BFA ADMISSIONS POLICY
All students pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) Degree from The New York Film Academy must be proficient in English and have earned a high school diploma (at a minimum) or an acceptable equivalent. In addition, each applicant must submit a creative portfolio (Supporting Materials) that illustrates the applicant's ability to take on undergraduate level study, and shows a potential for success within the profession.
APPLYING FOR ADMISSION
To be considered for admission, applicants must submit the following:
English Proficiency Requirement
Since all classes at the New York Film Academy are conducted in English, students must be able to communicate clearly in written and spoken English.
Applicants for whom English is not the first or native language should submit one of the following to verify English proficiency:
Transcript Requirements
All students pursuing a Bachelor's Degree from the New York Film Academy must show proof of high school graduation at a minimum. To fulfill this requirement, applicants are required to submit official transcripts from their prior academic institutions. Transcripts must be sealed, official originals sent directly from the institution in question to the New York Film Academy's Admissions Office. Transcripts that have been opened, photocopied, or augmented in any way will not be accepted as evidence of prior academic accomplishment. Prospective students who fail to provide the admissions committee with applicable sealed academic transcripts will not be eligible to receive a degree or certificate from the Academy.
Transcripts should be sent directly to:
New York Film Academy
Office of Admissions
100 Universal City Plaza
Building 9128, Suite 179
Universal City, CA 91608
NOTE: The New York Film Academy generally does not consider prior experiential learning as a substitute for the transcript requirements described above. Applicants who do not have the required credentials may choose to audit a program at NYFA, but will not be eligible to receive a degree or certificate of completion without submitting the necessary transcripts.
Are there minimum required SAT, ACT, or SAT Subject Test scores?
Our Bachelor of Fine Arts program is an intensive, rigorous and specialized degree in Filmmaking, 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 indicator of the applicant's academic strengths and weaknesses. For these reasons, no specific minimum test score is required.
Letters of Recommendation
Applicants to the New York Film Academy BFA program must submit a minimum of two (2) letters of recommendation verifying the applicant's ability to successfully take on undergraduate study in the relevant field. Letters must be sealed and stamped, and should be submitted directly to the Admissions Office from the individual writing on the applicant's behalf.
Narrative Statement
The narrative statement should be a mature and self-reflective essay (2-3 typed pages) detailing the applicant's reasons for pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in the motion picture arts. The essay should take into account the individual's history, formative creative experiences, contemporary influences and inspirations, and personal artistic dreams.
Creative Portfolio
The creative portfolio is a contributing factor for admission to the BFA in Filmmaking program. However, the New York Film Academy does not assume applicants have prior filmmaking experience or examples of film work. The admissions committee understands that many applicants have a wide range of creative interests, and welcomes examples of creative writing or other art forms (please see details below). For many applicants, the narrative statement and letters of recommendation, reveal the most about an applicant's potential for success in the program.
Applicants must submit one or two examples of original work that best demonstrate their talent and ability as creative individuals.
All film/video submissions must be submitted on DVD or hyperlink where the submission can be viewed, regardless of image capture format (20 minutes maximum). Applicants may also submit supporting materials such as slides or photographs (10 maximum).
Creative samples are accepted in various stages of development, or as completed work. Examples of work can range from drawings, conceptual illustrations, storyboards, designs, photographs, three dimensional models, or digitally generated images. Students may choose to submit a typed screenplay or short story (10 page maximum).
Acting program applicants may choose to make an appointment for an on campus audition, or submit a DVD or hyperlink with your introduction and two one-minute contrasting monologues from either a published play or screenplay. When choosing audition materials, it is important to choose roles that are age and type appropriate. It is also important to read the entire play or screenplay prior to your audition.
TUITION DEPOSIT
Once admitted to the Academy, students must pay a required deposit to secure their place in the BFA program. The deposit for all long-term programs (one year or longer) is $1000, which is applied toward the first semester's tuition payment. Most of the deposit is refundable, except a $100 administrative processing fee.
INTERNATIONaL APPLICANTS
The New York Film Academy welcomes the diversity brought to campus by students from all over the world. In addition to the BFA Admissions Application, to be considered for admission, international students must also submit a supplementary Application for the Form I-20 Certificate of Eligibility for the F-1 Student Visa. The I-20 Application and Instructions are sent by the International Students' Office to all foreign students upon receipt of their Admissions Application. The materials required for the I-20 Application are:
Completed I-20 Application Questionnaire
Bank statement or other proof of sufficient funds for tuition and living expenses
Letter of Affidavit from Sponsor (if funds are not from the student)
Completed Financial Verification Form (provided in the Application)
Copy of passport (biographical pages only)
$150 non-refundable International Student Fee
After all application materials are received, the school will issue the Form I-20 to the student, along with tips for their visa interview. The student will need the Form I-20 to apply for the F-1 Student Visa application at the U.S. Embassy in their home country. Visa requirements and fees can vary between different locations, so each student is responsible for finding out the application procedure specific to their local U.S. Embassy or Consulate. More information about this is available at www.usembassy.gov.
DEFERRED ADMISSION
In some cases, a student might need to postpone their enrollment to a later program than the one indicated on the letter of admission. To defer their attendance, the student must submit a Date Switch Form (available upon request from the Admissions Office). Any fees already paid will simply be transferred to the later program, unless a refund is requested. In the case of students requiring the F-1 Student Visa, NYFA's International Office will send the student an updated Form I-20 with the deferred dates of attendance after the Date Switch Form is processed. A deferred file will be kept active for one calendar year. After that time, the candidate must submit an entirely new application for readmission.
credit transfer policy
The Office of the Registrar receives credit transfer requests. Decisions regarding the award of credit rest with the Academic Dean. If credit is awarded, the length and/or requirements of the program, may be adjusted.
Only official transcripts, official score reports and official evaluations of foreign credits shall be used for this review. Transfer students must meet the same overall academic standards and requirements as students who enter the BFA as freshmen.
Because the studio arts curriculum NYFA program is highly specialized and integrated with very few electives it is the general policy of New York Film Academy not to accept transfer credits in studio arts from other academic postsecondary institutions. Students desiring credit for previous academic work or training may submit a written request for such credit to the Registrar, along with any supporting documentation (e.g. transcripts or syllabus).
To be accepted in transfer, courses must have been taken at an accredited institution, must have been taken for a letter grade and the grade earned must be a C or higher (where the C grade has the numerical equivalent of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 point scale), must be a college-level course and must be the substantial equivalent of a course offered the New York Film Academy. Grades from transfer courses are not used to calculate the NYFA grade-point average; only the course credits transfer. When a transfer course does not have the same credit value as its closest NYFA equivalent course, the course may still be used to fulfill a specific degree or program requirement. All aggregate credit requirements must be met.
NYFA may place further restrictions on the acceptance of transfer credits in order to maintain the integrity of the BFA degree program. For this reason, courses, practice, internships, taken at other institutions may not transfer.
Acceptance of credits in transfer does not guarantee that those credits will be applicable to the BFA degree.
Credit for Nontraditional Experience: The Dean, or her/his designee may authorize non-traditional course work for transfer upon review of relevant transcripts and other supportive materials. Such credits, if granted, are only to be used for program requirements. No credit is granted for life experience.
Transfer of International Credits: Credits from colleges and universities outside the United States must be equated to those at accredited U.S. colleges and universities and NYFA. It shall be the responsibility of the student making application to the New York Film Academy to furnish the College with an original certified copy of an evaluation of his/her international credits performed by World Educational Services, or an equivalent service approved by the Office of the Registrar. The acceptability of credits is governed by the same principles stated above.
Transfer Credit after Matriculation: Once a student has matriculated at NYFA, credits from other institutions will only be awarded if special permission is granted prior to registration. Such permission must be approved by Dean. Such permission will not be granted for any student who has lower than a 2.5 cumulative average at NYFA, for any student who proposes to take a course for which he/she has previously received a grade of lower than B- at NYFA, for any student who has 76 earned credits, nor for any student who has 48 earned credits and proposes to take courses at a two-year institution. The policies governing acceptability of credits are the same as stated above.
Other Course Work: Approved Internships, or NYFA Summer Abroad programs shall be listed on the NYFA transcript as transfer credits.
BASIS FOR DECLINING ADMISSION
All transcripts and portfolio materials documenting prior education (including credentials comparison evaluation) will be evaluated by the Office of Admissions. An applicant will be declined admission to the Academy if the Director of Admissions determines that the applicant does not meet the requirements of the Admissions Policy, or if no space is available in that specific BFA program. Students who are unable to meet the financial obligations of their course prior to the first day of class will also be declined enrollment.
APPLYING FOR ADMISSION
To be considered for admission, applicants must submit the following:
- A completed New York Film Academy BFA Application Form(available in this brochure or online at www.nyfa.edu)
- $50 non-refundable Application Fee
- Proof of English proficiency (such as TOEFL or IELTS score), if native language is other than English (TOEFL Code: 6857)
- Official Academic Transcripts (minimum of high school equivalency), sealed and sent by the issuing institution directly to NYFA's Admissions Office
- SAT or ACT scores (DI code: 6513)
- SAT/ACT are optional for international students
- Two Letters of Recommendation (see below)
- Narrative Statement (see below)
- Creative Portfolio (will not be returned; see below)
English Proficiency Requirement
Since all classes at the New York Film Academy are conducted in English, students must be able to communicate clearly in written and spoken English.
Applicants for whom English is not the first or native language should submit one of the following to verify English proficiency:
- An official transcript verifying completion of secondary education in which English is the primary language of communication
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 520 or higher (190 for computer-based test or 68 for internet-based test); IELTS 5.5, or the equivalent
- A report from a valid English Language School verifying completion of course level equivalent to a 520 Paper-based TOEFL Score.
Transcript Requirements
All students pursuing a Bachelor's Degree from the New York Film Academy must show proof of high school graduation at a minimum. To fulfill this requirement, applicants are required to submit official transcripts from their prior academic institutions. Transcripts must be sealed, official originals sent directly from the institution in question to the New York Film Academy's Admissions Office. Transcripts that have been opened, photocopied, or augmented in any way will not be accepted as evidence of prior academic accomplishment. Prospective students who fail to provide the admissions committee with applicable sealed academic transcripts will not be eligible to receive a degree or certificate from the Academy.
Transcripts should be sent directly to:
New York Film Academy
Office of Admissions
100 Universal City Plaza
Building 9128, Suite 179
Universal City, CA 91608
NOTE: The New York Film Academy generally does not consider prior experiential learning as a substitute for the transcript requirements described above. Applicants who do not have the required credentials may choose to audit a program at NYFA, but will not be eligible to receive a degree or certificate of completion without submitting the necessary transcripts.
Are there minimum required SAT, ACT, or SAT Subject Test scores?
Our Bachelor of Fine Arts program is an intensive, rigorous and specialized degree in Filmmaking, 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 indicator of the applicant's academic strengths and weaknesses. For these reasons, no specific minimum test score is required.
Letters of Recommendation
Applicants to the New York Film Academy BFA program must submit a minimum of two (2) letters of recommendation verifying the applicant's ability to successfully take on undergraduate study in the relevant field. Letters must be sealed and stamped, and should be submitted directly to the Admissions Office from the individual writing on the applicant's behalf.
Narrative Statement
The narrative statement should be a mature and self-reflective essay (2-3 typed pages) detailing the applicant's reasons for pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in the motion picture arts. The essay should take into account the individual's history, formative creative experiences, contemporary influences and inspirations, and personal artistic dreams.
Creative Portfolio
The creative portfolio is a contributing factor for admission to the BFA in Filmmaking program. However, the New York Film Academy does not assume applicants have prior filmmaking experience or examples of film work. The admissions committee understands that many applicants have a wide range of creative interests, and welcomes examples of creative writing or other art forms (please see details below). For many applicants, the narrative statement and letters of recommendation, reveal the most about an applicant's potential for success in the program.
Applicants must submit one or two examples of original work that best demonstrate their talent and ability as creative individuals.
All film/video submissions must be submitted on DVD or hyperlink where the submission can be viewed, regardless of image capture format (20 minutes maximum). Applicants may also submit supporting materials such as slides or photographs (10 maximum).
Creative samples are accepted in various stages of development, or as completed work. Examples of work can range from drawings, conceptual illustrations, storyboards, designs, photographs, three dimensional models, or digitally generated images. Students may choose to submit a typed screenplay or short story (10 page maximum).
Acting program applicants may choose to make an appointment for an on campus audition, or submit a DVD or hyperlink with your introduction and two one-minute contrasting monologues from either a published play or screenplay. When choosing audition materials, it is important to choose roles that are age and type appropriate. It is also important to read the entire play or screenplay prior to your audition.
TUITION DEPOSIT
Once admitted to the Academy, students must pay a required deposit to secure their place in the BFA program. The deposit for all long-term programs (one year or longer) is $1000, which is applied toward the first semester's tuition payment. Most of the deposit is refundable, except a $100 administrative processing fee.
INTERNATIONaL APPLICANTS
The New York Film Academy welcomes the diversity brought to campus by students from all over the world. In addition to the BFA Admissions Application, to be considered for admission, international students must also submit a supplementary Application for the Form I-20 Certificate of Eligibility for the F-1 Student Visa. The I-20 Application and Instructions are sent by the International Students' Office to all foreign students upon receipt of their Admissions Application. The materials required for the I-20 Application are:
Completed I-20 Application Questionnaire
Bank statement or other proof of sufficient funds for tuition and living expenses
Letter of Affidavit from Sponsor (if funds are not from the student)
Completed Financial Verification Form (provided in the Application)
Copy of passport (biographical pages only)
$150 non-refundable International Student Fee
After all application materials are received, the school will issue the Form I-20 to the student, along with tips for their visa interview. The student will need the Form I-20 to apply for the F-1 Student Visa application at the U.S. Embassy in their home country. Visa requirements and fees can vary between different locations, so each student is responsible for finding out the application procedure specific to their local U.S. Embassy or Consulate. More information about this is available at www.usembassy.gov.
DEFERRED ADMISSION
In some cases, a student might need to postpone their enrollment to a later program than the one indicated on the letter of admission. To defer their attendance, the student must submit a Date Switch Form (available upon request from the Admissions Office). Any fees already paid will simply be transferred to the later program, unless a refund is requested. In the case of students requiring the F-1 Student Visa, NYFA's International Office will send the student an updated Form I-20 with the deferred dates of attendance after the Date Switch Form is processed. A deferred file will be kept active for one calendar year. After that time, the candidate must submit an entirely new application for readmission.
credit transfer policy
The Office of the Registrar receives credit transfer requests. Decisions regarding the award of credit rest with the Academic Dean. If credit is awarded, the length and/or requirements of the program, may be adjusted.
Only official transcripts, official score reports and official evaluations of foreign credits shall be used for this review. Transfer students must meet the same overall academic standards and requirements as students who enter the BFA as freshmen.
Because the studio arts curriculum NYFA program is highly specialized and integrated with very few electives it is the general policy of New York Film Academy not to accept transfer credits in studio arts from other academic postsecondary institutions. Students desiring credit for previous academic work or training may submit a written request for such credit to the Registrar, along with any supporting documentation (e.g. transcripts or syllabus).
To be accepted in transfer, courses must have been taken at an accredited institution, must have been taken for a letter grade and the grade earned must be a C or higher (where the C grade has the numerical equivalent of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 point scale), must be a college-level course and must be the substantial equivalent of a course offered the New York Film Academy. Grades from transfer courses are not used to calculate the NYFA grade-point average; only the course credits transfer. When a transfer course does not have the same credit value as its closest NYFA equivalent course, the course may still be used to fulfill a specific degree or program requirement. All aggregate credit requirements must be met.
NYFA may place further restrictions on the acceptance of transfer credits in order to maintain the integrity of the BFA degree program. For this reason, courses, practice, internships, taken at other institutions may not transfer.
Acceptance of credits in transfer does not guarantee that those credits will be applicable to the BFA degree.
Credit for Nontraditional Experience: The Dean, or her/his designee may authorize non-traditional course work for transfer upon review of relevant transcripts and other supportive materials. Such credits, if granted, are only to be used for program requirements. No credit is granted for life experience.
Transfer of International Credits: Credits from colleges and universities outside the United States must be equated to those at accredited U.S. colleges and universities and NYFA. It shall be the responsibility of the student making application to the New York Film Academy to furnish the College with an original certified copy of an evaluation of his/her international credits performed by World Educational Services, or an equivalent service approved by the Office of the Registrar. The acceptability of credits is governed by the same principles stated above.
Transfer Credit after Matriculation: Once a student has matriculated at NYFA, credits from other institutions will only be awarded if special permission is granted prior to registration. Such permission must be approved by Dean. Such permission will not be granted for any student who has lower than a 2.5 cumulative average at NYFA, for any student who proposes to take a course for which he/she has previously received a grade of lower than B- at NYFA, for any student who has 76 earned credits, nor for any student who has 48 earned credits and proposes to take courses at a two-year institution. The policies governing acceptability of credits are the same as stated above.
Other Course Work: Approved Internships, or NYFA Summer Abroad programs shall be listed on the NYFA transcript as transfer credits.
BASIS FOR DECLINING ADMISSION
All transcripts and portfolio materials documenting prior education (including credentials comparison evaluation) will be evaluated by the Office of Admissions. An applicant will be declined admission to the Academy if the Director of Admissions determines that the applicant does not meet the requirements of the Admissions Policy, or if no space is available in that specific BFA program. Students who are unable to meet the financial obligations of their course prior to the first day of class will also be declined enrollment.
