Help With Finalizing My List

College Majors Theater/Drama Majors
1

I am in desperate need of help with my college list! I thought I had it finalized, but I’m starting to learn more and second-guess my chances. I want to make sure I apply to a wide range of schools, so that I have a good chance of getting numerous acceptance letters. Ideally, I would like three reach schools, four target schools, and three safety schools. I need to decide ASAP, as deadlines are quickly approaching! I have a lot of my application work done, it’s just specific school-related things that need work.

A little bit about me: I am interesting in applying for an Acting BFA program, though I am also interested in a broader Theatre major at some of my safety schools, just to increase my chances and broaden my horizons. I am passionate about musical theatre, but I believe that my strengths lie primarily in straight acting, so that’s what I’m shooting for, although schools that offer musical theatre certificates down the road or general auditions that are narrowed down to either acting or musical theatre are great, too. I am a resident of Illinois, so I’m interested in applying to Illinois schools, but I’d like the majority of my schools to be out-of-state. I have taken three ACTs, my highest score being a 32, and I have taken three SATs, my highest score being a 1410 (out of 1600). I also took the writing test three times for the ACT and twice for the SAT. I am currently in my senior year, and my GPA is at a 4.2 or 4.3 (out of 5.0). I have a good deal of experience in theatre, as I’ve been a part of most of the shows in high school and twenty or so shows in total, but nothing professional. I also take voice lessons and dance classes, and I hold leadership positions in the National Music Honor Society, speech team, and International Thespian Honor Society executive board.

Here is where my list stands at the moment:

1.) Northwestern University
2.) University of Southern California
3.) New York University
4.) University of Michigan
5.) Boston University
6.) Drake University
7.) Ball State University
8.) DePaul University
9.) Knox College
10.) University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Basically, I need help with deciding on whether or not this list is attainable. Do you guys think I’m shooting too high? Too low? Are there any programs on here that I should remove and switch out with another one? My voice lesson teacher suggested that I look at Yale, University of Evansville, Roosevelt, Carnegie Mellon University, Marymount, Sarah Lawrence, Michigan State University, Syracuse U, U of Minnesota, U of North Carolina, Carthage College, Belmont - Nashville, Point Park, and ISU, but I’m not sure whether or not my list is fine where it is or if I should listen to her and seriously consider some of those other colleges. I would really not like to exceed ten schools, because I think anything over that might be too difficult. What do you guys think? Please be honest, I can take it, I just really need the opinions of people who understand my plight!

Thank you all so much for your help!

2

You got several replies over on the MT forum. I said this over there but I think 5-6 on your list are reaches due to low percent accepted via auditions. For example, you will most likely get into DePaul for academics but it is very hard to get into their BFA program. Northwestern, although non audition based, is a reach for almost anyone no matter the stats given the high level of applicants they receive. NYU is probably a match academically and their BFA is large although not everyone gets in. Could be a fit - but expensive!

Drake should be a match. I would guess Knox if not audition based would be a safety.

Other posts in MT forum gave other suggestions for matches. No audition based program is a safety as they are all competitive.

3

My D is struggling with the same issues right now but her stats are nowhere near yours academically. Still, BFA programs are tough to get into…doesn’t matter how smart you are. Her coach says the average number of schools you should apply to is 15-17 for that reason.

4

Check out Drew University in Madison New Jersey. With your stats you should get tons of scholarship monies and their theatre program is great.

5

My D had almost exact same stats. She applied to Northwestern (legacy) and was wait listed. They only take 100 theatre majors a year. They are moving toward some kind of video supplements for applications. She didn’t do this-didn’t really want to join her sister at college! Don’t bother with Yale, unless there’s something unique about you.
Some of these schools require pre-screen videos. This will give you a good idea of where you stand too. You can adjust accordingly. Will you attend a state thespian conference to do auditions there? That’s where my D found her school…wasn’t even on our list! Good luck.

6

Also yale is a general theater studies degree and not performance based in undergrad. They do shows as a university - but the curriculum isn’t performance based.
The famous Yale school of drama is a masters degree only.

7

If you’re truly interested in Northwestern, it’s best to apply ED; that increases your chances. My D actually applied RD but in retrospect should have done ED as it was clearly the top option for her. She did submit a video of four of her monologues along with her application. They were definitely viewed–the dean commented on them to her at a welcome party early on! My D had strong stats, but was not otherwise incredibly unique. I think one thing they liked is that she worked at a regular job (diner hostess) for several years to help out with tight finances. Sometimes she had to work the nightshift and it required a lot of discipline on her part.

Northwestern has also just started a new certificate program, Acting For Film, which my D was able to add her senior year. Terrific opportunity. She loved it.