A. Entrance Auditions

All applicants must audition in person for members of the faculty. It is imperative (and contractually obligatory) that each faculty member participates in the audition process. As a special service for Music and Dance students applying from abroad, a cassette or video tape of the audition program may be submitted with the application. This tape may be pre-screened by the faculty to determine if it is worthwhile for the applicant to make the trip to audition in person. This is NOT an offer of admission, however, and does not take the place of a personal audition.

Auditions in Drama are held once a year, in late January/early February. Music and Dance auditions are held in late February/early March. The deadline for all applications is December 1. Enrolled students auditioning for a more advanced program must apply by the December 1 deadline and audition in February/March.

While a prospective student is present in an audition room, faculty members should be fully attentive to the performer. The quality of a prospective student’s audition performance and its evaluation by faculty members is the primary criterion on which admission to Juilliard is based.

Regional auditions in Dance and Drama are held in selected cities.

B. Admissions Decisions

After the faculty has evaluated the auditions, the Admissions Committee meets to review the faculty recommendations and make final decisions based on those faculty evaluations. (The Admissions Committee members are the Dean, Associate Dean for Admissions, Assistant Director for Music Admissions, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Vice President for Student and Legal Affairs, and the Associate Dean/Registrar). Within two weeks of the audition, Music faculty are sent a computer roster indicating students who are being considered for admission or the waitlist, after which an appeals meeting will be scheduled. Admissions decisions are communicated in writing by the Office of Admissions to the applicant within one month of the audition. Faculty members should NOT communicate admissions decisions to the applicant: Rejections as well as acceptances might be appealed.

C. Appeals Process

After reviewing the list of admissions decisions, a faculty member may wish to initiate an appeal regarding an applicant who was not admitted. The faculty member should submit an appeal in writing to the Associate Dean for Admissions, offering further information and comment on any salient points of the audition. The appeal should be brought as soon as possible after receiving the computer roster, but no later than the scheduled appeals meeting. The Admissions Committee will meet to reevaluate all audition grades and comments and the academic profile of the applicant, along with any new information.

D. Teacher Assignments

The Dean makes teacher assignments during the Admissions Committee meetings, based on the student’s preference and the faculty response at the audition. Students receive a notice of a “tentative” assignment in their admissions letter. During the summer, the Dean’s Office sends rosters of students to faculty.

Information concerning audition procedures will be made available through the Admissions Office at the time of auditions.

Studio teachers’ attendance at auditions, as well as required student recitals and end-of-year jury examinations is considered to be part of the contractual agreement with the School. Any questions may be directed to the Office of Admissions.