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University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewNo University App

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Ultra SelectiveUnder 12 StudentsStudy Abroad

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 StudentsStudy Abroad

Browse programs

Theatre

Dance

Music performance

Composition & music studies

Music technology

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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 StudentsStudy Abroad

Program Recognition

Three-year progressive MFA fusing classical conservatory training with innovative physical approach

Faculty of accomplished professionals with extensive theatre, film, and TV experience

Training

Students create and shoot collaborative short film in final year

Industry showcases in spring of third year for casting directors, agents, and managers

International externship opportunity in Year Two

Notable Alumni

McKinley Belcher III '10 — starred in HBO's We Own This City and Broadway revival of Death of a Salesman

Jinwoo Jung '16 — starred in KPOP: The Musical on Broadway

Professional Development

First drama school with dedicated Professional Development Center

Location

Located in Los Angeles — major center for theatre, film, and television

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.86

Admit rate

10%

school-wide

Grad rate

92%

Enrollment

20.4K

Earnings

$92K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$77,336

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$103,162

Before aid

Average net price

$32,740

After aid

Cost Of Attendance · financialaid.usc.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated 2d ago

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Three-year progressive MFA fusing classical conservatory training with innovative physical approach

Faculty of accomplished professionals with extensive theatre, film, and TV experience

Training

Students create and shoot collaborative short film in final year

Industry showcases in spring of third year for casting directors, agents, and managers

International externship opportunity in Year Two

Notable Alumni

McKinley Belcher III '10 — starred in HBO's We Own This City and Broadway revival of Death of a Salesman

Jinwoo Jung '16 — starred in KPOP: The Musical on Broadway

Professional Development

First drama school with dedicated Professional Development Center

Location

Located in Los Angeles — major center for theatre, film, and television

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Three-year progressive MFA fusing classical conservatory training with innovative physical approach

Faculty of accomplished professionals with extensive theatre, film, and TV experience

Training

Students create and shoot collaborative short film in final year

Industry showcases in spring of third year for casting directors, agents, and managers

International externship opportunity in Year Two

Notable Alumni

McKinley Belcher III '10 — starred in HBO's We Own This City and Broadway revival of Death of a Salesman

Jinwoo Jung '16 — starred in KPOP: The Musical on Broadway

Professional Development

First drama school with dedicated Professional Development Center

Location

Located in Los Angeles — major center for theatre, film, and television

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

Program AppApplication

Apply

SlideRoom

Fees

In-person audition Fee

$25

Virtual audition (overseas international applicants) Fee

$26

Deadline

PriorityDec 1, 2026

FinalJan 15, 2027

Auditions

Audition Tour: Los Angeles (Dick Wolf Drama Center) - Day 1Jan 16, 2027

Audition Tour: Los Angeles (Dick Wolf Drama Center) - Day 2Jan 17, 2027

Audition Tour: Los Angeles (Dick Wolf Drama Center) - Day 3Jan 18, 2027

Audition Tour: Chicago (Palmer House) - Day 1Jan 24, 2027

Audition Tour: Chicago (Palmer House) - Day 2Jan 25, 2027

Audition Tour: Chicago (Palmer House) - Day 3Jan 26, 2027

Audition Tour: Chicago (Palmer House) - Day 4Jan 27, 2027

Audition Tour: Philadelphia - Day 1Jan 30, 2027

Audition Tour: Philadelphia - Day 2Jan 31, 2027

Audition Tour: New York (Pearl Studios) - Day 1Feb 1, 2027

Audition Tour: New York (Pearl Studios) - Day 2Feb 2, 2027

Audition Tour: New York (Pearl Studios) - Day 3Feb 3, 2027

Audition Tour: New York (Pearl Studios) - Day 4Feb 4, 2027

OR — Recorded Video Audition

International Overseas Digital AuditionTBA

MFA Acting · dramaticarts.usc.edu

Audition Requirements

Monologues

Requirements

Two Contrasting Monologues

One classical (heightened language)

One contemporary (everyday language)

Each monologue no longer than 90 seconds

Classical is not necessarily Shakespeare - means heightened language you don't use every day

Contemporary means language you use every day

You are not required to stick to playwrights we are familiar with

Additional Materials

Required Documents

Current headshot or photo

Resume (include all performance activities; may add non-performance work or volunteer experience)

Callback Materials (If Invited)

Academic transcripts requested only if invited to Callback Weekend

Statement of Purpose

1–2 pages · One statement, 1 guiding question

Provide a personal statement of 1-2 double-spaced pages, 12-pt font, 1-inch margins, responding to the following: What, in your life, has inspired you to become an actor? What experience or personality traits define who you are? Why are you interested in pursuing an MFA at this point in your career? What are you expecting to gain from the training at USC?

Double-spaced, 12-pt font, 1-inch margins; include your name at the top right-hand corner. Submit in SlideRoom.

MFA Acting · dramaticarts.usc.edu Application portal · SlideRoom

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Good to Know

The priority deadline is December 1, 2026 and the final deadline is January 15, 2027

Apply through the School of Dramatic Arts SlideRoom (uscsda.slideroom.com): domestic applicants and international applicants who can attend in person use the in-person audition application; international applicants who will be overseas use the virtual audition application

Transcripts are requested only if you are invited to Callback Weekend; the GRE and letters of recommendation are not required

What's The Process

Audition Process

In SlideRoom, applicants identify their audition date and location preferences from the audition tour schedule; auditions are scheduled after December 1, in the order applications were received, and the admissions office then emails the details of your audition

Applicants invited to Callback Weekend in Los Angeles in mid-to-late February are notified a few days after their audition; guests are expected to attend both days and no virtual option is available

Overseas international applicants: the digital audition option is reserved exclusively for international applicants who will be overseas at the time of the auditions and use the separate virtual-audition SlideRoom application

Digital audition: submit one video as a single continuous shot that starts with a minute or so of introduction (your name and anything else you would like the faculty to know) and then moves straight into your first monologue and your second piece; each monologue should be no longer than 90 seconds and performed in the order you list them in your application

Digital-audition applicants might be asked to meet with the faculty virtually as part of the initial review, before Callback Weekend

Audition Expectations

Two contrasting monologues performed live (one classical, one contemporary), each no longer than 90 seconds

Scholarship Info

Tuition-Free Program

All MFA Acting students attend tuition-free since 2024-25

Applies to both incoming and continuing students

Funded by donor support and the School's Board of Councilors

Faculty-Nominated Awards

Available after completing at least one year

Named awards selected by the Dean and faculty committee based on merit and talent

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.86

Admit rate

10%

school-wide

Grad rate

92%

Enrollment

20.4K

Earnings

$92K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$77,336

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$103,162

Before aid

Average net price

$32,740

After aid

Cost Of Attendance · financialaid.usc.edu College Scorecard

Program Recognition

Three-year progressive MFA fusing classical conservatory training with innovative physical approach

Faculty of accomplished professionals with extensive theatre, film, and TV experience

Training

Students create and shoot collaborative short film in final year

Industry showcases in spring of third year for casting directors, agents, and managers

International externship opportunity in Year Two

Notable Alumni

McKinley Belcher III '10 — starred in HBO's We Own This City and Broadway revival of Death of a Salesman

Jinwoo Jung '16 — starred in KPOP: The Musical on Broadway

Professional Development

First drama school with dedicated Professional Development Center

Location

Located in Los Angeles — major center for theatre, film, and television

Updated 2d ago