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Programs of Study

The School is accredited by Cognia (formerly AdvancEd) to award the high school diploma with concentrations in dance, drama, music, and the visual arts.

Cognia
9115 Westside Parkway
Alpharetta, GA 30009
1.888.413.3669

Students receive concentrated training in dance, drama, music or the visual arts while taking a full complement of academic courses to fulfill the high school diploma requirements set by the High School Academic Program of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.

The Dance and Music programs may begin at grade 9. The Visual Arts Program begins at grade 11, but students may enter in the 12th grade. The High School Drama Program is a 12th –grade program only. The Drama and Visual Arts Programs are primarily open to North Carolina residents with limited space for out-of-state students. An audition/interview and, where appropriate, a review of the applicant’s portfolio are required for admission to all arts programs.

A policy of the UNCSA Board of Trustees requires that all high school students, beginning in the 9th grade, live on campus in the School’s residence halls or with parents and/or legal guardians.

Transfer Students

High school transfer students are given full credit value for high school units satisfactorily earned in grades 9 through 12 from an accredited secondary school. However, the High School Academic Program will decide how or if transferable courses meet particular UNCSA high school subject-area diploma requirements.

Upon enrollment in the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, a high school transfer student is placed at the appropriate arts instruction level by the relevant arts school. The School makes every effort to place the student at the arts level that best reflects his or her proficiency at the time of admission. Upon placement, the student proceeds through the remaining sequence of arts courses, regardless of age or academic level. High school students who complete all requirements in their arts area are eligible for the arts concentration designation on their high school diploma. A UNCSA high school diploma may be awarded upon completion of all academic courses required for graduation.

International Students

International applicants should plan on applying no later than March 1 of the year they intend to enroll in the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Following are guidelines for international student applicants:

  • Applicants must submit the application and application fee along with the documentation outlined by each department.
  • Applicants must audition and/or interview.
  • Transcripts MUST be translated to English with both a credential evaluation and 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.
  • Courses in which the applicant is enrolled at the time of application must accompany the application.
  • High school applicants for whom English is not the primary language must supply an official TOEFL Jr. test score with a minimum score of 745 or a Duolingo test score with a minimum score of 100.
  • Applicants must submit an Artistic Statement.
  • If accepted to UNCSA, applicants must fill out a Certificate of Financial Responsibility Form and supply a bank statement or a certificate of finance proving sufficient funds to cover all educational and personal expenses while studying at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. The statement must be translated into English and detail the amount of U.S. dollars on account. A bank official must notarize the certificate.
  • The Division of Institutional Engagement completes the I-20 paperwork only after an applicant has been accepted and paid his or her advanced tuition and housing deposit. I-20 paperwork will show the anticipated length of study of the applicant’s chosen program of study.
  • All international applicants must obtain a visa prior to enrollment.
  • International applicants are not eligible for state or federal financial aid.
  • A special health insurance policy is required of every international student except applicants from Canada. This policy is obtained through the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and the premium will be billed on the student’s tuition bill. The coverage is required even if the student carries health insurance in his or her home country. United States federal law mandates this particular coverage.

Application and Admissions Procedures

Guidelines for applying to the high school programs vary. Applicants should follow the guidelines provided with the application. Applicants must submit the following:

  • A fully completed application signed by the applicant and a parent, along with the nonrefundable application fee.
  • Applicants who complete an online application must print the application agreement statement, complete all required information, sign the application agreement statement along with a parent signature.
  • Two letters of recommendation, preferably one from an arts instructor and one from an academic instructor.
  • Official transcript(s) and test scores of high school work. The documents must bear the school seal or signature of a school official. 
  • A résumé
  • Artistic Statement
  • Required application documents, as needed by conservatory 

Auditions/Interviews

Admission to the University of North Carolina School of the Arts is based on demonstrated talent, achievement and career potential. Faculty members of the school to which the applicant is applying assess these areas at the audition and/or interview. The dean and faculty of each school set performance standards and levels of achievement for their professional training program.

Specific audition/interview dates, instructions and information are provided with the Application for Admission and are available from the Office of Admissions. Auditions and interviews are scheduled on the University of North Carolina School of the Arts campus in Winston-Salem and at selected locations throughout the United States, and virtually.

Acceptance Procedure

Applicants who pass the audition and have been accepted by the Admissions Review Committee into the high school program will be notified by letter of their acceptance.

Applicants must have a minimum unweighted GPA of 2.3 (C+), no more than one failing grade in the previous year's work and no more than two failing grades in their overall coursework.

Wait List Policies

The University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) places students recommended for acceptance on a wait list when enrollment capacity has been reached at the art school of the student’s choice. If they need financial assistance, students should follow financial aid application procedures as indicated by the Office of Student Financial Aid. Students on the wait list will be notified by the Office of Admissions with an official letter of acceptance if an opening becomes available. At the time their admissions status changes, students should contact the Office of Student Financial Aid to discuss their financial aid status. Wait lists will be in effect until the start of classes.

Community Standards Review Policy

All students at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) are responsible for conducting themselves in a manner that helps enhance an environment of learning in which the rights, dignity, worth, and freedom of each member of the academic community are respected.

As part of our admissions process, applicants are asked to disclose any past school disciplinary actions, criminal offenses, or non-honorable military discharges. This information is reviewed carefully and confidentially and does not automatically disqualify an applicant from admission. However, failure to provide complete, accurate, and truthful information will be grounds to deny admission, withdraw an offer of admission, or lead to dismissal after enrollment.

Applicants are required to notify the university immediately and in writing of any new or pending criminal charge, any disposition of a criminal charge, any school, college, or university disciplinary action, any type of non-honorable military discharge, or any non-routine absence from school, that occurs at any time after application submission but prior to enrollment. Failure to do so may be grounds to deny admission, withdraw an offer of admission, or lead to dismissal after enrollment.

Who Is Affected

Applicants who indicate any of the following on their application will undergo a review:

  • Disciplinary violations at any educational institution attended resulting in long-term school suspensions (10 or more days)
  • Criminal convictions or pending charges*
  • A plea of no contest or nolo contendere, an Alford plea, deferred prosecution or prayer for judgment, or accepted responsibility for a crime*
  • Non-honorable military discharges

* Applicants are not required to disclose or provide an explanation if the criminal adjudication or conviction has been expunged, sealed, annulled, pardoned, destroyed, erased, impounded, or otherwise ordered by a court to be kept confidential.

Review Process

  1. Provisional Admission: Applicants who disclose relevant history may be provisionally admitted while their case is reviewed.
  2. Initial Screening: Admissions staff conduct a preliminary review of the application and disclosure.
  3. Criminal Background Check: If applicable, a criminal background check will be performed in accordance with UNC System Policy 700.5 - Student Background Checks.
  4. Applicant Interview: The applicant may be contacted for an interview to provide additional context and documentation.
  5. Committee Review: A designated committee evaluates the case, considering the nature, timing, and resolution of the incident, as well as evidence of rehabilitation and academic readiness.
  6. Final Decision: The Vice Provost for Enrollment Management makes the final determination regarding admission.
  7. Notification: Applicants are informed of the outcome and any conditions of admission.

Our Commitment

We believe in second chances and the potential for growth. Each case is reviewed individually, with a focus on fairness, transparency, and the applicant’s readiness to succeed in college.

For questions about this policy or the review process, please contact the Office of Admissions.