<p>How much does the admission decision for emerson college weight on academics versuses talent? I dont exactly have a 4.5, and I’m getting very nervous as all my friends get college admittace or regection letters. Any advice on how I can make a 2.8-3.0 GPA not the death of me at colleges like Emerson (or Ithaca or Wagner)… THANK YOU! -Brian</p>
<p>bump... please... anyone?</p>
<p>You should email or call the admissions depts. of the schools you are interested in and find out if you would be a viable candidate. It varies from school to school. My D was accepted this year for Emerson (she's entertaining this and some other offers) with better grades. I'm really not sure if they have a "set" bottom cut off. As you already know, the conservatory type schools don't weigh grades heavily. So you need to put those on the top of your list.</p>
<p>I agree with Freelance that academics matter less at a school like BOCO or CCM, than at Emerson. Emerson has a significant liberal arts component to their BFA program and they definitely look at you academically and while it is not the MOST selective school out there, it is also not easy to get into either (speaking solely academically). At some of the BFA programs, on the academic front, you merely have to be "over" a certain minimal level on the academic end. At others, they truly look at your whole academic profile and are selective on that aspect. At NYU, they weigh academics 50% and artistic review 50% and getting into NYU just academically is highly selective in terms of credentials and admit rates. At UMich, I would say the same thing and in fact, you have to pass academic muster to be invited to audition. </p>
<p>At Emerson, they just do not take any credentials. I know a boy who auditioned last year who is highly talented (has gotten an NFAA award for example) who was told that talent wise he could get in but not academically and in fact, he admittedly has poor grades. He has gone to college for one year elsewhere and has reauditioned as a transfer this year, trying to have improved his academic profile. </p>
<p>As to YOUR academic stats, I cannot tell you if they are "good enough" for Emerson but as Freelance suggested, you might call and speak to someone there with regard to the academic expectations for applicants. I further suggest that since you are a junior and there is a third left to THIS school year, that you work your butt off to improve your GPA. As well, study for the SATs. Taking some SAT2s, though not required for Emerson, COULD show ability in subject areas if you do well on them (and prepare for them) and might balance out less than stellar grades. However, your grades appear to possibly be in the ballpark for Emerson. But also realize that when reviewing an application, they look at the total package...grades, class rank, strength/challenge of curriculum, recommendations, essays, extracurriculars.....so it does not all hang on any one particular factor though grades are important of course. Stengthen all aspects of your profile in the coming months and work hard to put together a well done application. I think you are in a reasonable range if you could get that GPA to at LEAST be 3.2 or so, and since it is JUST below that, I think you could get it there by working hard the rest of this semester to increase your grades, plus have a really great first semester senior year. It is too hard to say much more without knowing your ENTIRE profile. The average GPA at Emerson is 3.5. Your chances increase if you are in that ballpark. Without knowing your SAT scores, rank, and strength of curriculum, it is hard to comment about your chances.</p>
<p>Susan</p>
<p>I have seen a wide variety of stats get rejected and accepted this year. However, in most cases (especially at schools that are full colleges or universities, not just conservatories) academics do matter and like soozievt said, in some cases they matter just as much as talent. I would say work your butt off for the rest of the year, shoot for high SAT, ACT and SAT II scores, work hard first semester of your senior year, and you should be ok.</p>
<p>Good luck! Emerson is an awesome school!</p>
<p>Thank you so much! My GPA over 4 years is a 3.0... its low. And to add insult to injury, I'm someone who went from a 2.0 1st semester sophomore year to a current 3.8 (which will hopefully end up as a 4.0). I've won some awards, have really good ACT scores, and (my strongest point) have a huge list of credits. I'm really reluctant though to go for CCM and BOCO. After reading about the programs, I feel like those programs are extremly subjective when it comes to looks. I'm a little overweight (I've lost 50 pounds in the past 12 months, but how much can someone possibly do), and a few other cosmetic problems. I dunno. I'll definatley start getting in contact with Emerson. Thank you again.</p>
<p>ps... the rest of my stats...</p>
<p>rank: top 50%, nothing higher. </p>
<p>Rigaruous courses with B's and A's in History and Literature. C's in Math and Science, though this year, I've definatley have gotten really good at math. Finished Spanish in 2nd year of high school with a C. I had to retake algebra 1 and bio/chem second time around getting b's and a's.</p>
<p>ACT scores (so far) 28. Hopefully I'll do better this saturday. I'm REALLY good at tests, just not "busy work". Not the most organized person in the world when it came to that stuff. </p>
<p>I have A TON of community service, serving as assistant director to shows in my community and directing shows with little kids, as well as church activites. Lots of shows, community, show, and profesisonal. Worked with professionals, both actors and producers. </p>
<p>ohh, and a parent is an admissions director at a local university. If that helps at all (probibly makes it worse)</p>