<h2>A friend recently told me that the admission standards are lower at Michigan if you are a prospective MT major. I didn't believe it - but I just went on the website and saw this:</h2>
<h2>Freshman applicants should have training and experience in musical theatre techniques and production. The ability to read music fluently and training in ballet are assets. A “B” average (3.0 GPA) or better with good college prep courses and SAT or ACT test results (with Writing) are required.</h2>
<p>3.0 is pretty low - so the standards are different if coming in a MT? </p>
<p>The admission stat for Music Theatre can be lower as test scores and GPA are not their main criteria for admission. You do need to have great talent in music/performance to be admitted as audition is required. I know a student with ACT 25 got admitted this year and even with a moderate scholarship. In other words, it may not be easier for an average person. Just be able to read music and has some ballet training are likely not sufficient. Did you win any competition in music or ballet? That would probably the minimal qualification.</p>
<p>My son and I visited U-M this past summer and took a tour of the School of Music, Theatre and Dance while on campus. While the academic qualifications may be lower, the # of students accepted into these programs is much, much smaller than the other schools. If I recall correctly, the total # of students they accept into the music theatre program alone was twenty two. Eleven male. Eleven female. Very, very competitive. Where they give on academics, they take in # of slots available .</p>
<p>The academic standards may be slightly different, but the talent requirements are very high indeed, and ability must be demonstrated, as billcsho mentioned, through a rigorous audition process. The MT academic requirements are not a way to let people waltz into Michigan. </p>
<p>SMTD takes something like 20-25 students out of 1100 to 1200 applicants, so the acceptance is something like 2% and the yield is close to 100%. In contrast, the acceptance rate at UM medical school (considered elite at the national level) is around 3%, so you’ll have a better chance if/when you apply to medical school. In other words, the stated exam and GPA metrics are very misleading.</p>