HOW TO APPLY
A GradCAS Application in addition to a SlideRoom portfolio submission is required for all School of Drama graduate programs.
Applications open in mid-September each year with review of completed applications beginning on December 15. After that date, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until each program’s cohort is filled. Please consult Slideroom for Application Deadline Updates.
Expand the “Program-Specific Materials” menus below to find more information on each program’s application requirements.
APPLICATION CHECKLIST:
All prospective graduate students must submit an online application that includes:
Statement of intent
Three letters of recommendation
Resume
Official transcripts
Application fee
TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo scores where applicable (MyBest Scores are accepted; scores must be less than two years old)
Program specific materials
Unsolicited material will not be returned. Detailed information about each component of your application and program specific requirements are available below:
Statement of Intent
Describe your reasons for pursuing graduate studies, your educational and professional objectives, your specific interest in the School of Drama at Carnegie Mellon University, as well as your artistic influences, interests and goals, and any other information that you believe will aid the admission committee in reaching a decision. Your statement should be one to two pages in length.
*Please note that the statement of intent differs for the Dramatic Writing program.
Letters of Recommendation
Provide names and contact information (including email addresses) for three people you have chosen to write letters of recommendation on your behalf. Choose a variety of individuals, if possible, all who should be familiar with your work. Ask each of them to write a substantive letter about your qualifications for graduate study in drama, mentioning your previous study, research, and professional experience. As you enter each recommender’s information on the application, the system will contact that person to request your letter of recommendation. Be sure to keep the admission timeline in mind and give your contacts plenty of time to write letters and submit them before the deadline.
Resume
You must submit a resume detailing artistic and professional experience.
Official Transcripts
When you list your academic institutions in the online application system, follow the subsequent directions for requesting your official transcripts.
Application Fees
Each applicant must submit a $115 application fee. No additional fees are required if you are invited for an interview. Fee waivers are available upon request. Please email Director of Recruitment and Enrollment, Sarah Shechtman at sshechtm@andrew.cmu.edu with an explanation of your situation and any supporting documentation to request a fee waiver.
TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo Scores
All applicants whose native language is not English, regardless of citizenship or prior educational experience, are required to submit a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), the IELTS (International English Language Testing System), or Duolingo English Test score. All applicants whose native language is not English must submit their highest test score by the application deadline. Scores below School of Drama minimums, or incomplete applications will not be considered for interview or admission. TOEFL/IELTS/DET scores must be less than two years old from the start of our admission cycle.
The minimum TOEFL score is 100 total, with minimum subscores of 25 in Speaking, Listening, and Reading and a 24 in Writing. In addition to single test date TOEFL scores, the School of Drama also accepts MyBest Scores for TOEFL.
The minimum IELTS score is 7.5 composite score with 7.5 in Speaking, 7 in Listening and Reading and a 6.5 in Writing.
The Duolingo overall score is 130. The subscore minimums are: Literacy: 115, Conversation: 120, Comprehension: 125, Production: 110
Decisions
Offers to attend the School of Drama are typically made after all applications have been reviewed and interviews have been completed, usually around the end of March.