Whether you just graduated high school or you’ve taken a gap year (or more), if you have not yet attended college you should apply as a freshman. Even if you’ve taken college-level courses in high school, Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) exams, you’re still a freshman.

Who We’re Looking For

It takes a certain nature to thrive at Purchase. While we seek to enroll academically qualified students with a consistent record of achievement in a challenging high school curriculum, we also seek students with grit—the determination to strive and succeed.

Successful students at Purchase are highly motivated, intellectually curious, and deeply engaged in our community as well as the world at large. Our students are passionate about their goals and persevere to achieve them. They are daring—willing to take calculated risks to achieve more when they create works of art, engage in research and scholarship, or take on internships. They are driven to succeed and exhibit an entrepreneurial spirit in creating that success for themselves. In addition, Purchase students are often socially aware and will take an active stand for what they believe in.

All candidates are encouraged to pursue a rigorous college prep curriculum throughout their entire high school career, enhancing their college preparation through honors and Advanced Placement coursework. The Office of Admissions maintains a holistic review process with a focus on the quality of your academic program, your cumulative academic average, your Think Wide Open Statement, and supplemental information. 

Typical Grades

Generally, successful freshman applicants have earned a GPA of 3.0 (or 85 on a 100 point scale).

Purchase does not require scores from the SAT or ACT exam (with exceptions), though applicants are given the option to submit them. It is recommended that test scores be submitted only if it is believed to benefit the application. For applicants who are considering submitting scores, we typically prefer the following:

  • SAT: 1170 total score
  • ACT: 24 Composite

Students who are required to submit test scores include:

  • Applicants who are homeschooled
  • International students, who will need to provide a TOEFL score
  • Applicants who attended secondary schools that provide only narrative evaluations rather than some form of grading scale

Think Wide Open Statement

Purchase College’s motto is “Think Wide Open.” It’s our way of learning, teaching and being and so much more. By choosing Purchase, students make a conscious decision to join an intense community with a deep respect for individuality and diversity and an unparalleled environment of creativity and innovation.

As an applicant, we want to know what Think Wide Open means to you. All students submit either an essay, video or other creative work (poem, song, visual artwork, etc.). It should be original and should connect to Think Wide Open broadly or specifically. Videos and creative works should include a brief introduction or statement that helps contextualize your submission for the viewer/reader.

Deadlines and Requirements: Acting


  • Bonus Material: Audition Insight 

    Liam Joynt, co-chair of the Acting BFA program, spoke with Charlie Murphy, host of the Mapping the College Audition podcast, and shared insight into the program, the college, and the audition process. Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, or wherever you listen to podcasts. 


    Deadlines

    Please note that callbacks are offered on a rolling basis, the sooner your materials are submitted the better.

    Fall Application Priority Deadline: November 24, 2023
    Portfolio Submission Priority Deadline: December 1, 2023

    Fall Application General Deadline: January 1, 2024
    Portfolio Submission General Deadline: January 8, 2024

    Early Action and Spring: Not available

    Application Requirements


    Audition Requirements and Dates

    Mandatory Requirements

    All applicants to the acting program must submit the following to be considered for an acting program callback:

    1. Video Auditions submission
    2. Your Artist’s Story
    3. Picture and resume
    4. Acting audition form
    5. Non-refundable payment of $55
       
    • All materials must be submitted via the Admissions Portal. 

    • If selected for a callback, students will be notified no later than the week of January 22nd. We encourage students to complete the requirements as soon as possible.
    • Callbacks will take place in person both on campus and in NYC at the same time/place as Unified Auditions. Please note that we will be accepting first time walk-in auditions in at the same time/place as Unified Auditions. January 27 and 28 at Ripley Grier Studios in NYC.

    • Acting audition times are set for Eastern Standard Time. For those in another time zone please plan accordingly.
    • Admission to the BFA Acting program is highly competitive and based on a required audition process conducted by the Acting Faculty and a review of the student’s overall application by Admissions staff. Only exceptionally talented actors who can demonstrate talent, creativity, and commitment will be offered admission.

      Video Auditions

    First Video A contemporary monologue (written in the last 100 years).

    Second Video A classical monologue (the language or circumstance is heightened). Shakespeare is preferred but we are also excited by other classical/verse texts. Some examples of other classical authors include Aphra Behn, Pedro Calderón de la Barca, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, Lope de Vega, and Kalidasa.

    How to choose material for your Video Audition
    We are looking for imaginative actors capable of bringing their authentic self to a wide range of circumstances. Your two pieces should show a range. Often, that is taken to mean comedic vs. dramatic. That distinction is less important than your ability to show the range of your character’s physical life, relationships (who you are speaking to) and the given circumstances (where is the monologue taking place and what happened the moment before you started speaking).

    Standards for your Video Audition
    Each monologue should be roughly 90 seconds to two minutes in length.
    Only choose material from published plays and make sure you have read the entire play.

    Please submit separate videos, not one large one.
    Upload videos or share links in the Admissions Portal.
    Please introduce each monologue with the following:

    • Your first and last name
    • The date
    • Name of the play
    • Name of the author
    • Name of the character 

     

      Your Artist’s Story

    A Third Video OR an Essay
    Share something about yourself as an artist in a video no more than 3 minutes long. Alternatively, you can submit an essay on this topic. Whether you choose a third video or an essay, you must upload it with your Video Auditions in Step 1.

    Ideas to spark your Artist’s Story:

    • What is your artist’s story?
    • What stories excite you and how do you hope to impact audiences?
    • Share your work as an artist outside of acting: play an instrument; share a painting or a song of yours. This is less about hearing 16 bars of a song and more about hearing your passion and artistry.

      Picture and Resume

    • A snapshot will do if you do not have an 8 x 10 headshot.
    • Be sure that your name, address, email and cell telephone number(s), are included on your resume. Your resume should include a complete list of theatrical activities.

    Callbacks

    If you receive an invitation for a callback, be prepared to work on your audition pieces with your auditors. This callback will be a work session and hopefully fun!

    Callbacks will be held on the following dates:

    • Saturday, January 27
    • Sunday, January 28
    • Saturday, February 24

    Visit the Acting BFA program to get answers to the most frequently asked questions.

    For additional information about the acting BFA program, visit Conservatory of Theatre Arts.

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major: Acting