My D is a senior with a gpa of about 2.7 and has taken the ACT one time. She received a 19 on it. I’m looking for good programs, preferably BFA in MT, with a dance optional audition (pre-screen). She is a very strong singer and actress with quite a bit of production experience (several leads) with both the high school and community theatre. Recommendations? Thank you
The BFA program at Wright State in Dayton, Ohio is top-rate and competitive to get into, but the university admissions requirements as a whole are less selective when it comes to “student” stats. Acting and MT BFAs are audition based, but last year they instituted an “optional” pre-screen (no dance component) - meant only to save a family travel expenses if the student is no where near competitive. WSU is also one of only three universities in Ohio that has a special program to support students with LD issues - if your D fits that designation.
CCPA doesn’t care about grades and has an excellent MT program. There are two separate emphases: MT Voice and MT Dance, but the MTV people get dance and vice versa. It’s straight conservatory, no math/science/language requirements and only a one gen ed per term.
@jkellynh17 What is CCPA?
@mom4bwayboy What is LD?
LD = learning disabled. CCPA = Chicago College of Performing Arts (at Roosevelt University).
@KPike320 You should also look at Uarts and Boco. While I have no experience with CMU, it has been said here multiple times grades don’t matter for drama. It would be worth looking into. I also looked at Cap 21 and Circle in the Square, which are two year conservatory programs.
If you drop me a PM, I’d be happy to discuss how I dealt with my low stats child. I found several schools were willing to accept a lower GPA for an arts students. I don’t want to start dropping names here because I don’t know if the schools would appreciate that being splashed over the internet.
Ball State University in Muncie, IN. They have a very well regarded MT program and their academic standards are probably average. Although it might not be as difficult to be admitted to Ball State academically, it may be more competitive for their MT program because it is well known… not sure on how difficult to get into the MT program. David Letterman graduated from Ball State.
Thanks @CTDramaMom!
Webster university has a reputable conservatory program and it is not as hard to get in academically. Although they say scholarship is academic/merit based, we know a student who didn’t have very good stats and he got pretty good money offered from them.
Relativity school in LA has an MT program
Pace MT - same as Webster in that Pace is not super competitive academically but has a good MT program. They do require a dance audition. Not sure if it is required in prescreen or not.
Otterbein has good MT- I have heard it is not that hard of an academic admit. I could be totally wrong in this though.
@KPike320 are you committed to a BFA? I think you should apply just about anywhere? And BA programs too. I probably would not apply MIchigan, or NYU. They care about grades. Other wise I would throw a wide net.
@IfYouOnlyKnew thank you… I’m not sure how to send you a PM in this program (crazy right)!
Kpike - I PM’d you - if you go to your inbox (click the icon at top of page, to left of the star icon) you will find my message - to send someone a PM click on their user name
@IfYouOnlyKnew - I PM’d you
Also look into Hartt (University of Hartford) and Coastal Carolina University.
Actually, in MT, there are way more schools that will give a pass on low stats if the talent is high enough than those who won’t. Don’t bother with U of Mich, Penn State, Syracuse, or NYU, but most others are worth throwing your hat in.
That was exactly the approach we took.
@IfYouOnlyKnew I also sent you a pm!
CMU doesn’t care about grades/test scores and many schools don’t but Grades/test scores can make a huge difference in whether a school/program is affordable.
Although a “drama” program, she might consider UNCSA. There are many “MT” kids in the program. (A few turned down CMU to attend UNCSA).
You sing in your audition. They do musicals there (though they do a lot of non-musical plays too). The training includes dance, movement, singing, voice, etc. every year (not just one class in dance or something). And your daughters grades would not keep her out I don’t think. It is an arts conservatory so less focus on grades for admission.
Just a thought- it may not be MT enough though 