The Juilliard School

Degree Options for Undergrads at Juilliard

This school appears in our ranking of the 10 Best University Jazz Programs. The Juilliard School is one of the top music schools in the world. It offers degree programs in:

• dance
• music
• drama

Students have the chance to participate in performances that people come from around the world to view. The music department at the school offers programs in:

• composition
• conducting
• vocal arts
• jazz studies

Its Bachelor of Arts in Jazz Studies is a four-year program that includes courses such as:

• Jazz Theory
• Jazz Piano for Non-Pianists
• Jazz History

The school expects students to participate in both its jazz ensemble and jazz orchestra. Juilliard also offers a Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Arts for singers. Students will need to take courses on vocal performance, musical studies and dramatic studies as well as some liberal arts classes. They’ll take Acting for Singers and Movement to learn the fundamentals of performing in front of others and how to express their emotions on stage. The program also includes a course called Text and the Singer that teaches students how to read between the lines and learn what the words they sing really mean. Another degree program that appeals to students is the school’s Bachelor of Arts in Composition. It’s designed for students who want to create their own compositions. This program is open to students who have experience with both writing and performing original works. It includes a course teaching students to learn more about compositions created before the 18th century. There’s a course that helps them train their ears and brains. Students also take a Piano Class that requires they actually play some of the works they compose. Composition students have the chance to work with singers and musicians who will play their compositions in front of others.

About The Juilliard School

It was founded in 1905 as the Institute of Musical Art. It initially offered a small number of classes that it held in a large mansion in New York City. Its founders hoped that it would become a premier music school and stop students from moving overseas to study. After moving its campus multiple times, it finally established a main campus. Over the years, the school acquired new buildings and properties. In addition to degree programs, Juilliard offers a pre-college program that is open to students as young as eight. Those who apply to this program must audition in front of a panel of experts. Those chosen will have the chance to work with music teachers to hone their skills before they enroll in college later. The school also offers a number of bachelor’s degree programs in:

• music
• drama
• dance

It also offers some doctoral and master’s degree programs. One benefit of attending Juilliard is that the school allows students to gain performance experience. It puts on more than 700 performances each year. Students can also participate in fundraising performances to raise money for each department and degree program during the school year. The Juilliard School has an enrollment of around 850 students and nearly 300 pre-college students.

The Juilliard School Accreditation Details

Students who successfully complete one of the programs at The Juilliard School will gain the skills needed to work as a professional performer. The regional accreditation that the school has allows students to get help paying for their classes. It has regional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). MSCHE accreditation also makes it easier for students to transfer credits to another college or school and to apply to graduate school.

The Juilliard School Application Requirements

Juilliard is an extremely selective school that accepts less than 8 percent of the applications it receives annually. The school actually attends college fairs and other special events to talk with students about the benefits of enrolling and the programs available. It also recruits a small number of students each year. Those applying to the school for the first time will need to create an account. This lets them start the application process. The school also offers an application wizard that helps students find out the requirements for each program and what they need to do before they submit an application. Though the school does not require a specific grade point average or a standardized test score, it does ask for a transcript to ensure the students have a high school diploma or the equivalent of a high school diploma. It looks for students who:

• are fluent in the English language
• have some past training
• have talent

Students must submit an application and complete an essay by December 1. The school also asks for several video or audio files that show the student performing. Those clips act as pre-screening materials and allow the school to find students who will do best in its programs. Students must also provide the school with two recommendation letters. One letter should come from a teacher. The other letter must come from a coach, trainer or another professional with knowledge of the student’s musical talents.

Tuition and Financial Aid

The Juilliard School charges a tuition rate of more than $43,000 a year. Those living on  campus will pay between $16,000 and $20,000 a year for housing. The school recommends that students live on campus because it helps them save on transportation costs and puts them close to all their classes. Students will also have an easier time attending extracurricular events and activities. Those applying for financial aid will know how much they received and what types of aid they got before they start. Students can use the FAFSA to apply for federal aid such as grants and loans. They can also participate in the school’s federal work-study program. The school will look at the talents of each individual student and his or her estimated need when deciding who will receive scholarships. Some scholarships will cover the total balance between the student’s estimated need and the amount given in other types of financial aid. The Juilliard School allows students to renew their scholarships from year to year as long as they meet all academic requirements.

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