Skip to content
Small FontMedium FontLarge Font
home > Undergraduate
SEARCH
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).   

Transfers FAQ

How do my transfer credits get applied to my transcript?

You have received 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 2008 semester, you must have an official transcript sent to the Undergraduate Admissions office at 22 Washington Square North, New York, NY 10011.  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

·   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 Wednesday, June 18, 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 mid-May at http://undergraduate.tisch.nyu.edu/object/newstudent_registration.html.  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 (V40.0105, 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 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 the course is closed because it has reached the maximum enrollment, and there is an active waitlist for the course, you will be given the opportunity to put your name on the waitlist.  The waitlist is ordered on a first come, first serve basis (some departments do have an order of priority for certain groups of students that may affect your position on the waitlist).  If a space opens up in the course, the first person on the waitlist will roll into the course.

If you are automatically enrolled in a course from its waitlist, you will not receive notification, so when you are on a course waitlist, it is your responsibility to check Albert to see if you have been rolled into the course from the waitlist.  Please note that if you are enrolled for credits in excess of 18 credits, additional charges may apply (full time enrollment is 12-18 credits).  In order to avoid additional charges, you should check Albert frequently to see if you have rolled into a course from the waitlist, and if necessary, adjust your schedule accordingly.  Waitlists are active through the first week of class.

It may also be possible to be signed into a course once classes begin.  If you intend to do this, you should place your name on the course waitlist and speak with the department administrator and the professor of the course.

If you are blocked from enrolling in a course due to a prerequisite or other restriction on that course, you should contact the department through which the course is run in order to determine if you are eligible to enroll in the course and the process for doing this. 

You will not be able to register for any courses or make adjustments to your schedule if there is a block on your registration.  There are many reasons that a student might have a registration block, such as not submitting proof of vaccination to the health center or having an outstanding balance from a previous semester.  You can determine whether or not you have a registration block by checking your “Registration Status” (under the “Registration” section) on Albert (www.home.nyu.edu).  

top

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

Classroom location and room numbers can be found on your Student Schedule (under "Academic Records" on Albert - http://home.nyu.edu).  A list of the building codes can be accessed by clicking on the "Bldg" heading at the top of your schedule.

top

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

The fall payment deadline will be available soon.  Any student who has not paid his/her tuition bill by this date will 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

Can I declare a double major or minor? (transfer)

Yes. Typically, students who choose to do so complete a second major or minor in one of the disciplines in the College ofArts 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 double major in another department at Tisch, though undertaking a double major within theTischSchool of the Arts is difficult due to the demanding nature of the production requirements.

If you have an interest in pursuing a double major or minor, 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 or minor. Be sure to pick up the Major/Minor form beforehand from your registration office, or download the form at http://undergraduate.tisch.nyu.edu/page/download.

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 check out major/ minor requirements ofCollege ofArts and Science Departments by accessing their websites, available through the CAS online bulletin at http://cas.nyu.edu/object/bulletin0406.ug.deptsprogs.html.  On the right side of each home page choose “Degree Requirements.”

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 or tisch.special.info@nyu.edu.  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 18 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/cclubs.html

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 www.nyu.edu/clubs/tusc/

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?

NYU has several computer labs for use by students.  For details, refer to the Computer Resources page (link to the right), or the ITS website at www.nyu.edu/its.

For recommendations from your department, visit the Equipment Suggestions page (link on the right).

top

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

University housing opens for move-in on Sunday, August 26.  Orientation events are scheduled throughout the week of August 26.  Fall classes begin on Tuesday, September 4.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 at http://www.nyu.edu/public.safety/transportation/.  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 at www.nyu.edu/about/virtual.html.  Further directions from nearby stops can be found through NYU’s website at http://www.nyu.edu/parents.guide/visit.html, or specific directions to Tisch can be found at http://about.tisch.nyu.edu/page/gettingHere.html

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 "Registration" section, choose "Student Schedule" then hit "submit" and your schedule will 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.  For a full list of explanations of the building abbreviations, click on the "Bldg" link at the top of your schedule.