<p>I'm a Junior in high school, gearing up for college. I was always pretty confident with my GPA which was a 3.45....but then I realized unweighted it is just a 2.8....I'm not a bad student, just quite average. Do I have a shot? Are there any current MT students who had GPA's like this in high school? I have not taken my SAT, but im sure if I get a decent score that would even out the GPA right?</p>
<p>Musical Theater is not quite typical in regards to college entrance. Many (if not most) of the programs put most weight on your audition, and not as much on your GPA. Of course there are exceptions, such as Northwestern and NYU, but there are many schools for which your GPA would not be a problem. The incentive to keeping your GPA as high as possible, is that some schools will consider your GPA when offering academic scholarships. MT programs tend to be very expensive, so with a higher GPA, you would have a better shot at academic scholarships on top of any talent scholarships that might be offered. You still have some time to raise your GPA and test scores, so might consider if there is a way to do so. As a junior, this is a good time to start coming up with your audition material, and to evaluate your voice, acting, and dance skills so that you can strengthen them as much as possible before next year’s auditions (which arrive in a surprisingly short amount of time). Good luck!</p>
<p>@BroadwayKing17 - Check PM</p>
<p>Thanks so much do-what-u-luv! I will try to at least keep my GPA up, and im taking the SAT in May. Most of the schools you mentioned (Texas State, Pace, CCM,MMC,) Are my top choices!</p>
<p>Be sure you have a non auditioned safety in your list also - if I remember correctly, all of those schools are competitive as far as the program goes. I know that Texas State is one of the hardest to get into just because so many more audition for the places.</p>
<p>I tell you what, finding a school where you can truly call it a safety in ALL regards- academic, the program itself, AND the cost - AND you know you would be happy to attend, takes some work and research, but please, please, make sure you have at least one on that list. You could get acceptances from every school or you might not get a single one - you can NEVER tell and so much of it really is just random luck.</p>
<p>BWKing: You are very welcome! 
</p>
<p>SDFly: This is last thing I said in my PM to BWKing: Be sure, BE VERY SURE, to have at least a couple of non-audition BA schools that are within your academic reach - and where you would be happy to attend. EVERYONE - regardless of GPA and test scores - MUST be prepared for no artistic acceptances and therefore, MUST have non-audition, academic fit schools as part of a balanced list - but that was not the question here. </p>
<p>I did not post my whole response because it was very long. BWKing listed a sampling of the schools I suggested he look into based on his current academics.</p>
<p>Regardless of how many audition for Texas States MT program, the academic requirement is based on the universitys automatic admissions standards and is probably not an academic reach school for most, including BWKing. Unlike some schools that weigh both academics and talent in the mix for MT program acceptance, Texas State does not. Pace, CCM, and MMC, among others, base academic acceptance on a combination of factors beyond grades and test scores.</p>
<p>And YES, all of these programs like most these days ARE very competitive artistically, but the question was in regards to getting in academically. It is very possible that BWKing is in academic range for all of these schools; as opposed to: NW, Michigan, NYU, Muhlenberg, TCU, etc which takeitallin had already stated would be out of his range, based on his current GPA (since he has no test score yet). </p>
<p>As takeitallin stated (and I reiterated at great length to BWKing) having an academic profile that will gain you admission is one thing, but having the academic credentials that will gain you scholarship is quite another </p>
<p>Great points!</p>
<p>That’s whats so hard about MT. If the only thing we had to worry about was academic acceptance and being able to afford it, our list of choices would have been significantly longer…but it’s that pesky ol’ acceptance into the program thing!! lol. People whose kids aren’t trying to get into MT think we are nuts for applying to a dozen or more schools…they just don’t understand the logistics we are having to deal with!</p>
<p>I could be wrong here, but I would suspect that many programs look at the transcript not just to see how “smart” or academic a student is, but to see whether they apply themselves with discipline and dedication to whatever they do.</p>
<p>Right and right! </p>
<p>Getting into any actual MT program takes a certain “je ne sais quoi” that varies from program to program, year to year, even audition to audition. For some programs, they know (but don’t publicize) what they are looking for based on their current company of students; while for other programs, it’s more of an organic “we’ll know it when we see it” kind of thing. So assuming the artistic talent, training, experience, and audition preparation are all there, you do your best and hope that you have the “je ne sais quoi”-Factor that one or more programs are looking for this audition season.</p>
<p>On top of all that, coming up with an individual balanced list of MT schools that are a good academic fit is a whole other undertaking - especially finding those with great non-audition programs. Thankfully, most, if not all, school web sites publish their academic requirements including minimum GPA and test scores (or give middle 50th percentile stats). Many also publish criteria for academic scholarships; some even give amounts based on GPA, class standing, test scores; and others have scholarship calculators (helpful to determine whether or not its worth retesting to try to bump up to the next level).</p>
<p>Some schools use a holistic approach to academic admissions, many these schools do not set a minimum for GPA or test scores; a couple even state that you can be admitted even if you are below the minimum. These tend to be more of the conservatory style schools and programs that run like a conservatory within a university setting. Those programs may be a better fit for the right-brained, can’t-sit-in-my-seat, out-of-the-box thinking kids who have struggled in school but have thrived in the performing arts. Those same programs may also be a great fit for left-brained, artistically gifted kid as long as they feel challenged.</p>
<p>Just like no one can hand you the perfect songs or monologues, no one can hand you your balanced list - it takes research to find what works for you. It’s a huge task but at this time next year, you will be glad you spent a rainy Saturday on your computer!</p>