The Tisch School of the Arts at NYU is renowned for its competitive film program, where aspiring filmmakers can hone their craft and work alongside industry professionals. With a reputation for being selective, Tisch attracts talented individuals from around the world who are passionate about pursuing a career in the arts. While specific acceptance rates for individual programs within Tisch are not publicly available, the overall acceptance rate for the school typically hovers around 16-20%.

Individuals interested in applying to NYU Tisch for the film program must meet certain academic requirements. A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is necessary for consideration. Additionally, Tisch is a “test optional” program, meaning that applicants are not required to submit SAT or ACT scores. This allows prospective students to showcase their artistic abilities and potential without the limitations of standardized testing.

The admission process at NYU Tisch involves submitting a strong portfolio that highlights the applicant’s creative talents and potential for growth in the field of film. Along with academic transcripts and letters of recommendation, the portfolio serves as a key component in the selection process. Tisch seeks individuals who demonstrate a strong passion for filmmaking and a commitment to developing their skills in a collaborative and innovative environment. By meeting the academic requirements and showcasing their artistic abilities, applicants have the opportunity to pursue their dreams at one of the most prestigious arts schools in the world.

GPA RequirementTest Scores RequirementTest Optional	Minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scaleNo SAT/ACT requiredYes, test optional program

NYU Tisch Film Overview

According to data from our Application Tracker the reported Tisch School Of The Arts acceptance rate and minimum GPAs for NYU Tisch are the following:

NYU Tisch Film Acceptance Rate

Thanks to the over 3,200 applications in our Application Tracker we can calculate the NYU Tisch Acceptance rate and the lowest accepted minimum GPAs for their film programs. According to out tracker the current acceptance rate is 19%, 35%, and 33% for their film programs.

nYU tisch graduate film acceptance rate

• FilmSchool.org NYU Tisch Acceptance Rate: 20% (36 out of 177 applications)
• Lowest Reported Minimum GPA: 3.2
• Earliest Interview Notification Date: February 8
• Earliest Interview Date: February 22
• Earliest Decision Date: February 24

NYU – Dramatic Writing

• FilmSchool.org NYU Tisch Acceptance Rate: 36% (23 out of 63 applications)
• Lowest Reported Minimum GPA: 3.4
• Earliest Interview Notification Date: February 22
• Earliest Interview Date: February 23
• Earliest Decision Date: March 4

NYU – Producing Program (Dual MBA/MFA)

• FilmSchool.org NYU Tisch Acceptance Rate: 30% (4 out of 13 applications)
• Lowest Reported Minimum GPA: 3.7
• Earliest Interview Notification Date: January 30
• Earliest Interview Date: February 17
• Earliest Decision Date: March 18

In the past few years, applying to film school has gotten extremely competitive: top schools like USC’s School of Cinematic Arts now boast lower admission rates than the Ivies. Simultaneously, the number of film programs has grown—rising from about 300 in 2006 to almost 400 today.

With so many programs available and so much competition for the top spots, where should you apply? In order to help you find the right school for you, I’ve compiled a list of the best film schools in the US, based on my experience as a film student and actress in LA.

NYU Film Tisch Admissions

nYU film school Portfolio requirements

The Application and Portfolio Deadline for Film Production for both the Graduate Film Program (MFA) and the Dual Degree Program (MBA/MFA) is December 1st.   

A filmmaking background is not a prerequisite for admission to the Tisch School of the Arts. We are looking for potential creative filmmaking ability as evidenced through visual and written materials. 

There are two required components that you must submit in order to successfully complete your application for admission:

1. The application for admission must be submitted online by December 1st to the Tisch Office of Graduate Admissions along with the required academic documentation, recommendations and supporting credentials.
2.  Access the 2021 application link. 
   
3. You must prepare a five-part creative portfolio (detailed below) and submit it via SlideRoom (tischfilmandtv.slideroom.com).  Please note that upon submitting your creative portfolio, SlideRoom will charge a $12.00 fee for applicants to use this service. You may pay this fee with a credit or debit card. Your creative portfolio must be uploaded via SlideRoom on or before December 1st.

If you are applying for the dual-degree program (MBA/MFA) please click HERE.

You can register and set up a department account at this link when the SlideRoom portal re-opens in September:
https://tischfilmandtv.slideroom.com/

Once you have registered to start a creative portfolio via SlideRoom, you may step away and come back at any time, until the final deadline. Please make sure that you save your progress after each visit, and do not click to submit until you are 100% sure that you have properly uploaded the required components outlined below. Once you click submit, you may no longer edit your creative portfolio.

Please note that upon submitting your creative portfolio, SlideRoom will send you an e-mail to confirm receipt of your materials.

The Creative Portfolio

Please prepare the following items for your creative portfolio package:

1. Visual Submission

Sample(s) of your work presented visually. Material done in collaboration with other artists is acceptable provided you were the major creative force (i.e., director, writer, camera operator or editor) and explain in detail the exact nature of your contribution.

Choose ONE of the following formats (i.e., do not combine video and photography):

Video: The submission should contain one complete narrative or documentary film with a total running time that does not exceed 15 minutes. Video footage of staged plays or theatre performances is not acceptable. Do not submit a clip reel. Please be clear about your specific contributions to the sample. You may upload up to ten minutes of video directly to the media page within SlideRoom. If the total running time of your video sample exceeds ten minutes, a YouTube or Vimeo link to your work must be provided on the media page. Please test your video prior to submission. If you are submitting a link, please be sure no downloads or passwords are required.

OR

Photography (Stills): No more than 10 prints on any subject, black and white or color, with or without commentary may be submitted. The photographs may also be a presentation of work in other media, such as painting, illustration, sculpture, set design, costume design, etc. (Still images and scans uploaded to tischfilmandtv.slideroom.com should be a minimum of 72 dpi.)

2. Written Submissions

You must submit ALL of the following:

Dramatic Story:The Dramatic story is a required short narrative writing exercise. Write a two page story which builds dramatic tension and ends with one of these lines:

“So I took the pair of sneakers, and never looked back.”

“I think Mom is psychic.”

“Any questions?”

“And for the first time ever, I put on a mask.”

“Life isn’t meant to be fair.”

“I still don’t trust you, but OK.”

“Now I see it!”

“We bumped elbows and split.”

Format for the Dramatic Story: 2 pages, double-spaced. (Save as a pdf and upload to tischfilmandtv.slideroom.com.)

Dialogue Scene: Write an interesting conversation between two people that reveals something about the characters. You can give a one sentence description of each character, but please include only essential details. Do not write back story. Write a maximum of two pages in screenwriting format. (Save as a pdf and upload to tischfilmandtv.slideroom.com.)

Concept:
Describe oneconcept for a feature-length script, narrative film, or documentary that you would like to develop. Write no more than one page, typed, double-spaced. (Save as a pdf and upload to tischfilmandtv.slideroom.com.)

Photograph: Include a photograph of yourself (upload to tischfilmandtv.slideroom.com).  

Resume & Personal Statement: Upload copies of your resume and personal statement to SlideRoom. These are also required elements for the application submitted to the Tisch Office of Graduate Admissions.

Please upload the requested items only. Failure to do so will be grounds for automatic disqualification. Please do not substitute, vary, or add extraneous or additional pieces. Portfolio materials cannot be edited once uploaded to SlideRoom.

nYU film school requirements

Undergraduate Requirements

In addition to your application to NYU, you should submit a two-part portfolio directly to the Department of Cinema Studies.

Part One – A five to ten page essay on a film, director, or any other moving image-related topic that you choose.

Part Two – A one-page statement that answers the following questions:
 

• Have you taken any cinema/media-related classes?
• What areas of cinema studies most interest you (film genres, directors, theory, etc.)? 
• What are your career aspirations (film journalism/criticism, film curating, filmmaking, etc.)?

Graduate Requirements

The application deadline for Fall 2022 is December 1, 2021.GRADUATE APPLICATION

Application requirements for the Moving Image Archiving and Preservation (MIAP) Master of Arts program can be found here.

Application requirements for the Cinema Studies M.A. and Ph.D. programs include:

1. C.V.

Your professional c.v. listing academic background, work experience, honors, affiliations with professional organizations, papers presented at conferences, published work, language ability, etc.

2. Statement

A two to three page statement of purpose outlining your academic and professional background, goals, and what you hope to gain from the program to which you are applying.

MIAP applicants should also demonstrate an interest in the history and preservation of the moving image in their personal statement.

3. Writing Sample

A fifteen to twenty page writing sample that reflects your ability to carry out sustained critical, theoretical, and/or historical thinking on film, television, video, and/or new media.  In the absence of a moving-image-related topic, a piece of writing on a subject in the arts or humanities is acceptable.

Contact two recommenders and ask that they submit a letter on your behalf through the online system. Gather all academic transcripts and upload copies to the online application.

Please note that the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is no longer required for the application.

NYU Film School Tuition

AY 2021

The annual cost of attendance at the Graduate Film program at NYU includes the cost of tuition, registration fees, required purchases, health insurance, and a reasonable estimate for living expenses. Financial aid packages for domestic students are determined by the cost of attendance.

The following is the estimated cost of attendance for AY 2021; each year this cost of attendance is adjusted, as the fees and cost of living may fluctuate. *Check links for accurate figures. 

TUITION*                                                  $63,196 

FEES*                                                       $  2,730

REQUIRED PURCHASES*

Supplies:                                                 $     824

Supplemental CSI Insurance:                      $     155

HEALTH INSURANCE*

Basic Health Insurance:                           $  3,645

ESTIMATED LIVING EXPENSES*

Room and Board:                                    $26,042

Transportation:                                            $  1,110

Personal Expenses:                                  $  3,678

TOTAL ANNUAL COST OF ATTENDANCE    (FALL & SPRING):                               $101,440

NYU Film School Scholarships And Fellowships

A limited number of full-tuition fellowships and partial-tuition scholarships are available. Awards are made on the basis of financial need, artistic excellence and professional promise.

Fellowships and tuition scholarships are funds applied toward tuition only. Students receiving fellowships and scholarships in their first year are given the same amount in their second and third year of study, with the possibility of increased aid in the third year.

There is no separate application for NYU Grad Film scholarships. Students who indicate their desire to be considered for scholarship on their admission application will automatically be considered for academic merit-based and financial need-based scholarships. Students who are U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens and who wish to be considered for financial aid must complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).

While financial aid is limited and cannot be guaranteed, most students who are in serious need of financial assistance receive some discount on tuition. Please note that the University does not provide stipends for living expenses.

Admissions decisions are not based upon your indication of financial need.

Students are encouraged to look for any outside source of aid as well.

Additional information on scholarships and grants can be found at NYU’s Scholarships and Grants.

NYU Film School undergraduate International Students

The Graduate Film program values the diversity that international students bring to the program and will consider international students for Tisch-based scholarships and financial aid in the same way they do for U.S. applicants if you are selected for admission.

Please note that Non-U.S. citizens do not qualify for federal grants and loans, and thereby cannot file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) from the U.S. Government. Subsequently, international students have less opportunity for financial assistance from the University. 

First year international student can get a US student loan (up to the cost of attendance) with a credit-worthy U.S. endorser (co-signer). Information on such loans can be found at www.nyu.edu/financial.aid/private-loans.php

If financial aid is an important aspect of your application, don’t overlook funding opportunities from your home country, and from foundations that are internationally based, along with all possible personal, family and local resources.

Film Schools IN NYU

You should never look at rankings as fact—not even those from trusted industry sources like The Hollywood Reporter. Instead, you should use these articles as a jumping off point for your own college research. Also, whenever looking at a ranking list, you should find out how the rankings were determined.

Right now, I’ll explain how I came up with this very unscientific list of top film schools. I began by restricting my search to colleges that prioritize film by only offering arts degrees or by having a specialized film school within the larger institution. Then, I took the following three criteria into consideration:

#1: Ranking. I used ranking lists from respected industry papers such as The Hollywood Reporter as a starting point for my research.

#2: On and Off-Campus Extracurricular Opportunities. Success in the entertainment industry depends a lot on who you know. In order to get to know more people (beyond your classmates and teachers), you need to have the opportunity to intern with production companies, studios, agencies, management companies, post-houses, casting offices, etc. Also, it’s important to have opportunities to make films and showcase your work in order to get your name out there and to get feedback. Does the school provide opportunities to make and screen student films?

#3: Notable Alumni. How many alumni have risen to the top of their field? If a lot have, it means the school likely provided them with the resources (aka connections) and/or skills needed to succeed.

I split this list into two tiers rather than ranking each school, since specific rankings are typically not that meaningful.

What separates the Tier 1 schools is that they have the best reputation, provide the most extracurricular opportunities and have the longest lists of notable alumni. While the Tier 2 schools are also good, they don’t have the same industry connections and don’t have as many notable alumni as the Tier 1 schools.

Consider attending a school in the heart of Hollywood!

Tier 1 Film Schools

Tier 1 includes the very best film schools in the US — these are extremely prestigious programs with many successful alums.

1. University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts

I may be biased as an alum, but you’d be hard-pressed to find any ranking list that didn’t have USC near the top. The USC School of Cinematic Arts has more connections in the entertainment industry than all of the other schools combined (and a Hollywood Walk of Fame star in front of the school to prove it).

USC’s Los Angeles location helps make it a top film school. You’re not just given internship opportunities: you also have opportunities to go to industry events (with students occasionally being offered free tickets to Hollywood premieres) and more potential to network with industry professionals.

The School of Cinematic Arts is extremely selective, with only about 3% of applicants being admitted. There are separate undergraduate programs for animation, screenwriting, critical studies, media arts, interactive media, and film production.

USC is arguably one of the more “practical” schools I’ll discuss because it tries to prepare students for the changing medium (as it expands beyond typical movies to web series and virtual reality) by allowing students to take classes on new media.

The list of notable alumni is incredibly long (George Lucas, Judd Apatow, Paul Feig, and many more), but even more impressive is that basically every Hollywood office I interned at employed at least one USC alum.

The school provides access to great off-campus internships throughout the school year and summer at places such as NBCUniversal, Lionsgate, and Pixar. Additionally, there are many opportunities to screen your work. These opportunities include the prestigious USC First Look Film Festival, which is attended by many industry professionals.

2. NYU Tisch

I don’t know if NYU Tisch students heard this adage as well, but the saying in film circles goes, “If you want to make a living, go to USC; if you want to make art, go to NYU.” It has to do with Tisch’s location: while L.A. is the center of commercial film and television, New York has become the center of independent filmmaking.

Tisch’s undergraduate program only offers three degrees: Film & Television, Cinema Studies, and Dramatic Writing. NYU focuses on churning out true auteurs who have strong visual storytelling skills, preparing them for success in the independent filmmaking world.

While NYU does have some famous alumni working in Hollywood such as Martin Scorsese and Spike Lee, it has a longer list of alumni working in the independent scene: Alfonso Gomez-Rejon (Me and Earl and the Dying Girl), Joel Coen (Fargo), documentarian Morgan Spurlock (Super Size Me), and experimental filmmaker George Von Steiner.

Due to its New York location, NYU provides students with the opportunity to intern year-round at places such as Fox Searchlight, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and Late Show With Stephen Colbert. Also, the school provides tons of opportunities to screen your work, including at the Manoogian Screenings (held at the Directors Guild Theater in Los Angeles).

New York is another great place to be for film!

3. AFI

AFI is always near the top of any film school ranking list. A true film conservatory without the traditional college experience and general education requirements, AFI offers certificates to those without undergraduate degrees and MFAs to college grads.

The programs at AFI are extremely specialized (more so than any other school on this list), allowing students to graduate with unique degrees in Directing, Cinematography, Editing, Producing, Production Design, and Screenwriting.

AFI boasts an impressive list of alumni including Darren Aronofsky, David Lynch, and Terrence Malick. Its LA locale allows students to intern throughout the year. That being said, as a conservatory, AFI prioritizes helping students make films rather than helping them get internship opportunities. However, making and screening films is equally important to interning. By making and screening films, students can see how audiences respond to their work and get better at their craft.

AFI students make TONS of films. For example, in the first year alone, Directing, Producing and Cinematography students have the opportunity to make three narrative projects. Editing students work on up to six projects, Production Design students work on up to four, and Screenwriting students write at least one of short film and start working on a feature screenplay. There are prestigious screening opportunities such as at the famous AFI Film Festival.

Some schools still use old school cameras!

Tier 2 Schools

Tier 2 schools also offer top film programs, but they don’t have as many industry connections or as many notable alumni as the Tier 1 schools.

1. UCLA

As an alum of their rival school, it pains me to include them on this list, but UCLA’s film school is top notch and very competitive, with only about 30 students admitted each year.

UCLA is less specialized than the other schools on this list, only offering undergraduates a generalized Film, Television, and Digital Media degree. Students do pick concentrations within the degree, but not until spring of their junior year; concentrations include Film Production, Documentary, Screenwriting, Animation, Digital Media, or Cinema & Media Studies.

Just a few of UCLA’s famous alumni include Francis Ford Coppola, Alexander Payne, and Rob Reiner. UCLA offers juniors and seniors the opportunity to intern year-round. Past students have interned at places such as NBC Universal and Bad Robot.

2. Chapman University

Chapman’s film school gives students the opportunity to specialize at the undergraduate level with unique degrees in Film Production, Digital Arts, Creative Producing, Television Writing, Screenwriting, New/Broadcast Journalism and Documentary. This makes Chapman a great option for high school students who know what niche of the film industry they would like to partake in before entering college.

The school boasts a handful of notable alumni such as The Amazing Race producer Darren Bunkley, Masters of Sex editor Rebekah Parmer, and Dear White People director Justin Simien.

Unlike other schools on this list, Chapman has its own production company, Chapman Filmed Entertainment, which gives students experience in making, marketing and distributing films. This is an incredible opportunity that most students don’t get while in school; it allows them to learn the ins and outs of fundraising, marketing, and distribution in addition to production.

Chapman offers some screening and internship opportunities though not as many as other schools. Its location in Orange County, about a 45-minute to two-hour drive to LA depending on traffic, makes it difficult to intern during the school year.

3. Loyola Marymount University (LMU)

LMU’s School of Film and Television allows students to get specialized degrees in Production, Animation, Screenwriting, Film Studies, or Recording Arts. It’s one of a handful of schools with the Recording Arts degree, making it a perfect choice for students who know they want to pursue careers as sound editors, sound mixers, or sound designers.

It has some well-known alumni such as James Bond franchise producer Barbara Broccoli, The Simpsons producer David Mirkin, American Horror Story writer/producer James Wong, and Hunger Games director Francis Lawrence.

LMU recognizes the importance of internships and partners with big companies including Disney, Sony, NBCUniversal and Paramount to provide internships to about 100 LMU students each year.

Most film schools provide you with top of the line equipment.

4. Boston University

Boston University’s Film & Television Department only offers more general Film & TV or Cinema & Media Studies degrees at the undergraduate level. However, BU provides students with a well-rounded degree offering courses in production (directing, editing, cinematography, sound design, short film production), film and television screenwriting, producing, management, and film studies. For students who are unsure about film school, BU is a great option because you don’t officially declare your major until spring of your sophomore year, so you can test out film and pick another major if you don’t like it.

BU has a handful of famous alumni including Joe Roth, Howard Stern, and Nina Tassler. Recognizing its sub-optimal location and how crucial LA connections are to future success, BU opened an LA campus that over 200 students visit each year. While in LA, BU students partake in internships at companies such as The Jim Henson Company.

5. California Institute of the Arts

CalArts is a conservatory that was founded in 1961 by Walt Disney and is well-known for producing A-list animators like John Lasseter. In addition to two animation degrees (Charaction Animation and Experimental Animation), however, CalArts also offers a Film and Video degree.

Since CalArts is primarily lauded for its animation programs, the majority of its famous alumni (with the exception of Tim Burton) are animators: Frozen co-director Chris Buck, Big Hero 6 director Don Hall, and Inside Out director Pete Docter.

The school’s location about 45 minutes outside of LA makes it difficult to intern during the school year. However, CalArts does do its best to help students get credit for internships during the school year and summer.

6. Emerson College

Emerson has also recognized the importance of LA connections for students, opening a campus in Hollywood and hosting an annual Los Angeles-based film festival. Emerson is the only school in the country to offer a comedy arts degree, making it a great choice for students who want to work exclusively in comedy filmmaking.

The school boasts some well-known alumni such as New Regency’s Pam Abdy, DreamWorks’ Holly Bario, Sony’s Andrea Giannetti, Viacom’s Doug Herzog. The school provides students with excellent screening opportunities such as at the Los Angeles Emerson Film Festival.