Undergraduate Design & Production Admissions

UNCSA offers Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degrees in the School of Design & Production (D&P) in several concentrations. To apply, complete the online application and upload the required documents and a digital portfolio. Applicants must meet all required academic or test score minimums.

An interview with the faculty is required for admission. Interviews are scheduled after an application is complete. Applicants should arrive at an interview prepared to speak about their portfolio. Admission is based on a combination of artistic and academic merits.

Application Deadlines


* Updated 3/27/24:
The application has closed for Wig & Makeup Design.

* Updated 1/18/24: The application has closed for Costume Design & Technology, Lighting, and Stage Management.

Current application information: The application is currently open on a rolling basis for other BFA concentrations offered in the School of Design & Production. Moving forward, applicants who successfully complete the requirements listed below will be reviewed for admission until the concentration is no longer able to consider additional applicants.

To be reviewed for admission, the following criteria must be met:

  • A completed application is submitted
  • Application fee is paid
  • Required Application Documents are uploaded (letters of recommendation, transcripts, etc.)

Previous deadlines:

  • Wednesday, November 1, 2023 (11:59 p.m.)
  • Wednesday, January 17, 2024 (11:59 p.m.)

Required Interview

Admissions contacts candidates to schedule an interview. Due to the limited number of available interview slots, Admissions contacts candidates on a "first to apply, first to schedule" basis. 

Prior to an audition, applicants are required to attend a faculty-hosted informational session about the School of Design & Production. 

In-person, On-campus

Interview Dates

  • Friday, November 10, 2023
    (opens in new t
  • Friday, December 8, 2023
  • Friday, February 2, 2024
  • Friday, February 23, 2024

Location:

  • Applicants emailed 72 hours prior with the day's agenda and tips for preparing.
  • Applicants should prepare to be on the UNCSA campus from 12 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Information Session

  • In-person information session included in the day's agenda.

Virtual (Zoom)

Applicants will be provided links for attending an interview and a required virtual Q&A session.

Virtual Interview Date

  • Wednesday, November 29, 2023

    (opens in new t
  • Wednesday, December 13, 2023

Virtual Q&A for interviewing candidates hosted by the Dean of Design & Production (attendance required)

  • 3-4 p.m. ET on Monday, November 27, 2023

Virtual Interview Date

  • Wednesday, January 24, 2024

  • Wednesday, February 7, 2024

  • Wednesday, February 28, 2024

  • Wednesday,
    April 10, 2024

Virtual Q&A for interviewing candidates hosted by the Dean of Design & Production (attendance required)

  • 3-4 p.m. ET on Monday, January 22, 2024

 

 
 

Off-campus Opportunities

Representatives from Design & Production are available to speak with interested candidates at industry events and in select cities. An off-campus meeting provides the opportunity to learn more about the school or get feedback on a portfolio. Candidates with complete applications may contact Admissions to inquire if an official interview could be scheduled at one of the locations listed below. 

Ripley Grier Studios
520 8th Ave NYC, NY 10018
Room: Studio 17F

January 27-28, 2024
Sonesta Los Angeles Airport, LAX
5985 W. Century Blvd.
LA, CA  90045

Room: Temecula

Friday, February 9, 2024

Saturday, February 10, 2024

SETC
Annual Conference
March 13-17, 2024 - (Mobile, AL)
USITT
Annual Conference
March 20-23, 2024 (Seattle, WA)

International Thespian Festival
Annual Conference

June 23-28, 2024 (Bloomington, IN)

 

Admissions Criteria

Academic Requirements

Applicants should have or be on track to receive a high school diploma or equivalent with the following academic subjects:

Subject Units Specifications
English 4 Four units in English emphasizing grammar, composition, and literature
Social Studies 2 Includes one U.S. History credit
Mathematics 3 Includes Algebra I, Algebra II and Geometry or a higher level course
Science 3 3 course units in science including a life or biological science course, a physical science course and at least one laboratory course
Additional Coursework 2 May be in Mathematics, English,
World Languages, Social Studies, Science, and/or Computer Science

Note: Early College High School Graduates

This legislation only applies to seniors graduating from North Carolina Cooperative Innovative High Schools (Early Colleges) who will earn an Associate’s degree in addition to a high school diploma. 

All other Early College students will be evaluated using standard freshman criteria. Applicants from North Carolina Cooperative Innovative High Schools (CIHS) receive special consideration in the admission review for UNC system universities based on North Carolina law.

According to House Bill 97 Section 11.16.(a) “any student who graduated from a cooperative innovative high school program with an associate degree and who applies for admission to the constituent institution has the option of being considered for admission as a freshman or as a transfer student.” To determine if your school is a CIHS school, visit the CIHS website: https://www.dpi.nc.gov/students-families/enhanced-opportunities/advanced-learning-and-gifted-education/cooperative-innovative-high-schools.  

Being “considered” refers to the evaluation of your credentials and not your student type. Regardless of how you are evaluated, you are considered a new freshman upon enrollment. You will be a freshman with college credit. 

If you feel strongly that your standardized test scores or high school GPA will hinder you in the freshman review, please don’t hesitate to contact an admissions counselor to discuss the transfer review option. Admission to UNCSA is by audition and/or interview and all applicants to the undergraduate program are considered first time freshmen.  The School makes every effort to place the student at the arts level that best reflects their proficiency.

GPA

High School or College GPA of 2.5 or higher. The average GPA for an entering UNCSA undergraduate student is 3.5.

Test Scores

ACT or SAT Scores
Applicants should submit ACT or SAT test scores with the following minimum score requirements:

  • ACT: 19 (writing portion optional)
  • SAT: 1010 composite score in Critical Reading & Math

The average applicant's ACT score is 24 and the average SAT Critical Reading, Math & Writing score is 1200.

Due to the impact of COVID-19 on test availability, the UNC Board of Governors waived the standardized test requirement for first-year students applying for admission in Fall 2024.

Applicants who do not meet the minimum GPA requirement for their desired program may submit qualifying SAT or ACT scores in order to meet Admissions Criteria.

International Applicants
International applicants should submit official ACT, SAT, TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo scores. Minimum score requirements for international students are:

  • TOEFL iBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition: 79
  • IELTS Academic: 6.5
  • Duolingo English Test: 100
  • ACT: English Language Arts (ELA) section: 21
  • SAT: Evidence-Based Reading & Writing (ERW) section: 540

Advanced Standing for Undergraduate Students through Placement Tests
UNCSA accepts Advanced Placement (AP), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB), and Cambridge International Certificate college credits. Our Division of Liberal Arts grants advanced standing credit. Learn more.

Completed Application, Fees & Required Documents

  1. Complete the online application.

  2. Pay your Application Fee: $95 for U.S. citizens and permanent residents, $130 for international applicants. Application fees are non-refundable.

    Payment Options
    • Online: Follow payment instructions at the end of the application or on your Admissions Portal.
    • Check or Money Order: (through a U.S. bank): Make payable to "UNCSA" and include your full legal name. Mail your payment and fully legible name of the applicant to the Office of Admissions.
    • Fee Waiver: Submit an SAT, ACT or NACAC Application Fee Waiver Request signed by your high school counselor.
    • International Applicants: Use Flywire to pay your application fee online through an international bank or pay by check or money order through a U.S. bank as listed above.
  3. Upload all Required Application Documents prior to your listed application deadline.

Please note: If applying to two different UNCSA art schools (Dance, Design & Production, Drama, Filmmaking, and Music), a second completed application and application fee are required.