Undergraduate Filmmaking Admissions
UPDATE 1/16/25: The deadline has passed and the application has closed for applying for fall 2025 entry into the School of Filmmaking B.F.A. programs.
UNCSA offers Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degrees in Filmmaking across several concentrations. In the first year, students explore the fundamentals of all offered concentrations. In the second year, students begin to focus on a discipline to pursue in years three and four.
To apply, a completed application form with all required application documents and a portfolio must be submitted in time for one of the deadlines. Applicants who meet both admissions criteria and a deadline will be moved forward for evaluation by the faculty committee.
Interviews are by invitation only and are scheduled based on the faculty committee evaluation.
On-campus interviews will be conducted from January through March.
Deadlines and Decisions
An applicant is evaluated for admission only when all required application documents (including letters of recommendation), a complete portfolio, and the application fee paid have been submitted by one of the following deadlines:
| Application Deadline | Application Status Updated |
|---|---|
|
Friday, November 1, 2024 (11:59 p.m. EST) |
Mid-December 2024 |
|
Wednesday, January 15, 2025 (11:59 p.m. EST) |
Mid-February 2025 |
Interview Invitation
Applicants whom the faculty committee determines shall move forward to interview will be contacted directly with scheduling instructions. Applicants may contact Admissions with any questions.
Admissions Criteria
Academic Requirements
Applicants should have or be on track to receive ahigh 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 | 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.” 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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Transfer Applicants
Transfer or advanced placement credits for liberal arts classes taken at another institution are subject to the general policies of the Division of Liberal Arts.
Curriculum in the School of Filmmaking is sequential and intensive. Students, including college transfers, are therefore required to complete all four years of the program. A request to evaluate a Filmmaking course completed at another institution for possible transfer may be submitted by a transferring student if the following criteria is met:
- Course syllabus meets the same learning outcome as required by the School of Filmmaking.
- Student earned a grade of “B” or better.
The School of Filmmaking will only review a completed course that meets the above standards to determine if transferable. Transfer review is conducted on a case-by-case basis.
GPA
Test Scores
ACT or SAT Scores
Applicants with a GPA below 3.0 are required to submit either ACT or SAT test scores
with the following minimum score requirements:
- SAT: 1060 composite score in Critical Reading & Math
- ACT: 22 (writing portion optional).
Submitting either ACT or SAT test scores with the minimum score requirements is optional for applicants with a GPA above 3.0
Transfer Applicants
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
Completed Application, Fees & Required Documents
- Complete the online application.
- Pay the 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 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 an 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 an application deadline.
Please note: If applying to two different UNCSA art schools (Dance, Design & Production, Drama, Filmmaking or Music), a second application and application fee will be required.