Will low GPA hurt my chances to go to NYU's Tisch?

Colleges and Universities A-Z New York University
1

Hi,

My dream is to study Dramatic Writing at NYU’s Tisch School of Arts. Though my GPA is sadly low (3.1) and my SAT scores are fine (1360), I still have fairly strong extra-curriculars and awards –

Awards:

Screenwriting:
Award of Merit for Scriptwriting from Webster University’s School of Communications
Finalist in Moondance International Film Festival’s 18 & Under Screenplay Competition
2x Semi-Finalist in Nashville Film Festival’s Young Screenwriter Competition
5x Winner of West Orange High School’s Screenwriters Society Competition

Playwriting:
Selected by Midtown International Theatre Festival, Production at The Jewel Box Theater, New York, NY
1st Place in Prescott Center for the Arts Young Playwrights Festival
3rd Prize in The Theater Project’s Young Playwrights Competition, Production at Cranford Community Center, Cranford, NJ
Top Finalist/Guest Playwright in Eugene O’Neill Theater Center’s National Young Playwrights Festival
Semi-Finalist in Blank Theatre’s Nationwide Young Playwrights Festival

Also, I’m co-president of my high school’s Screenwriters’ Society. If I pair these honors with a strong essay and portfolio, will my GPA still weigh me down?

Thanks.

2

Yes it hurts but Tisch is supposed to go to bat for you if you impress them artistically.

3

Tisch may go to bat for you, but they don’t always win.

You have to assume that admissions is going to be 50% artistic (the Tisch piece based on submitted material)–and 50% from regular admissions (GPA/ tests, EC’s, essays, recommendation letters.)

It sounds like a good part of you regular admissions part is fairly strong, even though your gpa is on the low end. They will also measure your gpa against how challenging your classes were. I would definitely try to take challenging classes senior year and get those grades up. If you are on the cusp, there’s a good chance they will look at mid-semester grades.

Good luck!

4

Thanks uskoolfish. I’m taking 3 APs senior year, so hopefully I can get my grades up for admissions.

Much appreciated!