How to Apply
Thank you for your interest in ACAPA — the American College of Arts and Performing Arts. Admission to ACAPA is a two-part process: academic review and artistic review (audition or portfolio). All applicants must complete both components to be considered for admission. Please read all instructions carefully before beginning your application.
ACAPA Online Application Portal
Access your application, upload materials, schedule your audition, and track your application status. ► Access the Application PortalStep-by-Step Application Instructions
Follow these steps in order. All materials must be submitted through the Application Portal unless otherwise noted.
Create an Account & Begin Your Application
Visit the ACAPA Application Portal and create an applicant account using a valid email address you check regularly. Select your intended program area (e.g., Music Performance, Theatre, Dance, Visual Art, Film & Media, Composition, Creative Writing). You may save and return to your application at any time before the deadline.
Complete the Application Form
Fill out all sections of the online application, including:
- Personal information and contact details
- Educational history (all high schools and colleges attended)
- Program of study and degree type (B.F.A., B.Mus., B.A.)
- Artistic background and resume
- List of extracurricular activities and awards
- Emergency contact information
Pay the Application Fee
Submit the non-refundable application fee of $65.00 via credit/debit card through the portal. An additional $45.00 artistic review fee applies for applicants scheduling an on-campus audition or submitting a portfolio for review. Fee waivers are available for qualifying applicants — see the Fee Waiver Request page for details.
Submit Official Transcripts
Arrange for official transcripts from all secondary schools and any colleges attended to be sent directly to ACAPA. Transcripts must be sent by the issuing institution and arrive in a sealed envelope or via a verified electronic service (e.g., Parchment, eScrip-Safe, National Student Clearinghouse). Self-reported or unofficial transcripts are accepted for initial review only; official transcripts are required for admission.
Mail transcripts to:
Office of Admissions, ACAPA
14 Rindge Hall, 200 Conservatory Drive
Eastbridge, VT 05401
Transfer applicants must submit transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, including those where no credits were earned.
Submit Portfolio and/or Schedule Audition
Artistic review is a required and integral part of ACAPA's admission process. Depending on your program, you will be required to submit a portfolio, complete a live or recorded audition, or both. See the program-specific requirements below and on the dedicated pages for full details.
- Music Performance, Voice, Jazz: Live or recorded audition required. See audition requirements ›
- Composition, Music Theory: Portfolio of 3–5 original works required; faculty interview may follow. See portfolio guidelines ›
- Theatre (Acting/Directing): Live or recorded audition; monologue requirements apply. See audition requirements ›
- Dance: Live or recorded audition; class-format audition on campus. See audition requirements ›
- Musical Theatre: Combined audition: prepared song, monologue, and dance call. See audition requirements ›
- Visual Art, Film & Media, Design: Portfolio of 10–20 representative works. See portfolio guidelines ›
- Creative Writing: Writing sample of 15–25 pages (prose, poetry, or mixed). See portfolio guidelines ›
All portfolio materials and pre-screen recordings are uploaded via the Application Portal. On-campus auditions are scheduled through the portal after application submission. Remote/recorded auditions are accepted for all programs.
Submit Letters of Recommendation
ACAPA requires three (3) letters of recommendation:
- Artistic recommendation: From a primary artistic instructor, private teacher, ensemble director, or choreographer who can speak to your artistic development, technical ability, and readiness for conservatory-level study.
- Academic recommendation: From a teacher in a core academic subject (English, Mathematics, History, Science, or a foreign language).
- Secondary recommendation: From any instructor, mentor, or supervisor who knows you well. A second artistic letter is acceptable and encouraged for applicants to competitive programs.
Enter recommender contact information in the portal. Recommenders will receive an automated email with submission instructions. Recommendations should be submitted directly by the recommender through the portal or by mail. Applicants are responsible for ensuring all recommendations are received by the deadline.
Write and Submit Your Personal Essay
Submit one personal essay of 500–750 words in response to one of the following prompts:
- (A) Describe a defining moment in your artistic development. How has it shaped your practice, your goals, and your decision to pursue conservatory training?
- (B) Discuss an artist, work of art, or artistic tradition that has profoundly influenced you. What have you learned from it, and how is that influence visible in your own work?
- (C) ACAPA was founded in 1947 on the belief that rigorous artistic training and a broad humanistic education are inseparable. How do you embody or hope to embody this philosophy?
Upload your essay as a PDF or Word document through the Application Portal. Do not include your name in the document filename; the portal assigns an anonymous ID for review purposes.
Review and Submit Your Application
Before submitting, review your completed application carefully. Use the Application Checklist to verify all required materials have been uploaded or are in transit. Once submitted, you will receive a confirmation email with your ACAPA applicant ID number. Use this ID for all correspondence with the Admissions Office.
You may track the receipt status of outstanding materials (transcripts, recommendations) through your portal dashboard after submission. Applications are not considered complete until all required materials are received.
Required Application Materials — Summary
| Material | Required of | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Online Application Form | All applicants | Completed through the ACAPA Application Portal. No paper applications accepted. |
| Application Fee | All applicants | $65.00 application fee + $45.00 artistic review fee. Fee waivers available. Request a waiver › |
| Official Transcripts | All applicants | From all secondary schools attended. Transfer applicants must include all post-secondary transcripts. Official copies required; unofficial transcripts used for preliminary review only. |
| Audition or Portfolio | All applicants | Program-specific. Live/recorded audition for performance programs; portfolio submission for visual, film, composition, and writing programs. See Audition Requirements or Portfolio Guidelines. |
| Letters of Recommendation | All applicants | 3 letters required: 1 artistic, 1 academic, 1 secondary. Submitted directly by recommenders via portal or mail. |
| Personal Essay | All applicants | 500–750 words, one prompt from three options. Uploaded as PDF or Word document. |
| Artistic Résumé | All applicants | List of performances, exhibitions, productions, awards, training history, and relevant experience. Upload as PDF. |
| English Proficiency Test | International applicants | TOEFL iBT (minimum 80) or IELTS (minimum 6.5). See International Students page. |
| Financial Documentation | International applicants | Proof of sufficient funds to cover tuition, fees, and living expenses for one year. Required for I-20 issuance. |
| Credential Evaluation | International applicants | Foreign transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES-member agency (e.g., WES, ECE). Evaluated copies sent to ACAPA Admissions. |
Application Deadlines
| Decision Plan | Application Deadline | Notification Date | Reply Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early Decision (ED) | November 1 | December 15 | January 1 | Binding. Applicants who are accepted must enroll and withdraw all other applications. Offers scholarship consideration priority. |
| Regular Decision (RD) | January 15 | March 15 | May 1 | Non-binding. Applicants may compare offers from other schools before committing. Standard decision plan. |
| Transfer Decision | March 1 | April 15 | May 15 | For students who have completed at least one semester of college-level coursework after secondary school. See Transfer Applicants for additional requirements. |
On-campus audition dates for Early Decision applicants: December 7–8 and December 14–15. On-campus audition dates for Regular Decision applicants: February 8–9, February 15–16, and March 1–2. Recorded auditions and portfolio submissions are due with the application by the applicable deadline.
International Student Requirements
ACAPA welcomes applications from students worldwide. International applicants follow the same general application process described above, with the following additional requirements:
- English Proficiency: Required for all applicants from countries where English is not the primary language of instruction. Minimum scores: TOEFL iBT 80 / IELTS Academic 6.5 / Duolingo English Test 105. Official score reports must be sent directly from the testing agency to ACAPA (TOEFL institution code: 3492). Exemptions may be granted for applicants who have completed at least two years of full-time study at an accredited English-medium institution — submit a written request through the portal.
- Foreign Credential Evaluation: All secondary and post-secondary transcripts issued by non-U.S. institutions must be evaluated by a NACES-member agency. Course-by-course evaluation is required. ACAPA recommends WES (World Education Services) or ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators). Allow 4–6 weeks for evaluation.
- Proof of Financial Support: Prior to issuance of the I-20 form, all international students must submit official documentation demonstrating sufficient funds to cover tuition, fees, and living expenses for the first year of study. The estimated total cost of attendance for international students is approximately $56,500 per year.
- F-1 Visa: Once admitted and upon receipt of financial documentation, ACAPA will issue the Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status). Students must then apply for an F-1 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate. ACAPA's Designated School Official (DSO) is available to assist with SEVIS-related questions.
- Passport Copy: Submit a copy of the biographical page of your valid passport through the portal as part of the application.
- Artistic Materials: Recorded auditions and digital portfolio submissions are accepted and encouraged for international applicants who are unable to travel to campus. All recorded materials must be uploaded through the Application Portal in accepted formats (MP4, MOV, PDF, JPG). See Audition Requirements for recording guidelines.
- Deadlines: International applicants are strongly encouraged to apply by the Regular Decision deadline of January 15 to allow adequate processing time for credential evaluation, I-20 issuance, and visa application. Late international applications are considered on a space-available basis only.
For full details, visit the International Students Admissions page or contact the International Student Services Office at international@acapa.edu.
Contact the Admissions Office
| Office of Admissions | 14 Rindge Hall, 200 Conservatory Drive, Eastbridge, VT 05401 |
| Phone | (802) 555-0147 — Mon–Fri, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. EST |
| admissions@acapa.edu | |
| Fax | (802) 555-0198 |
To schedule a campus visit or request information, see the Visit Campus page. Virtual information sessions are held on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. EST — register through the portal.