<p>Hi! I am a rising senior in high school and am finalizing my college list. So far my list is:</p>
<p>Pace University
Point Park University
Rutgers University
Rider University
Wagner College
Marymount Manhattan College
Boston Conservatory</p>
<p>My grades throughout high school my grades have not been the best. I am generally a C+ student. Also, my GPA is a 2.69 and I got a 1560 on my SAT's. But, I was involved in many extra-curricular activities and did a lot of volunteer work. </p>
<p>Does anyone have any suggestions for Musical Theatre Schools that will suit me best considering the information I've provided?</p>
<p>(p.s. I would like to stay within 2.5-3 hours away from Philadelphia but at least 1 hour away.)</p>
<p>I think a great place to start would be collegeboard.com
You can plug in all your stats and wants, then find a college. Especially since you’re beginning to compile a list
(sorry if this sounds stupid and you’ve already done that, lol)</p>
<p>Are you willing to go thru an audition process?</p>
<p>What is your budget? how much will your parents pay? </p>
<p>Most, if not all, of the schools on your list do not give great aid. The amount that your parents will pay will largely determine where you should apply. </p>
<p>You said you did many extra-curricular activities and lots of volunteer work. These are good things. Have you also had (or is some of the above) experience in musical theatre productions? Do you dance? (Have you had dance training…as in dance classes?) Sing? Acting experience or training? Several of the schools on your list will require a 2-part admission process – the traditional academic application (grades/GPA/extra-curriculars), and also an audition. For this you’ll need to go to each school’s website and see their very specific requirements. There you can also find information about audition dates/deadlines/locations.</p>
<p>Do you have a voice teacher or other person who can help you put together your audition materials? Have you considered whether you wish a BFA or BA in musical theatre? </p>
<p>It’s good that you’re doing the research. Spend some serious time on each school’s website, call the departments, look at requirements and costs and applications… Good luck in the process!</p>
<p>I am in preparation for the audition process right now. I have spent a good portion of my summer preparing. I already have 3 monologues to choose from and 4 songs to choose from. I am spending my time now narrowing down. </p>
<p>Money is not a factor. My parents are willing to pay whatever it costs for my education</p>
<p>I have had extensive training and much theater experience. I have choreographed 2 shows at my school. I have done community theater and high school theater. I have had a voice teacher and a vocal coach for 4 years. I start jazz dance classes in the fall. I am hoping to pursue a BFA in musical theater.</p>
<p>I do not believe that Rutgers offers a BFA in Musical Theatre. </p>
<p>You may want to add Montclair State in NJ to your list of schools. </p>
<p>Shenandoah Conservatory in VA, may be within 3 hours of Philly. I believe Penn State University Park is as well. </p>
<p>Do you have a non-auditioned academic safety school on your list of schools? You may want to look at DeSales… I believe they offer a non-auditioned BA in Musical Theatre… only auditions for scholarships. University of RI also may still offer a non-auditioned BFA in Musical Theatre… not sure how far they are from Philly.</p>
<p>If the college degree itself is not as important to you, look at Circle in the Square and Cap 21… they both offer certificate programs in MT. AMDA offers the opportunity to pursue a certificate or a BFA… you may have to go to LA to complete the BFA, however.</p>
<p>Well one thing you should know is there are a lot of theatre programs/ universities that don’t require you to be a straight A student. Some really good selective programs I recommend that may be in your academic range are;</p>
<p>Ball State University
Western Michigan University
University of Oklahoma
Baldwin Wallace College
Webster University
Texas State University
Point Park
University of Northern Colorado
Boston Conservatory
Otterbein College
CCM
University of Wisconsin Stevens Point
Pace University
Marymount Manhatttan
Oklahama City University
University of Hartford
Etc…</p>
<p>There’s a lot of programs that fit peoples GPA and training personally. The best thing to do is just apply and just see what happens. I would also try for some reaches academically because it is possible that if you pass the audition and they really want you they can sometimes talk to admission and give an extra pull to get you academically accepted if you are on the borderline for acceptable acadmics to that institution. Also a lot of schools will post on their website their general academic requirements and minimum accepted GPA. Good luck</p>
<p>My son was an average academic - a bit better GPA, a bit less on the test score…there is more detail posted in the Class of 2012 Background thread.
There are a lot of schools that should stay on your list and you have a good start here. But because auditions and preparation are exhausting and expensive, I would not proceed with the assumption that the MT faculty will have any pull over the admission’s office. Often times there is a separation and often times there are a ton of other students who are just as talented and do meet the standards.
So for the sake of preserving time and energy, focus on places where you can be accepted academically or that will tell you one way or another before you audition.
In response to the comment above, the acceptance guideline at Univ. of Oklahoma for OOS students is a 25 ACT or a 3.5 GPA - so that is not likely unless you can improve your test score. And don’t forget Carnegie Mellon, which apparently looks almost entirely at the audition…there is a lot of good information about all this in each sub forum.</p>
<p>You’d better make darn sure that your parents know the actual cost given your stats. You are unlikely to receive much in the way of merit aid and the talent scholarships would barely make a dent. Even if you are millionaires, an undergrad education without limits is going to put a $250k dent in their Gucci wallet.</p>
<p>For the OP. you could consider getting your grades up by doing a year or two of community college? LAlso, remember there are a lot of ways to break into the MT business other than an MT degree.</p>
<p>Although it will limit you, there are still plenty of schools that a 2.69, along with your extracurriculars, will be enough for an academic acceptance. Audition schools are so selective that you probably shouldn’t waste your time auditioning for real academic reaches. It would be a shame to be admitted artistically but rejected anyway. You don’t say much about the type of program you are looking for or if size of the school or environment matters, so it’s really hard to help you find the right fit.</p>
<p>I am all for community college when a student has no idea what they want to do, or if money is tight, but if you know you want to get a college education and can afford it, find the best possible fit for you now. If you can get great grades, but are unhappy with your initial choice, try to transfer down the road.</p>
<p>Some of these are auditioned BA’s, some are further than 3 hours from Philly, some are borderline for your GPA, but may be OK:</p>
<p>Indiana U of PA
SUNY-Cortland
SUNY-Fredonia
Seton Hill
Rhode Island College</p>
<p>Do everything you can to bring up your GPA this coming semester. Even if you can bring it to a 2.8 it would show growth. And take the SATs again or take the ACTs.</p>
<p>PLEASE make sure you have a non-audition safety school. KatMT suggested URI, that’s a good one for you.</p>
<p>Also - since you have already limited yourself academically, I would urge you to open yourself up to other options as far as where to apply geographically. Both the Cornish College for the Arts in Seattle and Columbia College in Chicago are well-regarded programs that really require only a high-school degree. There are some cautions about Columbia’s program in the sub forum, which you should research, but both schools are worth considering - especially since you seem to prefer an urban classroom.
Also, my son ended up at the University of Memphis, and so I will plug that school as well. You can apply to the university early and get an admissions answer before the on-campus auditions in Feb.</p>