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University of California - San Diego

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Program

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewNo University App

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Ultra-SelectiveUnder 12 Students

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewNo University App

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Ultra-SelectiveUnder 12 Students

Browse programs

Quick links

MFA Acting

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewNo University App

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Ultra-SelectiveUnder 12 Students

Training

10-15 productions annually with graduate students given casting priority

Year-round Cabaret workshop productions for additional opportunities

Individual attention from an extraordinary team of professionals and specialists

Past visiting faculty includes Anne Bogart, Joseph Chaikin, Richard Foreman, and Andrei Serban

Professional Development

Shared Theatre District with Tony Award-winning La Jolla Playhouse

Professional residencies at La Jolla Playhouse for MFA candidates

Third-year showcase in both Los Angeles and New York

Showcase attended by invited film, television, and theatre professionals

Value

Financial support package available for MFA students

Funds occasionally available for research, workshops, and travel to auditions and festivals

School Info

Snapshot

3.90

Avg GPA (W)

27%

Admit Rate

school-wide

86%

Grad Rate

34.9K

Enrollment

$85K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

In-State Tuition

$16,758

Before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$50,958

Before aid

Average Net Price

$12,470

After aid

College Scorecard

Program info updated 3d ago

Program Highlights

Training

10-15 productions annually with graduate students given casting priority

Year-round Cabaret workshop productions for additional opportunities

Individual attention from an extraordinary team of professionals and specialists

Past visiting faculty includes Anne Bogart, Joseph Chaikin, Richard Foreman, and Andrei Serban

Professional Development

Shared Theatre District with Tony Award-winning La Jolla Playhouse

Professional residencies at La Jolla Playhouse for MFA candidates

Third-year showcase in both Los Angeles and New York

Showcase attended by invited film, television, and theatre professionals

Value

Financial support package available for MFA students

Funds occasionally available for research, workshops, and travel to auditions and festivals

Program Highlights

Training

10-15 productions annually with graduate students given casting priority

Year-round Cabaret workshop productions for additional opportunities

Individual attention from an extraordinary team of professionals and specialists

Past visiting faculty includes Anne Bogart, Joseph Chaikin, Richard Foreman, and Andrei Serban

Professional Development

Shared Theatre District with Tony Award-winning La Jolla Playhouse

Professional residencies at La Jolla Playhouse for MFA candidates

Third-year showcase in both Los Angeles and New York

Showcase attended by invited film, television, and theatre professionals

Value

Financial support package available for MFA students

Funds occasionally available for research, workshops, and travel to auditions and festivals

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

Program AppApplication

Apply

School Website

Fee

Audition Fee

$65

Opens

Sep 2, 2026

Deadline

MFA Acting Application DeadlineJan 6, 2027

Audition

OR — Recorded Video Audition

International Applicant Self-Tape Deadline (TBD)TBA

Acting MFA · theatre.ucsd.edu

Audition Requirements

Monologues

Two Contrasting Monologues

Each piece no longer than 2 minutes

At least one piece from a contemporary play

Other piece from heightened-language work

Choose clearly contrasting pieces showing creative range

At least one piece should be within your age range

Additional Materials

Headshot

8x10 headshot

Bring headshot with resume on the reverse side to the audition

Resume

Include contact information on resume

Attach resume to reverse side of headshot

Statement of Purpose

Submit through the UC San Diego graduate application portal

Letters of Recommendation

Minimum of three letters required

Provide email addresses for each recommender

Transcript

Official records from all post-secondary institutions attended

Acting MFA · theatre.ucsd.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Program is not accepting applications for Fall 2026

Applications reopen September 2026 for Fall 2027 admission

Apply through the UC San Diego graduate application portal

Graduate application fee is separate from the audition fee

Eligibility

Bachelor's degree required (not necessarily in theatre)

3.0 GPA minimum in last two years of undergraduate or post-baccalaureate work

GRE is optional for all Theatre graduate programs

Fall quarter entry only - no transfer credits accepted

International applicants may submit self-tapes for the initial audition round

Must demonstrate English language proficiency

TOEFL iBT: 85 overall, 26 speaking | IELTS: Band 7 overall, 8 speaking

PTE Academic: 65 overall, 84 speaking | Duolingo: 120 overall, 150 speaking

Important Notes

$65 audition fee assessed upon sign-up

What's The Process

Audition Process

Same-day information session and callbacks conducted after each audition day for selected candidates

May be asked to present a third monologue and 16 bars of a song

Faculty may also work with one or both original selections

Roughly 16-20 finalists invited to a two-day virtual callback weekend

Finalists audition for the full faculty, meet current students, and participate in workshops and information sessions

Final selection made at the conclusion of the callback weekend

Audition Expectations

7-minute in-person audition with acting faculty

Present two contrasting monologues

Auditions held in New York, Chicago, and San Francisco in late January/early February

If unable to audition in person, contact Head of Acting Ursula Meyer to discuss potential options

Contact

Graduate Program Coordinator: Cory Caswell - cpcaswell@ucsd.edu

Head of Graduate Acting: Ursula Meyer - umeyer@ucsd.edu

Scholarship Info

Funding

Financial support package available for all MFA students

Scholarships and fellowships available through the Graduate Division

Department nominates students for departmental scholarships as warranted

School Info

Snapshot

3.90

Avg GPA (W)

27%

Admit Rate

school-wide

86%

Grad Rate

34.9K

Enrollment

$85K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

In-State Tuition

$16,758

Before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$50,958

Before aid

Average Net Price

$12,470

After aid

College Scorecard

Training

10-15 productions annually with graduate students given casting priority

Year-round Cabaret workshop productions for additional opportunities

Individual attention from an extraordinary team of professionals and specialists

Past visiting faculty includes Anne Bogart, Joseph Chaikin, Richard Foreman, and Andrei Serban

Professional Development

Shared Theatre District with Tony Award-winning La Jolla Playhouse

Professional residencies at La Jolla Playhouse for MFA candidates

Third-year showcase in both Los Angeles and New York

Showcase attended by invited film, television, and theatre professionals

Value

Financial support package available for MFA students

Funds occasionally available for research, workshops, and travel to auditions and festivals

Updated 3d ago