BA Admissions Requirements

All students pursuing an undergraduate degree from NYFA must submit an official, final high school transcript in order to complete their application.

Paper Transcripts: Hard copies of official transcripts are accepted, but email is preferred. Paper transcripts must be mailed to NYFA directly from the undergraduate institution in a sealed envelope.

Digital Transcripts: Students wishing to submit transcripts digitally can do so by contacting their NYFA admissions representative for instructions. Digital transcripts may be submitted using a digital submission service (such as Parchment) or your high school’s own digital delivery service.

Home-Schooled Applicants: Home-schooled students must submit an official, original transcript accredited by their home state.

GED: GED earners must submit an official, original state-issued high school equivalency certificate.

The New York Film Academy generally does not consider prior experiential learning as a substitute for the transcript requirements described above. Students completing high school in a foreign country, where a language other than English is the official language, and who are able to produce an original transcript, must have it translated into English by an education evaluation service that offers translation services.

The narrative statement should be a self-reflective essay (max. 3 typed pages) detailing the applicant’s reasons for pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in the visual arts. The essay should take into account the individual’s history, formative creative experiences, contemporary influences and inspirations, and personal artistic dreams.

BA applicants must submit a minimum of two letters of recommendation verifying the applicant’s ability to successfully take on undergraduate study in the relevant field. Recommenders should be in a position to evaluate the applicant’s readiness, such as teachers, supervisors, counselors, or coaches. Letters must be submitted directly to the Admissions Office by the individual writing on the applicant’s behalf. Hard copy letters must be sealed and stamped. Alternatively, letters may be sent via email by the individual writing on the applicant’s behalf.

To demonstrate their interest in their chosen discipline, BA students must submit a creative portfolio.

Requirements:  Creative portfolio submissions include either a writing or visual sample. Collaborative work may be submitted, but applicants must detail what role they had in the creation of the work.

Writing Sample (select from a, b, or c):
a. Excerpt from an original screenplay or prose fiction piece (5-10 pgs.)
b. Original short story, article or critical studies essay examining a literary or cinematic work (play, screenplay, television series, film, etc.) (3-7 pgs.)
c. Treatment or outline of a film, webisode or television series concept (3-7 pgs.)

Visual Sample (select from a or b):
a. Any visual or studio art, including, but not limited to: paintings, drawings, sculptures, set designs, mixed media arts, photographs (3-10 pieces), with an accompanying description contextualizing the submission
b. Live-action or animated fiction or non-fiction film/video (3-10 minutes in length). Applicants must describe what part they had in creating the project.

Portfolio Submissions: All creative portfolio materials must be submitted digitally. Applicants should consult with their admissions representative for guidance on acceptable formats (such as pdf, text files, web links, etc.). All video submissions must be uploaded by the applicant to a streaming video site (such as Vimeo or YouTube), and a link to the site must be provided in the application materials. All portfolio materials must be submitted with an accompanying description contextualizing the nature and purpose of the project.

Please note that portfolio materials will not be returned.

We encourage, but do not require US Citizens, Permanent Residents or applicants from English speaking countries to submit SAT or ACT test scores. This allows us to gain a better understanding of our applicants throughout the admissions process in an effort to serve them better when they become students.

New York Film Academy does not have required minimum test scores. Above all, our undergraduate programs are intensive, rigorous and specialized, where standardized test scores are not always the most useful factor in predicting success. However, when considered thoughtfully among many other factors, test scores can help give the admissions committee a useful indication of the applicant’s academic abilities. Applicants are encouraged to discuss the use of SAT and ACT test scores with their admissions representative.

Please use the following institution DI codes when submitting test scores:
– Los Angeles Campus: 6513
– New York Campus: 7863
– South Beach Campus: 7862

NYFA is proud to welcome students from all over the globe. Our programs are international in their scope and perspective, and NYFA alumni have made great positive impacts on storytelling industries worldwide. 

To achieve this goal of training visual storytellers from around the world, NYFA requires that students submit scores from one of the below English exams. NYFA’s preferred English proficiency scores are as follows:

Bachelor’s Degree: TOEFL = 68 or above / IELTS = 6.0 or above / Duolingo = 90 or above

Master’s Degree: TOEFL = 79 or above / IELTS = 6.5 or above / Duolingo = 101 or above

However, NYFA encourages all students to apply for their degree program even if they do not have the preferred English exam score. Students with scores lower then these targets will be connected with a NYFA language professional who can offer support and guidance to help the student gain admission to their program of choice. Students who would benefit from extra English language support will have the option to elevate their language skills through the Pathway Track, a two-semester curriculum designed to support English language growth while enrolled in their degree program. 

As described here, students in the Pathway Track will earn credits toward their degree during the first two semesters. Transferable academic credits earned throughout the Pathway Track will vary by degree program.