How to Apply

We are seeking a group of talented pioneers for our inaugural class in the newly established MFA degree program in Game Design. Applicants should demonstrate a wide range of professional, personal, and educational backgrounds. Professional game experience is not required although the successful applicant will need to demonstrate a high level of talent, innovative spirit and competence in their proposed area of focus. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college is required.  The Game Design program is two years long – full time study only.

You do not need to complete this application in one sitting.  However, all questions must be answered and all supporting materials must be gathered and uploaded on to this application including:  2 letters of recommendation (submitted by recommender), the bachelor’s degree transcript, personal statement, resume, and a creative portfolio.

The application deadline for the Fall 2012 graduate program is March 1st, 2012.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Non native English speakers need to prove their English Language proficiency by submitting a score from any one of the following: The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL); The International English Language Testing System (IELTS); or the American Language Institute (ALI).  The TOEFL test is administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS).  IELTS is available world wide. The ALI test is an excellent alternative, highly recommended for candidates visiting or living in the New York City area. It is administered by The School of Continuing and Professional Studies at New York University.  Information about  the three testing systems may be found online by searching with a browser.

Applicants may upload the test scores from IELTS, ALI or TOEFL or self report all scores obtained from the test.  If self reporting the applicant must provide official scores within two weeks of the application deadline.  No other test scores are acceptable.

Applicants who have completed all four years of a Bachelors degree in the United States or other English speaking country or who have had continuous residency of no less than five years in an English speaking country or have completed a four year bachelor’s degree in a country where the language of instruction is English may request a waiver of the English Language Proficiency by contacting the Director of Graduate Admissions at tisch.gradadmissions@nyu.edu. A statement of no less than 200 words explaining the reasons for the waiver must accompany the request.

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
The admission application through SlideRoom is designed to allow recommendation letters to be uploaded directly by your two recommenders in a confidential manner. By employing the system you agree to waive your right to see the letter.  The Family Education and Rights Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 entitles accepted applicants who enroll for classes to see parts of their admission application upon request. You may choose to not waive your right to see your letters of recommendation in which case you need to obtain letters directly from your recommenders and upload them yourself.

TRANSCRIPTS
Unofficial scanned transcripts should be uploaded into the “Add Media”section of application via Slideroom.  If you wish to submit an official transcript (which is not necessary at this time), please send to:

Office of Graduate Admissions
Attention: Peter Gerena, Game Design MFA
Tisch School of the Arts – NYU
726 Broadway, 2nd floor
New York, NY 10003

Application details

Applications to the 2-year graduate program in game design must be submitted online.
Begin your application here.

Your application must contain the following:

  • Two letters of recommendation are required. You will identify your recommenders as part of the online application process.
  • A 1-page resume, listing game-related and other projects you have worked on, as well as all relevant work experience.
  • A personal statement of no more than 2 pages, in PDF format. This statement should outline why you are passionate about games, why you are a strong candidate for the program and what you hope to accomplish during your two years at NYU. You can also discuss why you selected your intended area of focus for the Game Center MFA and what you feel you have to contribute to group projects.
  • A creative portfolio containing:
    • One or two projects, which could include digital games, non-digital games, game-related websites, visual designs, writings about games, or other creative projects.
    • A 1-page design statement (in PDF format) must accompany each project that summarizes the project, outlines the intentions for each project, your personal contribution (if it is a group project), and a statement about what you learned from the project. At the end of the design statement, please list all of the files you are providing that are associated with the project.
    • If a project is a digital game or software application: Detailed instructions for installation and interaction, including platform requirements, must be included. You will not be able to upload any game files, so please provide a link to your online game or downloadable game files, and include the link in your design statement.
    • If a project is a board game, performance, game event, or other physical project: Include detailed documentation of the project, such as photographs, a short video, script, rules of play, etc.
    • If a project is a visual artwork or series: Include detailed visual documentation of the project (up to 10 images and/or up to 10 minutes of video).
    • If a project is a video: You may include still images as well as a link to the video itself.
    • If a project is a written paper or essay: Please upload the paper itself in PDF format. Include at the start an abstract or summary of the essay.
    • If a project is a website or other online-accessible project: A link to the online project is sufficient.
    • If your project does not fit into any of these categories and you do not know how best to submit or document the project, contact the Game Center at gamecenter@nyu.edu directly for advice.
    • FOR ALL PROJECTS: A maximum of 10 images can be submitted per project. For video projects, submit a maximum of 10 minutes of video per project.Remember to include at least one visual for all projects that are not purely written or audio in form. See the file formats below for what kinds of files you can upload.
    • Remember: a maximum of two projects can be submitted. You must include a separate design statement for each project.
  • A critical analysis of any game, of no more than 1 page, in PDF format. It should be a thoughtful and insightful analysis of one or more aspects of the game. We are not looking for a description of the game but instead you should demonstrate some insight into how the game works.

What file formats are acceptable? Please stick to the following file formats:

  • Images: jpg, png, gif – up to 5MB each
  • Videos: mov, smv, flv, mp4 – up to 60 MB each
  • Audio files: MP3 – up to 30 MB each
  • ALL written materials (this includes your personal statement, project design statement, and critical analysis): PDF only – up to 10 MB each

Which projects should you select? The one or two projects that you submit should reflect your past skills and experiences, but also the strengths that you will bring to your individual and collaborative work at the Game Center. Which projects do you feel best represent you as a potential member of the Game Center MFA community?

If you have additional projects you want the Game Center to know about, you can mention them in your personal statement or on your resume.

 Visit the MFA Application Page.

For more details about the program, read the overview or the FAQ.