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 Application Materials and a digital Portfolio. Applicants must meet all required Admissions Criteria.
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
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.)
The 2025-26 applications deadlines:
- Friday, November 1, 2024 (11:59 p.m. EST)
- Wednesday, January 15, 2025 (11:59 p.m. EST)
Required Interview
Admissions contacts candidates to schedule an interview on a "first to apply, first to schedule" basis. There are a limited number of interview slots per date. It is recommended that applicants have availability on multiple dates.
On-campus, In-person Interview
Interview Dates
- Friday, November 8, 2024
- Friday, December 6, 2024
- Friday, January 24, 2025
- ADDED as of 11/4/24:
Friday, February 14, 2025 - CANCELED as of 11/4/24:
Friday, February 21, 2025
Location
UNCSA
1533 South Main Street,
Winston-Salem, NC 27127
Agenda:
- Applicants emailed 72 hours prior with the day's agenda and tips for preparing.
- Applicants should prepare to be on the UNCSA campus from 12:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Information Session
- In-person information session included in the day's agenda.
Off-campus, In-person Interview
| Location | Dates |
|---|---|
|
New York City, NY Ripley Grier Studios |
Interview Dates
Information Session |
|
Los Angeles, CA Hotel Burbank |
Interview Dates
Information Session |
|
Orlando, FL Location to be announced. |
Interview Dates
|
Virtual Interview (Zoom)
|
Applicants will be provided links for attending an interview and the required virtual Q&A session. |
|
| Dates | Times |
|---|---|
|
Virtual Interview Date
|
Virtual Q&A session for interviewing candidates hosted by the Dean of Design & Production (attendance required)
|
|
Virtual Interview Date
|
Virtual Q&A session for interviewing candidates hosted by the Dean of Design & Production (attendance required)
|
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 a location listed below.
| Location | Dates and Times | City and State |
|---|---|---|
|
Hotel Burbank |
October 5-6, 2024
|
Los Angeles, CA |
|
Ripley Grier Studios |
October 5 - 6, 2024
|
New York City, NY |
| IAAPA | November 18-21, 2024 | Orlando, FL |
| USITT |
March 5-8, 2025 | Columbus, OH |
| SETC | March 19-23, 2025 | Baltimore, MD |
|
June 22-27, 2025 |
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. |
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GPA
Test Scores
ACT or SAT Scores
All applicants for first-time admission as freshmen with a weighted High School GPA below 2.8 are required to submit either ACT or SAT
test scores with the following minimum score requirements:
- ACT: 17 (writing portion optional).
- SAT: 930 composite score in Critical Reading & Math
Submitting either ACT or SAT test scores with the minimum score requirements is optional for applicants for first-time admission as freshmen who have a weighted High School GPA above 2.8.
The average applicant's ACT score is 24 and the average SAT Critical Reading, Math & Writing score is 1200.
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
- Complete the online application.
- Pay your Application Fee: $95 for U.S. citizens and permanent residents, $130 for
international applicants or non-resident aliens. 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.
- 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.
- 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.