Please comment on schools that are more difficult or strict academically to get into on top of the audition. Or maybe there is a list of these somewhere?
NYU and Minnesota are two off the top of my head – NYU told my daughter that the audition is looked at solely by the drama team and if you pass the audition they send your file to the school, if your numbers don’t hold up they won’t accept you…for Minnesota my d had to get in academically first, before she could sign up for the auditions.
Difficult:
Northwestern
NYU
Michigan
Somewhat Difficult:
Muhlenburg
Elon
Syracuse
Penn State
*For other majors, Carnegie Mellon would be considered difficult, but is not a factor for MTs. They will take someone with not so great academics if they really want them.
Boston
Academic admission difficulty ratings per CollegeData.com:
MOST DIFFICULT
Carnegie Mellon*
Northwestern
VERY DIFFICULT
NYU
Florida State
James Madison
Illinois Wesleyan
Miami
TCU
Penn State
UCI
USC
Muhlenberg
American
UCLA
Syracuse
Michigan
- as noted in other posts, CMU reportedly relaxes entrance requirements for Theatre students * Most Difficult: More than 75% of freshmen were in the top 10% of their high school class and scored over 1310 on the SAT I or over 29 on the ACT; about 30% or fewer of all applicants accepted.
Very Difficult: More than 50% of freshmen were in the top 10% of their high school class and scored over 1230 on the SAT I or over 26 on the ACT; about 60% or fewer of all applicants accepted.*
These ratings periodically change and I looked these up several months ago, so check CollegeData for the most recent ratings.
Elon is rated as “Moderately Difficult”
If you google the school, the acceptance rate pops right up. It may not be 100% accurate, but it will give you an idea. Of the ones mentioned so far, Michigan 32.2%, Northwestern 12.9%, NYU 35%, Muhlenberg 43%, Elon 54%, Syracuse 49.5%, Penn State 55.5%, Boston University 32%.
I saw the acceptance rate comes up but sometimes that figure is not current. On some it was from 2010 etc
Boston University was another one that mentioned that regardless of the audition you had to have the scores/grades to get in. Carnegie Mellon, if you applying for science/math/engineering you need top scores, but for Acting or MT if they want you, you get accepted. Northwestern does not audition, you get in academically only. The acceptance rates that are published are for all students, not just MT. Usually the odds of getting in to MT or Acting programs are much lower.
USC is another school that looks at your scores/grades as well as your audition. The head of UCLA drama told us that if they like you in the audition they will work with the school to get you in academically, but it is another school that looks at both academics and audition.
FYI, for the first time this year there is an optional MT supplement that NU is encouraging applicants to complete which includes a performance video. While not an audition, it seems to be a step in that direction.
For what it’s worth, even prior to this video submission I think the strength of resumes, awards and activities lists has also played a role in NU Theatre admissions, but it is true that high academic standards are in force. After admission to the Theatre school, admission to the MT Certificate program is by audition.
Keep in mind that some schools (Michigan for example) have a lower threshold for GPA/test scores for the theatre dept than for the university as a whole.
@MTmom2015 - I know that is true for CMU, but I am surprised to hear that Michigan lowers the standards. I had heard there was Maybe a tiny wiggle for someone they love- but you still had to meet general threshold. We didn’t do Michigan, so I have no direct knowledge, but that had been my impression
Michigan does not lower its academic threshold like CMU. You have to pass their minimum academic threshold to be passed on through prescreens. It is possible that someone accepted to the MT program is an outlier in terms of test scores or GPA when compared to the rest of their class, meaning their grades or test scores could be on the low end of those accepted, but they will still be within their acceptable range. CMU, if they really want someone, will totally disregard low grades or test scores.
that’s what I thought @vvnstar
I know this is controversial but NYU also relaxes its’ academic standards for a kid with a good audition.
That is not what prospective students are told by NYU. I believe you have mentioned examples in the past @amtc - and it is certainly possible that there have been exceptions. But I would not recommend putting NYU on your list if you aren’t close to qualifying academically and assume you are going to be one of the exceptions.
Just checked the Michigan website. While they are less flexible with MT students than CMU, there is still some maneuverability. The website states that Michigan expects MT freshmen to have a GPA of 3.0 or better; SAT of 1100 or ACT of 24 or better. The department’s current freshman averages are higher (GPA 3.6; ACT 28, SAT 1942), but I’m assuming this means that our kids will pass the academic requirements and move on to pre-screen review if they meet the stated minimums. After audition, it still may mean that, audition performance being equal, higher scores will break the tie, but at least lower-achieving kids are getting a foot in the door by having their pre-screens reviewed.
^^^ Which was my point. My son would have never been considered for a non-theatre degree at UofM. He was a 3.105/21 ACT… but got through the pre-screen.
UMich minimum requirements for SMTD can be found at http://www.music.umich.edu/prospective_students/admissions/ug/app_proc/acad_prep.htm
These requirements (3.0 GPA, 24 ACT, etc.) are set by SMTD and may be different for other schools, like engineering. The same page gives the average stats for the SMTD incoming 2014 students as 3.6 GPA and 28 ACT. These SMTD average stats are lower than the average stats for all UMich freshmen.
Getting through the prescreen does not mean you are academically accepted to the school. (Michigan) It only means you’ve met the minimum requirement to move on and audition. My understanding is there is a more thorough examination of your entire application after auditions for those in which they are still interested. And at that point grades and scores still matter. This probably explains why their accepted student stats in the program are significantly higher than the minimum established to pass the prescreen. The kids who are accepted have fairly strong academic records in addition to their talent. Remember the average for the School of music, theatre and dance is still 3.6/28. You won’t even be considered or allowed to audition with less than a 3.0/24. Note that grades are part of the mPulse application for their summer program also. Academics do matter to them.