Program
Program snapshot
Admissions
No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredProgram profile
In-Person OnlyUltra-SelectiveUnder 12 StudentsExtras
No University AppProgram Characteristics
No Prescreen
Audition Required
Interview Required
Ultra-Selective
Under 12 Students
No University App
PROGRAM RECOGNITION
•One of the most prestigious drama programs in the world
•Located at Lincoln Center in New York City
•Drama Division founded in 1968 under John Houseman
TRAINING
•Intensive 4-year conservatory curriculum in movement, voice, Alexander Technique, and scene study
•BFA and MFA students train together in the same classes
•No cut system — all admitted students complete the full program
NOTABLE ALUMNI
•Viola Davis — EGOT winner (Fences, How to Get Away with Murder)
•Oscar Isaac — Star Wars, Dune, Golden Globe winner
•Adam Driver — Oscar nominee (Marriage Story, BlacKkKlansman), Star Wars
•Jessica Chastain — Oscar winner (The Eyes of Tammy Faye)
•Patti LuPone — 3-time Tony winner (Evita, Gypsy, Company)
•It's vitally important at Juilliard (and any other school) to be yourself. Throw away any idea of thinking you have to be fancier than you are.
•Songs can be anything that you love to sing and can tell a story with; not just musical theatre.
Program AppApplication
Apply
Deadline
Prescreened ApplicantsNov 1, 2025
Non-Prescreened ApplicantsDec 2, 2025
Auditions
In-Person Audition (New York City)Jan 8, 2026
In-Person Audition (New York City)Jan 9, 2026
In-Person Audition (New York City)Jan 10, 2026
In-Person Audition (New York City)Jan 16, 2026
In-Person Audition (New York City)Jan 17, 2026
In-Person Audition (New York City)Jan 18, 2026
In-Person Audition (New York City)Jan 23, 2026
In-Person Audition (New York City)Jan 24, 2026
In-Person Audition (New York City)Jan 25, 2026
In-Person Audition (San Francisco)Jan 29, 2026
In-Person Audition (San Francisco)Jan 30, 2026
In-Person Audition (San Francisco)Jan 31, 2026
In-Person Audition (San Francisco)Feb 1, 2026
In-Person Audition (Chicago)Feb 6, 2026
In-Person Audition (Chicago)Feb 7, 2026
In-Person Audition (Chicago)Feb 8, 2026
In-Person Audition (Chicago)Feb 9, 2026
Callback Weekend (New York City)Mar 12, 2026
Fee
Application Fee
$110Waiver
Need-based fee waivers available via SAT/ACT waiver, NACAC form, or financial documentation
Songs
16 BARS a cappella singing (any song, any genre/language)
•This is REQUIRED as part of the audition
•Not evaluating trained singing—assessing vocal range/instrument
•Can be any style: musical theatre, pop, folk, classical, etc.
Monologues
FOUR MEMORIZED MONOLOGUES, each approximately 2 minutes
• Two HEIGHTENED TEXT monologues
-At least one must be Shakespeare
-At least one must be in verse
-Can include other writers with poetic/elevated language
• Two CONTEMPORARY monologues
-From writers working in the 20th and 21st centuries
-Faculty prefer monologues from published plays
-Non-play source material (novels, screenplays) is acceptable if you feel a strong connection to it
PREPARATION
•Initial audition: present 1 heightened + 1 contemporary
•Be prepared to discuss the entire plays your pieces come from
•Characters of any gender identification are acceptable
•May trim monologues to fit 2-minute limit, but maintain the integrity of the text
Additional Materials
Resume
•Artistic resume (1-2 pages): training, performance experience, special skills
Photo
•Used to connect your audition with application materials
Academic documents
•Academic transcripts (only required if invited to end-of-day callback)
Recommendations
•Two letters of recommendation
Optional
•Additional essay to explain gaps or limited prior experience
APPLICATION LOGISTICS
•After 4 unsuccessful attempts across both BFA and MFA degrees, no longer eligible to apply
ADMISSION PATHWAY
•Ultra-selective: only 18 students accepted per year (8-10 BFA, 8-10 MFA)
•Need-blind admissions — admitted without considering ability to pay
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
•No specific courses, GPAs, or test scores required in most cases
•Homeschooled applicants and non-native English speakers have additional requirements
AUDITION PROCESS
•Live Zoom prescreen — NOT recorded video, real-time with faculty
•Prescreen dates: November 15, 16, 22, 23
•Results determine eligibility for in-person audition
•NYC: first round callbacks same day; second round callbacks same evening
•Chicago/San Francisco: callback lists posted throughout the day
•~50 finalists invited to 4-day callback weekend in NYC (March 12-15)
•Work intensively with faculty and meet current students during callback
•Limited travel stipends available for callback weekend
•Required if you reside outside the US and Canada (regardless of citizenship)
•Optional for residents of Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, or Canada
•Continental US residents do NOT prescreen — apply by December 2 and register directly for in-person audition
•Live Zoom prescreen (NOT recorded video) — real-time with faculty
AUDITION EXPECTATIONS
•Locations: New York City, San Francisco, Chicago (January-February)
•Auditions fill quickly — register as soon as possible after submitting application
•Group warm-up and orientation session before audition
•Audition alone before Drama Division faculty panel
•Present 1 heightened text + 1 contemporary monologue
•Wear comfortable clothing allowing freedom of movement
•May bring simple hand props (water bottle, scarf, phone, etc.)
NEED-BLIND ADMISSIONS
•Juilliard admits without considering ability to pay
•All financial aid requires completion of CSS Profile and FAFSA
•Scholarship & financial aid forms due February 20 (callback invitees only)
Program info updated 8h ago
PROGRAM RECOGNITION
•One of the most prestigious drama programs in the world
•Located at Lincoln Center in New York City
•Drama Division founded in 1968 under John Houseman
TRAINING
•Intensive 4-year conservatory curriculum in movement, voice, Alexander Technique, and scene study
•BFA and MFA students train together in the same classes
•No cut system — all admitted students complete the full program
NOTABLE ALUMNI
•Viola Davis — EGOT winner (Fences, How to Get Away with Murder)
•Oscar Isaac — Star Wars, Dune, Golden Globe winner
•Adam Driver — Oscar nominee (Marriage Story, BlacKkKlansman), Star Wars
•Jessica Chastain — Oscar winner (The Eyes of Tammy Faye)
•Patti LuPone — 3-time Tony winner (Evita, Gypsy, Company)
Updated 8h ago
Academic School Information
9%
Admit Rate
91%
Grad Rate
468
Enrollment
$37,827
Earnings
10yr after
Tuition & Fees
$57,950
before aid
Average Annual Cost
$43,571
after typical aid
Average annual cost is often lower than tuition because it accounts for grants and scholarships most students receive. It includes tuition, room & board, books, and supplies.
Family Income $0 - $30k$30,168
Family Income $30k - $48k$31,507
Family Income $48k - $75k$40,705
Family Income $75k - $110k$35,563
Family Income $110k+$51,160
