There are many BFA programs that require SOME liberal arts, not that different than Tisch actually. In fact, one beauty at Tisch is that the liberal arts class requirements are in broadly defined areas. At some BFA programs, you have to take math or a foreign language, for example, but not at Tisch.
Basically, you take one Theater Studies course and one academic/liberal arts class per semester. I imagine the level of rigor/challenge at NYU won't be like taking a course at a much less selective college but then again, if your D got into NYU, she is up to this level of academics. Also, she PICKS what she wants to take.
There is very wide latitude. My D has not mentioned this being a problem. She also likes the academic classes.
However, what is demanding isn't really the academic classes per se. I think what is very demanding, but not so different at NYU than another BFA program, is that the schedule is very intense. You go to school all day and often have rehearsals every night and on ... more.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.