Undergraduate Admissions

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

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 George Mason. 

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 February 1.

STEP 2: Complete an Audition or Portfolio Review

Applicants to College of Visual and Performing Arts programs (with the exception of the School of Art) must successfully complete a discipline-specific audition, portfolio review, and/or interview before acceptance into the major. For audition, portfolio review, and interview requirements, choose your program of interest, at left.

Please note the following important dates for submission of additional materials or requirements:

• Freshman Early Action applicants:
  • Applicants for Film or Computer Game Design must submit portfolio materials by the dates indicated by each program or no later than November 7.
  • Applicants for Dance, Music or Theater must schedule an audition no later than two weeks prior to the audition dates offered by the Schools of Dance, Music, or Theater.
  • • If the audition date you select falls after Early Action admissions decisions are released, your George Mason admissions decision will not include or reflect your audition result. In addition, your major may be changed to Undecided or Exploratory until your audition is completed.
    • It is the preference of our performing arts programs that you complete an audition as close as possible to the submission of your university application.

• Freshman Regular Decision applicants:
  • Applicants for Film or Computer Game Design must submit portfolio materials by the dates indicated by each program or no later than February 1.
  • Applicants for Dance, Music or Theater must schedule an audition no later than two weeks prior to the audition dates offered by the Schools of Dance, Music, or Theater.
  • • Failure to complete an audition results in the change of your application major to Undecided or Exploratory.

Program Audition/Review Deadlines and Requirements

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

Undergraduate Majors

• Art and Visual Technology, BA
• Art and Visual Technology, BFA
• Computer Game Design, BFA
• Dance, BFA
• Film and Video Studies, BA
• Music, BA
• Music, BM
• Theater, BA
• Theater, BFA

Bachelor’s/Accelerated Master’s Program

• Art and Visual Technology, BA/Arts Management, Accelerated MA
• Art and Visual Technology, BFA/Art Education, Accelerated MAT
• Art and Visual Technology, BFA/Arts Management, Accelerated MA
• Theater, BA/Arts Management, Accelerated MA

Undergraduate Minors

• Arts and Social Change Minor
• Art and Visual Technology Minor
• Arts Management Minor
• Audio Production Minor  
• Computer Game Design Minor
• Dance Appreciation Minor
• Ethnomusicology Minor
• Event Technical Production Minor
• Graphic Design Minor
• Jazz Studies Minor
• Music Minor
• Music and Technology Minor
• Music and Well-Being Minor
• Photography Minor
• Sport and Computer Game Design Minor
• Theater Minor
• Theater Performance
• Web Design Minor

Undergraduate Certificates

• Graphic Design

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