Special Programs

Spring at Tisch Application Requirements

Come to New York City and be inspired.

Come to be you.

Please read the following admissions information before starting your online application. You can find important dates on the Tisch Special Programs Admissions Calendar.

How do I apply?

Step 1

Confirm Your Eligibility     

Step 2

Prepare Your Application

Step 3

Submit Your Application

Step 4

Review Your Admissions Decision
-

STEP 1: CONFIRM YOUR ELIGIBILITY

REQUIREMENT CRITERIA
Academics
  • Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
  • You must be a full-time, matriculated undergraduate sophomore, junior, or senior at an accredited college or university.
  • You must not be on academic or disciplinary probation, nor currently on medical leave of absence.

  • You must meet the prerequisites for your program (see below).
  • NYU undergraduate students are ineligible to apply. If you are interested in taking Tisch courses, we encourage you to register for Courses for NYU Non-Majors.
Program Prerequisites
  • Cinema Studies: N/A
  • Interactive Media Arts: N/A
  • Photography & Imaging: At least two semesters of college-level foundation courses, including Photography I and Photography II.
  • Theatre Production & Design: Prior coursework or experience in Technical Theatre, Design, or Stage Management; experience in painting, drawing, drafting, or college-level production
Housing
  • As a visiting student, you are responsible for making your own housing arrangements for the Spring.
  • If you are interested in living on campus, please see the NYU Housing website for more information about submitting a waitlist housing application. 
-

STEP 2: PREPARE YOUR APPLICATION

 

Written Responses
  • You must answer 3 questions in addition to any program-specific prompts.
  • Each repsonse must have a maximum of 250 words. Be clear and succinct.
Creative Resume
  • This résumé should showcase your training, awards, projects, community service, and work experience, whether in or outside of school.
Portfolio (If Applicable)
  • Interactive Media Arts Porfolio: 
    • Please submit any work that shows the skills, creativity, curiosity, or generosity that you could bring to the emerging interactive forms we are inventing at IMA.
    • This can be artwork, programming, DIY projects, songs, poetry, etc.
    • If you have a personal website, you can share the URL.
  • Photography & Imaging Portfolio:
    • Please submit sound, video art, or other "new media" based work. Up to five (5) images can be non-photo based.
    • Photography and Imaging Department is looking for diversity in student thinking, experience, and media presentation. 
  • Theatre Production & Design Portfolio:
    • Please present a digital portfolio of the theater (and art) work you have done.
    • Scenery/Lighting/Costume Designer: portfolio should showcase 3-4 of your proudest theater projects
    • Sound Designer: include audio files with descriptions of how those sounds were incorporated into the show
    • Stage Manager: create a PDF version of a prompt book from one of your shows
Passport (Non-US Citizens Only)
  • Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months past the end of the program you are applying to.
  • Your passport should contain at least two adjacent blank pages.
  • If you do not have a valid passport, you must upload your application or renewal receipt in its place.
Transcript
  • Visiting Students: Your official transcript must be sent to us from a school official or via an official transcript service.
  • Non-US/Non-English Transcripts: You must submit your official transcript AND its official English translation.
English Language Proficiency
  • Required if English is not your native language. 
  • You are exempt from this requirement if (at the time of your application submission), you have completed three (3) or more full-time consecutive academic years in a curriculum where the only language of instruction was English. 
  • For more information on which exams we accept click here.
Recommendation
  • In the application portal, please enter the names and email addresses of one (1) recommenders. Once you submit their information, they will be sent instructions via email. Please give your reference 1-2 weeks to complete their recommendation.
  • Your recommendation should be from someone who is familiar with your interest and experience in the arts.
  • We will only accept references from the following:
    • College/University representative
    • Community group leader
    • Mentor
    • Coach
-

STEP 4: REVIEW YOUR ADMISSIONS DECISION

Notification
  • Notifications are communicated via email to the primary email address used for the application.
Confirmation & Cancellation
  • If accepted, you will be required to confirm your participation via a confirmation form.
  • Confirmation forms must be received by the confirmation deadline found in your acceptance email. 
  • If you cancel after submitting your confirmation form you will incur the $1,500.00 Tisch Special Programs Reservation Fee (nonrefundable and nontransferable).
  • It is important that you review and understand the Tisch Special Programs Cancellation Policy prior to submitting your confirmation form. Details can be found on the Tisch Special Programs Cancellation Policy page.

 

 

APPLICATION POLICIES

 
AI USAGE
  • To make sure your application truly represents you, we strongly recommend against using AI tools.
  • Your application gives us a chance to learn about you; we truly value hearing about your unique experiences, ideas, and goals.
  • Please share your genuine self and let your personal story make your application stand out.

 

If you are having difficulty with the online application, please contact us at (212) 998-1512.

Apply Now