Dramatic Writing

Undergraduate Application Requirements

The Goldberg Department of Dramatic Writing is highly selective and provides an academically and creatively demanding curriculum.

How To Apply

Applications and portfolios are both due on the stated deadlines.  We strongly advise submitting your application in advance of the listed deadline to avoid any delays in submitting the portfolio.

First Year Applicants

  • Early Decision I: November 1, 2020
  • Early Decision II: January 1, 2021
  • Regular Decision: January 5, 2021

Applicants should refer to NYU’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions for additional information.

  1. Complete your Common Application, select Dramatic Writing as your major of interest, and submit it in advance of the deadline listed above.
  2. When you submit your Common App, you will receive a link to log into your Artistic Review Portal within a couple of business days, where you can submit your Dramatic Writing Portfolio.

Note: You won't be able to submit the Portfolio until after the Common App is submitted. However, you should begin working on the portfolio before submitting your Common App based on the Dramatic Writing Portfolio instructions.

External Transfer Applicants

Students who transfer from outside of NYU must complete a minimum of five semesters within the dramatic writing major before they can graduate.

Applicants should refer to the external transfer information page for more information and instructions. 

Deadline: April 1, 2021

1. Complete your Common Application, select Dramatic Writing as your major of interest, and submit it in advance of the deadlines below.

2. When you submit your Common App, you will receive a link to log into your Artistic Review Portal within a couple of business days, where you can submit your Dramatic Writing Portfolio.

Note: You won't be able to submit the Portfolio until after the Common App is submitted. However, you should begin working on the portfolio before submitting your Common App based on the Dramatic Writing Portfolio instructions.

INTERNAL TRANSFER, CHANGE OF MAJOR, AND DOUBLE MAJOR APPLICANTS

Students who transfer from within NYU or who change their major to Dramatic Writing from another Tisch major or add Dramatic Writing as a double major within Tisch must complete a minimum of five semesters in the department before they can graduate.

Deadline: March 1, 2021

Internal Transfer applicants (from NYU applying into Tisch) can find more information and the application here.  After you submit your application, you will be able to upload your portfolio into the Artistic Portal.

Change of Major applicants (from within Tisch) should complete the Tisch Change of Major form.  Please contact the department at least one week prior to submitting your application so that we can request your account in the Artistic Portal.

Double Major applicants within Tisch should complete the Double Major application form.  Please contact the department at least one week prior to submitting your application so that we can request your account in the Artistic Portal.

Portfolio Requirements

In addition to your application, all applicants for the Goldberg Department of Dramatic Writing must submit a creative portfolio with the following components, which should be uploaded as one document:

1. Cover Sheet

  •  Name (Last, First, MI)
  •  Date of Birth
  • Deadline (ED, Regular, Transfer*)
  • Program (Undergraduate)
  • Type of Writing Samples (script for television, play script, screenplay, short story, etc.)
  • Mailing Address Contact Telephone/Email

* If you are a transfer applicant, please include the name of your current college or university, or the name of your current college or department at NYU or Tisch.

2. Statement of Purpose

Why do you want to pursue a BFA in dramatic writing at Tisch and what do you feel you will bring to the program? (500 words)

Identify a work of film, television, or theater you’ve read or seen in the past year, which has had an impact on your identity as a dramatic writer. Tell us why. (500 words)

3. Writing Portfolio

Submit 3-4 separate writing samples that together total at least 15 pages and that do not exceed 25 pages.  At least one of these samples MUST be a sample of dramatic writing (a play, screenplay, or television/episodic script).  The other 2-3 samples may be, but are not limited to, additional dramatic writing samples, memoirs, short stories, fictional material, and adaptation based on fact.  Choose material that is dramatic and self-contained, with an inherent conflict, a strong protagonist, and a beginning, middle, and end. 

Unacceptable Submissions:

Do not submit co-written material (the work must be yours and yours alone), poetry, elevator pieces (i.e., two people, total opposites, get stuck in an elevator), journalism, or “writing prompts” from other colleges or universities.  Do not submit digital media of any kind.  Do not include URLs to your work.