overview
Graduate Application
Supplemental Requirements
Transcripts
Interviews
TUITION & FAFSA
CONTACT
Apply for an MFA in Acting
The USC School of Dramatic Arts provides unmatched opportunities to study drama and related disciplines in a rigorous and collaborative environment. We are very excited that you have decided to consider our training program. If at any point in the application process you have a question or concern, please do not hesitate to contact the Office of Admissions & Student Services.
MFA Deadlines
- The Application for Fall 2025 consideration will go live in early September 2024.
- Priority deadline to apply is December 1, 2024.
- Final deadline to apply is January 15, 2025.
Graduate Application Process
The Office of Admissions & Student Services of the USC School of Dramatic Arts looks forward to assisting you. If we can be of service to you in any step of this process, please don’t hesitate to contact us at 213-740-1286 or sdainfo@usc.edu.
SDA SlideRoom and Supplemental Requirements
The following materials are also required in order to be considered for admission in the USC School of Dramatic Arts. Please be sure to upload all materials via SlideRoom.
Note: Applicants will not be required to submit transcripts during this phase of the application process. If you are invited to attend our Callback Weekend, you will be asked to provide these materials. The GRE and letters of recommendation are not required to be considered for our MFA in Acting.
Current picture or headshot
Resume:
Your resume should include any and all performance activities. If you would like, you may also add any other non-performance work or volunteer experience.
Statement of Purpose:
Your statement should address the prompts outlined in SlideRoom.
Audition:
- In SlideRoom, you will be asked to identify your audition date and location preferences based on our audition tour schedule. Auditions will be scheduled after December 1st in the order that applications were received. Once scheduled, our office will send you a confirmation email with the details of your audition.
International applicants who will be overseas and therefore unable to attend a live audition should select the virtual date option. At this time, the virtual date option is being reserved exclusively for international applicants that will be overseas at the time of our auditions.
Non-refundable audition fee of $20
Complete an Audition
All students wishing to be considered for our MFA in Acting program must complete an audition. Prior to your arrival, please prepare two (2) contrasting monologues: one classical and one contemporary. Each monologue should be no longer than two (2) minutes.
Important note about choosing your pieces: You are not required to stick to playwrights we are familiar with, nor traditional ideas of contemporary and classical monologues. Classical is not necessarily Shakespeare. Contemporary means language that you use every day and classical means “heightened language” that you don’t. We are interested in you.
2024 Audition Tour Schedule
Los Angeles
January 13 & 14
University of Southern California
McClintock Building
1010 W. Jefferson Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90089
Philadelphia
January 19 – 21
Sonesta Philadelphia Rittenhouse Square
1800 Market St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Chicago
January 27 – 29
Palmer House Hilton
17 East Monroe Street
Chicago, IL 60603
Virtual Option (International Students ONLY)
February 3
International Applicants
There are additional requirements for international applicants to the MFA in Acting program at the USC School of Dramatic Arts. The USC School of Dramatic Arts provides unmatched opportunities to study drama and related disciplines in a rigorous and collaborative environment. We are very excited that you have decided to consider our training program. If at any point in the application process you have a question or concern, please do not hesitate to contact the Office of Admissions & Student Services.
Submit proof of English proficiency
- International graduate applicants must demonstrate English-language proficiency by submitting either TOEFL, IELTS or PTE academic scores.
For more information, please visit the USC Graduate School guidelines on English Proficiency Criteria.
Submit Confidential Financial Statement/Verification of Funds
- Admission to the USC School of Dramatic Arts is based on academic and artistic merit rather than ability to pay. The U.S. government, however, requires that all international student applicants provide proof of ability to pay tuition and living expenses for themselves and their dependents (if applicable) before a formal letter of admission and an I-20 or DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility can be issued.
For more information, please visit the USC Graduate School guidelines on Submitting Financial Documents.
Transcripts in Original Language Issued
International students who have earned their degree outside of the U.S. must check our country-specific requirements to determine if we need original-language copies of their academic records. In such cases, a separate, word-for-word, English-language translation of all academic records must also be submitted. The translation should either be issued directly from the school itself or by a professional, certified translator. It must contain all information shown on the original-language documents and “mirror” them as precisely as possible. Dual-language transcripts are also acceptable.
Callback Weekend
After the audition period, our faculty will identify a select number of students to invite to our Callback Weekend. All applicants will be notified a few days after their audition on the status of their callback invitation. The Callback Weekend will be held either the last weekend of February or the first weekend of March at our campus in Los Angeles. Guests are expected to attend both dates.
All applicants will receive an update on their application status and whether they are being invited to our Callback Weekend when a decision is available. Any applicant may inquire on the status of their application by emailing Assistant Director of Admissions Ramón Valdez.
USC Graduate School Application
All applicants must submit an application to the USC Graduate School. Applicants should only submit the basic profile information.
The Cost of School & FAQ’s
Your personal resources for financing your education are not considered in our admission decisions. Students interested in applying for financial aid will need to follow the instructions outlined via the USC Office of Financial Aid for our MFA candidates, the USC School of Dramatic Arts offers a generous financial support of 100 percent tuition to offset the cost of attendance. But additional costs to consider include university fees, books and supplies, room and board and other personal expenses.
Submit a FAFSA application
Optional for applicants who qualify for federal aid, we encourage you to submit a Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) application by the posted deadline. To complete an application, please visit the Federal Student Aid website.
Learn More
Contact Us
To reach the Office of Admissions & Student Services, you may call us at 213-740-1286 or email us at sdainfo@usc.edu.
Explore the School of Dramatic Arts
The USC School of Dramatic Arts provides unmatched opportunities to study drama and related disciplines.