▶ Requirements

The Office of Admissions must receive the following application materials before an audition can be scheduled: Apply online or by mail.

How To Apply
The Office of Admissions must receive the following application materials before an audition can be scheduled. Exceptions may be made for touring auditions.

1. A completed application form and application fee ($50.00). The fee is non-refundable and must accompany the application. Payments can be made by check, money order or credit card. Checks should be made payable to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. (International applicants must send fee by bank check, money order or Charge Card Authorization in U.S. dollars.)

2. Transcripts: High school and/or college.

a. A high school transcript is a complete and original secondary school transcript or marks sheet (grades) that bears the school seal and certifying signature of a school official. (High school seniors may submit most recent transcript with application and should request final transcript to be sent following graduation.)

Click here for an explanation of transcripts

b. College Transcript(s), if attended. If you have already completed a Bachelors or higher degree, we do not need your high school transcript.

3. One letter of personal reference. A theatre person need not write this letter. An employer, teacher, counselor, clergy or anyone who has known the prospective student for a period of years may write the letter, but not a family member. The letter should be written on letterhead stationery and should mention the relationship of the writer to the applicant.

4. One letter concerning dramatic ability. This letter may be written by a member of a high school or college theatre department, or by a director, producer, or other professional theatre person who has had an opportunity to appraise the applicant's potential. Applicants who have had no dramatic training or experience should substitute a second letter of personal reference.


International Students
In addition to the requirements listed above, international students, whose native language is other than English, must demonstrate sufficient competence with spoken and written English. This is necessary to insure that articulation and faculty understanding will not impede their learning and development. (We do not require the TOEFL examination.)

 

Academic records from foreign schools must be submitted in certified English translations.

 

Click here for an explanation of transcripts

 

Form I-20 will be issued only after the applicant has been accepted for enrollment and has met all standards set forth by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services and The Department of Homeland Security.

 

We encourage early application/audition for all international students and recommend sufficient time allotment for visa processing (4-5 months prior to enrollment).

Notification of Admission
The Admissions Committee considers application materials along with the audition report, and a notification of the decision is made within four weeks. Accepted students are asked to return a signed enrollment agreement along with a $750 deposit to indicate their intention to enroll. This commitment will reserve a space for the accepted student in the desired term.


Deferment
A Full-Time admitted student may request to defer enrollment one time for a maximum of one year from the original application term. Deferred students are asked to return a signed enrollment agreement along with a $750 deposit to indicate their intention to enroll. This commitment will reserve a space for the deferred student in their new desired term. Deferment beyond one year requires resubmission of the admissions materials, re-auditioning and a new deposit.


Campus Visit
Although the Academy does not permit auditing classes, prospective students are welcome to visit the school by appointment to view the facilities and to get a sense of the atmosphere and environment. Visits may be scheduled through the Office of Admissions.


Transfer Policy between The Academy Campuses
All candidates for admission to The Academy must declare their choice of campus for first year training at the time of their audition. Upon request, Academy students who are invited back for a second year of training may apply to transfer between the New York and California campuses. Approval for transfer is made by the Director of Instruction at the campus to which the student is applying and may be subject to the availability of class space.

Due to the repertory nature of the third year training program, transfers between campuses for Academy Company are not permitted.


Second Year
Admission to the Second Year is by invitation. After the conclusion of the First Year, invitations are extended to those students considered by the faculty and administration ready for the advanced work of the Second Year.

Please contact the Admissions Office for additional application deadlines and information.

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