We’ve compiled some crucial details about the program that you should be aware of, including the number of graduates each year, the ethnic diversity of these students, starting salaries on average, and more. We’ve also provided information on Carnegie Mellon’s standing in comparison to other universities with theater majors.
| Colleges/Programs | Applications | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|
| College of Fine Arts School of Drama | 2,798 | 4% |
| College of Fine Arts School of Music | 812 | 31% |
| Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences | 5,724 | 26% |
| Engineering | 9,824 | 20% |
How To ApplyBoth the Common Application and a Supplementary Material Application are required for all School of Drama undergraduate programs. The Common Application opens on August 1 and is due for Drama programs on DECEMBER Please visit
Our Acceptd portal will allow registration for audition and interview dates and appointment times this fall. We only make these appointments available to Carnegie Mellon applicants by invitation after the pre-screening procedure, on a first-come, first-served basis.
By November 3, students applying Early Decision for Design/Production will get a status update on their pre-screening application. Early Decision Interviews will be held shortly after. A specific date will be released by mid-October.
All invited interviews for Fall 2023 admission will be conducted virtually by the School of Drama. Directing interviews will occur in January. Specific dates will be posted in mid-December, and design/production interviews will take place on Fridays and Saturdays in January and February. Dramaturgy interviews will occur in February.
The School of Drama will hold acting and acting/music theater auditions in person or virtually for admission in the fall of 2023. Applicants who pass the pre-screening application will be invited to choose the virtual or in-person option that best suits them. In-person auditions will be held in January and February in Pittsburgh, New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Schedules with availability will be displayed specifically in an accepted applicants’ account.
Please note: We cannot accommodate walk-in auditions/interviews.
For students and their families interested in learning more about Carnegie Mellon University and the School of Drama, in-depth tours of the Purnell Center for the Arts are offered. Pre-registration is required. Masks are recommended. We also offer virtual Q&A sessions with current Drama students. Click here for more information.
Our primary focus is the health and safety of our campus community as well as that of potential visitors to campus. Get the most up-to-date information on the universitys guidelines and current response on CMUs Coronavirus Information page.
A Virtual Tour of the School of Drama facilities is available here.
Application Fee WaiversApplication fee waivers can be obtained by contacting Acceptd at [email protected] for students who meet one of the indicators of economic need as outlined on the Common Application:
- Resumé or curriculum vitae
- A succinct (no more than 750 words) letter answering the following questions: “Why are you interested in studying dramaturgy? What experience do you bring to the field of study?
- two letters of recommendation from individuals who are familiar with your capacity for both research and writing Please be aware that your Common Application must be submitted with letters of recommendation.
- Two (2) original argumentative writing samples, each around 1,000 words long These writing examples ought to show that you can support a claim with evidence. g. analysis of a piece of literature, artwork, or historical event Feel free to submit any writing you’ve done recently for a college- or high school-level humanities course.
- Although there is no requirement for an in-person interview, after January 18 the School of Drama faculty may get in touch with applicants by phone or email to get more information.
The John Wells Directing ProgramApplicants to the School of Drama Undergraduate John Wells Directing Program must submit an application that includes an audition, statement and portfolio, and a virtual interview process. These requirements are the main basis for admission.
CMU Tony Winners Give Advice for Theatre Students
FAQ
Is Carnegie Mellon a good School for theater?
Carnegie Mellon Theater Rankings Ranked at #3 in College Factual’s most recent rankings, Carnegie Mellon is in the top 1% of the country for theater students pursuing a bachelor’s degree. It is also ranked #1 in Pennsylvania.
How many people audition for Carnegie Mellon musical theatre?
Six girls and six boys from among the more than 3,000 applicants from across the country are accepted into the program each year. Just three percent of applicants are accepted across the board at Carnegie Mellon’s School of Drama, and admission to the musical theater program is even more competitive.
How many acting students does Carnegie Mellon accept?
We only accept 12 students a year, and they are chosen based on their singing and acting scores, which are weighted equally. This may be another unique characteristic of our program.
How do you get into Carnegie Mellon musical theatre?
The primary criterion for admission to the Music Theater Option at the School of Drama is pre-screening, followed by an audition requirement. Pre-screenings for the Music Theater Option should be submitted by all applicants who wish to participate in auditions for both the Music Theater and Acting Options.