Acting major with above average grades--Chance me? Very detailed

Chance Me / Match Me!
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<p>I'm a rising senior and musical theatre major at an academically rigorous creative arts high school, but last year was my first year there. Freshman year I went to an average rural public school, sophomore year I was at that same school for a semester then moved and ended up at an academically below average Title I urban mess of a school, and now I'm at the arts school. My first year and a half of high school I was dealing with severe depression and anxiety (still am) but at the time I wasn't sure how to power through that and get my school work done so my transcript from that time doesn't look so hot (D in Physical Science first semester freshman year--yikes!).</p>

<p>Right now I have a 3.49 unweighted GPA and a 30 on my ACT, with a 10 in Writing but I plan to take it again before I start sending in applications. I also plan on taking the SAT and possibly the SAT II for French. I've taken six Honors (two math, two English, and two science) classes and three AP (U.S. Gov & Pol, U.S. History, and English Lang & Comp). Next year I'll have two more AP classes (Macroeconomics and Environmental Science) and a dual enrollment (Comp I or II depending on my AP scores which I will receive on the 7th). I have many theatre/music/dance classes on my transcript if that matters to theatre schools.</p>

<p>I was the vice president of the Gay-Straight Alliance at my first high school, an officer in the Drama Clubs at my first and second high school, and a member of National Honors Society. I do volunteer work at animal shelters and one of the community theatres in my town (stage managing, running sound & light, building sets). I was apart of a school choir every year until 11th grade. This year I'm apart of a highly competitive musical theatre repertory group at my school that has travelled internationally to perform, the only non-acting major in my school's Directing class, and I hope to get a job this year.</p>

<p>My resume is peppered with ensemble and supporting roles, with the occasional lead roles. Various styles are represented: Shakespeare, musicals, Tennessee Williams, student films, indie films, "regular" plays, etc. I'm 5'4" and on the thinner side, light red-brown hair with a blonde streak, usually play character types. I've taken vocal lessons, jazz, tap, and ballet all for at least three years but that probably doesn't really matter since I'm auditioning for acting. I am currently working with a monologue coach in NYC via Skype and I've taken classes in Shakespeare, scene study, Suzuki method, and chakra-based physical acting.</p>

<p>This is my list:
(I know some of them have more of a holistic admissions process, I'm just looking for a vague chance estimate. Basically looking for whether any of these are a lost cause)</p>

<p>Syracuse (EA)
Boston
DePaul
Drew
New School
Ithaca
UArts
Roosevelt
Rutgers
Shenandoah
Hartford
Northwestern
Belmont (safety)
Columbia College (safety)</p>

<p>Are any of these (not safeties) WAY out of my league? I've been kind of iffy about Northwestern. If anyone has any other suggestions, I'd love to hear them. I'd prefer either a toolbox or a Meisner approach, and am mainly looking at conservatory-style programs, though I'm flexible on both of those things. The reason some schools are missing (CMU, NYU, CalArts, etc.) is because of money, but if anyone knows how these schools are on giving financial aid I'd love to hear that too.</p>

<p>Thanks!!</p>

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<p>Oh, also I skipped a grade if that matters, so I’ll be graduating high school at 16. Will that hurt my chances? I’m afraid I won’t be considered mature enough or ready for a rigorous acting program. </p>

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<p>Update: I got a 5 on my AP Lang & Comp exam and a 3 on APUSH. Do AP scores affect admission?</p>

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<p>Most of those are auditioned BFA programs, and there is no way anyone can chance you here. Admission is based heavily (almost exclusively, at some) on your audition.I think you meet the academic threshold at all of them, and good test scores and APs might help in securing a merit scholarship. With the possible exception of Northwestern, I don’t see that there would be any problems with academic eligibility. What about Carnegie Mellon and American?</p>

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<p>Suggest posting on Drama Forum. You mention NYU , CMU, Etc… being too costly…Many of the schools on your list are… “safeties” included. Columbia College is Non-auditon, but only a safety if affordable. In which state do you live? What is your EFC? What can you afford? For auditioned programs your audition carries Much Weight… No auditioned program is a safety.</p>

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<p>I realize that they are audition BFAs, I was mainly referring to the academic part. I have certainly done my research, I know what degree I am applying for. And I’m not sure what my EFC is, my mom doesn’t feel like filling out the FAFSA or even getting an estimate until absolutely necessary. Also my father isn’t allowing me to take out any loans whatsoever because he doesn’t want me to graduate with any debt. However, my stepmom works at Vanderbilt and since I’m a dependent of hers, they pay part of my tuition at any accredited college I choose to attend. I took NYU and Carnegie Mellon off my list because I was told by students there that they don’t award much financial aid, and since money is tight, I don’t want to waste my money on applying and auditioning for a program I don’t have the talent to get into nor would I be able to afford. I’m trying to look at more schools with a sticker price under $45000 with a history of awarding decent financial aid. I’m trying not to look exclusively at sticker price.</p>

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<p>The only one I know about is Ithaca, but I hope it helps anyway. Obviously your audition will matter so I can’t be the judge of that. But as far as academics go, I’d say you’re probably a good match. Ithaca’s music and theater departments are really good, and they also have some other nationally-renowned programs such as communications and physical therapy if for any reason you’d ever want to double major or minor in something other than acting. However, Ithaca is very expensive. If you want a good scholarship there, you should bring up your standardized test scores a bit. I had a 34 ACT and 2180 SAT and received their Presidential Scholarship, worth something like $18K or $20K a year I believe.</p>