The Juilliard School

Key Highlights

• Private non-profit institution with strong academic tradition
• Located in a major metropolitan area with excellent opportunities
• Research-intensive with extensive graduate programs
• Diverse academic programs across multiple disciplines

Student Life & Environment

Life at Juilliard revolves around practice, rehearsal, and performance in ways that non-conservatory students might find difficult to imagine. The Meredith Willson Residence Hall houses most students in single and double rooms, with practice rooms available around the clock for musicians who need to put in their daily hours. The building connects directly to the main academic facility, allowing students to roll out of bed and into a rehearsal studio within minutes. The Lincoln Center location places students at the cultural epicenter of New York City. The Metropolitan Opera, New York Philharmonic, and New York City Ballet perform literally next door, and student discounts make attending world-class performances accessible even on tight budgets. Many students find themselves working as supernumeraries or understudies at these venues, gaining professional experience before graduation. Social life tends to form around shared artistic pursuits rather than traditional campus activities. Students jam together in practice rooms, form chamber groups for competitions, and attend each other's recitals and performances. The intensity of training creates bonds forged through shared struggle and artistic growth. Dating within the small student body is common, though demanding schedules leave limited time for traditional campus social scenes. Attending Juilliard means accepting that your art comes first, second, and third in your daily priorities. A typical music student's day begins with morning technique classes, followed by private lessons with a master teacher, ensemble rehearsals in the afternoon, and practice sessions that stretch into the evening hours.

Location & Surroundings

Juilliard's position at Lincoln Center places it at the absolute center of New York City's performing arts world, a location that shapes student experience in profound ways. The campus sits on the Upper West Side of Manhattan at 65th Street and Broadway, surrounded by the Metropolitan Opera House, David Geffen Hall (home of the New York Philharmonic), the New York City Ballet, and the Lincoln Center Theater. Students walk past these venues daily, entering a world where professional artistry happens within steps of their classrooms. The neighborhood offers the best and challenges of Manhattan living. Restaurants, cafes, and shops line Broadway and Columbus Avenue, providing options for meals and supplies. Central Park begins just a few blocks east, offering green space for students needing escape from practice room intensity. The 1 train provides quick access to the rest of Manhattan, from Times Square and the theater district to downtown galleries and performance spaces. Housing costs in the Upper West Side rank among the highest in the country, making the on-campus residence hall essential for most students. Those who move off campus as upperclassmen often commute from outer boroughs or New Jersey to find affordable housing, adding travel time to already demanding schedules. The city itself serves as a classroom and laboratory. Students attend professional performances, take auditions for professional opportunities, and network with working artists who recognize Juilliard students as potential future colleagues.

Costs & Career Outcomes

Juilliard graduates populate the highest ranks of the performing arts world with a consistency that justifies the school's reputation and selectivity. The orchestral placement record speaks for itself: principal players in the New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and virtually every other major American ensemble received their training here. International orchestras from Berlin to Tokyo similarly feature Juilliard alumni in leadership positions. The Drama Division boasts an alumni list that reads like award show credits. Graduates include Oscar winners Viola Davis and Jessica Chastain, Tony Award recipients Kevin Kline and Patti LuPone, and television stars from Robin Williams to Laura Linney. The annual showcase for graduating actors draws hundreds of agents and casting directors, with most students signing representation before commencement. Financial aid at Juilliard aims to make training accessible regardless of family resources. The school meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted students, with scholarship packages that can cover full tuition for exceptional artists with limited means. Many students also receive merit scholarships based on their auditions, reducing the financial burden of conservatory education. Career services at Juilliard focus on practical professional development: audition technique, tax preparation for freelancers, contract negotiation, and artist management. The school's network extends globally, with alumni actively mentoring current students and referring them for professional opportunities. Dance alumni perform with New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and contemporary companies worldwide.

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