You'll get in. Seriously. They accept anyone with a pulse and 200,000 these days. But, if you're like me-- bright and poor, here's the deal.
I know for a fact that average SAT scores, as low as 1200, aren't a problem if you had good grades at least an A- average. If you need a big scholarship though, study up!
Your essay is important. The university likes diversity. Showcase your economic diversity. Don't try to hide it. On the same note, the worst thing you can do it "try" to sound smart. There are a ton of pretentious kids here already, and all I hear the admissions lady bitch about is how she's going to jump off bobst if she has to read another piece about being an "abecedarian" or living in a "post modern millieu." Booo. Give them something genuine, hungry, and odd.
You are going to be okay, kid. I was. :)
If you aren't going in to film, or STERN listen to me:
DO NOT BOTHER
Especially for theatre. Seriously filmmakers and stage directors LAUGH at NYU theatre graduates. Too expensive!! Go to Hunter or Purchase if you can't do Julliard!