lower than a 3.0. Additionally, if there is a downward trend, that does NOT reflect well. If all your scores are low, maybe you should adjust your expectations.</p>
<p>I got into CAS this year with a relatively low GPA (3.5 UW), but my SATs were above the upper quartile of admissions statistics. I ended up getting in as an Honors scholar, so don’t worry about GPA too much, just try to work on the test scores.</p>
<p>Just try to show that you are passionate about NYU without sounding too cliche.</p>
<p>Quite possibly your stats may not be as low as you feel they are. Yes, it’s “not Stern” bit</p>
<p>Quite possibly your stats may not be as low as you feel they are. Yes, it’s “not Stern” but they need to be sure you can handle the General Ed classes and that your work ethic is strong. Can you retake the SAT (or perhaps the ACT is more your strength) and work on your essay and short responses this summer. Your audition will carry a lot of weight, but can you boost your application with strong ECs, leadership experience, work experience, letters, any support from your GC regarding your GPA, etc. can you show an upward trend, etc If NYU is truly your dream school, maybe you would consider a year at CC to demonstrate you can handle the general Ed classes and then transfer. Given what you’ve indicated about your stats, it may be that you will find a pure conservatory program to be a better fit in that you can dive into your craft and not be weighed down by courses outside your primary area of interest. Make sure to apply to a few safeties- this is advice given over and over to all applicants applying to portfolio or audition-based programs. You may find some helpful ideas on the drama majors thread.also, you’re probably already working on this, but I assume there is some sort of film submission or portfolio that has to be submitted. Read the requirements very carefully, follow them thoroughly, and/or call the department if you have any questions, and by all means, work on things over the summer because if you can show a strong first semester in the fall, that will help. You definitely want the first semester grades of senior year to be as strong as possible and NYU does ask for them</p>