Northeastern University Pre-College Programs Musical Theatre Intensive

Classes run from 10am to 6pm, and evenings are mostly for practice rather than free time. In Northeastern's sample schedule, each weekday opens with a dance warm-up at 10am, followed by a morning and an afternoon block on one song, moving from song and music analysis to acting the song and then workshopping it, with a half-hour lunch in between. Late afternoons bring musical theater history and then a college audition discussion, a guest speaker or a panel, including one with current BFA students and an alumni panel.

Evenings are study nights for your personal performer packet, optional private voice lessons or social programming, and the sample fits Broadway shows into both weeks, one of them a Saturday afternoon show followed by a cohort dinner. Each week works toward a final session on a new song, and the second week ends with a dress rehearsal, notes and a final performance with a reception. Northeastern says the schedule is only illustrative and can change.

You need to be a rising junior or senior in high school by the time the program starts, and Northeastern gives every part of the application equal weight, the way it reviews undergraduate applicants. Along with the online application, an unofficial transcript or report cards and a personal statement of up to 250 words on why you want to do the program, you send a headshot, a theater resume and an audition video. A teacher or counselor reference is optional.

Northeastern doesn't publish an acceptance rate, but it says its programs usually have 15 to 30 students. It also admits more students than it has places, so places go to admitted students who pay the deposit first.

• Two contrasting songs

  Each is a 16- to 32-bar cut from the Broadway repertoire, and pop or rock songs aren't accepted.

• Accompaniment

  You need live or taped accompaniment, and a cappella auditions won't be considered.

• Slate and framing

  Open by stating your name, hometown and song titles, and frame the shot from at least the waist up.

• Fresh footage

  Video taken from a production isn't accepted.

Tuition is $4,995, which covers classes, course materials, housing, social activities and a few group meals. Most meals are on you, and Northeastern says to budget at least $400 for food and personal expenses, so plan on about $5,395 before travel to New York. You also need health or travel health insurance for the length of the program.

Once you're admitted, a non-refundable deposit of 20% of tuition after any aid or discount (about $999 at full price) holds your place. There's no formal payment plan, although Northeastern will consider giving extra time if you ask, and families have used 529 college savings funds in the past.

Every admitted student is considered for need-based aid, which usually comes as a scholarship or a tuition discount. You apply inside the program application by giving your family's adjusted gross income and number of dependents, and the award arrives with your admissions decision. Some partner high schools and community organizations also sponsor students partly or fully.

Students live in a Northeastern NYC residence hall with the Student Life Team, a mix of professional staff and current Northeastern students who live in the building, run orientation and optional social events and offer support throughout. There's a 10pm in-building curfew every night. Living in is the expectation, and Northeastern only considers letting a student commute for serious medical or personal reasons.

You get a Recognition of Completion signed by a faculty member, but no college credit or transcript. The practical takeaway is the audition songs you've worked on and the personal performer packet you complete during study nights, which you can carry straight into college audition season.

Applications go through Northeastern's pre-college admissions page, and every deadline is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.

1. 1

   The online application opens in early December 2026.

2. 2

   Apply by the priority deadline of 15 January 2027 to hear in early February and pay your deposit by 18 February 2027.

3. 3

   The regular deadline is 28 February 2027, with decisions in mid-March and the deposit due by 1 April 2027.

4. 4

   The late deadline is 15 March 2027, with decisions in early April and the deposit due by 15 April 2027.

5. 5

   Full tuition is due by 1 May 2027.

Northeastern may close applications after the priority round if interest is very high, so 15 January 2027 is the safer target.