Is there anywhere which lists out the acceptance rates at each MT program? I’ve looked at individual schools / universities, and I’ve only seen acceptance rate figures lumped across all prospective students (i.e., not MT by itself). As part of the application process, I would encourage my D to use such figures to try and achieve a balance between more and less selective programs; is that a good idea?
Largely unknown stat. This thread maybe somewhat helpful though it deals mainly in class size and doesn’t tell you anything definitive about how many apply and who applies. (Regional vs. national draw etc.) http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/1733121-mt-admit-rates-number-of-applicants-2015-class-size-2014-or-2013-number-of-offers-if-known-p1.html
Those stats alone are going to have limited value. Suffice it to say, that MOST BFA in MT programs have an acceptance rate in the single digits. Thus, it is not really significant in terms of assessing one’s chances if one school accepts 7% of BFA applicants and another accepts 5%. Pretty much, all the BFA in MT programs have very low acceptance rates. Sometimes, but not always, the BA in MT programs, which are also quite competitive, have a slightly higher rate.
So, the acceptance rate to the program itself is not telling, except to notice that given the single digit acceptance rates, the programs fall into “reach” category in terms of one’s odds.
However, some programs are indeed considered more competitive to get into than others, but the acceptance rate doesn’t give the full story. As already mentioned, you would have to examine if the program has more of a regional or national draw. Same with reputation as a very well known program or not. Or even how long it has been around in some cases. Then, programs differ in some ways in what they are looking for…one program may be very dance heavy and another puts a big emphasis on acting. And then there are the needs when building a class of different types.
When building a list of MT schools, I think it is important that the list be balanced in terms of academic chances of admission (which is very individualized vis a vie one’s own academic profile, the profile of accepted students to that institution, the overall acceptance rate to the college and so on), plus one’s artistic odds which can only be looked out more generally speaking in terms of one’s own artistic skill set and talent level (an assessment by someone in the field could help with that, or other benchmarks in a broad pool of talent from all over), and balance more competitive programs with ones that are considered less renown (but good), and some BA by audition programs in the mix, and two non-audition programs that are also academic safeties. None of this is an exact science. But one kid’s list should be different than the next kid’s list. It must be both well balanced, and appropriate to that student’s academic and artistic profile, and selection criteria.
As an aside, on another thread, someone was lamenting that a student made it to callbacks for a selective BFA in MT program but is denied to the university itself and so can’t go through with the callback. And I have to say after reading the MT threads on CC for over 13 years now, I observe that SOME people (NOT all), pick out colleges merely based on the fact that they have a BFA in MT program and some other selection criteria perhaps, but that they do not look at the ACADEMIC part of the admissions process. This is college admissions after all. It is NOT all about whether you can sing, act, and dance, though that plays a significant part in the decision to be admitted. Many colleges have a separate academic admissions process from the artistic one. And even those that don’t, still count the academic application. When building a BFA in MT college list, one MUST include the academic aspect and odds of admission for that student’s academic profile, and include academic reach/match/safeties on their list, even though with the BFA factor, the overall chances to get in are “reach” odds. Still, the student needs to be in the ballpark for the academic criteria for that particular college to include it on their college list. I’m speaking generally now and not with regard to the OP of this thread.
Is there anywhere on this site that breaks down all the schools into extreme reaches, reaches, middles, and non-auditions? If not, maybe those in the know could try and take a stab at doing such a list? It would be helpful for next year’s class.
@MomofMTBoy - this is a topic that generates lots of debate. Here are some past threads on the topic:
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/1617651-top-programs-p1.html
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/13750942#Comment_13750942
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/912438-top-mt-bfa-programs-p1.html
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/389999-mt-colleges-tiers.html
If you read through them, you can at least start to get a picture of the “usual suspects” that appear repeatedly in various posts.
@MomofMTBoy - here is another one with some data that may be of interest:
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/17297000#Comment_17297000
I’m sure Milikin’s will be much higher this year and next.
I have to say-If D & I knew “real” acceptance rates (and how does one know, really? There is a lot of movement EVERY YEAR, in which program is shiniest, how many kids are going for it, etc) we would probably go insane, and definitely be discouraged. Our family is attacking this just as any other hurdle: The only GUARANTEED no is when you don’t throw your name in. You prepare, do your best work, and see what happens. Choose schools/programs that you can see yourself at. Become an expert at what each program may offer YOU, rather than whether you have a 10, 5, or 1% chance.
^^^I LOVE @owenfolks intuitive take on this. Spot on. And though I’m not “all that far” out of things I am because it’s like dog years. Trust me so many schools when my daughter applied that I hear you all talking about these days with angst and I think “huh?” Wasn’t that a safety-ish?
So either 1. the programs upped their games a lot (likely) or 2. there are too many people (more than ever) trying to enter this really terribly limited field.
Meanwhile out in the real world, you kids will eventually be cast with other “kids” from places like Western Connecticut U which is never discussed here and who can claim at least 1 graduate (from my sample of 1) that will blow your socks off. So imagine that x 1000 in the greater universe and keep it real. Nothing about college process is fatal nor what really will determine future success.
@halflokum I’m from CT and I can tell you that each year West Conn gets more and more buzz. They just built a beautiful new 8 million dollar theater facility, and their production of Parade won all kinds of awards last year. And as the school isn’t far from NYC, they get lots of guest artists and teachers. They are quickly developing into one of the best - and most affordable- BA theater programs in the country.
@CTDramaMom, so glad to hear it. The kid I’ve seen from West Conn is GREAT. I suspect it won’t be long before that school becomes a CC darling too.
I TOTALLY agree with @halflokum. Like I said last summer, just when you want to high five and pat yourself on the back for your kid going to a good competitive MT program, you go to see her in a decent summer stock gig and see kids from schools you literally never heard of CRUSHING the rest of them. DON’T DESPAIR. Talent and hard work is what matters no matter where they go to school.
@Calliene yep… my point. 