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
This year, we are using a new application platform, Slate, where you will upload your mandatory creative portfolio. Once you submit your Common Application, you will receive a link within 24-48 hours where you may submit your artistic portfolio. To prepare for the portfolio in advance, look at the questions and prompts below.
Deadlines
Early Decision I: November 1, 2020
Early Decision II: January 1, 2021
Regular Decision: January 5, 2021
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 that takes a minimum of 2 years to complete. 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.
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
This year, we are using a new application platform, Slate, where you will upload your mandatory creative portfolio (more details on the portfolio below). Our application will become available in mid-September and a link to Slate will be posted on this site at that time.
Deadlines
Fall External Transfer Deadline: April 1, 2021
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 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 the application, you will receive an email with a unique link to your creative portfolio. More information about the process and requirements can be found here.
Tisch internal transfer applicants should email Jessica Lam at jessica.lam@nyu.edu and an application will be generated for you. 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.
Creative Supplement
This year, we are using a new application platform, Slate, where you will upload your mandatory creative portfolio (more details on the portfolio below). Our application will become available in mid-September and a link to Slate will be posted on this site at that time.
Deadlines:
Spring Internal Transfer Deadline: November 1, 2020
Fall Internal Transfer Deadline: March 1, 2021
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.
- Why do you want to come to the Game Center? What excites you most about game design?
- We want you to write about a game that is NOT a computer or video game (a board game, a sport, etc) that you like to play. What do you like about it? What about the game makes it enjoyable to play?
- Videogame designers usually work in teams. What is it about you that makes you a good team member?
- Tell us about a game you know well. What is something that an average player might not know or understand about it?
- What are your hopes for the future of games?
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 Slideroom 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 questions about the creative portfolio please email us at gamecenter@nyu.edu