<p>I am a sophomore in highschool. I need to go to this school it is my dream. I was wondering what kind of classes i should take in highschool to better my chances for acceptance. I kind of ruined my freshman year with a 3.5 gpa and am taking pretty basic classes this year but also filling my year up with the top choirs and theaters. I have a lot of volunteer work stacked up for the past 6 years so idk if that is a helpful factor. I was wondering for my upperclassmen years if i should fill my years up with AP scholastic classes or more theater classes maybe a Music Theory class or a Shakespare class. Thanks!</p>
<p>jmeske have you seen the musical theater thread?</p>
<p>[Carnegie</a> Mellon University MT - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/carnegie-mellon-university-mt/]Carnegie”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/carnegie-mellon-university-mt/)</p>
<p>I know there’s some helpful, recent stuff there. Best of luck with your dream.</p>
<p>It is your audition that will decide if you get in to CMU fyi.</p>
<p>You have not ruined anything for most theatre programs, including CMU and good for you for starting this inquiry and preparation process now. Also, a 3.5 is nothing to feel badly about! Agree with what Lulu said above- It will be primarily your audition that is the deciding factor. AP classes will not be a factor at CMU, and many other conservatory programs. Yes, they want smart actors, but in a conservatory, you will take very few academic classes and so it is raw talent that trumps other factors. Your strong work ethic is relevant and can be highlighted via your volunteer work, strong grades, EC activity, etc. Where your advanced classes and GPA may matter will be in terms of merit aid. Examine the costs of attending CMU to make sure it is affordible- same with all of the private universities. The acceptance rate in their theatre department is famously low- they only accept the exact number they have spaces for. They do not over-accept so consequently, many very talented kids are not offered slots. Prepare as well as you can, and do check out the Musical Theatre thread ( and Drama majors thread) as has been recommended. There is A TON of great info there on CMU and many other theatre programs as well as very useful info on the audition process, the use of coaches, how to prepare, etc. Since all audition- based programs are very competitive and a gamble, and acceptance decisions are often hard to make sense of, cast a wide net- be sure to include a safety you’d enjoy, consider adding in a non-audition program as well. Some programs will ask if you are willing to accept a non MT slot in the theatre department, so consider what your feelings are about that too.</p>