Acting

Bachelor of Fine Arts

Application & Audition Requirements

Requirement

The ability to speak, read, and understand English fluently is an important factor in admissions decisions. You are required to show proof of English language proficiency by the application deadline if your native language is not English, regardless of citizenship. The Juilliard School defines native language as the language first spoken as a child and the primary language spoken at home. 

Exemption
You may be exempt from the requirement to provide proof of English language proficiency if you meet certain criteria. Exemptions are determined by your answers to questions on the application form. To qualify for an exemption you must:

• Have attended school(s) on a full-time basis where instruction was entirely in English for a TOTAL of SEVEN of the past TEN years. Qualifying schools include primary, secondary, and undergraduate institutions.

An exemption to provide a test score as proof of English language proficiency is granted automatically if you meet the aforementioned criteria. Applicants who are exempt from providing a test score also are exempt from the ELP interview requirement.

Helpful Tool

To see if you may qualify for an exemption of the requirement to submit a test score as proof of English language proficiency, our online form can help you. Although this form does not grant exemptions or waivers, it can help you plan ahead should the result indicate that you need to schedule an ELP test.

English Language Proficiency Assessment Criteria

We assess your English language abilities using the following criteria:

• The results of a standardized English language proficiency test
• An online interview with staff from our English language office
• Your previous academic record

Note that your test score alone is not sufficient for admission; you must still meet our artistic and academic standards.

Test Scores

You must submit one of the following test types to document your current level of English language proficiency. If your score falls below the minimum scores listed here, you should carefully consider whether to continue the application and audition process. We reserve the right to deny an audition based on scores that fall considerably below our minimum. 

Juilliard's CEEB code: 002340
Juilliard's ACT code: 2778

The official test results must be sent directly from the testing company and received by the Office of Admissions by the appropriate deadline. Official test results must be on file before a decision of admit or waitlist can be released.

Interview Requirement

• Any applicant with a test score of 94 TOEFL and below (or the equivalent score for other accepted tests) is required to interview with Juilliard’s Director of ESL in order to demonstrate fluency in the English language.
• Undergraduate applicants who are exempt from the test score requirement also are exempt from the interview requirement.

Definition
You are considered a transfer applicant if:

• You have earned a high school diploma or its equivalent 
• You have attended at least one semester of full-time college study

Transcript Requirement

• You are required to submit a transcript showing prior and current coursework from all post-secondary institutions attended
• You are required to submit your high school transcript if you have completed fewer than two full-time semesters of post-secondary study

Essay Requirement
You must submit an essay explaining your decision to transfer from your current institution, in addition to the other required essays.

Program Length and Transfer Credits

• You are required to study at Juilliard for all four years of the program
• You are required to take a minimum of 12 liberal arts credits at Juilliard
• Additional credits from liberal arts courses taken at other accredited post-secondary institutions may be transferred at the discretion of the Registrar; courses with a grade lower than C or its equivalent are not eligible for transfer
• AP credits are not accepted

Questions within the Online Application
As a homeschooled student, you will have to respond to the following questions within the online application:

1. What factors led to your decision to home school?
2. What relationship (formal or informal) exists between your home school and your state (or provincial) department of education?
3. Will the state recognize you as a high school graduate?

Transcript Requirements

Regardless of format, your homeschool documentation must be received by the stated deadline once the requirement is added to your checklist, and must include:

1. All courses taken, including those in progress, and the academic year and semester in which each was taken
2. Assessment of performance (letter grades, percentages, portfolio commentary, etc.) and an explanation of any applicable grading scales
3. Evidence of official recognition by the school district and/or state department of education
4. If you attended a high school for any period of time, you must submit official high school transcripts of any/all high school work
5. If you enrolled in any college courses, you must submit official college transcripts
6. Optional: a full outline of curriculum by subject
7. Optional: reading lists

Standardized Tests
You are required to submit official SAT or ACT scores by the appropriate deadline. These scores must be sent directly from the testing agency. If you are unable to provide an official SAT or ACT score due to pandemic circumstances, please contact [email protected].

Juilliard's CEEB code: 002340

Juilliard's ACT code: 2778

Acceptable Equivalencies
In lieu of a high school diploma, you have the option to submit the following high school equivalencies:

• GED (General Educational Development)
• TASC (Test Assessing Secondary Completion)
• CHSPE (California High School Proficiency Examination)
• International High School Equivalencies (contact Juilliard Admissions)

If you do not have proof of high school equivalency by the stated deadline, you must submit one or more of the documents listed below to demonstrate your academic preparedness. 

Demonstration of Academic Preparedness
While submission of high school equivalency documentation satisfies Juilliard's minimum entry requirement, the following documents can be helpful in proving your ability to undertake coursework at the postsecondary level:

• Standardized test scores
• Advanced Placement (AP) exams
• High school transcripts
• College transcripts
• Homeschooling documentation

Definition
You are considered a former Juilliard college student if you have not been in attendance during the previous academic year.  You must submit all required application materials, in addition to the requirements below. 

Essay
As a formerly enrolled Juilliard student, you are required to submit an additional essay explaining your motivation for resuming your studies or applying to another major at Juilliard. You may choose to address academic, artistic, or professional goals that you believe could be accomplished by returning.

Transcript Requirements

• You are required to provide transcripts from all institutions attended after Juilliard
• Transcripts are already on file from your time at Juilliard and do not need to be submitted

Proof of English Language Proficiency
As a formerly enrolled Juilliard student, you do not need to submit proof of English proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, ITP Plus).

Decisions
We reserve the right to review your Juilliard enrollment record to assist with admissions decisions.

Online Application
You must apply if you meet one of the following criteria:

• You are seeking to change majors
• You are applying to a new program of study (changing your degree level)

Application Fee
As a currently enrolled student in the College Division, you are not required to submit an application fee as long as you submit your application by the appropriate deadline.

Essay
You are required to submit an additional essay explaining your motivation for continuing your studies at Juilliard. You may choose to address academic, artistic, or professional goals that you believe could be accomplished by remaining at Juilliard.

Recommendation(s)
Currently enrolled Juilliard students are also required to have recommendation(s) in support of their application. This can come from an internal faculty member or someone not affiliated with The Juilliard School.

Transcripts
As a current student, you do not need to provide your transcripts, as they are already on file.

Prescreening Requirement
Prescreening is required only if both of the following are true: 

1. You are applying to a new major AND
2. The major to which you are applying is prescreened 

Proof of English Language Proficiency
You do not need to submit proof of English proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, ITP Plus).

Decisions
We reserve the right to review your Juilliard enrollment record to assist with admissions decisions.

In compliance with the Americans with Disability Act of 1990 (ADA), The Juilliard School is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible application and audition process. Through our Office of Academic Support and Disability Services (OASDS), Juilliard can provide reasonable disability accommodation to applicants and auditioners with disabilities. 

Juilliard will not make pre-admissions inquiries about whether an applicant has a disability, which has no bearing on acceptance. Applicants who meet the technical requirements of the program or course are encouraged to apply regardless of disability. However, applicants to the College Division with documented disabilities who require reasonable accommodations to participate in the application/audition process must follow these steps:

1. Submit the Disability Request Form. This form is available to applicants who need accommodations in order to audition.
2. Submit all supporting documentation.  
3. Schedule and complete an intake meeting with an OASDS representative. Intake appointments may be conducted via Zoom, phone, or in person.  

The Disability Accommodation Request Process is private and confidential. All records are securely stored in the Juilliard Accommodate Portal and are not included with any "permanent" record. Only qualified OASDS staff can access this information, ensuring your privacy is respected. Applicants who are offered admission and who choose to enroll must schedule and complete an intake meeting with an OASDS representative to discuss accommodations needed as a student.

For more information on the Disability Accommodation Request process, please visit the OASDS webpage. If you experience an online or on-campus disability barrier, please complete this form so that we may address the issue.