<p>My D needs to choose her HS courses for next year (her JR. year). She doesn't want to make any mistakes in her choices that will cause problems down the road (in MT admissions). I know that each college is differenct, but what do MT colleges typically require with regards to HS courses? I can't seem to find this information on college websites. Current issue: Her HS requires 3 years of science courses to graduate. For the third science would the MT college care if she took a full year lab science course vs 2 half-year non-lab science courses? Her guidance counselor suggests the full year lab science, but I'm not sure why a student not pursuing a career in science would need to worry about that. (the 2 half year course option allows her more flexibiliy in her schedule). Thanks for your help.</p>
<p>The academic aspect of admissions to colleges that have MT programs really varies from college to college. There are some where you are expected to meet the same academic requirements as any other major and others at which academics are not emphasized very much or are relaxed as compared to other majors. Some schools have a bifurcated admissions process; you must be accepted academically in a separate process from talent evaluations. You really need to research each school thoroughly. Even schools that historically have not put much emphasis on academics are receiving applications from high academic achievers.. So, my advise would be to take as challenging a curriculum as you can while still maintaining a high GPA .</p>
<p>Go to collegeboard.com and look at the "Academic Tracker" for specific colleges (even if they're ones you're not interested in). I'm finding that, for the most part, colleges want/require at least three years of science, two of which were lab science. I don't know how much that matters in musical theatre admissions, but for academic admission (which you want to be an excellent candidate for to help your chances/not hurt your chances for MT admission), I would reccommend the extra year of lab science.</p>
<p>My D is also just picking her junior year classes. She technically can drop math and her foreign language since she has met/exceeded these graduation requirements. And she can take non-lab science. My biased advice to her (I am on faculty at a major university in science education) is at least one more year of math, physics (the lab science) and one more year of French. Why, because staying in math and physics will help her on the SATs and ACTs. D hates math and science and is not particularly good at them, and she will not pursue them past her college gen. ed requirements but if kids cut out of these classes too soon they REALLY struggle when they pick them up again at college. (plus I guess I secretly keep hoping she will learn to like them.)</p>
<p>keepingcalm that is good advice. Even in the performing majors, many schools will award scholarships based on the academic profile, too. Best to keep the options open.</p>
<p>D just picked her Sr schedule with the same kind of thought process. She had always planned on taking an AP as her fourth year of science and AP Calc as her fourth year of math. Not because she loves them, but simply so she'd never have to take math or science in college. Just not interested. But she realized that she could stick with AP Physics while dropping down to a high honors calc that is offered as part of a dual enrollment college program. It covers enough calc to handle the physics, but is a bit easier than AP calc. None of the MT or BM programs she's looked at require more than one math course, so it's a good chance that this would work out. And guidance would still be able to check the "most rigorous" box on the profile.</p>
<p>Keeping calm, I agree with you that keeping the difficulty level high, regardless of how useful those courses will be to a kid's future, is a smart idea. It just seems best to avoid creating ANY reason for a school to cross your kid off their list.</p>
<p>I agree with the advice to check each school in which you are interested in applying. I know that my D's 3 years of the same foreign language (with one year being a dual-credit course) in high school fulfilled the foreign language requirement at OCU. She also took 2 dual-credit math courses, which gave her way more than the required math credits for her BM degree, and received college credits for history and government. Our little school does not offer DC or AP science or she would have gladly gotten it out of the way! :) She is a strong student, scored well on her SAT/ACT and received a large academic scholarship. I highly recommend taking as many dual credit or AP courses as possible in high school to leave room for more MT electives in college.</p>
<p>I totally agree with pushing the academics in preparation for SAT/ACT. With the numbers of applicants increasing, grades and test scores are becoming increasingly important, especially at some of the more desirable schools with high academic standards-eg Michigan, NYU. If your child is not a great student and is thinking more of a strict conservatory environment it is less critical.</p>
<p>I teach in a BA MT program, and each year there are students who we would have liked to have had in the program who do not get into the university academically (even after our recommendation to admissions). There are other students who after looking at the admissions requirements decide not to apply (particularly if they would have to travel a long distance to audition). Because I spend a fair amount of time emailing or talking with prospective students about this I can hear (or get a sense of) their disappointment... So, I am sure that this colors my perspective.... </p>
<p>As everyone above has said there is a lot of variation in the academic admissions standards at schools which offer a degree in musical theatre. Some schools take it very much into consideration (expecting MT applicants to meet the same requirements as non-MT applicant, some even only allowing you to audition after admissions has signed off on your being academically competitive for the school). Other MT schools do not require MT students to meet the same college/ university admissions standards (but even this varies -- some schools barely taking it into account at all, and others weighing academics into the admissions process more significantly). </p>
<p>There are very good MT schools that do weigh grades and rigor of HS curriculum highly in the admissions process... many of these schools are "top" MT schools... others are smaller schools that could be considered mid-range, reach ... others may even be safeties if they are non-auditioned programs which would be an academic safety for you. </p>
<p>When I was applying to college I believe it was recommended that students take at least three years of math, four of english, two of science (at least one with a lab), two years of the same foreign language, three years of history to be minimally competitive for college admissions (I believe this is correct because I took the bare minimum in core courses, and filled out my schedule with music, philosophy, theatre, public speaking, computer applications, and other non-core courses). Now it seems that many schools are looking for four years of math, three years of science (at least one with a lab)... not all schools, but a fair number. I often wonder if I would have been competitive academically today at schools I was accepted to for MT 18 years ago. All of this has gotten so much more competitive... both general college admissions and MT admissions. </p>
<p>If you are in the position to be able to take AP, IB, or dual enrollment classes, why not? If you can take at least one year of math beyond geometry, or four years of a foreign language, or two lab sciences (or some combination of these), why not? The AP/ or IB credits could allow you to come to college with many (if not all of your general education requirements taken care of -- depending on the school)... and the classes themselves (particularly in foreign language) could allow you to pass a placement exam to complete that requirement all together (each school has different requirements -- even BFA programs -- you may fall in love with a program that requires you to take more general education).</p>
<p>Although I think that, depending on the school, test scores and academics are generally critical components, do not overlook the importance of focussing/highlighting other interests as well.</p>
<p>Academically, D decided that she wanted to carry a decent load (including Economics & Psychology) that complimented her strengths and yet would not undermine her GPA. She opted for just 2 AP classes senior year, took 3 years of foreign language, 4 years of math (not truly her thing however), and 4 years of science (along with English, history etc.). I do feel that her four years of science especially gave her a competitive advantage at the more academically oriented schools she applied to. In fact she was asked about science (her favorite subject) at one of her auditions. </p>
<p>I do believe that at the same time colleges are looking for kids with well rounded resumes: solid academics, leadership skills, community service and school related activities (choir, band, dance, drama) that compliment their extracurricular interest/talent (MT). </p>
<p>I am pretty sure that between 2 people that have an equally great audition, numbers and activities definitely come into play.</p>
<p>Remember that a significant portion of scholarship money for arts students is based on academic indicators (SAT scores, high school academic record). Do whatever you can to improve those measures!</p>
<p>I've posted this before, but high school AP classes and the associated college credits (from getting the required score on the year end national exam) helped my son so much in not having to take many of the required general education courses in college. Therefore, he has more time for electives in his major.</p>
<p>In order for my D to have 4 yrs of math she will have to take a make up class at a local college. She really struggles with math and science. Should she take those 4th yr courses knowing it will bring down her GPA? She has exceeded the English and History requirements and is planning to take several more coures in those area.</p>
<p>Do schools look at grades or the bottom line GPA that the HS provides? How do they handle varying grading policies? For example, an 84 at D's school is a C while several at surrounding towns, and some colleges, it is a B. This doesn't seem fair when the college state that a minimum 3.0 (B) is required.</p>
<p>Keepingcalm, I never had physics or a 4th yr math in HS and barely passed those that I had. Years later I entered college, had some really great professors and earned a degree in civil engineering. I was better able to process those concepts. So, while I disagree with the struggling comment, rest assured that there is a chance that she will learn to like them.</p>
<p>I would just like to suggest that taking Biology, Chemistry, and Physics is a really good idea. I was stuck in a freshman intro to bio/chem/physics class my sophomore year and decided I hated chem, so I switched into a completely different science track. I've taken Bio, Environmental Science, Anatomy & Physiology (my favorite high school course ever), and Engineering, and I've been asked several times why I didn't take the Bio/Chem/Physics route.</p>
<p>ktmom - I felt this compelling need to point out that each person should look at this individually as there really is no set formula. </p>
<p>I learned last year when I tried to help my D figure out where she was at academically, that colleges can greatly vary in terms of the different requirements. Some schools (UMich & NYU for example) tend to be more demanding about the complexity of the classes you take senior year than others. Most liberal arts schools post their requirements on their website.</p>
<p>I would recommend that you look closely at those requirements and also the average freshman stats (GPA & test scores). Your D can then choose to build her academic load tailored to fit those requirements, and yet compliment her strengths, rather than randomly sign up for classes she will likely have a hard time in and may not need when all is said and done.</p>
<p>Senior year can turn into quite a challenging year for a BFA MT prospect, between training, auditions/college visits and academics, and so it is really important to look for balance.</p>
<p>As Letsfigureitout points out as well, it is definitely worthwile striving for a good GPA as you'd be amazed at the academic scholarships that can come your way, just based on GPA alone. Just FWIW, my own D is not necessarily 'the most academic wiz' of all time, but she does get good grades in subjects that interest her (physics does not rank high on her favorite subject list...). She wound up with quite a few of academic scholarships.</p>
<p>I would never recommend that a kid take a course load so above her head that she'd be struggling. But if your kid is a strong student handling the most rigorous offerings, I wouldn't imagine it's a smart idea to bump down to an easier load. Admissions reps, we are told, look for growth & a willingness to take on challenges. It just seems that as the talent awards are so subjective, it's best to keep the stats up so your kid can qualify for some merit $$. At least in the case of academic scholarships nobody is looking for a tall brunette alto or a lanky tenor.</p>
<p>My S is taking his fair share of academically challenging courses as a junior this year and is planning on doing the same next year. What about prep in terms of classes or knowledge in music theory, piano, music/theatre/arts history? Do school's look at ability and/or training in these areas? I have heard that some MT school's want students to have basic piano playing ability as well - is this true?</p>
<p>It's ALWAYS a great idea for a MT performer to be able to play piano and to read music. Kids who audition for University of Michigan, for instance, are given an easy piano piece to play as part of their audition. It is mostly for placement purposes, but kids there (and at other good schools) have to take piano/keyboard, music theory and so on, so if your S can get that started now, all the better.</p>
<p>kardan - I concur with NMR that being able to play the piano definitely is good thing (especially at a school like UMich). This year we also have seen music theory tests handed out at for example Point Park. I personally feel that a basic understanding of music theory is important. Sight reading subsequently will be a very useful trait as well. </p>
<p>One thing that my D noticed in particularly the young men that were auditioning was the lack of dance training. I would highly recommend that your S take some ballet and jazz classes if he has not already done so, and/or keep with it, as this can definitely help set him aside from his (male) competition. Most kids at all my D's auditions truly had exceptional voices (from overhearing vocal warm ups), but it seemed that actual dance training was rather non-existent :).</p>
<p>My D is doing Bio/Chem/AP Bio/A&P and Ap Environmental Science, and no physics. She'll have 5 years of math to go along with it, but like her mother, physics is just not a good match. She loves the life sciences and excels in them. I think as long as you have a well rounded science background with some honors/AP you can leave out physics and do fine. Unless you aim to be an engineer or architect, of course.........</p>