The Office of Admissions must receive the following application materials before an audition can be scheduled: (Apply on-line or by mail)

How To Apply
The Office of Admissions must receive the following application materials before an audition can be scheduled: (The application is included in this catalog and is available to file on-line at the Academy’s website). 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. Official Transcripts: Transcripts must be in a sealed envelope from the institution and unopened by the applicant.

a. High school transcript, verifying graduation. (High school seniors may submit most recent transcript with application and should request final transcript to be sent following graduation.)

b. College Transcript(s), if attended.

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.

5. Applicants planning to pursue college degrees beyond their Academy studies should submit their SAT/ACT records to facilitate the transfer of their Academy credits.

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. Academic records from foreign schools must be submitted in certified English translations. 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. A notification of the decision is made within four weeks. Accepted students are asked to return a signed enrollment agreement and a non-refundable, non-transferable $500 deposit to indicate their intention to enroll. This commitment will reserve a space for the accepted student in the desired term.

Deferment
An applicant may request to defer enrollment once for a maximum of one year from the original application term. Deferment beyond one year will require a reapplication of the admissions materials, and the Admissions Committee will require the applicant to re-audition.

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 AADA Campuses
All candidates for admission to AADA 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:

800-463-8990 (New York)
800-222-2867 (Los Angeles)