Overview
The Juilliard School is a highly selective private four-year institution in New York, New York. The school accepts 10.6% of applicants and enrolls 460 students.
Admission Statistics
- Acceptance Rate
- 10.6%
- Total Enrollment
- 460
Admission Guide
Your audition or artistic portfolio carries far more weight than your academic transcript at Juilliard. The admissions committee evaluates your artistic potential and readiness for conservatory training above all else, though you still need solid grades to demonstrate you can handle the academic coursework alongside intensive artistic study.
Unlike liberal arts colleges where you craft essays about personal growth, Juilliard wants to see your artistic maturity and specific goals within your chosen discipline. Write about particular composers, choreographers, or playwrights who influence your work, and reference specific techniques or styles you're developing. The admissions team consists of faculty from each division who can spot genuine artistic insight versus surface-level name-dropping.
Each division has distinct application requirements and audition processes. Dance applicants audition in person with ballet, modern, and improvisation components. Music students submit prescreening recordings before live auditions, with repertoire requirements varying dramatically between instruments and voice types. Drama applicants perform contemporary and classical monologues, participate in movement classes, and complete interviews about their artistic influences.
Don't assume Juilliard only trains future soloists or Broadway stars. The school produces arts educators, orchestra musicians, chamber players, and collaborative artists who work across disciplines. Your application should reflect understanding of your field's professional environment beyond the most visible career paths.
The school operates on a different timeline than most colleges. Prescreening deadlines arrive in December, live auditions happen January through March, and you'll know your decision by April. This compressed timeline means you cannot treat Juilliard as a backup option or last-minute addition to your college list.
Faculty connections matter enormously here. If you've studied with Juilliard alumni or attended their summer programs, mention these relationships in your application. The conservatory world is small, and faculty recommendations from respected teachers carry significant influence with the admissions committee.
Your artistic supplement should demonstrate technical proficiency while revealing your musical personality or dramatic instincts. Choose repertoire that showcases your strengths rather than pieces that merely sound impressive on paper.
What It Costs If You Get In
- Average Net Price
- $37,903/yr
- Tuition (in-state)
- $56,550
- Students Receiving Aid
- 13%
After You Graduate
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 90.0%
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $37,827/yr
- Freshman Retention Rate
- 97.2%
Frequently Asked Questions
Does The Juilliard School require SAT or ACT scores for admission?
The Juilliard School does not require SAT or ACT scores. Admission is based entirely on artistic auditions and interviews for their conservatory programs.
Can you transfer to The Juilliard School from another college?
The Juilliard School accepts transfer students, but they must still complete the full audition process. Transfer credits are evaluated case by case and may not significantly reduce time to graduation.
Does The Juilliard School offer early decision or early action admissions?
The Juilliard School does not offer early decision or early action programs. All applicants apply through the same regular admissions process with auditions typically held in winter and spring.
What is the application deadline for The Juilliard School?
The Juilliard School application deadline is typically December 1st for all undergraduate programs. Pre-screening materials for some programs may be due earlier in the fall.