FAQ About Our Admissions Process

How do I apply to your program?

The Department of Drama encourages applications from high school seniors and also from current college students who wish to transfer.  Applications are accepted for Fall admission only.  

Application to the Department of Drama is a two-part process, as admission is based on students meeting both academic and artistic criteria.  Applicants are required to submit an NYU application and participate in an artistic review.  

All applicants to the Department of Drama must complete the NYU application and provide the required supporting documentation.  The 2010 application, along with applications for housing and financial aid, may be found on NYU’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions website.  We encourage you to submit your NYU application prior to the deadline and to schedule your artistic review as early as possible.  Artistic review guidelines and scheduling information may be found by following the links to the right.  All application deadlines are strictly enforced.   

Students must meet the admission criteria of both the Department of Drama and New York University in order to be successful in earning an offer of admissions.  Therefore, both parts of the application must be complete before an admissions decision can be made. top

What is the artistic review?

The artistic review is an evaluation of your aptitude for training in the theatrical specialization of your choice.  The process is conducted by the Department of Drama and consists of an audition or portfolio presentation and an interview.  It is a required part of the application process.  Artistic review guidelines and scheduling information may be found by following the links to the right. top

How should I prepare for my artistic review?

When you schedule your artistic review appointment, you will be asked to select one of four areas of concentration: Acting, Music Theatre, Directing or Technical Production and Design.  Artistic review guidelines and scheduling information may be found by following the links to the right.  

All applicants are required to submit a résumé and photograph for their artistic review.  A professional headshot is not necessary.  A snapshot is acceptable, as long as you are recognizable in the photo.  

Your résumé should contain all of your performing arts-related experience.  You may include show credits (high school and college only), backstage, design, directing and writing experience; extracurricular, summer or community theatre work; summer theatre camp; vocal, dance or musical instrument training; competition participation or awards won; related arts work and accomplishments.  Please use the proper format for a performing arts résumé (examples may be found by following the link to the right).  However, as this résumé is part of your college application, it may be longer than one side of a page.   

Your evaluator will not accept additional material beyond the résumé and photo.  Please do not send DVDs, CDs, scripts, portfolios or any additional material to the Department of Drama. top

Do you have any tips about the audition and interview components of the artistic review?

Artistic review guidelines and scheduling information may be found by following the links to the right.  

For the audition portion of the artistic review, please choose material appropriate for you.  Our concern at the audition is your natural ability as a performer and how it would be served by the training we offer.  Therefore, select monologues carefully (with characters that are close to your age and experience) to allow yourself to shine through the material.  Opt for material that you are passionate about – that moves you emotionally or intellectually.  Be sure to read the entire play from which your monologue is taken.  Monologues must be from published plays.  

After your audition, there will be a brief interview.  This is your time to tell us about yourself -- your background, interests, professional and academic goals. top

If I audition for Music Theatre, can I be considered for an acting studio as well?

Yes.  If a candidate does a Music Theatre artistic review, she will be considered first for placement in the music theatre program at the New Studio on Broadway.  If we feel she is a good fit, we will place her there.  If not, we will consider her for placement in one of the acting studios.  

The Department of Drama at Tisch offers a range of programs where musical skills are viewed as an essential element of an actor’s expressive vocabulary.  Our most concentrated music theatre program is offered through the New Studio on Broadway, but students attend voice, music and dance classes throughout the department and participate in full-length musicals at other studios, including Playwrights Horizons and ETW.  At least one musical is traditionally chosen as a core element of the department’s produced season, in addition to countless music theatre performances staged by Drama students both in student-produced productions and as part of the directing program at Playwrights Horizons Theater School.  

In the interview, candidates will be asked if they would like to be considered for one of the acting studios in addition to the music theatre program at the New Studio on Broadway, given the relatively small number of places for music theatre students at that studio.  The answer will not affect the candidate’s eligibility for New Studio and the studio placement decision remains with the Drama department.  

Applicants may state in their interview that they want to use their undergraduate experience to study musical theatre and are therefore only interested in the New Studio on Broadway.  In which case, if they do not meet the requirements for placement into the New Studio on Broadway, they will not be accepted into the department of Drama. top

Can I do an Acting artistic review AND a Music Theatre artistic review?

No.  Applicants may only choose one area of concentration for their artistic review. Candidates participating in an Acting artistic review will be considered for placement in one of the six acting studios for their Primary training.  They will not be considered for the music theatre program at the New Studio on Broadway, our most concentrated music theatre training.   

If a candidate does a Music Theatre artistic review, she will be considered first for placement in the music theatre program at the New Studio on Broadway.  If we feel she is a good fit, we will place her there.  If not, we will consider her for placement in one of the acting studios. top

Do I have to audition in New York City?

Early Decision candidates must audition in New York City.  Regular Decision and Transfer candidates have the option of attending an artistic review in Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Austin, Atlanta, and Miami, in addition to New York City. top

Can I submit my artistic review digitally?

In extenuating circumstances, a digital artistic review may be submitted, but candidates must follow specific guidelines.  Submissions that do not strictly follow these guidelines will not be considered.  

Please understand that while digital artistic reviews are weighed the same as in-person artistic reviews, they are more difficult to evaluate.  Only use the digital submission option if you absolutely cannot make it to one of the ten cities for an in-person artistic review or in the event that all available appointments have been filled.  We will not review digital submissions until NYU’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions has received your NYU application.  

Digital submission guidelines may be found by following the link to your right top

If I am not accepted Early Decision, can I reapply during Regular Decision?

No.  Early Decision candidates receive a final decision letter from NYU.  If not accepted Early Decision, a candidate may reapply as a Transfer candidate the following year. top

If I am not accepted into the Department of Drama, can I be admitted into another school at NYU?

No.  If you are not accepted into the Department of Drama at Tisch School of the Arts, you are not accepted into NYU at all that year.  Applicants may submit an application to only one school at NYU and subsequently to only one department in that school. top

Can my drama teacher write me a recommendation letter?

No.  NYU Undergraduate Admissions requires two letters of recommendation: one from an academic teacher and one from a guidance counselor.  The Department of Drama does not require an artistic recommendation, as we are evaluating your natural ability as an artist through the artistic review.  Letters from artistic teachers and mentors will not be accepted during the admissions process. top

Can I sit in on a class?

No.  The Department of Drama does not arrange for prospective students to watch classes.  Additionally, studio work is of a sensitive nature and is not set up for observation. top

Do you offer summer programs for high school students?

Yes.  Please visit the Tisch Summer High School Program website for further information.