<p>Hello, i've just been wondering lately, I'm looking to be a drama/theater major. And i just wanted to know, does GPA really even matter for B.A and B.F.A programs?
My GPA is 3.3 but i take honors and ap classes.
Some schools i have in mind:</p>
<p>USC (my #1 due to opportunities and being close to home)
UCLA
Pepperdine
NYU
ASU
University of Arizona
Layola Marymount
PACE
Rutgers
SDSU
UCSD</p>
<p>By the way i live in los angeles, so I'm looking to stay close to home, or in NYC where I have a lot of family, so if you have any good recommendations of schools in california or in new york city that would be very helpful.</p>
<p>others know a lot more than me and i’m sure will chime in but for BFA, audition is crucial and your GPA should be good for several of those schools with solid audition. I think your GPA looks low for USC but maybe they weight? and if so, that would help. Regarding BA, it is so school specific but i’d say GPA would come more into play then and yours looks ok, even unweighted for a number of those schools, I think. a 3.5 would be better but you’re close to that and with honors classes.</p>
<p>Fordham in NYC has an excellent BA theatre program, and with solid test scores and a strong audition (it is an auditioned BA program) you may be fine, but it’s a somewhat rigorous academic load so it might be a school to put on your radar if you actually want that too. Requirements in foreign language, math, etc. </p>
<p>Rutgers and Montclair State U are both in NJ and an hour from NYC. Both are well-regarded and Rutgers is very well known, certainly on the east coast. both are BFA programs (Montclair also has a BA) Rutgers is a conservatory program with very few academic requirements and all students spend a year in London. Your GPA is fine for both- the audition will be key for ALL BFA programs.</p>
<p>Rutgers is over $30000 for OSS if that’s a concern. they may have performance scholarships though, no idea on that. Sounds like an amazing program.</p>
<p>Rutgers gives academic and theater arts scholarships. My D was offered in total $14,000. It’s a great program. Pace also offered quite a bit. Your gap should be fine. NYU a little tougher with GPA but with a good audition they fight for you. No money given though. Not familiar with the others.</p>
<p>Looking at the scatter grams in Naviance for my D’s high school, BU accepted students with GPA’s over 3.8. NYU is even more selective. There are students with 4.2’s at my D’s high school who were rejected from NYU. The average looks like a 4.1.
There are many stories of theatre departments getting admissions to make exceptions for a student with a great audition, but you should be aware of the schools that do have the higher academic requirements. It makes it a little more difficult.</p>
<p>The scattergrams are almost meaningless for audition-based arts programs. This is why guidance counselors often cannot be that helpful for theatre students, despite their desire to be. The process for theatre ( and MT and dance, visual arts, etc) is a completely different animal. GPA and test scores are crucial for aid, but they will take second place to a killer audition/portfolio. Still, they need to feel confident you can do the work- they need you to be able to graduate after investing that time in you.</p>
<p>I know it’s very different. Just wanted to point out that on the OP’s list, these two schools are academically more competitive and it could be a minor factor.</p>
<p>It really depends on the school. USC, UCLA, Pepperdine, Pace and Loyola for sure are going to want to see good grades and a rigorous high school course load. Really, any of the University of California branches are going to want really good grades because the admissions process for every major (not just auditioned ones) are VERY competitive and attract lots of interest. </p>
<p>Cal Arts has a good program, is in Los Angeles and wouldn’t require great intellect/academia. I don’t know about the academic side of these NY schools, but perhaps look into SUNY Purchase, Marymount Manhattan and the New School of Drama?</p>
<p>^. I don’t think most posters have considered Pace particularly demanding regarding grades/scores, however, their audition process has become very selective.</p>
<p>There are no classes you NEED to take in High School to become a Drama major in college.</p>
<p>But if you are trying to get into the more competitive programs, it would be a good idea to get as much acting training and experience as you can. This is impressive on a resume and in an interview. Take all the acting classes you can in high school. If your high school doesn’t have acting classes, take acting classes on your own somewhere else (or switch to a different high school!) Audition for every play in your high school, and also look at local theatre auditions, and even auditioning for local television or movie roles.</p>
<p>Audition can be very important for some of the programs you are talking about, so start working now on doing whatever it takes to give an incredible audition when you apply to these programs.</p>
<p>For UCLA and UCSD, your GPA is low, even with honors and AP. The average freshman at these schools takes those courses, too, and has over a 4.0 average. However, the UCLA TFT school auditions and it is possible that you could be accepted if they see something that they really want. Your grades are not so low that they would preclude this. UCSD does not audition and the department does not have a separate application process.</p>
<p>At NYU GPA counts for approx. 50% of admission decision. Keep in mind the rigorous and physically demanding studio work. Same with CMU. They both want ‘smart actors’.</p>
<p>I know I’ll get grief for this but - technically and officially that might be true for NYU or CMU or others, but your GPA and other “numbers” count way less if you have a solid audition.</p>
<p>It’s been said before, but for the record again, CMU does not care much about your academic record. They want students with talent, a passion for drama, and a good work ethic. It also helps to be tough enough to roll with the punches because it’s not an easy 4 years. But they are not looking for intellectuals, despite the overall reputation of the school.</p>
<p>^^ Agreed! The D and I attended an info session and the admissions rep stated and illustrated with a pie chart that the audition is 80% and academics is 20%.</p>