REQUIREMENTS

If you have completed your junior year in high school by June 2012, and would like to apply to the Theatre Arts Division, you must:

• rank academically near the top 30 percent of your high school class and submit a current transcript of high school credits

• submit results of the Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test (PSAT), when available

• meet a high standard of character, dependability, and intelligence

• give evidence of special experience and/or interest in the theatre arts

• complete by July 1, 2012, your junior year of high school

The Theatre Arts Division is a competitive program, and application decisions are based on ability and merit. Enrollment is limited.

Students who will not be seniors during the 2012-13 school year are not eligible.

DEADLINES

Early Admission: March 9, 2012. If your application, resume, recommendation, essays and transcript are received by March 9, you will be notified no later than April 1.

Regular Admission: April 13, 2012. If your application, resume, recommendation, essays, and transcript are received by April 13, you will be notified by May 1.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to make sure that ALL necessary application materials have been received in the NHSI office by the deadline dates. 

If you are not sure that your application is complete, please call (800) 662-NHSI or e-mail us, nhsi@northwestern.edu.

FEES

The basic fee for Theatre Arts and Design/Technical is $4900. The Musical Theatre fee is $7100. This includes tuition, room, board, health service (not insurance), field trips, and group events. Any additional expenses are at your discretion.

Due to a computer server problem we are not accepting application fees at this time (yes, that's good news).  If you have already sent us a check please contact Nick at nhsi@northwestern.edu and we can discuss applying your fee to your tuition.  

In order to be accepted into the Theatre Division, you must complete the 5 requirements (6 for Musical Theatre) listed below. 

1. Click Here to Apply Online and for online payment of application fee

2. Please write a paragraph on each of the following two topics:

(a) Why is theatre important to the world?

(b) Why is theatre important, specifically, to you?

3. List all experience in theatre. i.e. Theatrical resume. Include: (a) name of each production, (b) role or crew assignment, (c) date of production (month and year), and (d) name of producing organization (e.g. high school, community theatre, college).

4. Ask your guidance counselor to send us the following items: (or you can have them give you the official copy to send to us)

• A transcript of your high school record (OFFICIAL COPY)
• School profile sheet
• Your PSAT, SAT, and/or ACT scores or other standardized test scores - if available (these can be sent directly from the student as well)

5. Ask your drama teacher or coach to send us a letter of recommendation that gives us an estimate of your talents, experience or abilities in theatre and/or drama. The letter also should address your personal characteristics, such as initiative, reliability, leadership, and ability to work with others. Letters MUST be written on school letterhead.

* Musical Theatre Extension students—See additional requirements.

The application fee and all 5 parts (6 for Musical Theatre) of the application (including financial aid form and associated paperwork if applicant is applying for financial aid) are required to complete an application. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. It is the responsibility of the student to make sure that all pieces of the application reach the NHSI office by the deadline date. All pieces of the application must REACH THE NHSI OFFICE on or before the deadline date. To check on the completion of your application, please call 1-800-662-NHSI or email us at nhsi@northwestern.edu

Each applicant must:

• Carefully read the 5  (6 for Musical Theatre) requirements of the Theatre Division listed above
• Complete and submit the on-line application (including application fee)
• Send items 2 through 5 (6 for Musical Theatre) (together or separately) to:

Theatre Division
National High School Institute
Northwestern University
617 Noyes Street
Evanston, IL  60208-4165

P. 800.662-NHSI
P. 847.491.3026
Fax 847.467.1057
nhsi@northwestern.edu