<p>I dont think anyone can feel confident when it comes to Tisch Film Production. For example, i have a perfect score on my ACT, but i am sweating it every day because this is where i really want to go and it is such a competitive school. NYU wants to see applicants who are academically strong and artistically strong. They want someone with skills and knowledge going in and someone who can learn and improve through education. As far as I know, application to Tisch is a two step process. Your application gets reviewed by the normal application review board, and your portfolio application gets reviewed by Tisch’s application review board. Admission rests on both boards deciding that you are going to be successful in their respective departments. One part cannot make up for the other; it must be a mutual agreement between the two departments. This is because while many see Tisch as “film school”, it isnt simply that; it is a department at one of the most competitive and difficult schools in the nation. Tisch wont take a kid who has fantastic grades, extracurrics, and standardized testing scores with poor storytelling ability and little-to-no experience in film, and they wont take a kid who is a talented filmmaker but isnt competitive academically. The former applicant would enter Tisch totally unprepared for the high-level education it offers, and the latter applicant would struggle and not be successful in his or her non-Tisch classes, which are really the core of the NYU education. </p>
<p>Your resume is very strong, but that is just one aspect of the application. In fact, a crazy film resume may not even help you as much as you think; NYU wants students that they can mold and teach, not students who have too much experience to learn. The resume is also the most subjective part of the application; every college wants to see how well the applicant has made use of his or her available opportunities. It looks like you have had many opportunities and have made good use of them, which is great, but your experience isnt going to look as good as you may think in comparison to a student who hasnt had the chance to do all of this film-related stuff but has done everything that he or she could. For example, I have never had the opportunity to compete in film festivals, do internships, or stuff like that. Instead, I participated in many clubs in school, including all of the school’s top-level audition only band groups, the schools radio station, two honor societies, etc. I am a president in the radio station, vice president in two clubs, and an officer in one other. As far as film related things go, i have done an independent study through the school and worked as head counselor for a film program at a summer camp. I dont believe these things are as impressive as yours, but in my eyes i worked hard and did all that i could you.</p>
<p>If i were to “chance” you, i would say that your chances arent fantastic academically. NYU is looking for A and A+ GPAs, and SATs around 2200 or so. Your extracurricular activities will help your academic chances, but its somewhat of a long shot because of your grades which are most important. You said your essay is above average, but keep in mind what average is at a school like NYU. If you essay was very good it would help you, but it doesnt sound to me like your essay is fantastic enough to do that. As for Tisch, your extracurrics are an asset, but that decision really rests on the film. You say it is good technically, but remember what Tisch is looking for primarily: storytelling ability. I have a good deal of technical knowledge, including a lot of knowledge in special effects, but i specifically put that aside when making my portfolio project and focused on the story. It is up to you to evaluate how effective your film is at portraying storytelling ability. The dramatic essay could have helped show storytelling ability if it was great and your film was lacking, but you dont seem confident in it, so i doubt it is good enough to make up for the film if the film is lacking (which i of course do not know). You can come to your own conclusion about what you think your chances are.</p>
<p>Sorry if I was a bit harsh, but if you are posting it on the internet i am going to tell you how it is without sugarcoating it. Good luck with the application, perhaps we will see each other at Tisch come September 2011 if it works out for both of us.</p>