How to apply and how to plan for an audition

Imagine spending three weeks honing your skills in the arts you love! The total list follows.

Acting
Creative Writing
Dance---ballet and modern
Digital Art--from photo editing to creating virtual games
Instrumental Music
Studio Art
Vocal Music

Applying to GSA’s summer program is not difficult, but it does require special attention to deadlines and the details of your art form. The window for applying is November 12-December 16. Review this portion of the website carefully, and be sure to closely read the pages for your discipline in How to Plan for Your Audition. Information about the link for the audition directions is near the bottom of this page.

Steps for applying to GSA

Submit your application and letters of recommendation by the published date (December 16, 2019).

Apply in only one art form. Instrumentalists may audition with two instruments; however, the time allowed for the audition will not be increased.

Complete both parts of the application. The application itself is two-pronged. Part I must be submitted online, and it must be completed before submitting the check-off list to the counselor. (See counselor's page on Part II)

Supply a current email account/address for both yourself and a parent, and check your typing! Audition procedures will be sent by email, so it is imperative that the address you submit is correct..

We look forward to receiving your application! If you have questions, contact Sherry Keffer, director of Governor’s Schools, by email cheryl.keffer@k12.wv.us, or by telephone, 304-640-0988.

Qualifications for successful application to GSA

Be a resident of West Virginia and a high-school sophomore within the state this year, with plans to do so next year. Students who attend public or private schools or home schools within West Virginia are included. If you are chosen to attend GSA and know that you are moving to another state after 10th grade, it is dishonorable to apply;

Have a 2.5 average during freshman year or have first-grading-period grades that show you can bring the average up to 2.5 by the end of the first semester of 10th grade. Students in this position may be invited to audition conditionally, but their final GPA after three semesters must be at least 2.5;

Have an acceptable attendance and discipline record;

Be recommended by the school principal;

Exhibit a strong commitment to personal artistic development;
Be a sophomore at the time of application.

If you meet the qualifications, the next step is to fill out the Student Application which consists of both an online portion and a paper application. They are described as Parts I and II. If you do not have access to a computer and the Internet, your guidance counselor or another teacher in your school should allow you to use a school computer.

Part I of the application is to be submitted online and will not be accepted before November 12 nor after the final deadline, December 16. Before submitting the online form, right click, select “print,” or "CTRL-P" (COMMAND-P on the Mac) and print a copy for your records. In addition, after submitting the form, right click and print the “Thank You” message that appears on the screen. Attach it to Part II. This will serve as verification that you have completed Part I. If the confirmation page does not appear after you click "submit," review the application to find and correct the error.
The remainder (Part II) is to be completed and submitted by traditional mail, postmarked on or before the published deadline. It is not a good idea to mail your application from school when the weekend is nearing because it might end up in the school's outgoing mail until after the deadline. Taking it to the post office after the last mail pickup will also make your application sit in "outgoing mail" without the required postmark. Applications sent after the deadline will be rejected.
The application, which is a fillable PDF, should be saved to your computer as a PDF and then re-opened completed, printed, and saved again.
Write the essay. This applies to all applicants. See page 5 of the application for topic as well as the space for submitting it.
Provide two letters of recommendation with your application. One of the letters must come from a teacher who has worked with you in your arts area (may be a private arts teacher) or who is familiar with your work. The other should come from a teacher in your school, a minister, or a civic leader who is familiar with the kind of student/person you are. Letters should clearly state the capacity in which the writer knows you, and the writer’s professional position. They should be submitted on professional letterhead and must be typed using a 12-point Roman or Arial font. The use of fancy, italicized fonts is strongly discouraged. Writers should speak candidly about your work, talent, desire, strengths, and weaknesses. Letters of recommendation must be signed.
Pay careful attention to the parent/student signature page. If you have questions about the residency and no-visitation requirements, you may direct them to cheryl.keffer@k12.wv.us.
Type the rest of the application, print it and take it to your counselor well before the deadline. The counselor will complete page 3 of the application and give it to your principal for his/her signature. The counselor will also attach the necessary school records. Please remind your counselor that your Social Security number is NOT to be sent with your transcript. If it is on there, you can mark through it before mailing the application.
Your counselor may offer to mail your application; however, you are the one who is ultimately responsible for mailing the entire packet to the West Virginia Department of Education. It must be postmarked by the December 16 deadline and mailed to the address below.

Sherry Keffer, Coordinator of Governor's Schools

West Virginia Department of Education

Building 6, Room 221

1900 Kanawha Boulevard East

Charleston, WV 25305

Have you read all the directions? Ready to apply? Click here for the application.

Audition information can be linked from the applications page.