Undergraduate Drama Admissions
The UNCSA School of Drama offers an undergraduate Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a concentration in Acting or Directing.
Admission decisions are based on a combination of artistic and academic merits and are released after all applicants been reviewed. Whenever possible, in-person auditions are strongly encouraged.
Application Deadline
UNCSA does not use Early Action of Early Decision deadlines. The School of Drama does not prescreen. Admissions contacts candidates to schedule an audition after a deadline has been met.
| Application Dates and Deadlines | |
|---|---|
|
Early Application Date |
Monday, November 3, 2025 (11:59 p.m. EST) |
| Application Deadline | Thursday, January 15, 2026 (11:59 p.m. EST) |
Early Application Date
Provides early access to scheduling an audition. To meet the Early Application Date, applicants must submit:
- UNCSA online application
- application fee
- transcript(s)
Remaining required application documents must be uploaded no less than two (2) weeks before an audition.
Application Deadline
To meet the application deadline, applicants must submit:
- UNCSA online application
- application fee
- transcript(s)
Remaining required application documents must be uploaded no less than two (2) weeks before an audition.
Audition Days
Information Session
On the day of their audition, applicants are required to attend a faculty-hosted information session about the School of Drama.
Audition
Applicants are scheduled on a first come, first serve basis. Scheduling begins in November. Applicants are asked to bring a headshot and resume, if available.
In-person, On-campus
| Location | Audition Dates | Required Information Session |
|---|---|---|
|
Performance Place, UNCSA |
|
9 - 10:30 a.m.
|
In-person, Off-campus
| Location | Audition Dates | Required Information Session |
|---|---|---|
|
Ripley Grier Studios |
|
9-10:30 a.m. 2–3:30 p.m. |
| Hyatt Regency 151 East Wacker Dr Chicago, IL 60601 Room: Columbian |
|
Attendance required. 9-10:30 a.m. 2–3:30 p.m. |
Virtual (Zoom)
| Audition Dates | Required Information Session |
|---|---|
|
Link to attend provided 48 hours in advance.
|
Link to attend provided 48 hours in advance.
|
Admissions decisions are based on a combination of artistic and academic merits. Decisions
are released after all candidates have auditioned.
Academic Criteria
Applicants must meet UNCSA Academic Criteria by the start of the 2026-27 school year.
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 a U.S. History credit |
| Mathematics | 3 | Includes Algebra I, Algebra II and Geometry or a higher level course |
| Science | 3 | Three 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.” You can determine if your school is a CIHS school on their 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
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. 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 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.
- Upload all Required Application Documents at least two weeks prior to your scheduled audition.
Please note: If you are applying to two different UNCSA art schools (Dance, Design & Production, Drama, Filmmaking and Music), you will need to complete a second application and pay a second application fee.
Off-campus Opportunities
UNCSA Admissions counselors attend many off-campus events. Please visit our booth so we can meet you and answer your questions about our school.