NYU Tisch photo

Chance Me / Match Me!
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<p>I need opinions very badly.</p>

<p>I'm 16 and a junior in high school.</p>

<p>Basically, I know that Tisch School of the Arts for photography @ NYU is the only place I'll be able to thrive as a photographer and a person, and quite possibly the only place I'll truly be happy at for 4 years. I need other opinions though, because I've been told many times not to get my hopes up for NYU.</p>

<p>Of course the problem is my grades. Honestly, I slacked off freshman year. I was too wrapped up in the excitement of starting high school, so schoolwork was not a priority for me. They don't weight the GPAs for freshmen at my school, and with my B's and B-'s, I ended up with about a 3.0 GPA. Fast forward to sophomore year--I began photography, fell in love, quit gymnastics (which was taking up a lot of my time), and never looked back. My grades have only improved since then. I finished sophomore year with a 3.68 GPA, and added onto my freshman year, I had a cumulative GPA of about a 3.34. Now as a junior, I've had a 4.132 for two consecutive quarters, and I'm planning to keep it that way. I knew I was capable of getting great grades, but I just needed motivation. I'm in all honors/ap classes, except for math and science, but I have an A+ in my science class. I just hope that Tisch can see past my grades and see the enormous progress I've made since freshman year, since my grades have not gone down once. </p>

<p>I am 100% aware, though, that 50% of my admission to Tisch is riding on my portfolio. I'm going to be blunt--I've been told many times that I have talent. I have been offered an internship for next year, just recently had my photos go on display at a gallery in NYC, and won a scholastic medal, all in a year and a half (I only started sophomore year, in Sept. of 2008). I've done many programs at the International Center of Photography in NYC, and have a few connections in the industry. However, I really just hope that my photos are Tisch-worthy, and my essay is powerful, because I love, love, love to write. I'm really planning on writing the most amazing essay of my life for my application. </p>

<p>As for my my SATs, I think it'll be fine. I haven't even taken my legitimate SATs yet, just 4 diagnostic tests through my test-prep program. My best has been a 1960, and I've scored an 800 on the writing portion two times. My tutor has set my goal at 2100, and I'm confident I can reach it, or at least break 2000.</p>

<p>EC's, though, aren't my highlight. I did gymnastics and was captain for freshman year until I quit for photo. I've won a number of writing contests, for short stories and personal essays. I've been riding horses competitively for 14 years, but to be honest, personal family-related issues have really prevented me from doing any type of extra-curricular activity. I hope, though, that my photo-related resume will be impressive, and I also hope to add to it.</p>

<p>If you managed to make it through all of that, I would really appreciate any feedback you have. I've only heard my guidance counselor tell me to not even consider NYU because of my grades, and my photo teachers telling me to go for it, so I'm truly torn. I know that Tisch is the place for me.</p>

<p>Thanks so much!</p>

<p>P.S. -- I am planning on applying early decision.</p>

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<p>i think you’ll be fine
my gpa and test scores were average
and i was accepted to tisch
as you said it’s 50 academics and 50 portfolio</p>

<p>my portfolio definately helped me
so once you’ve got your grades pretty much set
focus on building your portfolio and making it as strong as possible</p>

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<p>it sounds like you just stole my autobiography! same stats ish too.
I was literally in the exact same position as you last year. it was tisch for photography or else I was heading to Albania to live with monkies. not really. but…
remember you have to be accepted by both nyu and tisch. do not slack on your grades because nyu is a tough tough university and yea youxhave to take Liberal arts classes. add one or two more ecs to diversify yourself while you have the time, and if your that good, then you have a shot.
however, in the beginning of my senior year I had an epiphany and basically realized I didn’t have a path I was specific about in photography and didn’t want go be a starving artist trying to sell my own work. so I encourage you to really think about the choices you will make with your major, etc. it’s very important because getting an art degree is one of the two extremes- no money or a lot of money. so watch yourself and work hard so you don’t have loans to pay off.
Tisch is a great school and photography is also my passion, and even though you think you know what you want, make sure of it.</p>

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<p>To address laurenrp’s comment,
I believe Tisch lets you double major in another school, so photography doesn’t HAVE to be your only major. Photographer is a VERY competitive field, so it’s always smart to have a backup plan, unfortunately. GOOD LUCK! I am applying there myself as a transfer… hoping to double major.</p>

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<p>laurenrp, who told you that people in albania live with monkeys?</p>

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<p>Did you end up getting in?? I’m a 17 year old junior right now and I’ve been told I’m an amazing portrait photographer except I haven’t won that many awards and my GPA is about a 3.3 at my uber competitive high school.</p>