First-Year Applicants

Application Deadline:
November 1, 2024

Decision Notification:
Mid-December 2024

Programs that accept first-year applicants for this semester:
Art Foundation, Art History, Dance, Fashion Merchandising, Music and Theatre 

Application Deadline:
November 1, 2024
Deadline to submit the Common Application for consideration for the University’s Presidential, Provost, and Deans’ scholarships.

January 15, 2025
Deadline to submit the Common Application for regular fall decision and consideration for all other university scholarships.

Decision Notification:
Applicants who submit their applications and all necessary application materials by January 15 are guaranteed a decision by April 1, 2025.

Programs that accept first-year applicants for this semester:
Art Foundation, Art History, Cinema, Dance, Fashion Merchandising, Music and Theatre

Please ensure that your address stays active for at least one year, as we will use it to communicate with you throughout the application process. Use the same email address for all VCU business. Check your email frequently for updates on the status of your application.

Freshman applicants must apply using the Common Application. You will not submit your portfolio or audition through the Common Application. (Please see Step 3.)

Applicants may only submit one application to one major. Admitted students can request additional major/minor(s) during their first semester.

Applications will only be reviewed after all components have been received, including transcripts, test scores and supplemental materials.

Include your Social Security number on your application if you wish to be considered for financial aid or the American Opportunity tax credit. Find out why we ask for your Social Security number.

If the program you are applying to requires a portfolio, audition, or writing sample you will receive an email following submission of the Common App with additional instructions. A link to the portfolio upload can also be found in your applicant portal following the submission of your application. See program-specific requirements listed below.

Request that your high school guidance counselor send your official transcripts to VCU. Transcripts may be submitted electronically via the Common App or Naviance, or sent in the mail. If sending a hard copy in the mail, please request that your school counselor send your transcript, including:

• Senior-year courses and first-term grades, if available
• Class rank, if available

All foreign transcripts must be official and submitted in the original language. If the original language is not English, an official translation must be submitted along with the transcript.

Transcripts must arrive in sealed envelopes signed across the seal by official high school, university, or college registrars.

Transcripts should be sent to:
Office of Admissions
PO Box 842526
Richmond, VA 23284-2526

VCU does not require SAT or ACT scores for admission. However, submission of test scores remains a requirement for all Guaranteed Admission Programs, offered through the Honors College.

Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency. To learn more about how language proficiency will be determined, please visit this page.

VCU does not require applicants to submit recommendations. If you choose to submit recommendations, you will see an option to list your recommendations in the Common App.

Applicants should review VCU’s Student Financial Services’ financial aid checklist.

Applicants are encouraged to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Completing the FAFSA form allows you to be considered for federal student aid. States and colleges also use FAFSA information to award grants, scholarships and loans.

Art Foundation applicants are required to submit a portfolio of artwork that presents 12 to 16 pieces of art you have created within the past two years and demonstrate your artistic commitment, skill, curiosity, and creativity.

You must submit your Common Application to gain access to the application portal where your portfolio will be uploaded. 

Your work may consist of a diverse range of 2D, 3D, and 4D media or an investigation of one media type. We look for experimentation, a range of technical skills and subject matter, and evidence of critical thinking and creative problem-solving. Your work should indicate your potential to succeed in VCUarts’ rigorous programs.

Drawing from direct observation (people, places, or objects from life) is encouraged but optional. Copying work or using character designs from another artist or media property is discouraged.

Additionally, you must include the medium and/or software used to create the work, including any use of artificial intelligence (neural network) software that creates images.

When uploading your portfolio, we strongly recommend including information such as the title, medium (required), dimensions, and a brief description of each piece.

You can schedule a one-on-one meeting with a VCUarts representative virtually or meet with us at a National Portfolio Day for individualized feedback on your portfolio.

Art History applicants are required to submit a research-based writing sample that makes a clear assertion about a selected topic and cites published sources to support your assertion. 

The paper may focus on a work of art, an historical event, a sociological phenomenon, a literary text, or other humanities topic. Your writing sample should be no longer than 600 words, including any citations. You will be prompted to submit your research paper as part of the Common Application.

Please note that due to the sequence of courses, the Cinema program allows students to begin coursework in the fall semester only. 

Cinema applicants are required to submit an essay and visual storytelling exercise. 

Essay prompt: In 300-600 words, discuss your approach to creative responsibility and collaboration.

Visual Story-telling exercise prompt: 

This exercise will help us understand your unique voice as a storyteller, your cinematic eye behind the camera, and your attention to detail when following a set of written instructions.

Create an original series of 5-7 landscape-oriented still images, presented in a sequence that tells us a compelling narrative story.

• When creating your sequence, demonstrate to us your understanding of visual storytelling elements (such as: character, conflict, emotion, setting, props, costume, tone, style, etc.)
• The images should be created using any kind of camera (cell phone, DSLR, etc.); please no drawings or digitally generated images
• We want to see how you work with a camera, for this reason you should be the sole creator of the images
• Small editorial adjustments such as color, contrast, and exposure corrections are acceptable
• AI-generated/enhanced content or extensive post-processing will not be accepted
• Upload your images in sequential order
• Accepted file formats: jpeg, TIFF, png

Upload your items to the application portal.

Dance applicants are required to audition in person or virtually and interview with faculty.  

In-person audition

Select your audition date in the application portal.

On-campus Auditions
On-campus auditions will consist of a warm-up, a ballet barre, modern center work and an improvisation section as part of a class, followed by a short interview.

Audition dates:

• Friday, November 15, 2024
• Friday, January 31, 2025
• Friday, February 21, 2025

Off-campus and festival option

• Dancing Through College and Beyond, New York, NY (DTCB)
  October 4–6, 2024
• High School Dance Festival, Richmond, VA
  November 1–3, 2024
• National High School Dance Festival, Pittsburgh, PA (NHSDF)
  February 26–March 2, 2025

Virtual audition and interview

If you are auditioning virtually, please use the the application portal to submit your audition video. Below you will find the link to access the videos as well as a description to what each file is.

• Audition video
  • All aspects of the audition material can be danced safely in a 10 x 10 foot space. Auditionees are strongly encouraged to access a studio environment to learn material and record audition footage. We understand that this may not be an option for all. We ask that all auditionees locate themselves in an open space with as few obstacles and distractions (i.e. furniture and pets) as possible.
  • Please choose two modalities in which you wish to be evaluated for your virtual audition. Although there are four movement modalities that you can choose from, you only need to submit two movement sections to best represent you in your audition. Please only upload the sections which you feel comfortable and confident in representing you and your talents.
  • Please use this link to access the audition video and music files.
  • Auditionees will learn choose two of the brief movement experiences to represent themselves in the audition process:
    • Traditional
    • Contemporary
    • Rhythm (choose either the slow or fast version)
    • Improvisation
• Video file
  • The video file is meant to resemble the entire length and sequence of events for the video submission. This video is designed for you to follow along if needed.

• Creation of video audition
  • All material should be filmed in one continuous shot only pausing to change shoes and take a breath.
    • Traditional, Contemporary and Rhythm section (choose either the regular or up tempo versions) audition. You may follow along with the video if preferred.
    • One-minute improvisation open for interpretation prompted by the audio sound file embedded in the video. You can view movement examples provided by 2 students in the video. All material should be filmed in one continuous shot only pausing to change shoes and take a breath.
  • Please use the provided sound from the video while completing the improvisation and movement phrases.
  • Please make sure the volume is loud enough for the camera to pick up the music. The video should not exceed the sound on the video.

A virtual interview will be scheduled at a later date after your virtual audition has been submitted.

If you have any questions regarding the audition process please contact Meagan Doan, Admissions & Administrative Coordinator for the Performing Arts, at adamsml@vcu.edu.

Admissions criteria

• Talent and potential as an artist in the field of dance.
• Prior training and the ability to demonstrate knowledge of modern dance and/or classical ballet techniques.
• Ability to demonstrate musicality and dynamic range.
• A healthy, physically conditioned body that is injury-free.
• Openness to new ideas and the ability to engage in creative problem-solving.

The Fashion Merchandising program does not have any program specific requirements.

Music applicants are required to audition in-person or virtually.   

In-person auditions

Review the audition requirements for your instrument. 

Select your audition date in the application portal.

• Saturday, January 25, 2025
• Friday, January 31, 2025
• Saturday, February 15, 2025

Pre-Recorded Audition

For priority consideration, first-year applicants should submit pre-recorded auditions by February 15.

Pre-recorded auditions are uploaded in the application portal. 

Please visit this page for instrument-specific requirements for pre-recorded auditions.

If you have any questions about the audition process, please reach out to us at apply4music@vcu.edu.

Select an in-person callback date in the application portal.
Callbacks take place at the W.E Singleton Center for the Performing Arts, located at 922 Park Ave, Richmond, VA. The department will send more information in advance of your audition/interview date.

In-person audition dates are:

• Friday, November 15, 2024 (only date for Spring applicants), from 1-5 PM
• Friday, December 6, 2024, from 1-5 PM
• Friday, January 17, 2025, from 1-5 PM
• Friday, January 24, 2025, from 1-5 PM
• Friday, January 31, 2025, from 1-5 PM

Applicants can expect to:

• All students participate in a group general info and Q+A session.
• Parents are encouraged to attend, too. We continue with a parent Q+A session after applicants head off to auditions/interviews.
• Performers participate in group warm-ups.
• Present their portfolio or appropriate audition pieces (details dependent on intended major).
• Interview with faculty in their area of interest.
• Tour theatre facilities.
• Talk with current students.

Performance

Log into your application portal to select your audition date and upload your headshot or photo and theatrical resume.

• Your headshot or photo should be a well-lit photo that focuses on your face and resembles what you currently look like.
• Your theatrical resume should be a one-page resume that highlights your theatrical experience and training. Please include any relevant school courses, vocal coaching, and dance classes under training.

On your audition day

• Maintain a positive attitude, dress professionally yet comfortably, and most importantly—have fun!
• Prepare two contrasting (one comedic and one dramatic) one-minute monologues from published play scripts.
• You may substitute one monologue with a 16-bar cut song from a musical. The song should showcase understanding of story, music and range. Introduce the piece with song title and title of the musical.
• There will also be an interview portion. Be prepared to articulate your specific interests in the VCU program and to ask questions.

Keep in mind the following as you prepare:

• Dos
  • It is to your advantage to choose material you connect with at your current age.
  • Read the entirety of the play so you are prepared to discuss the context of the role if asked.
  • Introduce the audition pieces by only the play’s author, title and the character’s name (background on the scene or plot is not necessary).

• Don’ts
  • No dialects/accents.
  • Please do not utilize the following playwrights: Joseph Arnone, Mamet, O’Neill, Pinter, Shakespeare, Shepard, and Williams.

You do not need to upload an introductory or audition video.

Costume Design, Lighting Design, or Scenic Design

Log into your application portal to select your interview date and upload your theatrical resume and portfolio.

• Your theatrical resume should be a one-page resume that highlights your relevant experience and training.
• Your portfolio should consist of 12 to 16 images that show your promise as a theatre student. Present your strongest work and demonstrate your potential to develop a diverse set of skills and ideas. We prefer to see a diverse range of 2D and 3D media. This can include photographs of productions you have worked on, pieces you have built such as props or costumes as well as other works of 2D and 3D art. For more information about acceptable file types, please see the information in the application portal.

Stage Management

Log into your application portal to select your interview date and upload your theatrical resume and example of stage management paperwork.

• Your theatrical resume should be a one-page resume that highlights your relevant experience and training.
• Your stage management paperwork should demonstrate your organizational and management skills and might include things like prompt book pages, blocking notes, call sheets, rehearsal notes, communications, etc., to help demonstrate your stage management process.

Bachelor of Arts in Theatre

Log into your application portal to select your interview date and upload your theatrical resume and statement of intent.

• Your theatrical resume should be a one-page resume that highlights your relevant experience and training.
• Your statement of intent should be a paragraph or two, please tell us why you are interested in pursuing a BA degree in theatre. What are your goals? What do you hope to achieve?