I’m a current junior at an arts magnet school in Cincinnati, where I major in creative writing. Last summer, I participated in the Tisch Summer High School program, and ever since the school has been on the top of my list (I want to go to school for screenwriting, so at Tisch I would major in dramatic writing). And (I think) I have the resume to get in. But here’s the thing: my grade’s aren’t good.
They aren’t awful. I’ve never come close to failing anything. I just get mostly Bs, some As and consistent Cs in math. My weighted GPA is barely 3.5. With my resume (summarized below), how much is that going to hurt my chances?
GPA: 3.5
Extracurriculars:
-newspaper staff (lead editor) (2 years)
-yearbook staff (lead editor) (2 years), Unified for Uganda club (2 years)
-Cincinnati-New Taipei Sister City Association student ambassador (exchange program)
-New Voices photojournalism classes with exhibitions at Xavier University, Recovery Hotel and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center (3 years)
Awards:
-YoungArts winner for Writing (Script) (2015)
-National Gold Medal from the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards (Dramatic Writing) (2015)
-Finalist in the Nashville Film Festival Screenwriting Competition (winners TBA) (2015)
-Joseph Beth Young Writer Award (2013)
With a school like NYU (which offers notoriously inadequate financial aid) the results of the Net Price Calculator should be the first thing. If you need a lot of aid, the dream pretty much ends there, regardless of your GPA. Before you get any more emotionally invested in this school, find out whether it will be affordable or not.
Regarding your chances, I honestly have no idea. Once I ran the NPC for my family, I stopped researching it. There was no point. But if you can afford it, perhaps you should post in the Theatre/Drama forum. There are some very knowledgeable people over there who probably know more about the dramatic writing programs than do the general chances viewers.
I’ve done a lot of research regarding the price. It’s astronomically high and my family can’t afford it comfortably, but I’ve been told that if I can in we can swing it. Here’s to hoping.
Hi @Rougarou I don’t really have an answer to your question but I saw that you put that you were a Youngarts winner for scriptwriting, and I thought that I would take a chance to ask you some questions. This year, I am applying to the Young Arts writing category with a short script that I am working on now, and I wanted to ask what the process was for you. You know, writing it, and submitting it. I also wanted to know what your experience was in the Young Arts week. I really want to take the chance to be able to participate in Young Arts week as it would be an incredible experience.
I also noticed that not much finalists were finalists for writing a script, so does that mean that not many applied for it, or that it is really hard to be a finalist in it?
I really hope that you can find the time to reply, and thanks in advance.
You might get in–high reach, but more importantly: NYU is NOT worth going into astronomical debt! You can study screenwriting at a lot of schools, including prestigious schools that are way more generous with aid than NYU. Look at USC, which would also be a reach school for you but at least is known for giving out some aid. Ditto Boston University (which has an actual film/TV major, and is a “safety school” for a lot of NYU Tisch kids on the East Coast). Look at Emerson, too. The important thing with screenwriting is going to the school that will not only offer you a practical education, but networking/internships/alumni connections in the industry–for the cheapest price possible (b/c you will be a struggling, poor writer for many, many years before “making it,” if you do make it). NYU is not the only player in the game. (BU and Emerson are actually significant players out here in Hollywood, btw–they have “mafias” who help alumni get jobs)
Personally? The aforementioned East Coast schools are great, but if it were me, I would find the most affordable SoCal based school I could that had a decent program and aim there. It’s way easier to get internships/make connections if you’re living close to the industry out here. I work for a major media conglomerate with a great internship program, and the kids who have the best shot at a job post graduation are the ones who were able to intern during the school year b/c they went to school in LA. Paying OOS tuition for a CSU (approx. 20K a year) would go further than going into 6 figure debt for NYU, IMO. There are also private schools out here than are generous, just don’t bother w/ UCs if you need aid.
Another thought: you could/should also focus on private schools with strong writing programs (period, regardless of location) that are known for giving scholarships specifically for writers. There are many (I have a list if you want one). You’ve already picked up some awards so you are clearly talented. While NYU likely won’t care when it comes to giving you aid (they are ridiculously stingy), another school might offer you as much as a full ride if they want to bring your talent to campus. One smaller school I know of that has given full rides to writers and is in SoCal–Chapman University. Your stats might make it a safety, or at least a solid match.
Nobody on a website can chance you for Tisch in any meaningful way, because so much of the admissions process rests on your talent submission. Your GPA is fine, and SAT Critical Reading in the high-600s will suffice. You need to clear those basic academic bars (and NYU is “test-flexible”), but, after that, it’s a very competitive, very subjective process. Don’t pay any attention to anyone who attempts to assess your chances here. There are some other good schools if you need more recommendations. You should include some non-audition/portfolio programs, also.
@Arsey9, there are very few winners in script writing, but I wouldn’t be able to tell you why. It might be because few people submit, but it might also be because those who do submit are not chosen. The process is talent-based, and there is not a quota for any discipline.
My advice to you is to submit something you’re proud of, but don’t let the process get into your head. If you’re writing a script to win a contest, it won’t be good. If you’re writing it because you are in love with the story and want to share it with the world, your chances are much higher. YoungArts doesn’t shy away from themes of sex and violence, but I’d try to keep my submission PG-13 if I were you.
As for YoungArts week, I found it fascinating. Because I won for script writing, I was originally grouped with the writers, but the event organizers offered to move me to the Cinematic Arts group in order for me to have a more focused experience.
However it works out, you’ll at least have a great script at the end. I hope you do well, though. It really is life-changing. Best of luck!
@Rougarou Thank you so much for your advice. I recently just finished a short script (less than ten pages) that I am really proud of and I think that it demonstrates who I am as a writer and what I have to offer. So very soon after editing it a few times, I will submit it. I would love it if I could send it to you so you could tell me what you think of it but if you can’t, it’s fine.
Thanks again for your advice and luck.
