My D is going to audition for MT programs but knowing the competition, she wants some non-audition programs on her list, too. Can anyone suggest some non-audition programs that are strong academic schools? She is looking for MT and Acting major. Thanks.
Muhlenberg immediately comes to mind.
This is a link to the Big List of College MT programs by type pinned at the top of this forum. Lots of non-audition options:
Northwestern.
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Gonna second @Mr.Eggroll here!
Hofstra and Tulane Universities
Be aware that for Northwestern there is an audition to be accepted into the MT certificate program that happens after you have matriculated. You can get your theatre degree without an audition. But if your heart is set on the MT program just be aware it does require an audition.
@#booknerdmom and @vvnstar I think Tulane is the same. Kids audition later for MT
Tulane’s program is an audition-based BFA, audition during the Sophomore year.
Some programs to investigate:
Brandeis BA w/MT Track - “most difficult” for academic admission (MA) - 33% admit rate
Cal St Northridge BA w/MT Minor (CA) - “moderately difficult for admission”- 48% admit rate
University of Tulsa - “most difficult” for academic admission (OK) - 37% admit rate
Two other programs that are not as selective but are still nice schools with non-audition BA MT programs are:
Loyola Chicago (IL) BA Theatre w/MT Minor
Christopher Newport (VA)
Northeastern (MA) has a minor in MT and is “very difficult” for academic admission but they only do a musical every-other-year.
Unless it changed recently, Northwest Sate University in Louisiana offers a non-audition BFA in Musical Theatre.
North Central College outside of Chicago was my D’s non-audition safety and she would have happily attended had she not had auditioned BFA acceptances. In fact, had the school come to our attention earlier in the process, she would have dropped 2 or 3 of the auditioned programs from her list. They were generous with academic dollars and allowed stacking of academic and artistic awards (submitted video for the artistic). I can’t say enough good about their admissions process which routed D to a counselor who would have continued as her advisor had she attended, and arranged a private campus tour with a current theatre student. North Central recently added a Great Books program and while they are not as academically selective as some of the other colleges on this list, they are well-rated as a regional school.
A word of caution regarding Tulane. It has become more competitive to gain admission especially this year. I had many qualified students rejected this year. Demonstrated interest is a high priority for Tulane and if you are using the school as a non-audition safety they will deny you if they can tell you aren’t interested. So visiting Tulane and showing interest will give you a better chance of admission as long as your academic stats are within their range
I will add that although they may be non-audition, some (such as Muhlenberg) hold optional auditions. If this were my kid’s safety, I would absolutely have her visit and audition there to demonstrate interest and make personal connections, and to avoid the waitlist (yes, they, too, have a waitlist). These schools may be LOTS of people’s safeties, and their programs are not endlessly large. Therefore, not a sure admit, even if you meet academics.
We used the optional Muhlenberg audition as our “dry run” for actual auditions - we did it 1st (end up Sept). Helped us get a feel for how things would work.