<p>Hi, guys! I'm new to this site so I apologize if I'm posting in the incorrect forum. </p>
<p>So I'm currently working on college applications right now, and my top two schools are NYU (Tisch) and USC (School of Cinematic Arts). Honestly, my grades are mediocre, and I just took the October SAT so I haven't gotten the score yet (but definitely above 1800). My GPA is probably a 3.0 or maybe 3.1. I visited the USC campus and went to an NYU event, and both claim (CLAIM) that they value creativity over grades- for the arts departments anyway, including the film schools. I have two questions concerning this. </p>
<ol>
<li>Will a fantastic film submission/portfolio compensate for lackluster grades or are they just saying that? </li>
<li>What can I possibly put in my portfolio to absolutely wow the admissions counsel or whoever is reviewing my application?</li>
</ol>
<p>I have screenplays, I have yet to make a short film (but I will definitely be doing so), I am on the news show at my school and have been for three years. I realize there are dozens of other factors involved in the application/acceptance process, but I don't need anyone to sugar coat anything. </p>
<p>Any suggestions for portfolio will be helpful! (By the way, I've already redesigned 7-8 film posters, and am probably going to add that in there). Anything else though?</p>
<p>THANK YOU SO MUCH! :)</p>