• Admission Requirements
• Application Process
• Design/Technology Interview
• International Students Application Instructions
• Fees and Expenses
• Financial Aid

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Admission to the Theatre Design/Technology B.F.A. Program is highly selective and is based on a required interview with the Design/Technology faculty and a review of the students overall application by Admissions.  Only exceptionally talented students who can demonstrate a high level of ability, creativity and commitment in the interview will be offered admission.  Students will be evaluated on the basis of Purchase College’s general undergraduate admission standards. Generally, successful applicants have earned a high school GPA of at least 3.0 and a combined Critical Reading and Math SAT score of at least 1100 or better. Students who do not meet these exact requirements, but demonstrate exceptionally stong artistic talent may be still be considered for admission.  More on general admissions criteria can be found here.

Note:  Students who have not reached their academic potential because of limited financial resources and inadequate academic preparation should review the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) at Purchase College.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please follow all application instructions carefully.  In cases where students fail to follow the requirements and instructions listed here, we cannot guarantee the application can be reviewed and the application may be withdrawn from consideration.  For faster processing of mailed materials, please do not staple items together. 

Step 1: Submit your completed application:
Apply online using the SUNY Application at www.suny.edu/Student/apply.** The application fee is $40. (Theatre Design/Technology applicants should NOT use the Common Application. You must use the SUNY application).

Note: Theatre Design/Technology applicants are not required to submit the Supplemental Admissions Form.  The Supplemental Admissions Form is for Liberal Arts and Sciences and Art+Design applicants only.  Please refer to the steps above for additional program requirements.

Note: International students please see the International Student Application Instructions

Step 2: Submit official High School transcripts or GED scores, SAT or ACT scores
Request your official High School transcripts or GED scores, SAT or ACT scores (note: SAT/ACT and AP test scores can be submitted electronically) sent directly to:

Office of Admissions
Purchase College, SUNY
735 Anderson Hill Road
Purchase, NY 10577-1400

Score Choice
Purchase College does not participate in the Score Choice option available through the College Board or the similar program through Educational Testing Service (ETS).  We encourage you to submit scores from all test sittings of the SAT, ACT or SAT Subject Tests. Purchase College evaluates thousands of competitive applicants each year for admission; access to your full testing profile enables the admissions counselors to fully and fairly assess each applicant.
 
Purchase College maintains a holistic review process with a focus on the quality of your academic program, your cumulative academic average, your test scores and your required supplemental materials. Standardized testing is a measurement of aptitude and will continue to be part of our admissions process. We recommend testing for the SAT or ACT in the spring of junior year and fall of the senior year.

Step 3: Design/Technology Interview:
Complete the interview process as outlined below.


 

DESIGN/TECHNOLOGY INTERVIEW

An interview is required as part of the application process.  You will receive specific information on how to schedule an interview via e-mail from the Office of Admissions upon receipt of your application.  Please note that a non-refundable $46.50 interview fee must be paid at the time of your interview.

Design/Technology Program Interview Tour

Purchase College
November 17, 2009
February 23, 2010
March 23, 2010

New York*
January 30, 2010

Chicago
February 1, 2010

San Francisco
February 5, 2010

*New York City interviews cannot be scheduled for residents of the New York metropolitan area.

In preparation for your interview, you will need to do the following:

1. Read Night of the Iguana: Read the play Night of the Iguana, by Tennessee Williams.  Questions about this play will be asked during the interview.
2. Prepare a Resume:  Your resume should include a complete list of your theatrical experiences.  It should include titles of works, duties performed, locations of performances and the name of the directors, designers and stage managers with whom you have worked.  Bring one copy of your resume with you to the interview. 
3. Prepare a Portfolio: Prepare and bring with you to the interview a portfolio that includes examples of design and/ or technical work that you have done in high school, community theatres, summer stock, or at other colleges. 
4. Letters of Recommendation: Please bring two letters of recommendation (in sealed envelopes) with you when you come for your interview. 

About the Portfolio:

Your portfolio materials should reflect your interest and/or work in one of the following potential areas of specialization:

Costume Design, Lighting Design, Scene Design, Costume Technology, Stage Management, or Technical Direction/Production Management.

Portfolio materials can include the following for each respective specialization:

• Costume Design - Drawings, paintings, and/or garments that you have made.  These items need not to be theatrical.
• Lighting Design - Drawings, paintings, photography, drafting plots and lighting plots.
• Scene Design - Drawings, paintings, still life or still life studies and drafting designs.
• Costume Technology - Samples of costume construction, photos of work that has been built, drawings and other artwork. 
• Stage Management - Prompt scripts, cue sheets, ground plans, rehearsal notes and programs.
• Technical Direction/Production Management - Drafting samples, objects that you have built, photographs and production paperwork.

Admission Decisions
If your interview is successful you will be notified on or around March 1, 2010.  If you are offered admission, you will need to accept our offer in writing, and you will be asked to submit an enrollment deposit by May 1, 2010.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS