University of North Carolina School of the Arts
Test-Optional
Program
No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewIn-Person or VirtualHighly Selective12-24 StudentsUniversity App Required
Program Characteristics
No Prescreen
Audition Required
No Interview
Highly Selective
12-24 Students
University App Required
Program Highlights
TRAINING APPROACH
•Rigorous conservatory molds students into technically advanced and stylistically versatile ballet dancers
•Guest artists include Alexander Brady, Helen Pickett, Diana White and Natalia Makarova
•Visiting choreographers Margaret Tracy, Nilas Martin, Tom Gold and Claudia Schreier stage and create new works annually
PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES
•Three to four major productions each year with progressive choreographic responsibilities
•Fourth-year students choreograph a short work — selecting dancers, music and scheduling rehearsals
•Original choreography featured at Dance in Freedman program in senior year
NOTABLE ALUMNI
•Gillian Murphy — principal dancer, American Ballet Theatre (Prix de Lausanne "Espoir" winner)
•Victor Barbee — principal dancer, American Ballet Theatre (1975-2003)
•Megan LeCrone — soloist, New York City Ballet
•Mel Tomlinson — soloist with New York City Ballet, principal with Boston Ballet
•Katita Waldo — former principal dancer and ballet master, San Francisco Ballet
•Maria Riccetto — soloist, American Ballet Theatre
Key Info
University AppApplication
Apply atSchool Website
Deadlines
Early ApplicationNov 3, 2025
Final ApplicationJan 15, 2026
Domestic Fee
$95Waiver
International Fee
$130Waiver
Program AppApplication
Deadlines
Early ApplicationNov 3, 2025
Application DeadlineJan 15, 2026
Auditions
On-Campus AuditionJan 31, 2026
On-Campus AuditionFeb 7, 2026
On-Campus AuditionFeb 14, 2026
Audition Requirements
Dance
•Barre Work (maximum 5 minutes; only one side needed of each combination)
-Pliés, tendus, adagio, grand battements
•Center Work (maximum 5 minutes)
-Adagio
-Pirouette combination with pirouettes en‐dehors and en‐dedans
-Allegro combinations: Petite allegro
-Grand allegro (Optional, if enough space to execute the combination safely)
-Men, please include tours en l'air right and left
-Pointe work (ladies only): échappés, retirés, double pirouettes en‐dehors and en‐dedans on pointe
•Classical variation (ladies must present their variation on pointe) - one to two minutes in length
•For on-campus auditions: Classical variation will be taught at the audition
Additional Materials
•Photograph facing front, pointe tendu in second with arms in second
•Female ballet applicants: photograph in first or second arabesque on pointe
•Male ballet applicants: photograph in first or second arabesque
•Photographs uploaded to the application prior to an audition
Good to Know
VIDEO VS ON-CAMPUS
•Do not upload video if you intend to audition in person on campus
•Applicants who upload video will be determined to be submitting a Video Audition and will not receive information on how to schedule an On-Campus Audition
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
•Application fee: $95 (domestic) / $130 (international)
•Fee waivers available via SAT, ACT, or NACAC Fee Waiver Request
•Required documents must be uploaded no less than two weeks prior to audition
•If applying to two UNCSA art schools, a second application and fee are required
What's The Process
AUDITION FORMAT
•Applicants may choose either Video Audition or On-Campus Audition
•Classical variation will be taught at the audition for on-campus auditions
SCHEDULING
•Limited number of on-campus audition slots — submit early for best choice of dates
•Required application documents must be uploaded no less than two weeks prior to audition
•On-campus auditions cancelled due to inclement weather will be rescheduled
VIDEO AUDITIONS
•Faculty review video auditions in the order they are received
•Do not upload video if intending to audition in person on campus
Scholarship Info
•Caitlin Carter Scholarship - $1 million planned gift to provide one out-of-state high school ballet student per year with full tuition, room and board
Program info updated 4d ago
TRAINING APPROACH
•Rigorous conservatory molds students into technically advanced and stylistically versatile ballet dancers
•Guest artists include Alexander Brady, Helen Pickett, Diana White and Natalia Makarova
•Visiting choreographers Margaret Tracy, Nilas Martin, Tom Gold and Claudia Schreier stage and create new works annually
PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES
•Three to four major productions each year with progressive choreographic responsibilities
•Fourth-year students choreograph a short work — selecting dancers, music and scheduling rehearsals
•Original choreography featured at Dance in Freedman program in senior year
NOTABLE ALUMNI
•Gillian Murphy — principal dancer, American Ballet Theatre (Prix de Lausanne "Espoir" winner)
•Victor Barbee — principal dancer, American Ballet Theatre (1975-2003)
•Megan LeCrone — soloist, New York City Ballet
•Mel Tomlinson — soloist with New York City Ballet, principal with Boston Ballet
•Katita Waldo — former principal dancer and ballet master, San Francisco Ballet
•Maria Riccetto — soloist, American Ballet Theatre
Updated 4d ago
Academic School Information
3.60
Avg GPA (W)
30%
Admit Rate
78%
Grad Rate
945
Enrollment
$38,357
Earnings
10yr after
In-State Tuition
$9,477
before aid
Out-of-State Tuition
$27,211
before aid
Average Annual Cost
$14,906
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$3,165
Family Income $30k - $48k$7,828
Family Income $48k - $75k$11,491
Family Income $75k - $110k$20,173
Family Income $110k+$25,172
