Intro
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FAA Application Process
Step 1: Apply Online
Tell Us About Yourself
Complete the online application from the university’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions. First-year students must submit through the Common Application. Make sure you meet all requirements.
You’ll answer short essay questions as part of your application. This is your opportunity to tell us why you’re interested in your major. You may want to describe an experience related to this area of the arts or write about what you plan for your life as a creative professional.
You will automatically be considered for scholarships once you submit your materials. No separate scholarship application is needed. If your major requires a portfolio, an interview, or an audition, you will also be considered for talent awards.
Apply to the University of Illinois
First-Year Deadlines for Fall 2027
Early Action
The early action filing period ends on November 1, 2026.
Students who meet the criteria for early action consideration will be notified about their admission decision on January 29, 2027.
Regular Admission
The regular application deadline is January 5, 2027.
Students who meet the criteria for regular admission consideration will be notified about their admission decision on February 26, 2027.
Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Sustainable Design, Hip Hop Culture and the Arts, Immersive and Interactive Theatre, and Urban Planning Programs
- The application must be received by November 1, 2026, for early action consideration and January 5, 2027, for regular admission consideration. No talent submission is required for these programs.
Art and Design Programs
- Early action: The application and portfolio must be received by November 1, 2026.
- Regular decision: The application must be received by January 5, 2027, and the portfolio must be received by January 15, 2027.
Dance Programs
- Early action: The application must be received and the audition/interview must be completed by November 1, 2026.
- Regular decision: The application must be received by January 5, 2027, and the live audition/interview requirement must be completed by February 11, 2027.
Music Programs
- Early action: The application must be received by November 1, 2026. The music supplement form must be completed and additional requirements (audition recording, essay, interview, or portfolio, if required by major) must be fulfilled by November 5, 2026, or a live audition must be completed by November 14, 2026.
- Regular admission: The application must be received by January 5, 2027. The music supplement form must be completed and additional requirements (audition recording, essay, interview, or portfolio, if required by major) must be fulfilled by January 10, 2027, or a live audition must be completed by February 6, 2027.
See the School of Music’s application process and timeline for more information.
Theatre Programs
- Early action: The application must be received by November 1, 2026, and the live audition/interview/portfolio requirement must be completed by January 8, 2027.
- Regular decision: The application must be received by January 5, 2027, and the live audition/interview/portfolio requirement must be completed by February 5, 2027, for regular admission consideration.
Step 2: Fulfill the Talent Requirement
Find Your Major
Visual and Performing Arts Programs
- First-choice applications to all visual and performing arts programs require an audition, a portfolio review, or an interview in addition to an application to the University of Illinois. A talent-based submission is required for all second-choice majors in art and design, dance, and theatre programs. All majors in the School of Music, except the Music BA, are available only as first-choice majors. Talent submissions are not required for second-choice applications for the Music BA.
Find your major below and follow the next part of the process.
Degree Programs with No Talent-Based Submission Requirements
- Architectural Studies (BS): submit your university application only
- Fine and Applied Arts (BA)—transfer students only: submit your university application only
- Hip Hop Culture and the Arts (BA): submit your university application only
- Immersive and Interactive Theatre (BA): submit your university application only
- Landscape Architecture (BLA): submit your university application only
- Sustainable Design (BS): submit your university application only
- Urban Studies and Planning (BA): submit your university application only
Art and Design
- Art and Art History (BFA)
- Art Education (BFA)
- Art Undeclared (freshman option only; major is declared sophomore year)
- Graphic Design (BFA)
- Industrial Design (BFA)
- Studio Art (BFA)
- Concentrations
- Fashion
- General Studio Art
- Illustration
- Interdisciplinary Studies
- New Media
- Painting
- Photography
- Printmaking
- Sculpture
- Concentrations
- Studio Art (BA)
If you haven’t decided what area fits best with your talents, you may apply to the Art Undeclared program and choose your major on December 1 of your first year of study. A portfolio is still required to complete your application to Art Undeclared. Portfolios do not have to contain material specific to your major.
Dance
We want to see you in action! You must audition and interview to join Dance at Illinois.
- Dance (BA)
- Dance (BFA)
- Dance (BA) + Kinesiology (BS)
Music
1. After submitting an application to the university you will receive a supplemental music form in 24–48 hours. Please fill it out and submit it. The supplemental music form will allow you to schedule your talent submission date.
2. Next you will need to fulfill the talent requirement for your area of interest.
- Computer Science and Music (BS)
- Instrumental Music (BMUS)
- Jazz Performance (BMUS)
- Lyric Theatre (BMA)
- Music (BA)
- Music Composition (BA)
- Music Education (BME)
- Musicology (BMUS)
- Music Open Studies (BMUS)
- Voice (BMUS)
Talent Requirements by Major | Audition and Interview Events
Theatre
- Acting (BFA)
- Arts and Entertainment Technology (BFA)
- Costume Design and Technology (BFA)
- Lighting Design and Technology (BFA)
- Scenic Design (BFA)
- Scenic Technology (BFA)
- Sound Design and Technology (BFA)
- Stage Management (BFA)
- Theatre Studies (BFA)
Talent Requirements by Major | Audition and Interview Events
Transfer Students
Requirements
Qualified transfer students from both community and four-year college programs are eligible for admission. Academic and artistic qualifications are considered equally during the admissions review process, and both may impact your placement in core courses in your major. To learn about transfer requirements and the admissions process, review the Transfer Prep Checklist before applying. You might also want to review the transfer student information from the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and the application materials deadlines.
Application Filing Periods
- Spring 2027: September 1–October 1, 2026
- Deadline: October 1, 2026
- Admission notification: November/December 2026
- No spring admission for Architectural Studies (BSAS), Fine and Applied Arts (BA), or School of Art and Design majors
- Fall 2027: January 15–April 5, 2027
- Priority deadline: February 1, 2027
- Admission notification: April 15, 2027
- Final deadline: April 5, 2027
- Admission notification: June 1, 2027
- Priority deadline: February 1, 2027
Art and Design
Your portfolio does not have to contain material specific to your major. The School of Art and Design does not have spring transfer admissions. Transfer portfolios must be submitted by April 1.
Dance, Music, and Theatre
Our performing arts programs have audition, portfolio, or interview requirements for admission. Each area has individual guidelines for assessing your talent.
Graduate Students
Graduate College
All students interested in earning a graduate degree in the College of Fine and Applied Arts must apply for admission through the Graduate College. If you have questions, contact a representative by phone at 217.333.0035 or email grad@illinois.edu.