Application Steps
For Fall semesters:
January 15 – Deadline for admission
For Spring semesters:
November 1 – Deadline for admission
VCUarts continues to review applications until all spots are filled. Transfer applicants who submit complete applications by the deadline for the Fall semester will receive a decision by June 1st.
Please ensure it 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.
Applicants must use VCU’s online application for admission found here: vcu.edu/admissions/apply/transfer/
Applicants may only submit one application to ONE major. Admitted students can request additional major/minor(s) during their first semester.
Transfer applicants must submit an official transcript from each accredited college or university attended, including summer schools. If fewer than 30 semester (45 quarter) hours have been completed, applicants must also submit high school transcripts.
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 requires transfer applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores as part of their application to the university, unless they meet one of the following criteria:
- If you are at least 22 years old, you do not need to submit SAT or ACT scores.
- If you have completed 30 college level credits at the time of application, you do not need to submit your SAT or ACT scores.
Only official scores will be accepted. Electronic scores from the CollegeBoard or ACT are preferred.
Request your SAT scores from CollegeBoard (school code: 5570): sat.collegeboard.com
Request your scores from ACT (school code: 4379): actstudent.org/scores/send/
All Theatre VCU applicants, including Performance, Design/Technology, Stage Management, will be interviewed by one or more faculty members. The purpose of the interview is to allow faculty members to get to know more about the applicant’s interests, commitment and communication skills. This interview is an important part of the application process. Applicants should be prepared to discuss their recent theatre activities, career goals, as well as personal goals and experiences.
Spring Applicants
- Friday, November 6th, 2020 (only date for Spring 2021 applicants)
Fall Applicants
- Friday, January 22nd, 2021 – 1-3 pm
- Friday, January 29th, 2021 – 1-3 pm
- Friday, February 5th, 2021 – 1-3 pm
- Friday, February 12th, 2021 – 1-3 pm
Your video audition will be submitted online through the VCUarts SlideRoom website. We cannot accept physical submissions.
Prepare two contrasting (one comedic and one dramatic) one-minute monologues from published play scripts. Choose something in an appropriate age range that does not contain a dialect. Secure assistance in the preparation of audition materials.
Be sure to bring a resume and headshot to the audition. 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). Maintain a positive attitude, dress professionally yet comfortably and, most importantly – have fun!
We find that the following playwrights are generally overdone or are more difficult for high school seniors to deliver successfully: Mamet, O’Neill, Pinter, Shakespeare, Shepard and Williams.
Stage Management applicants will be contacted to schedule an interview. Some Stage Management applicants prepare a prompt book for the interview.
Your portfolio must be submitted online through the VCUarts SlideRoom website for Theatre Technical Tracks (Transfer applicants). We cannot accept physical submissions.
Submit 12 to 16 works of art that you have created within the past two years that show your promise in the Theatre technical areas. 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. Drawing from observation is recommended, while copying anime, cartoons, graffiti or tattoos is discouraged.
Images may be submitted in the following formats: .JPEG, .PNG, .GIF, .TIF, .TIFF, .BMP, .TGA
Videos may be submitted in the following formats: .M4V, .MOV, .MP4, .WMV, .FLV, .ASF, .MPEG, .MPG, .MKV
All videos must be less than 3 minutes.
Your portfolio should be submitted by February 15.
International Applicants
Be sure to review additional requirements on the Global Education Office website.
Check your application status
Be sure to login to the VCU applicant portal periodically to monitor your application checklist and status.
If you have any questions about your application checklist or status, please contact our office at arts@vcu.edu or 804-VCU-ARTS (804-828-2787).