Carnegie Mellon Pre-College Drama is a six-week residential program for high school juniors and seniors that offers training and preparation for college auditions and interviews within an acclaimed drama conservatory. Each of the three disciplines offered - Musical Theater, Acting, and Design/Production - has a different focus that will bring students unique experiences, challenging opportunities, and preparation for future theater endeavors. Through this program, students may find value in a wider, liberal arts undergraduate experience where they can explore all the options afforded to them.
Pre-College Drama students are involved in a wide variety of classroom projects, topics, workshops, lectures and demonstrations, seminars, and master classes. All provide curriculum enrichment. Students will attend classes for approximately eight hours a day, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. with a daily lunch break. Classes are taught by accomplished Carnegie Mellon University faculty and adjunct professors.
We offer several pathways to discover and prepare for an education and career in theater:
Acting and Musical Theater: Students focus on the audition process rather than a production, allowing students to enter the college application and audition process with a repertoire of monologues and songs, as well as the skills needed to find material appropriate for their age and type.
Design/Production: Students leave with the beginning of a cohesive portfolio upon which they can build for their college application process.
Location(s)
- Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Schedule
- Six weeks from early July to mid August
Cost/Compensation
- Residential Tuition (includes room and board): $10,734
- Commuter Tuition: $7,830
Eligibility Requirements
- Be at least 16 years old by the program start date.
- Be a current sophomore or junior in high school at the time of application submission.
Deadline
- Early Decision & International - February 1
- Regular Decision & Scholarship - March 15
Application or Entry Requirements
- Completed online application
- Unofficial transcript
- Standardized test scores (optional)
- One letter of recommendation
- Responses to the two essay prompts (300-500 words each)
- What do you hope to gain from participating in Carnegie Mellon’s Pre-College Programs?
- The study of theater demands a high level of commitment to properly learn the tools of the industry. Tell us why you feel ready to devote the time and energy required to complete the difficult coursework offered by Pre-College Drama, and why you feel you are prepared to commit to conservatory training.
Notifications of Decisions
Financial Aid Details
Full scholarships covering tuition, housing, and dining are available to students demonstrating financial need. You can elect to be considered for a scholarship within the online application.
Please note: International students are not eligible for scholarship consideration.
Other Dates to Keep in Mind
Have other questions?
Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) is a private research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The university was founded in 1900 by industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, who donated a significant portion of his wealth towards the establishment of the institution, and is known for emphasizing an interdisciplinary approach to education. CMU has consistently been ranked as one of the top research universities in the United States, particularly in the fields of computer science, engineering, and the arts. Carnegie Mellon is also well known for its robotics research, with the university's Robotics Institute being one of the largest and most respected in the world.
