Successful B.A. candidates are curious students with strong writing and critical thinking skills, who are interested in performance as an object of study. This includes students who enjoy thinking and writing about performance. We are not a performing arts department - we don't train students to do performance - but we welcome students who are excited about analyzing and understanding it in a disciplinary context that includes anthropology, ethnic and gender studies, religious studies, philosophy, etc.
Admission is based on previous academic achievement and evidence of strong skills in writing and cultural analysis.
After you submit the Common App, we strongly encourage you to apply for financial aid immediately if you believe you will need any assistance to make your NYU education possible. Information on how to apply, complete the FAFSA and CSS Profile (required to be considered for financial assistance), types of financial aid and more, can be found here.
Undergraduate applicants must complete the NYU Common Application online, and a Written Supplement ("Portfolio"). All materials should be received by the dates listed below.
| PLAN | PORTFOLIO DEADLINE | COMMON APP DEADLINE |
| Early Decision 1 | November 1 |
November 1 |
| Early Decision 2 | January 1 | January 1 |
| Regular Decision | January 5 | January 5 |
| Spring Transfer | November 1 | November 1 |
| Summer/Fall Internal | March 1 | March 1 |
| Summer/Fall External | April 1 | April 1 |
To apply to the Department of Performance Studies, applicants must complete both the New York University common application, and you should submit a two-part portfolio directly to the Department of Performance Studies:
PART 1: Performance Studies is an academic field that examines the histories and impacts of all the arts (Theater, Dance, Music, Visual Arts) on the social world, while also giving students a strong foundation in the humanities. The program allows students to pursue their academic interests and encourages students to connect their studies to their outside artistic practices.
For the Portfolio, please submit a 750-1000 word statement that addresses your interest in performance studies:
*We are not a conservatory program in acting, dance, or music. If you are interested in applying to such programs please contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
PART 2: Please submit a three to five page academic essay on a performance of your choice. It can be from any genre, medium, or historical period. We are looking for a detailed analysis of the performance, strong writing and critical thinking skills, and a well-developed argument as to how the performance impacts the here-and-now.
To apply to the Department of Performance Studies, applicants must complete both the Internal Transfer Application online, and submit a statement of purpose ("Portfolio").
For the Portfolio, you should submit a two-part portfolio directly to the Department of Performance Studies:
PART 1: Performance Studies is an academic field that examines the histories and impacts of all the arts (Theater, Dance, Music, Visual Arts) on the social world, while also giving students a strong foundation in the humanities. The program allows students to pursue their academic interests and encourages students to connect their studies to their outside artistic practices.
For the Portfolio, please submit a 750-1000 word statement that addresses your interest in performance studies:
How might your academic background and passion for the arts be guided further by Performance Studies?
How might the strengths of our program across scholarly fields help you to realize your academic and professional goals? You will notice from our website that we are especially conversant in gender and sexuality, queer theory, race and ethnicity, philosophy, Black Studies, Dance Studies, Media Studies, Sound and Music, Latina/x and Latin American Studies, Asian and Asian-American Studies, Visual Arts and Curation.
*We are not a conservatory program in acting, dance, or music. If you are interested in applying to such programs please contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
PART 2: Please submit a three to five page academic essay on a performance of your choice. It can be from any genre, medium, or historical period. We are looking for a detailed analysis of the performance, strong writing and critical thinking skills, and a well-developed argument as to how the performance impacts the here-and-now.
To externally transfer to the Department of Performance Studies, apply here.
"This department is a really exciting place to work. The students and faculty are so inventive in their pursuit of rigorous thought and expressive possibilities, in their boldness, and with the de-territorialization they undertake of the disciplines that influence the field. If there is a future, performance studies is a part of it."
— Malik Gaines, Assistant Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies