I didn’t really think I’d return to this site after my admissions process last school year, but I did learn some statistics I thought some people might be interested in. So, I am a freshman at Tisch studying film. I have been here now for a little over a month and still believe it is a minor miracle someone decided to accept me. Not because I can’t do this, but because when I look at my classmates I don’t think I’m a standout. Anyway, during Welcome Week I was told at one of my required meetings that Tisch overall this past spring had a 16% acceptance rate, and film alone was a 7% acceptance rate. They don’t release these statistics officially, but this was mentioned to me by someone who works in the offices here at Tisch. I’m not sharing this to make seniors applying more nervous, trust me I’ve been there, but I think it is good to be informed. On the chance you are not accepted (I hope you are though), know that it is not because you are not talented, there are just too many talented applications.
I was also told that of all the schools at NYU, Tisch is the one with the most kids that really, truly want to be here. About 80% of the kids in Tisch, for them it was the number one school. I know it was mine. In comparison in other schools like Stern or CAS, you hear of a lot of kids who would’ve preferred the Ivies. So, when you are applying you are applying along with a lot of other passionate people, not just thrown in with a bunch of half-hearted essays. Still, I encourage you to apply. I knew no matter what I was going to send in an application, but I was always aware that it probably didn’t stand a good chance. Somehow though I am here. I really do encourage you to apply because they look for possibility and promise over achievement. As a reference, I have a friend who is at USC now, her dream school, but in the last 24 hours before the application deadline she almost convinced herself not to apply because she didn’t believe she could do it. We facetimed as we submitted out applications together in the last hours of the day, and now all the way across the country she is. Moral of the story, be informed but don’t let it stop you.
Best of luck to you class of 2022. I hope you get to walk these creaking halls too. If you have any questions about my process or what it is like to be here now I’d be happy to answer, although I don’t know how informed my answers will be. Still, best of luck, and definitely don’t leave your application till the last minute (aka write multiple drafts).
Thank you so much for this, it’s really reassuring and gave me a bit more hope. I recently returned from the open house on Saturday and it left me in a whirlwind of mixed emotions. Would you have any advice on the portfolio in general? How are the dorms and classes? What can I do to better my application? Again, much thanks for this. I’m stressing over applications daily but hopefully it’ll be worth it in the end.
Hi @CathJR, thank you so much for such an encouraging post. My D is applying, and on the one hand she wants to be in NYC because she knows it and she loves it, and she knows the university and likes it a lot, but on the other hand she is a bit afraid she might be lonely in a non-campus university where the flip side of city freedom is that you are not that close with peers and classmates. Do you think this is a valid concern? Or is it not true? Also, while at Tisch, would you have an opportunity and time to try out such things as dance and/or acting on an amateurish level (i.e. when these are not your majors/minors)?
Will be looking forward to your comments! Thanks a lot in advance! And good luck with your own studies!
Thank you for posting this. Any tips for new Tisch film students students re: dorm selection, the move in day process, and getting adjusted? Do Tisch students do much with NYU as a whole in terms of clubs, etc?
Another parent who would love some info re: first year film students at Tisch–I have heard that the days are long and that the film students need to find their own actors for all of their projects and that that can be hard because the acting students at Tisch are all so busy themselves. How much do Tisch students participate in NYU-wide clubs and events?
Tisch Film alumnus here. The classes themselves aren’t very long. At least in my experience, they often tended to be later in the day, which put you on a slightly different schedule than people in other schools, but I never found it to interfere with participating in NYU clubs and events, although to be fair, I had little interest in participating in those anyway.
Now, if you’re in an intermediate or above production class, you’re going to be doing a lot of stuff out of class making your own film and crewing on classmates’ films, which for many classes, you’re required to do. Often this involves three 12-hour-ish shoot days (Friday-Sunday), where you’ll stay overnight at the location. For thesis films, it’s often closer to a week, which involves either doing it over breaks or missing classes.
Other than going through an agency, finding actors as an NYU student is the easiest you’re ever going to have it. Tisch gives you audition space and even takes care of getting the people in the building and sending them to you if they’re not NYU students. Tisch has a list that they send out to acting students where you can post your casting calls and get good responses. Furthermore, NYC has tens of thousands of unemployed actors, who would love to gain experience being in a student film. There are a number of sites where if you post a casting call for an unpaid student film, you’ll literally have hundreds of responses in a few hours. Trust me, it won’t be an issue finding actors. Now finding the right person and being able to direct them to give the performance you want is another matter, but that’s a matter of skills which you’ll hopefully learn in your classes.
Thanks for the excellent post, CathJR - that is helpful. In our tour of Tisch Film a few months ago they told us they admitted 25% regular and 35% ED, which we guessed must be an approximation of NYU as a whole rather than the film program. We were told in the USC tour that they accepted 4% into their film production program. So 25%/35% for Tisch could not make sense.
For what its worth, in case it helps anyone, my S just was accepted to NYU Tisch Film for ED2. He has a 3.65 UW, ~3.8 W GPA from a rigorous private school in Northern California (with an improving trend), 33 ACT, OK but not great ECs. He has a lot of courses in drama and film from his school, and loves film - watches it every minute he can, and it feels like he knows everything there is to know about it. Film school has been his dream for a long time. He is an excellent writer, and I think his film submission was well produced and good. He did two summer programs at the New York Film Academy in Burbank. We did not apply for FA, so nothing to report on that front.
Also, another student from his school (which is pretty small, about 70 students/class) was admitted to the NYU Tisch film program ED1. I think she has higher grades and very strong ECs, but can’t tell you very much else about her.
@NorCalDad1 - different scenario here: rejected with a 3.67 UW, 4.4 W GPA; ACT 30; top 10% of graduating class; lots of EC’s but most centered on community service and public speaking. Evolved from theater to film a little too late (end of junior year), so didn’t have much film-related stuff on resume. Rushed essays and rushed film project. Procrastinators be warned: this is not a process that can be rushed. Rejected by Tisch. Accepted to Shanghai as second campus choice. Wishing for a time machine to go back and enter the whole application process much, much sooner.
icbihtsu - sorry to hear that. As many have said and as your post implies, it helps to be fanatical about your dedication to film. It works fine to go back and get an MFA in film - lots of people do it - and it may even be a better course to follow. To that end, perhaps if you continue to have interest in film, take courses and make some shorts - then apply to MFA programs after college. I am certainly no expert, but I have been told that is a good path.
