Skip to content
Frequently Asked Questions
See below for answers to questions you may have as an incoming transfer student at Tisch.  For specific questions about your department, refer to the departmental website (accessible at www.tisch.nyu.edu, drop down menu for Departments).  If you have any remaining questions, please feel free to contact the Tisch Office at Student Affairs at 212-998-1900 or tisch.student.affairs@nyu.edu.

Transfers FAQ

How do my transfer credits get applied to my transcript?

Non-NYU transfers receive a tentative statement of transfer credits from the Admissions office with your acceptance letter.  Use this statement to help make decisions about the courses for which you will register this fall.  Once you have received final grades for the spring semester, you must have an official transcript sent to the Undergraduate Admissions office at 665 Broadway, 11th floor, New York, NY 10012-2339.  The Admissions Office will then evaluate your credits and mail you a final statement of transfer credit.  These credits will be applied to your record (usually in August/ September).

Please note the following:

·   Only courses in which you earned a grade of C or above are eligible for transfer credit.

·   Credit is accepted only from accredited colleges or universities.

·   Standards for transferring major-related credit vary by department, including a maximum number of transfer credits that can be accepted.

·   NYU operates on a semester system.  If you attended a school that uses the quarter system, you will receive credit according to the following  formula: 2/3 semester hour = 1 quarter hour.  NYU does not grant fractions of credits. 

You may appeal the allocation of transfer credits if you feel any courses have been placed in the wrong category.  To do this, meet with a staff member in your departmental registration office.  You will be asked to submit a course description for each course that you are requesting consideration for reallocation.  All adjustments to the transfer evaluation must be made within the first year at Tisch.

top

As a transfer, can I receive credit for my AP or IB exams?

You may receive credit for AP or IB exams (for students in all departments except Dance), as long as you do not exceed the maximum transfer credits allowed by your department.   For more information about receiving credit for AP and IB exams, including information on restrictions and requirements, visit the “Information on Advanced Standing Credits” page (link to the right).  top

How and when do I register for classes?

Incoming student registration begins on Tuesday, June 12, 2012 at 12:00 noon (EST).  You can register from that point forward, and should be registered full-time (12-18 points) by early July.  You will register using Albert, NYU’s online registration system (http://home.nyu.edu).

All the information you need to know to register will be contained in your departmental registration handbook, available online late May at www.nyu.edu/tisch/registration.  Instructions on how to use Albert can be found on page 4 of your registration handbook.

top

How do I know if I have fulfilled the Expository Writing requirement?

Transfer students are required to complete one course (a minimum of 3 credits) of Expository Writing.  If you do not transfer in at least 3 credits to this area, you MUST register for Art and the World/ Writing the Essay (EXPOS-UA 5, 4 credits) this fall semester.  Information about registering for this course is detailed in your registration handbook (http://undergraduate.tisch.nyu.edu/object/newstudent_registration.html).  Course times can be found in your handbook or online through Albert (https://home.nyu.edu).  When registering for this course on Albert, it can be found under "Expository Writing" in the College of Arts and Science Course Subject drop down menu.

If you believe you have taken an Expository Writing course but the course was allocated to a different area, you may appeal this decision.  The first step in requesting a reallocation is to speak with an administrator in your department.  You must supply a course description, and may also be asked to supply supporting materials such as syllabus or papers written for the course.  In order for the course to be considered for this area, it should be intensive in expository writing and the syllabus should note weekly writing assignments. 

As a transfer student, if you bring in a minimum of 21 credits, you may also request to be waived from the Expository Writing requirement.  This is done through the University’s Expository Writing Program, and is a rigorous application process that requires several writing samples.  For more information on this, visit the EWP website at http://www.nyu.edu/cas/ewp/html/transfer.html.  If you apply for this waiver and your application is not approved, you are responsible for completing the expository writing requirement.

top

Will I have an advisor?

Yes, you will be assigned a faculty advisor with whom you will meet during the school’s New Student Orientation Program. Your department will contact you over the summer to inform you of the name of your advisor and your scheduled advising appointment.  For subsequent advisement periods, you may sign up for an appointment with the faculty advisor of your choice.  You must meet with an advisor each semester prior to registration.

top

What happens if the course in which I want to register is closed?

If a course is closed and you would like to be placed on the wait list, the correct way to do it is to use the swap feature in Albert registration. The swap feature will allow you to swap a class you are currently enrolled in with a waitlisted class. When the wait listed class is available, the system will ask you if you want to swap it, that is to drop the class you are currently enrolled in for the waitlisted class. Note, this is the only correct way to wait list for a course, please do not use any other wait list option because it will most likely affect your course scheduling and additional billing of tuition.

top

How do I know in which buildings and classrooms my classes are located?

Classroom location and room numbers can be found on your Schedule (under "Student Center/Academics" on Albert - http://home.nyu.edu).

top

When is my tuition due and what happens if I don't pay on time?

The fall payment deadline is August 8, 2012.  Any student who has not paid his/her tuition bill by this date may be dropped, or de-enrolled, from all courses.  You may contact the Bursar’s Office at (212) 998-2806 or online at www.nyu.edu/bursar/contact if you have any questions regarding your tuition bill or need assistance.  The Bursar’s Office does have a number of Deferred Payment options.  View these options, as well as payment methods and other helpful information on the Bursar’s website at www.nyu.edu/bursar

If there is a problem relating to the proper crediting of your financial aid to your bill, contact the Financial Aid Office (212) 998-4444 or Dory Smith-Wilson in the Tisch Office of Student Affairs dls1@nyu.edu or (212) 998-1900.  You can view the Financial Aid website at www.nyu.edu/financial.aid

There is no guarantee that students who have been dropped from their courses will be able to re-enroll in the same courses.  You should contact your departmental registration office if you are de-enrolled.

top

How will my progress toward the BFA degree be monitored?

Students are responsible for knowing and understanding all degree requirements. The degree audit, which indicates what degree requirements remain to be completed, is accessible for most departments though the Albert system (http://home.nyu.edu).  You can access your current transcript at any time through Albert.  Additionally, your department has an administrative staff member with expertise in degree requirements and the policies and procedures of the school and university, and you can schedule a meeting with an advisor at any point throughout the academic year. top

Are there study abroad opportunities?

There are numerous study abroad opportunities available to Tisch School of the Arts students, both through the Tisch Office of Special Programs as well as university-wide study abroad programs. Please consult with the TSOA Special Programs Office, 12th floor, 721 Broadway, north elevator, (212) 998-1500.  Visit the Tisch study abroad website at http://specialprograms.tisch.nyu.edu for further information.  For NYU study abroad programs outside of the Tisch selection of programs, you can visit www.nyu.edu/studyabroad.  You can direct any questions about NYU study abroad to studyabroad@nyu.edu or call (212) 998-4433.top

How do I get involved with student government or clubs at Tisch?

There are currently 19 clubs at Tisch, representing a wide variety of interests including hip-hop dance, collaborative arts, and business interests, among many others.  A list of clubs can be viewed at http://students.tisch.nyu.edu/object/clubs.html, by clicking "Current Tisch Clubs" on the right. 

The Tisch Undergraduate Student Council (TUSC) TUSC is the undergraduate governing body of the school. Representation consists of leaders from the various recognized Tisch organizations and undergraduate departments. Meetings are open and scheduled for every week.  Visit their website at http://www.nyutusc.com/nyutusc.com/Welcome.html.

Tisch will hold a club fair during orientation week.  Check the orientation schedule for more information on this. 

top

What equipment do I need for school?

The University has several computer labs for use by students.  For details, refer to the ITS website at www.nyu.edu/its, click "Location and Facilities," and click "Computer Labs."

For your equipment needs, please visit the related link on the right: "Equipment Requirements and Recommendations by Department."

top

When should I arrive on campus? When do classes start? (transfer)

University housing opens for move-in on Sunday, August 26, 2012.  Orientation events are scheduled throughout the week of August 26.  Fall classes begin on Tuesday, September 4, 2012.top

What about campus transportation and the subway system in New York?

NYU has its own bus system, the use of which is free to students.  There are five routes, detailed on the Campus Transportation website here.  A free safe ride van is also available for late night transportation around the NYU campus 7 days/week from midnight-5am.  The safe ride van can be called during these hours at 212-992-VANS (992-8267).  A valid NYU ID must be presented to use any campus transportation.    

Subway and bus maps are avialable at any subway station, or can be located on the MTA website at www.mta.info.   

The Tisch buildings can be accessed from the nearby A, C, E, 1, 9, B, D, F, and R subway lines.  The R train to 8th street is the stop closest to 721 Broadway, Tisch's main building.  An interactive map of the NYU campus can be accessed here.  Specific directions to Tisch can be found here.

top

Can I declare a second major or a minor?

Yes. Typically, students who choose to do so complete a second major or minor in one of the disciplines in the College of Arts and Science.  While there is no double major with the Stern School of Business, there is an intensive minor. It is possible to complete a second major in another department at Tisch, though undertaking a two majors within the Tisch School of the Arts is difficult due to the demanding nature of the production requirements.

If you have an interest in pursuing a second major, you should first discuss your interest with your faculty advisor. You should also seek the advice of a faculty advisor in the department of your secondary major. Be sure to pick up the Major/Minor form beforehand from your registration office, or download the form at www.nyu.edu/tisch, click "Student Affairs," and click "Forms."  You may also use that form to declare a Tisch minor like Producing or Performance Studies. To declare a non-Tisch minor, you simply do so through Albert by clicking on "Application for Cross-School Minor" under "Academic Records." More information on cross school minors can be found at: http://www.nyu.edu/advisement/majors.minors/crossminors.html

You should complete one year of studies here before applying for the second major. Students interested in applying for a double major at TSOA must complete an application available for download at the website above. Portfolio review and/or an audition will also be required for students applying for double majors within TSOA. 

Note: You can review major/ minor requirements of College of Arts and Science Departments by accessing their websites, available through the CAS online bulletin (http://cas.nyu.edu/page/ug.Bulletin.1012).  Select your department of interest and choose “Degree Requirements,” found on the right side of each home page.

top

Will I receive a paper copy of my schedule?

No, you will not receive a paper copy of your schedule in the mail, but your schedule is available to view online any time.  To view your up-to-date course schedule on Albert:

  • Go to https://home.nyu.edu and sign in
  • Click on the "Academics" tab, then "Student Login" for Albert on the left-hand side
  • Under the "Academics" section, choose "Student" then click "My Academics," "Enroll," then select "Term" and your schedule should appear

Your schedule on Albert lists the course title and ID number of the courses for which you are enrolled and waitlisted.  The schedule also notes meeting days, times and locations and course instructors.