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Admissions and Financial Information

The Tepper Semester is open to Syracuse University drama students and drama students from other colleges and universities.

A student stands and sings in a rehearsal studio. A person plays the piano in the background.


Application Deadlines

The application deadlines for Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 have passed. We will announce deadlines for Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 when available.

Admissions Process

To be eligible to participate in the Tepper Semester, all applicants should have a minimum of a 2.8 GPA and have completed at least four semesters of a collegiate drama or arts program.

To apply, complete the following steps:

  1. Fill out the Tepper Semester application.
  2. Submit the Tepper Semester $60 application fee.
  3. Submit area-specific materials as described below:

Acting and Musical Theater

  • Submit a head shot.

Design/Tech, Theater Management, Stage Management, Playwriting, Directing, Producing, Dramaturgy, and Casting:

Please review the following instructions that may pertain to your application:

  • Resume of academic and professional experience 
  • Written Statement. Students are asked to complete a written statement
  • Internship. Production students will need to complete an internship for their coursework. With the assistance of the Tepper leadership, students are required to secure a New York City internship in preparation for the program. Students may also contact the Tepper Semester program office for further information. 
  • Additional Materials: Stage management, design/tech, playwriting, and dramaturgy students are required to provide samples in the form of the following:
    • Production book materials (stage management students)
    • Portfolio (design/tech students)
    • A writing sample (playwriting students)
    • Dramaturgy packet (dramaturgy students)

All samples will be submitted via a link to Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive.  

For questions, please contact Casey O'Neil at the Tepper Semester, caoneil@syr.edu.

To be eligible to participate in the Tepper Semester, all applicants should have a minimum of a 2.8 GPA and have completed at least four semesters of a collegiate drama or arts program.

To apply, complete the following steps:

  1. Fill out the Tepper Semester application.
  2. Submit the Tepper Semester $60 application fee.
  3. Submit the Study New York Approval Form. Non-Syracuse University students should submit any necessary permissions their home university requires to study away/abroad. These can be sent directly to Casey O'Neil caoneil@syr.edu. 
  4. Submit a transcript. Non-Syracuse University students are asked to have one official transcript of all college work. Students who have transferred to their present colleges should also request that a transcript from their previous college or colleges be sent to the Tepper Semester program office. 
  5. Two letters of recommendation. Non-Syracuse University students must submit two letters of recommendation from an academic reference. 
  6. Submit area-specific materials as described below:

Acting and Musical Theater

  • Submit a head shot.

Design/Tech, Theater Management, Stage Management, Playwriting, Directing, Producing, Dramaturgy, and Casting:

Please review the following instructions that may pertain to your application:

  • Resume of academic and professional experience 
  • Written Statement. Students are asked to complete a written statement
  • Internship. Production students will need to complete an internship for their coursework. With the assistance of the Tepper leadership, students are required to secure a New York City internship in preparation for the program. Students may also contact the Tepper Semester program office for further information. 
  • Additional Materials: Stage management, design/tech, playwriting, and dramaturgy students are required to provide samples in the form of the following:
    • Production book materials (stage management students)
    • Portfolio (design/tech students)
    • A writing sample (playwriting students)
    • Dramaturgy packet (dramaturgy students)

All samples will be submitted via a link to Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive.  

For questions, please contact Casey O'Neil at the Tepper Semester, caoneil@syr.edu.

Costs and Fees

Costs for the Tepper Semester include tuition, program fee and living costs associated with housing and meals. A tuition and fees breakdown is listed below; this information can also be found in Syracuse University's Tuition, Fees, and Related Policies Bulletin. 

The Tepper Semester program staff can advise students as to the most convenient and budget-friendly housing and meal options in New York City. Please reach out to Casey O'Neil in the Tepper Semester office at caoneil@syr.edu for more information or questions about housing and meals.

Tuition and Fees Breakdown (2025-26)

Acting Musical Theater Directing, Design/Tech, Casting, Stage Management, Playwriting, Producing, Theater Management, Dramaturgy
Tuition $33,290 $33,290 $33,290
Program Fee* $3,075 $4,015 $2,383
Total $36,365 $37,305 $35,673

*The program fee covers theater tickets as well as field trips, special events and all other program services. The program fees for musical theater students cover private singing lessons and additional dance classes. The program fee for design/tech and stage management students will be calculated according to the student's course of study and individual semester plan.

Financial Aid

During the planning and organizing of your trip, you may find that you need assistance financing your New York City program fee. Please read the information below to determine what programs are available to you and how to begin the application process.

Syracuse University Students

All Syracuse University students who apply for the Tepper Semester will automatically be considered for grants and scholarships funded by the University. No separate application is required.

Additional financial aid may be available to cover the cost of program fee, meals and housing with a student, parent or alternative loan. You may apply for this additional funding once you have registered for the New York City course and the College of Visual and Performing Arts informs our office of your attendance in the program.

What financial aid do you already have? If you are already a financial aid recipient, you should check your financial aid award notice (FAN) to determine if you are already receiving the maximum allowable Federal Direct Loan. If not, you may use the difference toward financing your New York City program. In addition, your parent may apply for a Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan to cover your program fee.

For more information on these types of loans and alternative loan programs, visit Syracuse University's Office of Financial Aid & Scholarship Programs website.

Non-Syracuse University Students

All Non-Syracuse University matriculated students should contact the financial aid office at their home college regarding availability of funding. Under certain circumstances, students matriculated at other institutions, where the home institution will not provide assistance while a student is enrolled at Syracuse University, may receive a federal student loan through Syracuse University. If you are in this position, you should contact Casey O'Neil, caoneil@syr.edu, in the Tepper Semester office for additional information.