Graduate Application Requirements

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

Graduate Applicants

Applications are due by 11:59 PM ET on December 2, 2024. Late submissions will not be accepted.

CHECKLIST

Applicants must complete the Tisch Graduate Application, which will be available in September. The application requires the following components:

  • Resume: Please list any published or produced work, and any work experience that is relevant to a writing career.
  • Personal Statement: In 750 words or less, tell us about your decision to pursue an MFA in Dramatic Writing at Tisch. What about our department appeals to you? How will you benefit from studying here? What can you bring to the Dramatic Writing Department? How has your life experience shaped your development as a writer?
  • Two letters of recommendation.
  • Official transcripts from your undergraduate and graduate schools
  • Creative portfolio.

Creative Portfolio

Admission to the program depends primarily on the quality of the writing that an applicant submits. We want to read your strongest work -- the piece that best shows off your unique voice. Your creative portfolio should consist of a single, complete work - a full-length play (up to 120 pages) or screenplay (90-120 pages), or an original episodic/tv pilot (25-60 pages, half-hour or one-hour). If submitting a half-hour pilot, you may also, if you choose, submit a second half-hour pilot or half-hour spec script (while staying under 60 pages total).

Please note: the page limits are meant to be guidelines in accordance with industry standard - it is acceptable if your submission is a few pages under/over. If admitted to the program, you will not be held to focusing in the area you submit your portfolio in, as we are a cross-media program and students are trained in all three areas.

Regardless of what type of work you submit, your script should tell a complete story. Note, in particular, a pilot should tell a complete story within the episode.

If your complete work falls outside of these three areas (e.g., if you write a serial podcast) but is relevant to dramatic writing and is the work of which you are most proud, we will accept the portfolio for review. If you are submitting work that is not a play, screenplay, or pilot, please address this in an addendum to your personal statement. It must be evident to the admissions committee that your goals are in line with what our department can offer.

All submitted work must be original and written solely by the applicant (i.e., no co-writes or adaptations). Applicants should not send videotapes or audiotapes of their work.

NOTE: The GRE is not required for admission. Because this is a writing program operated in English, non-native English speakers must have excellent, nearly flawless English speaking and writing ability.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

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

The Department of Dramatic Writing is able to offer a limited number of partial-tuition scholarships. Awards are made on the basis of financial need, artistic excellence and professional promise. There is no separate application process for a scholarship. Department scholarships are applied toward tuition only and are typically renewable for the second year.

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).

Applicants are encouraged to seek outside sources for funding, as well. Additional information about scholarships and financial aid can be found on the Tisch Graduate Admissions page, and on the NYU Scholarships and Grants page. NYU's Office of Financial Education offers helpful resources, as well.

Cost of Attendance

Academic Year 2023-2024

The estimated annual cost of attendance in the Graduate Dramatic Writing program at NYU includes the cost of tuition, registration fees, health insurance, and a reasonable estimate for living expenses. 

Financial aid packages for domestic students are determined by the cost of attendance.  Any scholarships offered by the school cover tuition, only.

The following is the estimated cost of attendance for AY 2022; each year this cost of attendance is adjusted, as the fees and cost of living may fluctuate. (*Check links for accurate figures)

TUITION*                                               $73,698

HEALTH INSURANCE*.                   

Basic Health Insurance:                          $4,068

 

ESTIMATED LIVING EXPENSES*    

Room and Board:                                 $29,344

Transportation:                                     $1,154

Personal Expenses:                               $4,046

 

TOTAL ANNUAL COST OF ATTENDANCE   

(FALL & SPRING):                                           $112,310