Academic .vs. Talent Admissions

<p>I have read where some school are described as having admissions primarily focused on the talent component were others are described as having more acaademically based admissions.</p>

<p>If you know how each of the MT schools is described could you please respond to this posting as it would helpful in composing a well rounded short list.</p>

<p>Also when I look up a college's average accepted sat/act scores and gpas for their admitted students, can I assume that their MT admissions are kept up to the same standards ??</p>

<p>thank you</p>

<p>How academics fit into the admissions mix really can vary depending on the school in 2 regards. First, there are differences in how academics and talent are weighted in comparison to each other for purpose of an admissions decision. In addition, whether MT students must meet the same academic standards as other students can vary. Here are some illustrative examples using some schools whose names are generally familiar:</p>

<p>Conservatory type schools/programs such as CMU, UArts, BOCO - Talent is weighted more heavily than academics. There may be certain minimum academics that must be met but the main focus is on talent. Even at an academically superior school like CMU, talent is weighted 80 -90%. In addition, the academic standards for students applying to audition based programs at CMU are significantly relaxed from the normal academic criteria.</p>

<p>Schools like NYU Tisch and Emerson - Academics and talent are equally weighted and admission is really a bifurcated process. An applicant must meet the academic standards set by the admissions office in a separate process from the talent component decided by the department. Even if you wow them at your audition, if your academics don't pass muster, the admissions office can reject you and you are done. Generally, MT students must meet the same academic criteria as applicants to more traditional academic programs. The only difference on the academic side from other students is that you may not be required to take SAT II's that are required of other students. U Michigan also has an academic admission process that is separate but equal from the talent side and in fact at U Mich, applications are academically screened before you are invited to audition.</p>

<p>Schools like Syracuse and Ithaca have a blended admissions process where the talent component and academics are considered jointly in the admissions decision. You still must meet certain standards on each but it is more of a composite process. The academic criteria are generally the same as for liberal arts students.</p>

<p>Non audition BA programs - You must meet the exact same academic criteria as any other L.A. student. Muhlenberg and Northwestern are good examples.</p>

<p>Regardless of which approach the school takes, academics can impact significantly on talent/merit scholarships.</p>

<p>Thank you. A wonderful response --exactly what I was hoping to learn.</p>

<p>Plus I learned a new word 'bifurcated' (I had to look that one up)</p>

<p>If anyone knows how any of the ofther schools fall in to these categories I would love to hear.</p>

<p>Thank you Michael for taking the time to share your vast knowledge.</p>