<p>I’m a senior in high school right now, so the college hunt is getting intense. I’m a straight A student and I have a lot of extracurricular activities. I got a 2020 on my SAT, but I might take it again. I also got a 730 and a 740 on my Subject SATs. I’m really interested in CMU’s Musical Theatre program. I’ve heard how selective it is, and I had a few questions: </p>
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<li><p>As a female student, is it necessary to be a belter? I’ve been taking voice lessons for years, but I’m really more of a lyric soprano. I’m working on expanding my repertoire of vocal techniques.</p></li>
<li><p>As a female student, how intense is the dancing? I don’t have a ton of experience, but I’m working on that, too.</p></li>
<li><p>I realize it’s very hard to get in, so what other schools would you suggest I apply to? (For a similar program)</p></li>
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<p>My daughter just headed back to CMU for her junior year, She loves the school and the program. Here are my thoughts based on my daughter’s experience.</p>
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<li><p>No, it is not necessary to be a belter. My daughter had classical training for several years prior to college auditions. At that time she had no belt voice and just a little mix. She was what you would call a legit soprano. Her voice has changed dramatically in the past two years. Wow them with what you have and be prepared for anything. In my daughter’s CMU audition she sang her first legit soprano piece. When she started her second piece she was cut off; she was told they wanted to hear something with more mix/belt and did she know “All That Jazz?” So she sang All That Jazz. They obviously heard enough potential.</p></li>
<li><p>Dance is not the focus at CMU - acting is. The MTs take all the same acting courses as the actors. That being said, the MTs take dance every semester. They also have many opportunities to dance and choreograph. CMU does a student production called Dancelight every year that allows students some great opportunities.</p></li>
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<p>CMU is an awesome program for my daughter. I’d research this forum and the programs out there to create an audition list that is appropriate for you. All the best.</p>
<p>Your grades and SAT scores are great - congrats! Just a note to everyone reading - CMU Drama doesn’t take academics into account really at all, unlike the rest of the university, which is extremely difficult to get into. This is confusing to many people, but it’s true - as long as you’re not flunking out of high school, your academics are FINE for CMU School of Drama.</p>