Juilliard is a prestigious performing arts school that encompasses music, drama, and dance. Students interested in these subjects are probably also curious about how to get into Juilliard, as it is a world leader in performing arts education.1 If you want to become a Juilliard alum alongside performing arts heroes, like musicians Nina Simone, Miles Davis, and Yo-Yo Ma, or actors like Robin Williams, Viola Davis, and Jessica Chastain, this article will help you learn about the requirements for admission into this prestigious school.
Juilliard’s reputation is not one to overlook, so it is important for interested high school students to understand what it takes. It will be helpful to know the Juilliard acceptance rates, requirements, and tips for successfully making your way into Juilliard’s programs.
All About Juilliard Admissions
Juilliard is a top performing arts school in the United States that includes a drama school, music school, and dance school with over 25,000 alumni globally.2 Juilliard is an audition-based school for talented and creative students who want to increase their knowledge in the arts. Below, we have detailed the major admissions factors you should be aware of before applying.
Juilliard Acceptance Rate
The National Center for Education Statistics reports that only nine percent of 2,020 applicants were offered admission for the 2023 fall semester.3 Of the nine percent, 52 percent of those candidates enrolled at the school.3
Juilliard GPA
Juilliard does not have a minimum standard for grade point averages (GPAs) or standardized tests, nor does it require preparatory high school courses. However, Juilliard’s admissions officers will review and evaluate your academic records and your personal essay to ensure you have what it takes to succeed. Additionally, international students whose first language is not English must show proof of English language proficiency to be considered.
Juilliard Total Enrollment
In the fall of 2023, Juilliard had a total of 619 undergraduate students enrolled in the university, according to U.S. News & World Report.4
Juilliard Requirements
The Juilliard School has varied admissions requirements based on the specific department you’re applying to; however, the first thing all applicants need to do is to create an admissions account online through the Juilliard School website before beginning an application for any specific program.5 From there, prospective students can fill out and submit an online application to Juilliard either on or before the required deadline.
Dance
The dance division, led by Dean and Director, Melissa Toogood, offers a four-year undergraduate Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree—with focus studies on ballet, modern, and contemporary techniques. The dance school typically accepts only 20-24 students per year.
According to the school website, eligibility requirements include:
- A high school diploma or its equivalent
- Minimum of three years of prior training in ballet and modern or contemporary dance
- Current training for a minimum of 10 hours per week
Applicants interested in the dance division can further browse admission information here.6
As of September 2025, prospective students can expect the following components for their auditions:7
- Ballet class
- Modern class
- Coaching and improvisation
- Solo (two minutes, prepared in advance by dancer)
- Interview
Drama
The drama division, led by Dean and Director Evan Yionoulis, offers multiple programs: a four-year undergraduate Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in acting, a Master’s in Fine Arts (MFA) degree in acting, and an Artist Diploma (AD) in playwriting.
Applicants interested in one of the drama division’s programs can further browse admission information here.8
As of September 2025, prospective students can expect a prescreening for their acting auditions. Auditions include:9
- Four memorized monologues, each about two minutes long (at least one from Shakespeare)
- Two contemporary texts (20th- and 21st-century)
- 16 bars of any song to be sung a cappella
Music
The music division, led by Dean and Director David Serkin Ludwig, offers an undergraduate Bachelor of Music (BM) degree, a Master of Music (MM) degree, a Graduate Diploma in Music, a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree, and an Artist Diploma (AD) in music. Specializations include:
- Instruments
- Vocal arts
- Jazz studies
- Historical performance
- Composition
- Orchestral conducting
- String quartet studies
According to the school’s 2025-26 admissions viewbook, eligibility requirements for the music division involve applying and auditioning. Further requirements can be viewed here.10
Is It Hard to Get Into Juilliard?
Since the acceptance rate for Juilliard is an average of nine percent, it’s safe to say that Juilliard is a tough school to get into.2 The reason for this competitiveness is that Juilliard is consistently rated as one of the top performing arts schools in the world, with high admission standards and a significant reputation in the arts as of 2025, according to QS TopUniversities.11
Tips for Getting Into Juilliard
Applicants need to have an artistic gift, determination, and dedication in order to get into The Juilliard School.
1. Learn and Practice
Having someone to mentor you will help you master the necessary skills and techniques while pushing you to practice so you can improve and succeed. A teacher is a great example of a mentor, as they will assess your strengths and weaknesses and help you work on each. Practice daily for at least an hour to help build your confidence and skills—repetition is key.
2. Expand Your Skillset and Compete With Others
Expand your knowledge on your chosen subject to broaden your repertoire. Musicians can expand their knowledge of musical techniques and different instruments, while dancers can choose different dance styles to excel at, instead of just one. Those in the drama field can choose acting roles outside their comfort zones and push themselves to be more versatile.
As you improve your skillset, you also need to push yourself against the very best in your field. Look for competitions, masterclasses, and lectures to attend. Public performance can help you manage stage fright, which will make your auditions easier.
3. Plan for Your Auditions
Select what you want to do and work with your mentor. Ensure your choice effectively showcases your talents while fulfilling audition requirements. Get feedback—the more input you receive, the better you can tailor your performance for your audition. Once you choose your audition performance, practice constantly, build your confidence, and master your performance.
4. Do Mock Auditions
Invite friends and family to act as judges as you perform your audition piece. Ask them for their feedback. Doing this will provide you with a sense of how your actual audition will go. Tweak and change your performance based on their criticism, and don’t take their feedback to heart, as it can help you down the road.
5. Carry Out Basic Logistics
Check the Juilliard website to find the requirements for the auditions. Auditions vary based on specialization, and each will have different requirements you need to be prepared for. From dress code to stages of the audition process, you must fully understand what The Juilliard School expects from you to ensure your success. Contact admissions if you have questions.
6. Get Proper Rest
Proper rest before your audition will provide you with the energy and focus you need. As cliché as it sounds, getting rest is a simple yet beneficial step to ensure you perform your best.
7. Grab Some Breakfast Before Your Audition
On the day of your audition, it’s crucial to fuel yourself with a complete breakfast. Since the nature of these auditions can be quite physical, having a balanced breakfast will ensure you have the energy to perform well, keep your blood sugar up despite the nerves, and reduce brain fog.
8. Dress Appropriately
As mentioned previously, there may be a dress code. Ask trusted family or friends for advice on what to wear if you’re unsure, and refer to the audition requirements page on the Juilliard website to ensure you meet the requirements.
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9. Take Last Minute Action
Before your audition, practice a few more times to instill confidence and security in yourself. Ask a family member, friend, or mentor to stay with you and help you practice, or even just offer moral support.
10. Give it Your Best Shot
At your audition, simply do your best. You have put in the work to get yourself to this point, and you’ve sharpened your skills. Remember, Juilliard is a highly competitive institution with only a nine percent acceptance rate, so do not feel discouraged if you don’t pass your audition—you can always reapply. Regardless of the outcome, this learning experience will add to your professional toolbox.
What Does It Take to Get Into Juilliard?
To get into Juilliard, it doesn’t just take an impressive application; it takes determination and talent from passionate people who genuinely want to contribute to the performing arts. Being a Juilliard applicant encourages both personal and professional growth and learning beyond the classroom. Enroll in one of Juilliard’s many creative programs today and start your professional and academic future at this dream school.
How to Get Into Juilliard FAQ
Yes, attending Juilliard can be very rewarding, especially for those who are highly passionate and driven regarding the performing arts. The training at Juilliard might be rigorous, but you will surely build your skills to become a top performer, as so many successful artists and Juilliard alums have.
Juilliard students who are in an undergraduate program, or otherwise have no prior college education, are required to live on campus in the Meredith Willson Residence Hall.12 After their first year, Juilliard students have the option of returning to the residence hall or moving off campus to live on their own in New York City.
Yes, meal plans are available to both on-campus and commuter students at The Juilliard School. All meal plan information can be found here.13
Sources:
1 https://www.juilliard.edu/admissions/numbers
3 https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=juilliard&s=all&id=192110#admsns
4 https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/juilliard-school-2742
5 https://apply.juilliard.edu/apply/
6 https://www.juilliard.edu/arm/dance/college/dance/bachelor-fine-arts
7 https://online.fliphtml5.com/tnxj/pfcy/#p=12
8 https://www.juilliard.edu/admissions#arm
9 https://online.fliphtml5.com/tnxj/pfcy/#p=20
10 https://online.fliphtml5.com/tnxj/pfcy/#p=28
11 https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/juilliard-school#p2-rankings
12 https://www.juilliard.edu/campus-life/living-nyc
13 https://new.dineoncampus.com/JuilliardSAB/fall–spring-meal-plans
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