Required Application Documents

The following supplemental documents are needed to complete an applicant's file. With the exception of official transcripts and official test scores, applicants upload the following documents to their Admissions Portal after submitting the initial application to UNCSA. 

Transcripts

Applicants may upload unofficial transcripts into their Admissions Portal for initial review. If admitted to UNCSA, official transcripts must be sent to UNCSA directly from each attended institution so that UNCSA can confirm the final grades at each school.

Transcripts should be submitted to the UNCSA Office of Admissions electronically whenever possible. If an institution does not have the capability to send a transcript electronically, the official transcript can be mailed to the Office of Admissions.

Official Transcripts should be sealed, signed or notarized for all secondary school academic records, and should include a list of courses in which the applicant is enrolled at the time of application. Any transcript uploaded by the student through the Admissions Portal is considered unofficial.

Home Schooled Applicants
Home schooled applicants should provide documentation that the home school is recognized by the state of residency (if applicable), a transcript with course titles and course descriptions for each year of home schooling, and any tests or assessments used to show that the applicant has completed the equivalent of the UNC System minimum course requirements. If the applicant has attended a traditional high school, an official transcript from that school should also be submitted.

Transfer Students
College transfer students that have earned a high school diploma at the time of application will need to submit their official high school transcript, including final grades and graduation date, in addition to their college transcript. Unofficial college transcripts will be accepted for initial review of your application. If you have already earned a Bachelor’s degree, then a high school transcript does not need to be submitted.

Dual Enrollment Students
Students who have completed dual enrollment coursework should only need to submit their high school transcript at the time of application. If the dual enrollment courses are not included on the high school transcript, students should also submit a college transcript. Official transcripts from high school and college, with final grades and graduation dates, will be required should a student be accepted to UNCSA.

International Applicants
Transcripts MUST be translated to English with both a credential evaluation and a GPA equivalent from a certifying agency. Transcripts from each school attended must be sent to the certifying agency for evaluation and certification. Approved agencies can be found at www.naces.org or www.aice-eval.org

A certified credential evaluation is required in order to be reviewed for admission.

Test Scores

Official test scores should be submitted electronically to UNCSA.

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

  • ACT: Minimum score of 22
  • SAT: Minimum score of 1060

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.

Transfer Students
ACT and SAT scores are waived for college transfer students who are age 21 or older and/or have earned 24 or more academic credit hours at the time of application.

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.

 

Letters of Recommendation

UNCSA requires applicants to submit contact information for two references. UNCSA will send the references a recommendation form and the ability to upload a recommendation letter. UNCSA requires contact information for the following:

  • One letter from an arts instructor
  • One letter from an academic instructor

If not currently enrolled in school, a letter may come from an employer, mentor, instructor, director, etc

Application Agreement Statement

Undergraduate applicants should print, complete and upload a copy of the Application Agreement Statement only if they are under the age of 18 at the time they apply.

Artistic Statement

An artistic statement should be a thoughtful reflection on how the cinema specifically, and art more broadly, has inspired you. Submit a two-page artistic statement expressing your interests, goals and other information providing insight into your work. Include any additional remarks that will allow the committee to learn as much about you, your work, and aspirations as possible. 

  • Include full name on the document
  • This document may be used if recommended for scholarship consideration.  

Need help? See "How to Write an Artistic Statement" and read examples by admitted students. 

Artistic Influence Questions

Submit a response to each of the following five (5) prompts. Note: Each response should be a brief paragraph comprised of no more than 8 sentences.

  • Name three films from any genre or era; briefly describe each film and what affect it had upon you. 

  • Name the last three books you’ve read for pleasure or out of curiosity, and describe the emotion each book sparked in you. 

  • Name three pieces of non-film art (sculpture, painting, music, literature, or any other types of artwork) that have moved you and explain why.

  • Consider sharing how you intend to make work that will create an impact on others.

  • Discuss your goals as a filmmaker: is your creative work a vehicle of personal expression, social commentary, and/or commerce?

Resume

Upload a  two-page document:   

  • The first page should list educational objectives, work experiences, and extra-curricular activities and/or community service;   
  • The second page should consist of an essay describing how you have integrated your extra-curricular activities and/or community service into our world artistically as well as personally. 

Portfolio

  • Personal Story Video
    • Record yourself telling a personal story, no longer than 2 minutes in length, about something that happened to you. The 2-minute constraint is designed to encourage concise, clear storytelling. The uploaded video presentation should be recorded simply, not rehearsed or read. There should not be any staging, editing, or special effects. Allow yourself to be the focus of the piece. Please label this video “Personal Story Video”.
  • Original work

Additional International Documents

In addition to the documents listed above, international applicants should be prepared to submit the following documents to an Admissions Counselor only if notification of being accepted to UNCSA has been received:

  • A copy of a current passport
  • If currently holding an F-1 Visa, submit a copy of this visa and Form I-20
  • Complete a Certificate of Financial Responsibility (to be provided by UNCSA)