Undergraduate Admissions

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Making a Career in the Arts

Welcome to the College of Visual and Performing Arts, where we add fuel to the fire of creativity.

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Applying to our programs is a two-step process. Admission to George Mason University does not guarantee your acceptance into our programs. However, all College of Visual and Performing Arts majors must be admitted to Mason. We strongly encourage you to apply to the university by November 1 to receive maximum scholarship consideration, including merit and talent-based scholarships. The freshman regular decision deadline is January 15.

STEP 1: Apply to George Mason University
Admission to George Mason is determined by the Office of Admissions and is separate from acceptance into College of Visual and Performing Arts degree programs.

The College of Visual and Performing Arts strongly encourages freshmen to apply to the university by November 1 to receive maximum scholarship consideration, including merit and talent-based scholarships. The freshman regular decision deadline is January 15.

STEP 2: Complete an Audition or Portfolio Review
Applicants to College of Visual and Performing Arts programs must successfully complete a discipline-specific audition, portfolio review, and/or interview before acceptance into the major. For audition, portfolio review, and interview requirements, click on the program of interest, at left.

Important Dates

Freshman Applicants	Deadline	Notification
Freshman Early Action Application	November 1	December 15
Honors College Consideration	November 1	Mid-February
University Scholars Consideration	November 1	Mid-February
Talent and Merit-Based Scholarship	November 1	Mid-February
Freshman Regular Decision Application	January 15	Late March
Financial Aid	March 1	Early April

Transfer Applicants	Deadline	Notification
Spring Transfer Priority Application	October 1	November 1
Fall Transfer Priority Application	March 1	April 1
Financial Aid	March 1	Early April

Program Audition/Review Deadlines and Requirements

Click on the program name to learn more about audition portfolio requirements and deadlines:

Undergraduate Majors

Bachelor’s/Accelerated Master’s Program

Undergraduate Minors

Undergraduate Certificates

Graphic Design

If you have questions about the undergraduate admissions process in the College of Visual and Performing Arts, please e-mail Drew Comparin or call 703-993-5572.

Land That Job

Students meet with recruiters from national and regional arts, entertainment and media employers based in the Washington, D.C. metro region at the Arts in the Real World Internship and Career Fair. Photo by Evan Cantwell/George Mason University

Theater majors celebrate the arts at the College of Visual and Performing Arts Dean's reception.

Dressed for the Part

Theater majors at the College of Visual and Performing Arts follow a program that stresses serious practical training and experience, combined with the breadth of liberal arts study.

Music majors celebrate their achievements at the College of Visual and Performing Arts Dean's reception.

Amid the Stars

Music majors at the College of Visual and Performing Arts study with nationally and internationally recognized faculty who are active performers, conductors, composers, music theoreticians, historians, and music teachers.

Choreograph Your Career

Billy Smith (BFA ’07), of the Mark Morris Dance Group, choreographs a new work with School of Dance majors. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services/George Mason University

Bear Your Own Torch

Students in the School of Art do metal work in sculpture studio, where they acquire the technical skills to professionally express their own creativity.

A Symphony of Talent and Passion

Student string players perform in the Mason Symphony Orchestra. The group is open for participation by all qualified musicians pursuing any major. A seating audition is required.