Click here to go to the NEW College Discussion Forum

hi, i'm a sophomore now.
i'm very interested in going to the tisch school for film.
at the end of last year my gpa was a 3.4 unweighted. it was so low because i was sick a lot, and my guidance counselor said that he could mention that in my recommendation.
it will definitely be higher by the end of this year.
i did well on the act ( i don't remember the number but it was in the 98th percentile).
my extra curriculars:
varsity fencing (i started this year, i'm going to be on the team for the rest of high school)
TONS of theater
tap dancing
poetry club
theater club
volunteer work at a dance program for disabled people
board for a summer theater program
i have a radio show
volunteer work at a summer camp for 2 years
i sing (chorus, plays, nyssma)

i could get strong recommendations, and my sister is an sat tutor, and i'm generally pretty good at standardized tests, so i'm mainly confident that my sat scores will be good. i take pretty challenging courses, but my science and math aren't (and probably won't be for the rest of high school) honors. i have some APs but i'm not taking as many as some kids.
i'll have a very good portfolio.
so mostly, i'm wondering what my chances are of getting in, especially with my less than perfect gpa. is there more concentration on portfolio/recs/ec's or is it mostly sat's/grades and the other stuff is just a bonus?
thank you!

By Emilyp114 (Emilyp114) on Wednesday, February 18, 2004 - 01:41 pm: Edit

It's a myth that academics aren't important to get into Tisch. Admission to Tisch is really a two-part deal (although you only do one app to NYU). It's based on an academic review as well as an artistic review. They're equally weighted. Your academics have to be consistent with what NYU wants from any applicant and your artistic review, obviously, must be very good. Here are the requirements for your artistic review:

"Requirements:
1. A one-page résumé that highlights creative work accomplished.

2. A nonreturnable creative submission consisting of one of the following:

Film or video/live-action or animation (VHS cassette/NTSC format only, no more than 10 minutes).
Storyboards and/or a portfolio of drawings or paintings (e.g., figure drawings) on 8-1/2" x 11" paper (no more than 10 images, copies only).
Photographs (8" x 10"; no more than 10) of fine arts photography or stills of paintings, drawings or sculpture. Slides are not acceptable.
Not more than six pages of dramatic or creative writing (8-1/2" x 11" paper, typed) consisting of a short story, dramatic scene, or portrait of an individual or place.
Audio cassette (no more than 10 minutes).
3. Dramatic Essay (no more than four 8 1/2" x 11" pages, typed). Dramatize an unforgettable actual event in your life. This event can be dramatic and/or comedic.

Exact credits must be specified: the applicant must be the principal creative force of creative work submitted. The creative submission deadline is the same as the application deadline. Please make sure your name and Social Security number are on all submitted materials."


My advice would be to work hard at bringing up that GPA or that could be a problem. Also prep well for your SAT's and good luck!