We are seeking creative, ambitious, talented and passionate students for our BFA. To apply to the NYU Game Center BFA in the Tisch School of the Arts, you must apply to NYU and provide additional creative materials detailed below.
New incoming first years, sophomore and junior transfers from other colleges and universities, and internal NYU student from other majors are all welcome to apply.
New First-Year Applicants
For admission to NYU, all first-year applicants must complete the Common Application. Additional documents are required based on your educational background. Please visit Undergraduate Admission to learn more about how to apply as a first-year applicant.
Application Fee
Applicants will need to submit a non-refundable $80.00 application fee. Students who are unable to pay the application fee can request a fee waiver.
Creative Supplement
We are now using Slate, an application platform where you will upload your mandatory creative portfolio. Once you submit your Common Application, you will receive a link within 1-2 business days where you may submit your artistic portfolio. We highly recommend that all applicants submit their Common Application at least several days before the application deadline; this will create a small window of time for portfolio submissions before the deadline. Unfortunately, we are not able to accept late portfolios or applications. Applicants should ensure that they receive their portfolio link in time. To prepare for the portfolio in advance, please see the questions and prompts below.
Deadlines
Early Decision I: November 1, 2024
Early Decision II: January 1, 2025
Regular Decision: January 5, 2025
This year’s application will go live in September 2024.
External Transfer Applicants
Any student currently (or previously) enrolled in an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree (part-time or full-time) at a nationally or internationally accredited college or university can apply to transfer for the fall semester. Applicants must complete the Common Application, and follow instructions for submitting other necessary documents. We do not admit external transfer students for the spring term.
The Game Design major is an intensive program. If you are considering transferring into the school, we recommend that you focus on taking traditional liberal arts classes that will satisfy our Gen Ed requirement, along with classes in programming. This way you can focus on the game design curriculum.
Please note that part of the program includes a 3.5 year core sequence which may delay an applicant’s graduation if coursework isn’t started beginning in the second semester of their first year.
Application Fee
Applicants will need to submit a non-refundable $80.00 application fee. Students who are unable to pay the application fee can request a fee waiver.
Transfer Credits
External transfer students can receive up to 64 transfer credits. Undergraduate Admissions will provide admitted students with a preliminary statement of transfer credit, while the NYU Game Center will award credits for specific requirements. More information about transfer credits can be found here.
Creative Supplement
We are now using Slate, an application platform where you will upload your mandatory creative portfolio. Once you submit your Common Application, you will receive a link within 1-2 business days where you may submit your artistic portfolio. We highly recommend that all applicants submit their Common Application at least several days before the application deadline; this will create a small window of time for portfolio submissions before the deadline. Unfortunately, we are not able to accept late portfolios or applications. To prepare for the portfolio in advance, please see the questions and prompts below.
Deadlines
Fall 2025 External Transfer Deadline: March 15, 2025
Internal Transfer Applicants
Current NYU students in at least their second semester of consecutive full-time study are eligible to apply as an internal transfer student to the NYU Game Center. Students in the Liberal Studies Core Program must, however, complete the Core Program before applying as an internal transfer.
Non-Tisch internal transfer applicants will apply through an internal NYU website here. Once you submit your application, you will receive an email with a unique link to your creative portfolio within 1-2 business days. More information about the process and requirements can be found here. Tisch internal transfer applicants, however, should email Jason Leahey at jason.leahey@nyu.edu; upon doing so, an application will be generated for you and you will receive an email with the link to the creative portfolio.
Students internally transferring to Tisch will be allowed to transfer 64 non-Tisch credits. Students applying to transfer for Junior Year should speak to the Game Center advisers regarding their credits.
Please note that part of the program includes a 3.5 year core sequence which may delay an applicant’s graduation if coursework isn’t started beginning in the second semester of their first year.
Creative Supplement
We are now using Slate, an application platform where you will upload your mandatory creative portfolio. As previously mentioned, upon submitting your application, you will receive a link within 1-2 business days where you may submit your artistic portfolio. We highly recommend that all applicants submit their application at least several days before the application deadline; this will create a small window of time for portfolio submissions before the deadline. Unfortunately, we are not able to accept late portfolios or applications. To prepare for the portfolio in advance, please see the questions and prompts below.
Deadlines:
Spring 2025 Internal Transfer Deadline: November 1, 2024
Fall 2025 Internal Transfer Deadline: March 1, 2025
Creative Portfolio
In addition to the common application, the NYU Game Center requires a creative portfolio. All portfolios are submitted digitally. Late portfolios will not be accepted.
The two components of the creative portfolio are:
Short Essay Questions. Respond to all of the following questions.
- What skills and experiences would you bring to the NYU Game Center and the creation of games, and what new interests and skills are you excited about exploring?
- Game design encompasses both video games and non-digital games (board games, sports, etc). Compare and contrast two games you’re familiar with, one of each kind; explain what makes each one meaningful.
- Games are typically created by teams. Tell us about a specific moment when you had to resolve creative differences with someone and whether that resolution was satisfactory.
- Tell us about a game you know well. Explain something that the average player might find surprising or meaningful–something relatively unknown that would deepen their appreciation.
- The world of games is rapidly changing and impacting many other areas of culture and life. What kind of games would you like to see more of and why would they matter?
Creative Project. A creative project could be: a game you’ve made (digital or non-digital), a computer program you’ve written, a film you created, a piece of music, a creative writing sample, a portfolio of artwork, visual design, sculptures, photography or other creative pieces. We are looking for your talent and creativity in whichever medium you choose, so choose an example that you think best shows off your strengths and ideas. While you are welcome to submit more than one project, especially if you’d like to showcase diverse talents, we recommend that you curate your portfolio carefully and show only your best work. Please upload your pieces individually – zipping your files is heavily discouraged. Below are some guidelines to submitting your work:
- 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 (3 – 5 images and/or up to 5 minutes of video).
- If a project is a video: You may upload the video directly to Slate or as well as a link to the video itself. Be sure that the link does not require a special login.
- 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.
If you have any questions about the application and/or creative portfolio, please email us at gamecenter@nyu.edu.