Organizer Information
Wake Forest University is a private research university in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, offering undergraduate education through a liberal-arts curriculum. Relevant arts and media study is available through the Undergraduate College and departments/programs including Art, Film and Media Studies, Music, Theatre, and Critical and Creative Media.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: Wake Forest University
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate
- Degrees Offered: BA, BS
- Academic Fields: Fine Arts, Art History, Studio Art, Film & Media, Music, Theatre, Communication, Humanities and other disciplines
- Relevant Programs: Art History, B.A.; Studio Art, B.A.; Critical and Creative Media, B.A.; Music, B.A.; Theatre, B.A.; Film & Media Studies, Minor; Creative Writing, Minor.
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: 1 August 2026–1 January 2027, depending on admission round
- Application Deadline: 15 November 2026 or 1 January 2027, depending on admission round
- Start of Studies: Fall 2027
- Application Fee: $85
- Tuition: $71,894 for 2026–27
- Funding: Merit-based scholarships; international students are eligible for most Wake Forest merit-based scholarship programs.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- Wake Forest offers more than 50 undergraduate majors and more than 60 minors. Relevant creative and cultural disciplines include Studio Art, Art History, Critical and Creative Media, Film & Media Studies, Music, Theatre, and Creative Writing.
- The Studio Art curriculum includes drawing, design, film and video, painting, photography, printmaking and sculpture. The Film and Media Studies program is offered as a minor and takes an interdisciplinary approach to film aesthetics, history, production and theory.
- Portfolio requirements are program-specific. The Studio Art B.A. requires a portfolio of visual work, while the Art History B.A. requires a portfolio of written work.
General Eligibility
Wake Forest accepts both domestic and international undergraduate applicants. First-year international applicants apply through the same undergraduate application system as other first-year applicants.
Educational Background
First-year applicants must submit an official high school transcript and Secondary School Report. International applicants must provide certified transcripts from each secondary school, college, or university attended; records covering at least four years of schooling are required for evaluation.
No general professional-experience requirement is stated for first-year undergraduate admission.
Language Requirements
- International applicants whose first language is not English must submit an English proficiency test score. Wake Forest accepts TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo. The requirement is waived for students attending schools where English is the main language of instruction for at least three years. Wake Forest does not superscore English-language testing.
- No minimum IELTS, TOEFL, or Duolingo score is specified on the verified undergraduate admissions pages reviewed.
Application Fee
| Applicant Type | Application Fee | Waiver |
|---|---|---|
| First-year applicants | $85 | Fee waivers are available to applicants who request and qualify for assistance |
| Transfer applicants | $85 | Fee waivers are available to applicants who request and qualify for assistance |
Tuition
| Study Level | Applicant Type | Tuition | Billing Structure | Other Mandatory Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate, 2026–27 | All undergraduate students | $71,894 | Annual | $1,276 in listed direct student fees |
The 2026–27 estimated cost of attendance is $98,730, including tuition, fees, housing, food and other estimated expenses. The university identifies activity, wellness and health-service charges among standard student fees.
Funding & Financial Support
- Wake Forest offers need-based and merit-based financial assistance. International students classified as international by Undergraduate Admissions are not eligible for institutional need-based aid, but they are eligible for most Wake Forest merit-based scholarship programs.
- Applicants seeking merit scholarships should submit their complete undergraduate admission application by 15 November 2026. The Presidential Scholarship includes 20 renewable awards of $16,000 annually for students admitted to Wake Forest who demonstrate exceptional talent in areas including art, dance, debate, music and theatre.
University Services & Academic Support
Wake Forest provides academic advising through the Office of Academic Advising, while the Center for Learning, Access, and Student Success (CLASS) provides academic coaching, peer tutoring and disability-related academic accommodations. The Office of Personal and Career Development provides career coaching, résumé and cover-letter support, interview preparation, internship guidance and career planning.
Application Requirements
For first-year applicants, required materials include:
- $85 application fee
- Undergraduate Admissions Application
- Official high school transcript
- Secondary School Report
- One letter of recommendation from a college counselor/advisor or teacher
- TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo score for applicable international applicants
- Early Decision Agreement for applicants using Early Decision I or II
Optional materials include a counselor recommendation, supplemental questions, video or virtual interview, SAT/ACT scores and a mid-year school report. SAT/ACT scores are considered only when applicants choose to have them considered.
Program-specific creative requirements also apply: the Studio Art B.A. requires a visual-work portfolio, while the Art History B.A. requires a written-work portfolio.
How to Apply?
- Application Portal
Deadline & Timeline
- Application Opens: 1 August 2026
- Early Decision I Deadline: 15 November 2026
- Early Action Deadline: 15 November 2026
- Early Decision II Deadline: 1 January 2027
- Regular Decision Deadline: 1 January 2027
- Early Action Decision: 15 January 2027
- Early Decision II Decision: 15 February 2027
- Regular Decision Results: Around 1 April 2027
- Enrollment Decision Deadline: 1 May 2027
- Start of Studies: Fall 2027
Location
Wake Forest University — Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States
Additional Details
Wake Forest's Early Action round is specifically for first-generation college students, including qualifying international students. Early Decision I and Early Decision II are binding admission rounds, while Early Action and Regular Decision are non-binding.
The university's undergraduate curriculum includes broad basic and divisional requirements alongside the student's major. The Fine Arts division includes Art, Music, Theatre and Dance.