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 Admissions

Application
  • The application for admission must be completed in full.
  • Applicant signature is required along with the parent signature if the applicant is under the age of 18 at the time of application.
  • Mail the application to the Office of Admissions along with the nonrefundable application fee ($60 for U.S. Citizens/Permanent U.S. Resident/$110 for international applicants).
  • Applications received without the application fee or all questions not answered will be returned to applicant.
  • Applicants are encouraged to submit their application by the suggested application deadline to secure the audition date they desire and allow time for travel arrangements.
  • All required documentation must be on file in order for the applicant to find out if they have been accepted by the Admissions Review Committee into the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.

Application Information in Admissions

School of Drama Requirements
  • Resume:
    • A resume detailing the applicant’s artistic experience and educational objectives. Include a list of plays performed, giving the name of the role and the date and place of performance.
  • Photographs:
    • An 8x10 headshot or a recent representative photograph either in color or black and white (applicant’s name is to be printed on photograph).
  • Writing Sample:
    • Directing applicants must submit a short essay detailing why they wish to pursue a directing career and what they intend to accomplish in directing.
  • Recommendation Letters:
    • Two (2) letters of recommendation are required.
      • One (1) letter is to come from an arts instructor
      • One (1) letter is to come from an academic instructor.
      • If not currently enrolled in school, a letter may come from an employer, mentor, instructor, directors, etc.
    • All letters are to be mailed directly to the Office of Admissions to be placed in the applicant’s file. Always list the Office of Admissions as the recipient.

  • Note: A form is provided for recommendations. All recommendations should be dated and signed by the writer and mailed directly to the Office of Admissions. Materials that do not bear the Office of Admissions as the recipient may be sent to other departments.

Transcripts

Undergraduate Program:

  • Official transcripts and courses in which the applicant is enrolled at the time of application are required.
  • All transcripts must bear a validation seal or signature of a school official or registrar.
  • Transcripts sent under separate cover must come in a sealed envelope and should be mailed directly to the Office of Admissions. Always list the Office of Admissions as the recipient.
  • Undergraduate applicants who have been home-schooled must provide proof of graduation from home school along with titles and course descriptions in each year of home-schooling, tests used and evaluation of knowledge that the applicant has completed the equivalent of the University of North Carolina’s Minimum Course Requirements
  • College transfer applicants must supply their official college transcript along with an official list of courses the student is taking at the time of application.
  • A high school transcript or GED is required of all applicants who are applying as a first time freshman or undergraduate transfer.
  • SAT or ACT. Official scores from the testing agency are required of all applicants to the Bachelor of Fine Arts (do not send student copy).


High School Program (12th grade only)
  • Official transcript from each school attended with a validation seal or signature of a school official or registrar. Copies are unacceptable. Entering 12th grade must have a transcript from 9th, 10th and 11th grades.
  • Transcripts must include the courses in which the student is enrolled at the time of application.
  • Official SAT or ACT score if taken (do not send the student copy).
  • Standardized test scores, including state and national testing, since grade 7 must be included for entering 12th grade applicants if not reported on the high school transcript.

High School Home-Schooled Applicants

  • Official transcripts from each traditional school attended with a validation seal or signature of a school official.
  • A home-school transcript created and signed by the chief administrator of the home-school.  The home-school transcript must be organized by traditional academic years (9th grade (2006-07), 10th grade (2007-08), etc.) and include a course-by-course listing of course titles with letter-grades and credits earned.  Credit hours should be explained on the transcript (i.e., 1 credit = X contact-hours of instruction).  If traditional grades were not assigned, a written explanation must be included by the chief administrator.
  • Attached to the transcript should be documentation of any commercially-available curriculum programs used by the home-school for any coursework completed or in progress (e.g., Apologia® or  Keystone®) and a list of course descriptions (including topics, textbook titles/authors/publishers, and laboratories completed) for each course completed in each year of home-schooling.
  • Results of nationally-recognized standardized achievement tests taken.   
  • Home-school attendance records, as required by state law, or documentation from your state or local board of education that such documentation is not required in your state.  Attendance records are required by all N. C. home-schools.
  • Verification of your home school’s continuing compliance with state law, as required by your state, or documentation from your state or local board of education that such documentation is not required in your state.  In N. C., this verification is a copy of your acknowledgement certificate from the N. C. Division of Non-Public Education.  In other states, this documentation may be granted by the local board of education to verify a home-school’s compliance with compulsory attendance laws.

Scheduling an Audition
  • Applicants must write the date and city in which they desire to audition on the application.
  • Written confirmation of the audition date, time and location will be mailed to the applicant from the Office of Admissions after the application has been processed.
  • Please allow ten working days for processing.
  • Auditions will not be scheduled by phone.
  • Applicants are encouraged to submit their application by the suggested application deadline to secure the audition date they desire and allow time for travel arrangements.
  • Applicants are encouraged to provide all required documentation prior to their interview.
  • The North Carolina School of the Arts reserves the right to cancel and reschedule auditions, or make other arrangements with the applicant. If weather prohibits an audition from being held the cancellation notice will be placed on www.ncarts.edu.

Professional Actor Training Program (Bachelor of Fine Arts or Arts Diploma)
  • All applicants must audition and interview in person.
  • Videotaped auditions cannot be accepted.
  • Applicants must be prepared to perform three monologues: one classical (preferably from Shakespeare), and two contrasting monologues from modern plays.
  • Each monologue should stand on its own.
  • Do not use accents, dialects, or stylized characters.
  • The School of Drama recommends that candidates choose audition pieces from published plays. Read the complete play.
  • Do not use generic monologue books as a source of material.
  • Applicants must be prepared to perform16 bars of a song without accompaniment.
  • It is recommended that the audition song come from the standard musical theatre repertory.
  • Applicants may use a pitch pipe if desired.
  • The three monologues and song must not exceed a total of six minutes.
  • Applicants should be prepared for a short interview following the audition.

Directing Program (Bachelor of Fine Arts or Arts Diploma)
  • All applicants must audition and interview in person.
  • Videotaped auditions cannot be accepted.
  • The program begins in the third year of the Bachelor of Fine Arts or Arts Diploma program.
  • The requirements for admissions are equivalent to the first two years of the Professional Actor Training Program at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.
  • Admission is limited and is at the discretion of the dean of the School of Drama.
  • A short essay detailing why the applicant wishes to pursue a directing career and what the candidate intends to accomplish in directing must accompany the application.
  • Applicants must audition and interview in person to be considered for admission and should follow the same criteria listed above for the Professional Actor Training Program.

High School Program
  • All high school applicants must audition and interview in person.
  • Videotaped auditions cannot be accepted.
  • Acceptance is limited to rising high school seniors who demonstrate artistic potential, academic readiness and social maturity.
  • The high school program is designed for North Carolina residents and a limited number of nonresident students.
  • Applicants must present two contrasting monologues.
  • Each monologue should stand on its own.
  • Do not use accents, dialects, or stylized characters.
  • Audition pieces should be selected from published plays. Read the complete play.
  • Do not use monologues or speeches from movies.
  • Do not use generic monologue books as a source of material.
  • Applicants must sing 16 bars of a song without accompaniment.
  • Applicants may use a pitch pipe if desired.
  • The monologues and song must not exceed four minutes total.
  • Dress comfortably (no torn jeans or t-shirts).
Note: High school applicants who pass the audition and interview will be required to participate in a second interview/audition with the director of the High School Drama Program, the associate vice chancellor for the High School Program and the director of Residence Life. Selected candidates will be scheduled for the second interview.


Scheduled Audition Dates - Undergraduate and High School

Audition Dates
The North Carolina School of the Arts reserves the right to cancel and reschedule auditions, or make other arrangements with candidates. Candidates may present their completed application materials on-site on the audition day, but applicants are only guaranteed an audition if their application materials are submitted to the Office of Admissions by the suggested deadline. Auditions are not scheduled by phone. Early submission of the application also allows ample time for the applicant to plan travel to and from the audition site.

On-Campus Audition Schedule
Audition Date Audition Type     Suggested Application Deadline
Saturday, January 17, 2009 College Only     December 19, 2008
Saturday, January 24, 2009 College Only     January 9, 2009
Saturday, February 14, 2009 College Only     January 23, 2009
Sunday, February 15, 2009 College Only     January 23, 2009
Saturday, February 21, 2009 College Only     January 30, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009 College Only     February 6, 2009
Saturday, February 28, 2009 College Only     February 13, 2009
Saturday, April 4, 2009   High School Only     March 13, 2009
Saturday, April 11, 2009 High School Only     March 20, 2009
Saturday, April 18, 2009 High School Only    

March 27, 2009

         

 

Consortium Audition Schedule

The off-campus auditions occur in conjunction with the Consortium of Conservatory Theatre Training Programs. The members of the consortium include Boston University, Carnegie Mellon University, the North Carolina School of the Arts, and the State University of New York at Purchase. Each participating school requires a separate application. Auditions are not scheduled by phone or email.

Off-Campus Audition Schedule
Audition Date   Audition Location Application Deadline

Thursday, January 29, 2009

  New York, NY

January 9, 2009

Friday, January 30, 2009   New York, NY

January 9, 2009

Saturday, January 31, 2009   New York, NY

January 9, 2009

Sunday, February 1, 2009   New York, NY

January 9, 2009

Monday, February 2, 2009   Chicago, IL

January 9, 2009

Tuesday, February 3, 2009   Chicago, IL

January 9, 2009

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

  Chicago, IL

January 9, 2009

Friday, February 6, 2009   San Francisco, CA January 16, 2009
Saturday, February 7, 2009   San Francisco, CA January 16, 2009
Sunday, February 8, 2009   Los Angeles, CA January 16, 2009
Monday, February 9. 2009   Los Angeles, CA January 16, 2009

 

International Applicants (applicants who do not hold United States citizenship)

In addition to the required documentation listed for the undergraduate or high school programs, international applicants must provide the following information:

APPLICATION

  1. Complete a paper application or download an application from the following link: http://www.ncarts.edu/admissions/application.htm
  2. Submit with the application a nonrefundable application fee of $110 payable in U.S. dollars. 
  3. Checks or money orders should be made payable to UNCSA. 
  4. U.S. dollar checks accepted only from: Canada, England, France, Germany and Switzerland.
  5. Wiring instructions are available on this link: http://www.ncarts.edu/studentaccounts/wiring%20procedures.pdf.
  6. Complete the Required International Student Questions.

TRANSCRIPTS

  1. Course work completed at institutions outside U.S. must be submitted with a notarized or certified English  translation.  An accredited foreign educational credential evaluation service may also be used.  Submit an official     translation in English of courses in which the applicant is enrolled at the time of application.
TEST SCORES
Undergraduate Program
  1. An official TOEFL score is required of all international applicants to the undergraduate program for whom English is not the first language.
  2. The minimum acceptable TOEFL score is 550 (paper-based) and 213 (computer-based).  The internet based test is evaluated on an individual basis.

High School Program

  1. An official SLEP score is required of all international applicants to the High School  program for whom English is not the first language.
  2. The required minimum SLEP is 55. 
  3. Applicants may schedule in advance SLEP testing with the UNCSA English as a Second Language Teacher.  Visit: http://www.ncarts.edu/iss/esl.htm

RESUME
  1. Resume must detail artistic experience and educational objectives and include a list of plays performed giving the name of the role and the date and place of performance.

OTHER DOCUMENTS

  1. If you are a Permanent Resident a copy of both sides of your permanent resident paperwork should accompany the application or the application agreement statement.
  2. A copy of your current passport.
  3. If you hold a visa and/or I-20 provide a copy along with application materials.
  4. Verification of sufficient funds to cover the first year of enrollment or affidavit of support from a bank or sponsor is required.
  5. A completed UNC School of the Arts Financial Statement Form must be completed by the applicant and can be accessed on www.ncsa.edu/admissions/guidelines.

Notification of Decision
  • Decisions concerning admission are made only after all candidates have auditioned.
  • The Admissions Review Committee (the Office of Admissions, Undergraduate Academic/High School Academic Program and Student Life) will review applicant files that are recommended for acceptance and make the final admission decision.
  • All required materials must be on file for the applicant to be reviewed by the Admissions Review Committee. No incomplete files will be reviewed.

Other Requirements
  • If submitting an online application, print, sign and mail to the Office of Admissions immediately after submitting the application the Application Agreement Statement.
  • Complete and sign the Provision of Social Security Number form provided with the application.
  • Complete the top section of the Mandatory Information Form, sign and give the form to your guidance counselor or college advisor. If currently not enrolled in school, the form may be given to an employer, mentor, instructor, etc.
  • Signatures of family members or legal guardians will not be accepted. Form is required of ALL APPLICANTS.

Final Steps
  • For your records keep copies of the application and all materials mailed to the Office of Admissions. Items can get lost in the mail.
  • Always address materials to the following mailing address:
    Office of Admissions
    University of North Carolina School of the Arts
    1533 S. Main St.
    Winston-Salem, NC 27127
  • Materials mailed to the North Carolina School of the Arts only may be distributed to other departments and delay processing of your application.