<p>Hi all! I'm strongly considering applying Early Decision to Penn for a double major in Theater Arts and Communications. Here are my stats:</p>
<p>GPA: 4.5 (w), 3.9 (uw)
SAT: 2120
Subject Tests: Math 2 (700), Chem (700)
Previous APs: Chemistry (3), American Govt (4), Comparative Govt (5)
Senior Courseload: AP European History, AP Spanish Lang, AP English Lit, AP Stats, Honors Physics</p>
<p>2 School awards, one for sophomore and one for junior year, as a distinguished scholar in social studies
Book Award from College of the Holy Cross
International Thespian Troupe</p>
<p>President of Young Republicans Club
President of Gay-Straight Alliance
Employment: political campaign last year, sales associate this past summer
About 70 hours of community service</p>
<p>Again, everything for me is theater, so keep that in mind. I will be sending in a performance DVD along with an arts resume as supplemental materials.</p>
<p>Thanks so much! I really appreciate it.</p>
<p>You’re AP score in Chem is a little low (I wouldn’t send) and I would maybe consider retaking either your sat i or ii’s as I believe UPenn’s average SAT score is like a 2200. Other than that I believe if you really show how passionate you are with theater, you will have a good chance! Good luck! :)</p>
<p>If theater is everything, then why Penn? </p>
<p>The department is small, and the training isn’t particularly strong. Penn grads do well on the administrative side of theater, because they often have access to resources needed to make careers as managing directors, producers, etc.</p>
<p>If you really want theater, look at Temple.</p>
<p>^ You’re right that Penn’s academic Theatre Arts Program is rather small, and not as focused on practical training in acting, etc. as a BFA conservatory program, or even a larger BA program like Temple’s. But Penn does have a large, vibrant, comprehensive, and well-organized student theater community, with at least 8 different groups each mounting several full-scale productions every year (including everything from musical comedy to alternative/experimental theater to children’s theater to socially relevant new plays), plus several other comedy/variety/improv groups. And all of this affords a student interested in theater an amazing array of hands-on opportunities not available at schools with larger formal academic theater programs. As one with a longstanding interest in theater who has recently become reconnected with the student theater community at Penn, I’ve been quite amazed and impressed with the size, diversity, caliber, dedication, and discipline of the student theater groups. It’s no wonder that, as you indicated, many leaders in the entertainment industry in NY, LA, and Philly have come from Penn.</p>
<p>So from a purely acting-training perspective, I’d agree with you that Penn–or most other top universities and liberal arts colleges, for that matter–is not the strongest. But if a student is looking for a strong or highly ranked liberal arts program, while also pursuing an interest in theater, it would be hard to beat Penn (with the possible exception of Northwestern and its longstanding eminence in theater). And a student with a serious interest in acting can always pursue intensive conservatory-style training after graduating from Penn, as successful Penn alumni actors like Elizabeth Banks have done.</p>