ED Chances at NYU-Tisch and others

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I'm a rising senior looking to apply to NYU - Tisch for film, early decision. If that doesn't work out, I'm applying to:
USC
Syracuse
Savannah College of Art and Design
Ithaca
Five Towns (small college on Long Island)
Emerson
Boston University
(all for their respective film programs)</p>

<p>Here are the stats:
For the most part, I took the most intensive course my school (ranked #1 in the state) offered, except for math and science (where I took a step away from the most intensive)
GPA: (unweighted; was 4.0 weighted throughout)
Freshman: 3.5
Sophomore: 3.4
Junior: 3.2 (=)</p>

<p>SAT I: 2070 (M690, R680, W700)
SAT II: US History: 730, Biology: 670
APs: US History: 5, English Lang: 4 (both taken junior year)</p>

<p>Next year's schedule:
AP Stats
AP Biology
AP European History
AP German
AP English Lit
Concert Choir (this past year, we went on a musical tour to Prague; two years ago, even though I wasn't a member, I was invited to go with them on their tour to Chicago)</p>

<p>EC:
Film Analysis Club (9 and 10; was disbanded afterwards, hoping to start it up next year)
Various a cappella groups (9-12; became a member of audition-only, #2-state-ranked, mixed a cappella group at end of junior year; became vice president of all-male a cappella group junior year)
School dramas and musicals (9-12)
Improv club (11-12)
Received publication of a piece I wrote in a contest run by a community college.
Was nominated for Governor's School of the Arts (for Drama)
This summer, I'm working two jobs (one at a movie theater, one as a camp counselor at a local YMCA)</p>

<p>Other ECs:
Tutoring Society (11-12)
Jazz Band (9-10)
JV Volleyball (10)
Steel Band (11-12)
Piano lessons (7 years; skipped junior year, will most likely resume senior year)
Self-taught guitar player (4 years)
Photography - Not much to say about this, considering I started it this summer. I'm starting to put a portfolio together, though I'd rather submit something I'd written or directed.</p>

<p>Honestly, I'm not expecting to get into USC, but I know it's a great film school. NYU is my top choice, and I'd love to go to either Emerson or Syracuse. SCAD interests me as well.</p>

<p>Also, for all prospective film applicants, I found this book a very intriguing read (even if I only skimmed it):
Film</a> School Confidential - Gives a great insight into applying to film schools, and looks at a lot of the film programs across the country. Although the information is approaching 10 years old, it does give some great general advice.</p>

2

<p>Wow...I can't believe how fast this fell off the first page.</p>

<p>Anyone have anything to comment on?</p>

3

<p>Almost two weeks and not a single response...</p>

<p>Also, I'm extremely grateful for the "actual results" threads. (wanted to throw that in somewhere)</p>

4

<p>First of all, congratulations on doing a good job in picking your school list. It shows that you truly know which schools are providing the actual film directors of today.</p>

<p>Based upon your background provided, you have a good chance at every school except possibly USC, which I consider a match to slight reach for you--and Five Towns--which I can't comment on since I just don't have any statistics. Personally, though, your passion shows through just in what you posted here--and if you put that effort and show that enthusiasm in your essay, you should even get into USC--which along with Tisch are the most selective two schools in the US for film applicants.</p>

<p>One thing you might consider doing is what a friend of mine did. He started producing a student film while in high school--and then sent copies of some of his better work to the schools he was applying to. But he had some pretty good editing machines to work with considering how long ago that was. Also, his father, who was a stockbroker, backed up his work by funding part of it. He was able to get Universal Studios to actually release one of his films in Westwood California--which is where UCLA is--while he was still in college. The film was called "Jim, the World's Greatest"--and while it didn't do so well--some of his later films did. Films like "Phantasm". </p>

<p>Yes, my friend--who helped me do a film project in high school (he went to Wilson in Long Beach, I went to Millikan)--was Don Coscarelli. This name is probably unknown to most everyone on this site but you. Don became a very well known "horror, B-film" maker. What people don't know is that because horror films are cheap to make, but have large audiences, Don made a fortune for the studios and himself. I haven't seen him in many, many years, but last time I did he was already rich and famous. </p>

<p>Hopefully, you will do even better than Don--or that other guy who came and spoke at a speech class of mine at Cal State Long Beach in 1973;--some guy named Spielberg. (He went to CSULB in 1968). </p>

<p>Anyway, he had just finished having his film "Duel" shown on TV--and was working on "The Sugarland Express" with Goldie Hawn. The following three years he released his films "Jaws" and "Close Encounters of the Third Kind"--both of which became gigantic blockbusters. Kind of wish I had paid more attention to that speech of his--a speech which focused on knowing what you wanted to do with your life.</p>

<p>Well, excuse my "walk down memory lane" here. The point I'm making is that if you know what you want to do with YOUR life--and it appears you do--you are well on your way to success--and to having good chances at the schools you are most interested in.</p>

<p>Good luck to you.</p>

5

<p>Wow! Thanks for the support!</p>

<p>Thank you also for the response. I truly appreciate the insight - if it turns out to be the only response to this thread, I'll be satisfied.</p>

<p>I hope the college admissions counselors will also see what you see. Thanks again.</p>