<p>Son's first run SAT scores are in this morning. His Critical Reading + Math = 1330</p>
<p>Writing was a 780 for a total of 2010. He's already scheduled to take it again in June, and also the ACT then. We're hoping for an improvement of 100 pts as he's done much better on full-length practice tests and had an (ahem) intestinal problem the day of the test.</p>
<p>These scores put him barely in the zone for NYU, and our question is whether or not the TIsch students have to be admitted to the school FIRST, and then are considered for Tisch. Unless he improved drastically Columbia would not even be on the radar screen.</p>
<p>Does anyone know how this process works?</p>
<p>We'll be visiting th</p>
<p>e school on Tuesday (four day trip from our home in central Georgia to see Rutgers, Julliard, NYU, Columbia and Fordham 2/14- 2/17) but I'm not sure they tell the "truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth" at those info sessions. In fact, I know they don't because we've been through the college app process with two older children, although neither of them was in fine arts.</p>
<p>Anyone with light to shine on this subject? Words of wisdom? (i hope!)</p>
<p>skipsmom, I can help. For one thing, I have a daughter who is a senior at Tisch in Drama. I also advise applicants to college, including applicants to theater programs. All schools work differently. </p>
<p>The way Tisch works is that 50% of the admissions decision is academic (the application materials) and 50% is the artistic review (the audition). So, they count equally whereas at many other schools, the audition counts for a larger percentage of the admissions decision. </p>
<p>At Tisch you are NOT first admitted to the university. It is an all or nothing admissions decision.....you are not admitted separately to the university or separately to Tisch. You are either accepted to attend NYU/Tisch or not at all and if you aren't admitted to Tisch, you could not then attend NYU. So, it is ONE admissions decision. The academic review proceeds simulataneously, so to speak, with the audition review. One office is reviewing the application and one reviews the audition and then a decision is reached. The decision comes out around April 1 for Regular Decision. </p>
<p>I don't know your son's entire academic profile and SATs are just one piece of the academic review.....but JUST on that piece alone, he is in the ballpark (and he may increase his score on the next sitting, ya never know) for NYU. So, his SAT score is worthy of acceptance to NYU. It is low for Columbia, however. Also, besides his 1330 (again, that is in the ballpark for NYU), his writing score is very high and that will also be a big plus. The mid 50% range of accepted students' SAT scores are (for CR/M combined): 1310-1440. So, 25% of those accepted have below a 1310 (and I know accepted students who have had below that score). Your son is in the mid range, though the lower end of the mid range. His writing score is above the mid-SAT range for admitted students' writing scores and so that also must be factored in. I don't believe his scores would keep him out at all. There is the rest of his academic profile, and that would count.....NYU is not a school that just goes by numbers.</p>
<p>Thank you for that information, soozievt! He was disappointed in his writing score because he has done much better in practice sessions and has had two essays graded by a scorer. However, we're going on the principle that these are his best scores even though he will be working separately with SAT tutors in verbal and math between now and June. </p>
<p>He will probably have a 3.7 GPA; he had a disastrous freshman year at boarding school and we finally took him out in mid-sophomore year. He's in an academically harder school now and is doing much, much better (thank heavens!). One AP last year and three this year, plus three next year. He's made the honor roll and the Faculty Recognition Award (bigger deal at this school than honor roll) and is in all theater productions at school and in the community. He's a varsity tennis player (school is state champ boys tennis) and does Irish dance (prizewinner level) and plays Go (Chinese board game) and juggles. That's about it---his school requires community service and he does it because he has to, no passionate interest in helping others although he served voluntarily as a homework tutor for disadvantaged kids when he was in middle school. </p>
<p>Homeschooled in 7th and 8th grades so we could travel the world---he's been to Europe several times, Japan, Costa Rica, most states in the US. </p>
<p>Took 2 years of Latin and grades were not stellar, but he won a silver medal on the national Latin exam. Has now switched to Spanish, so he'll have 2 years of two languages (doing that mainly for spanish dialect/accent for theater). </p>
<p>His school is an hour away, so he spends 10 hours each week commuting, which I think is almost like an extracurricular and does show dedication. He's very likeable and has beautiful orange-red hair...good strong tenor (but not knockout). He's applied to RADA for summer school and if he gets that I think it wiill help his profile tremendously. </p>
<p>Are we overlooking anything??</p>
<p>Based on what you shared, his academic profile (can't discuss the artistic one as I don't know him as a performer) is definitely within range for NYU. His scores and GPA are in range and the rigor of his curriculum is. He has dedicated extracurriculars and so forth. Again, his SAT would not keep him out as it is in range. His writing score is ABOVE the norm for NYU. Your son also has some interesting life experiences that could make good topics for essays.</p>
<p>Good luck with RADA...I have a student who is your son's age who will be going there for three weeks this summer in fact.</p>
<p>Is he going to the young peoples' program or the regular summer school? We felt the regular summer session would give him a better idea of the rigors of conservatory training and hope we haven't done the wrong thing by putting him in with 20-25 year olds. :(</p>
<p>Skip’s mom, be of good cheer! My D and her good theater buddy auditioned for Tisch. They had nearly identical resumes, and my D had her auditioner in tears (I think that’s a good thing). The auditioner said, “I’m puttting you down for CAP 21,” BUT - the friend’s SAT was 1350, and D’s was only 1200 (she’s dyslexic) with an ACT of 27. The friend got in; D was waitlisted. If your S has his heart set on Tisch, he may be what they want, depending on his audition. Best of luck to him!</p>
<p>The more I hear of these acceptances the more I realize that there is no pattern, nothing to go by. I guess if a person has the basic requirements for the school first, that’s one hurdle, but you will never really know what they are looking for in the audition if the school has to “balance” the class—half boys, half girls, some tenors, some baritones, some international kids, etc. I guess the only thing we can do is for him to present his best self at the auditions and then not take it personally if he doesn’t get in. </p>
<p>We’re leaving on the 26th to visit six more schools, and I am really most interested in CCM. The correspondence our son has had with them has been very positive (just their attitude about everything) and we have LOVED the audition Do’s and Don’t’s on their website—it is a hilarious, witty, truthful-til-it-hurts look at the audition process from the auditioner’s point of view that everybody should read. We have laughed over and over again at it and can’t wait to visit the school that produced that document. 
And, this may sound absolutely crazy, but their website is one of the few where the students are SMILING but as though they are truly enjoying being there. I know they were posing for the camera but they look like real kids having a wonderful time… I do so want that for our son!</p>