<p>My EC’s were a bit unusual. I attended two high schools simultaneously, one for academics and one for arts (film). The arts one was effectively a massive EC. I made many complete short films and studio sound recordings and wrote several scripts over the three years I attended. I also, through friends I made at the school, worked several professional film jobs around town. So I had tons of film experience before NYU. I’m very unusual in that - most Tisch freshmen have done home videos but nothing paid or subject to professional standards.</p>
<p>The most important thing is to show that you have talent. It’s better to have one great short film to show than a bunch of mediocre ones. A great script is better than a mediocre short film. Etc. It’s quality over quantity. So don’t worry if you don’t have a lot of experience or a hefty resume - just make sure something that you’re submitting shows your talent.</p>
<p>I did no clubs, teams, community service/volunteering, or student government whatsoever. EDIT: I was in several plays at the academic school as alternately actor and technician, forgot about that.</p>
<p>If I had to guess, I’d say it was a combination of four things that got me into NYU film: My high school GPA (consistently 3.6 at a very difficult school), being a National Merit Finalist, having plenty of EC experience outside my academic school, and my writing/film submissions for the film major. Remember, you have to meet NYU’s academic standards as well as the film school’s artistic standards to go to NYU film school. I’ll put it this way: I know several people here who really don’t have the talent to be here, but I don’t know anyone who doesn’t have the academics to be here.</p>
<p>As far as NYU vs. USC applications: Remember that USC mostly wants Trojans. They specifically do not want people who only are interested in film and will tell you that if you tour there. Don’t be all about film in your application. Show that you really want to attend USC and go to USC football games and then learn some film, not the other way around 
I don’t think NYU is as strict in that sense and doesn’t really care how big of a “Violet” you’ll be, but they do care that you will excel in academics and film together.</p>