We’re here to help you navigate the process of declaring or changing your major.
Most BA/BS majors at Purchase are easy to declare. Other programs require an internal transfer process, which may include submitting an application or portfolio, or doing an interview or audition. Explore your opportunities below!
Which Degree Program Are You Considering?
Check the degree type offered by all majors on the Majors and Minors page. Hover over each program card to see the degrees offered or use the “Sort By Degree” dropdown option. Then follow the instructions below based on degree.
The BFA and MusB degrees (and Creative Writing BA and Visual Arts BS) focus on intensive arts education and training, preparing you for professional careers. Therefore, these majors are highly competitive and require an audition or other form of initial talent/skills assessment.
These majors abide by commonly accepted standards for professional degree programs and many follow a highly structured, cohort-based sequence of course requirements in order to carefully build and track the development of important skills.
Please Consider the Following
You are not guaranteed acceptance into these programs.
You may need additional time to complete degree requirements, regardless of previously earned credits.
Acting, Dance, Film, Theatre Design/Technology and some MusB programs are highly sequential and may require four years to complete.
Creative Writing and Art+Design typically require three years of study after admission into the major.
We encourage you to connect early with academic advisors and departmental faculty to explore how a change in major may impact your graduation timeline and to develop a plan that supports your academic and financial goals.
BFA/MusB Transfer Requirements
Deadline
Fall: December 29
Spring: Not available
Requirements
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
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. 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.
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!
12–20 pieces, including observational drawings (see below) of your best and typically, most recent work.
A variety of media and approaches; can include a mixture of assignment-based projects, self-directed work, and sketchbook work. Strive to give us insight to your creative process and personal interests!
Does not need to be major-specific; can include any type of work including painting/drawing, printmaking, sculpture, digital work, etc.
Do not include work that copies photographs, uses the grid system, or directly replicates any other artist’s work (including replicating anime drawings, cartoons, or video game character designs).
Regardless of major, include both of the following assignments among your work:
One self-portrait in any medium
Two drawings from direct observation (not from photos)
In addition to the requirements above, submit examples of recently completed coursework, related to your desired major, identifying which course it pertains to.
Specifics
List title, media, dimensions (where applicable) and provide a description of each piece. It helps our faculty reviewers if you clearly label which item corresponds to which of the portfolio assignments.
Include detail shots if appropriate, but be sure to indicate if an example is a detail shot.
Use multiple views (more than one image) if a single image does not adequately display your work (e.g. a large sculpture)
Additional Requirements for Graphic Design Transfer Applicants
The balance of the portfolio will be evaluated as a demonstration of both the breadth and depth of your visual interests.
In addition to the requirements above, your portfolio should include:
Minimum of 12 and no more than 20 examples of your work.
Four pieces with typography, one which demonstrates typographic hierarchy
Create two works based from one of the following open-ended prompts. We welcome creative interpretations:
An independent project (not an assignment)
A research-based (visual) piece
A piece demonstrating harmony
A piece demonstrating contrast
Contact
Please reach out to the Art+Design Program Coordinator with specific questions about these prompts: ade@purchase.edu
Portfolio of writing including one of the following:
Poems: five to seven (10 pages maximum) or
Fiction: Two to three short stories (15 pages maximum with preference for complete stories).
One or two letter(s) of recommendation from an instructor familiar with your writing.
A one page discussion of your reasons for wanting to enter the program and an assessment of your strengths and weaknesses in writing.
Additional Information
All materials, including your recommendation letter(s), may be emailed to the Department Chair.
Please include all of your application materials in one PDF file except for your letter(s) of recommendation, which may be directly emailed to the Department Chair by your recommender.
Dance photo; an 8x10 full body shot (a professional photo is not required)
One artistic letter of recommendation
Additional Information
Once you have submitted your resume, photo, and audition fee, you will then have access to sign up for a live audition on one of the following dates: February 8, February 14
What to Expect During the In-Person Auditions
This portion of the audition will take place on campus, in a dance studio with fellow applicants.
The audition class will be led by a Purchase dance faculty member. Students will be observed by a panel of 2–3 faculty.
The dance audition class will consist of a Ballet class, Modern/Contemporary combinations in the center and across the floor, and improvisation prompts.
Following class, the audition panel will select finalists to present their solos in the afternoon. The live audition will conclude with a short interview.
The schedule is adhered to as much as possible. However, the number of applicants in any given audition, winter weather, or other extenuating circumstances may cause changes. Please plan to spend a full day at Purchase College.
90-Second Solo
Each dancer should be prepared to present a 90-second solo performance in classical or contemporary Ballet, Modern, or Contemporary dance. We would like to see you in a work that shows you at your best. Note the following carefully, as no exceptions will be made:
Your music should be on your phone.
Choreography may either be by you or another person.
Be prepared to introduce your dance: title, choreographer, composer and any additional information that you wish us to know.
Please do not let your dance exceed 90 seconds. If your dance exceeds 90 seconds, then you will be asked to stop.
We are primarily interested in your performance and movement ability.
Write a 750-word autobiographical essay that demonstrates your best intellectual and creative effort. It might include a description of yourself, what makes you unique, why you want to make films, and any experience you have had which supports or prompts your choice to apply to the Film BFA.
Submit links to sites hosting video or film work (like Vimeo or YouTube, etc.)
Submit a separate link to an online drive or folder (like Google, etc.) containing at least one and up to five examples of creative writing and additional creative work (short stories, poems, screenplays, drawings, etc.).
Although not required, we suggest that you also supply two letters of recommendation; one artistic and one academic, which you can include in your online drive or folder, clearly labeled.
Further Instructions and Notes
Check accessibility and clearly mark all links to your shared drive and videos as faculty may not be able to contact you for clarification.
Email everything above to ALL listed here: Edwin Martinez, Lawrence O’Neil and Lorraine Miller.
Applications submitted after the deadline or ones that do not contain all required links will not be reviewed.
Internal candidates with applications completed by the deadline will be invited to interview with faculty members in the months after.
Invited candidates should be prepared to share their portfolio materials during their interview.
Notification of final acceptance into the Film BFA may not come until August.
All internal transfers to the Conservatory of Music must audition by submitting a pre-screening portfolio for evaluation and complete an audition, if invited by faculty.
The portfolio and audition requirements for each area of study may be found on the Music Undergraduate Admissions Page. Check the requirements for your area of study and submit the appropriate pre-screening materials below.
This form may be used if you wish to apply for a minor in music. Please visit our Minor in Music page before applying.
If you are applying to more than one area or instrument you will need to submit two separate applications.
Upload Audio/Video Recordings for your pre-screening portfolio. You may upload audio/video files (see links to upload below), or you may provide links to Audio/Video files posted online.
Letter of Intent (if required for your major)
Upload Resume (if required for your major)
Recommendation Letters (optional). Up to 2 letters may be submitted. Letters may be sent via email to music@purchase.edu with the subject line “Audition Materials - YOUR NAME” or sent via US Mail to: Purchase College, Conservatory of Music-Audition Materials, 745 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase, NY 10577.
Present your portfolio in a way that you feel best represents you in an organized fashion. Prepare your materials in a single document.
Include examples of design and/or technical work that you have done in high school, community theatres, summer stock, or at other colleges, including any digital or virtual projects you have collaborated on.
Headshot
Résumé with a complete list of your theatrical experience, including titles of works, duties performed, locations of performances, and the names of directors, designers, and stage managers with whom you have worked.
One additional letter of recommendation from a theatre professional, art teacher, or anyone that can speak to your artistic abilities.
Concentrations
Your portfolio should reflect an interest in one of the following potential areas of specialization listed below.
Although extensive portfolios are not required, please use the following examples as a guide, noting that these items do not need to all be theatrical.
Example Pieces By Concentration
Costume Design & Costume Technology Sample artwork, drawings, paintings, sketches, and garments that you have made. Any photos of produced shows or garments.
Lighting Design Sample artwork, paintings, drawings and/or photography, drafting, and Light Plots. Any photos of produced shows.
Scenic Design Sample artwork, drawings, paintings, still life or still life studies, and drafting. Any photos of produced works.
Sound Design Sample artwork, sound/music compositions, design concept statements, research, cue lists, signal flows charts/plots, speaker plots and any other documentations that you have made. Any photos of produced shows.
Stage Management Sample prompt scripts, cue sheets, ground plans, rehearsal notes, prop sheets, schedules, and run sheets. Any photos of produced shows.
Technical Direction/ Production Management Drafting samples, show paperwork. Photos and examples of objects that you have built.
Interview
Read Tennessee Williams’ play, “Night of the Iguana.” Questions about this play will be asked during the interview.
