Morgan Class of 2020 graduate Mya Yetso’s journey to the number one film school in the country was unexpected. Still, the junior in the Tisch School for the Arts at New York University cannot imagine herself anywhere else. Her senior year was cut short by the Covid-19 pandemic, so it is no surprise that her class was eager to set out for college. 

Mya, while excited to leave at the time, absolutely loved Morgan. She always knew she would pursue a film major, so she took classes with technology education teacher Jessica Mularski. Her passions were encouraged in classes like Video Production and Live Broadcasting, where she was free to create whatever she wanted. In Journalism, English teacher Leslie Chausse allowed her to employ her editing skills in videos about sports and fashion. Spanish teacher Laura Luther was another supporter Mya credits for her success within and beyond Morgan. 

Mya wasn’t considering NYU until Mrs. Mularski insisted that she apply. Because she applied for the arts, every school required her to compile portfolios and submit essays along with them. “I would never want to apply to college again,” she said with a shudder. “Applying was harder than college itself.” 

She now studies in the Kanbar Institute of Film & Television within Tisch. When she first arrived at NYU, it was difficult to make friends because Covid restrictions were at their peak. Students weren’t even allowed in others’ dorm rooms. Mya met many people in class, making more friends through the people they knew. During her sophomore year, restrictions were less strict, and she lives in an apartment now, so it’s much easier to have friends over whenever she wants. 

A common misconception about NYU is that it’s impossible to make friends because there is no central campus. Mya agrees that it can feel lonely and even overwhelming because of the urban environment. “If you choose to be alone,” she said, “you really can be alone.” Having New York as a campus is a great advantage, however. NYU students tend to convene in Washington Square Park, and Mya has made several friends from nearby schools like Pace, Fordham, and Columbia. 

She described learning alongside such talented students as “empowering yet challenging.” It’s scary at times because “you know you have to step up your game to keep up.” Networking is important at NYU, and Mya has professors who are leaders in their industries, such as directors and editors of acclaimed films. She is taken aback sometimes when they casually mention plans for lunch with A-list celebrities. Recently, in planning with her mentors for summer internships, she was surprised when her professors told her to consider work with Saturday Night Live and ESPN. 

Tisch students must take certain classes in order to graduate, so Mya spent an “infuriating” amount of time as an underclassman focusing on production. She is more interested in post-production, although she can appreciate those classes in hindsight because she recognizes the importance as an editor of being comfortable in any role. In fulfilling general education requirements, she has enjoyed classes like The Science of Happiness and Literature of Children and Adolescents. 

Mya loves what she studies, which is why she cannot recall ever dreading a class. Having earned a prestigious scholarship upon acceptance, she doesn’t take her opportunities for granted. In fact, she has never missed a class except for medical reasons or extenuating circumstances. This is a considerable feat given that she has taken film classes that last from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM; they begin with lectures and reflections followed by on-your-feet set work. “As long as you’re passionate about what you’re learning,” she reflected, “work will never make you feel like you want to skip class.” 

At NYU, going to class entails more than just showing up. Many students come from fortunate backgrounds (Mya has friends with famous parents in the film industry), and the overall culture demands that students dress well constantly. There is pressure not to repeat outfits and to go out often, which Mya got sick of a long time ago despite classmates’ occasional comments. She has learned to stop caring about what people think because being herself is more important to her. “You’re never going to find people you like if you pretend to be someone else,” she advised. 

Surprisingly, Mya’s attendance at NYU produced a new appreciation for her hometown, Clinton. She works during summer break, but once she’s done, she loves going to the beach every day. She and her friends don’t think twice about driving up to Misquamicut Beach in Rhode Island. “Embrace it while you’re still there,” she concluded. “Don’t stress about the future – everything happens for a reason.”