What Juilliard School is and who it serves
Juilliard School is a private conservatory in New York City that trains musicians, dancers, actors, and playwrights. It does not offer general education degrees — every student is there to study a single performing art at an advanced level. The school is selective: admission depends on audition performance, not test scores or grades alone, though academic records are reviewed.
Juilliard serves students from high school age through graduate level. Undergraduate students typically spend four years there; graduate students may spend two to three years depending on their program. The school is known for small class sizes, faculty who are active performers and choreographers, and access to performance venues on campus.
Juilliard is not a path for every musician or dancer. It is designed for students who have already trained seriously in their art and who want to pursue performance or teaching at a professional level. If you are exploring whether conservatory training fits your goals, understanding how Juilliard's structure differs from university music programs or community-based training will help you decide whether to audition.
Key Takeaways
- Admission to Juilliard requires an audition in your instrument or art form; academic credentials are secondary to artistic ability.
- Tuition is approximately $57,000 per year for undergraduates, with additional fees for room, board, and materials that vary by program.
- Financial aid is available through federal loans, Juilliard's own grants, and outside scholarships, though the school does not meet full demonstrated need for all students.
- The audition process happens in winter and early spring, with decisions released by April; some students audition in person in New York, while others use recorded submissions.
- Juilliard's curriculum is conservatory-based, meaning most of your time is spent on your major art form rather than general education courses.
Audition requirements and what the school looks for
Every applicant must audition. The audition is the primary factor in admission decisions. For musicians, you will prepare a repertoire list in your instrument and perform selections live or submit a video recording, depending on the program and audition format offered that year. For dancers, you will perform combinations taught during the audition session. For actors, you will perform monologues and participate in scene work. For playwrights, you will submit a script and discuss your work in an interview.
Juilliard publishes specific repertoire requirements for each instrument and level (undergraduate or graduate). A violinist, for example, might be asked to prepare a Bach solo, a concerto movement, and a contemporary piece. The school's website lists these requirements by discipline and updates them annually. You should check the current requirements before you prepare, because they change.
Academic records and standardized test scores are reviewed but are not the deciding factor. The school wants to see that you can handle college-level work, but a student with a lower GPA but exceptional audition performance may be admitted over a student with higher grades and a weaker audition. Letters of recommendation from your private teacher or ensemble director carry weight because they speak to your musicianship and work ethic.
Tuition, fees, and the total cost of attendance
Tuition at Juilliard for the 2024–2025 academic year is approximately $57,000 per year for undergraduates. Graduate tuition varies by program but is in a similar range. This is tuition only and does not include room and board, books, instrument maintenance, or other expenses.
Room and board on or near campus costs roughly $20,000 to $25,000 per year, depending on housing type and meal plan. Students in certain programs — particularly dance — may have additional costs for pointe shoes, dancewear, or other materials. Music students may need to budget for instrument repair and maintenance, which can range from a few hundred dollars annually for some instruments to several thousand for others.
The total cost of attendance for a year is typically between $80,000 and $90,000 for an undergraduate student living on or near campus. Graduate costs vary by program. These figures do not include travel to auditions, private lessons outside the school, or personal expenses.
Financial aid: grants, loans, and outside funding
Juilliard offers financial aid through a combination of grants (money you do not repay), federal loans, and work-study positions. To be considered for aid, you must complete the Free process for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and Juilliard's own financial aid form. The school uses the FAFSA to calculate your Expected Family Contribution — the amount your family is expected to contribute based on income and assets.
Juilliard does not meet the full demonstrated financial need of every student. This means that even after the school awards you grants and loans, you may still have a gap between what aid covers and what attendance actually costs. The school's financial aid website shows the percentage of students who receive aid and the average aid package, which can help you understand what to expect.
Federal loans are available to all students who complete the FAFSA. Undergraduate students can borrow through the Direct Loan program; graduate students have access to additional loan options. Work-study positions on campus pay hourly wages and are reserved for students who receive financial aid. Outside scholarships from music organizations, community foundations, or private donors can reduce the amount you need to borrow, though these are competitive and vary by location and instrument.
The audition timeline and how to prepare
Auditions typically take place between January and March, with decisions released by early April. Some students audition in person at Juilliard's campus in New York; others submit video recordings if they cannot travel. The school's website announces the audition calendar and registration dates each fall, usually in September or October.
To prepare, you should start working with your private teacher or ensemble director at least six months before your intended audition date. They can help you select repertoire that shows your strengths and meets Juilliard's requirements. Many students attend summer music festivals or intensives in the year before they audition, both to improve their playing and to get feedback from professional musicians.
If you are auditioning by video, you will need access to a good-quality recording setup — either a professional recording studio or a high-quality camera and microphone. The school provides technical specifications for video submissions on its website. If you are auditioning in person, you should plan to arrive in New York a day or two early to adjust to the environment and have a final lesson with a teacher if possible.
Curriculum structure and what you will study
Juilliard's curriculum is conservatory-based, which means the majority of your time is spent on your major art form. An undergraduate music student might spend 60 to 70 percent of their course load on lessons, ensemble rehearsals, and performance, with the remainder split between music history, theory, and general education courses. A dance student will spend most of their time in technique classes, rehearsals, and performances, with some coursework in dance history and related subjects.
All undergraduate students are required to take courses in music theory, music history, and liberal arts, regardless of their major. These courses are taught by faculty at Juilliard and are designed for conservatory students, not general college students. The liberal arts requirement typically includes writing, humanities, and social sciences courses and is meant to provide context for your artistic training.
Graduate programs are more specialized. A graduate conducting student, for example, will focus almost entirely on conducting technique, score study, and rehearsal with orchestras. A graduate acting student will work intensively on scene study, voice, movement, and performance in productions. Graduate students typically do not take general education courses unless they are pursuing a degree that requires them.
Housing, student life, and campus resources
Juilliard operates residence halls on and near its campus in the Lincoln Center area of Manhattan. Housing is not may provide for all students, and priority is given to first-year students and those with documented need. Many students live in Juilliard housing; others rent apartments in the surrounding neighborhoods or commute from home if they live in the New York area.
The school provides practice rooms, performance spaces, a library, and rehearsal studios for student use. Music students have access to instrument lockers and maintenance facilities. Dance students have multiple studios for technique and rehearsal. The school also hosts regular performances, masterclasses, and lectures by visiting artists, which are often open to students.
Student life at Juilliard is centered on performance and artistic development rather than traditional college activities. There is no football team, Greek life, or large student organizations in the conventional sense. Instead, students form ensembles, attend performances by peers, and collaborate on projects. The school's small size — roughly 800 undergraduate and 400 graduate students — means you will know many of your peers by name.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to have attended a music school or conservatory prep program before explore to Juilliard?
No formal requirement exists, but most admitted students have studied privately with a teacher for many years and have performed in ensembles or competitions. If you have trained seriously in your art form outside of school, you can still audition. What matters is your current level of skill and potential, not where you trained.
What happens if I don't get in on my first audition?
You can audition again the following year. Many students audition multiple times before admission. Between auditions, work with your teacher to strengthen the areas where feedback suggested improvement, and consider attending summer intensives or festivals to develop your skills.
Can I double major or study two instruments at Juilliard?
Juilliard's structure does not support double majors in the traditional sense. You have one primary instrument or art form. Some students pursue a secondary instrument through private lessons, but this is not an official degree track and requires approval from your teacher and the school.
Is Juilliard worth the cost if I have to take out loans?
This depends on your goals and financial situation. Juilliard's reputation and training can open doors in performance and teaching, but it is expensive. Compare the total cost of attendance, the financial aid package you receive, and your career goals before deciding. Speaking with current students and alumni about their experience and career outcomes can help you make an informed decision.
What if I want to study music but am not sure I want to attend a conservatory?
Many universities offer music degrees with a balance of performance training and general education. Community colleges also offer music programs that are less expensive and may allow you to transfer to a conservatory later. Consider what balance of artistic training and academic breadth fits your goals before you commit to a conservatory path.