<p>I'm looking for some advice about graduate school applications for an MA or MFA in Theater. I have a BFA in Musical Theater from The Boston Conservatory, which is from over 10 years ago. My biggest challenge is that my GPA from back then is horrible- it's a 2.35, and it's around a 2.7 or so if you include my grades from my transfer classes since I took a lot of my liberal arts requirements at other schools. My strong points are that I have a ton of experience since I graduated- I have over 2 years experience teaching music and theater, and I performed in a lot of professional productions, including 2 national tours. I also just completed a class at USC, where I earned an A. My plan is to take 2 more classes (graduate level) at USC to have a high GPA there, so that I can have my three letters of recommendations from a current school where I currently have good grades. USC lets you take classes as a "limited status" student without having to be accepted to their graduate school, so that is how I am able to take these classes now. I also hope to have these classes transfer to my new school once I am accepted (most of the school websites say they allow this for a few classes).</p>
<p>Here is my main question- what are my chances, realistically, of getting into a good gradschool, given my crappy GPA ten years ago from the Boston Conservatory? Keep in mind that I will have a good current GPA (A's) from three classes at USC, plus the experience I mentioned. I want to get my masters degree in Theater, but not Acting- I want to focus on Dramaturgy or Performance Studies. The schools/ programs I am most interested in are Yale, Columbia, Tufts, NYU (Performance Studies), UCLA, Sarah Lawrence, and Boston University (Theater Education).</p>
<p>ANY advice is GREATLY appreciated. Thanks!</p>
<p>This is just for anyone who has read my post and wanted to know more info…</p>
<p>I got some great advice from KatMT (member here) as well as from the head of the drama department admissions at USC. Both said that my taking additional classes now is a great idea. When I asked about getting into a top school, the admissions officer at USC said that even with my low GPA from years ago, that there was still a good chance, given my specific circumstances, namely that I have such great experience and that I have current evidence of taking my studies seriously and doing well at an academically rigorous school like USC. I also need to put together a strong personal statement essay and any other writing examples that may be required. That, and have some great recommendations.</p>
<p>Just thought I’d post this in case anyone else was in a similar situation. I think it also helps that my BFA is from The Boston Conservatory.</p>
<p>My new list of schools that I plan to apply to are:</p>
<p>Boston University (MFA in Theater Education)
Sarah Lawrence (MFA in Theater)
NYU (MA in Performance Studies)
Emerson (MA in Theater Education)
Columbia (MFA in Theater- Dramaturgy)
UMass Amherst (MFA in Theater- Dramaturgy)</p>
<p>If anyone else out there is applying to any of these graduate programs, or is a current student in one of these programs, please respond or send me a personal message. Thanks!</p>
<p>Wow I am the same way only I can however tell you that UCLA Film school requires GRE test scores if you have below a 3.00. I got by with a couple points slip because my accreditation goes by +/-. </p>
<p>I hope this helps. Although we are different majors, it seems a notable school like UCLA requires us artist to be proficient in writing and math despite our work history.</p>
<p>If it comes down to it call and see what is required. That is what I did. Prior to this I though all universities required it and delayed it for 6 months thinking I had to prepare for a GRE. </p>
<p>Good luck</p>
<p>Yes, half of the schools I’m applying to require the GRE so I’m studying for that now too. I just ordered the prep books from Amazon! I know what you mean about the 3.00 GPA minimum- all of the schools I’m applying to require at least a 3.00 as a minimum. That’s why I’m doing everything that I’m doing! My low GPA is over 10 years old, but if I have 12 current credits at USC with a 4.0, and everything else looks good, I’ll just have to cross my fingers and see. The admissions officer at USC seemed less worried about it than I was. He used to work in admissions at UCLA, and was at NYU prior to that. He said even top schools make exceptions and he said not to worry so much about my low GPA from back then. I hope he’s right!</p>
<p>Honeychurch, good luck to you on this. It sounds like you are on the right path,though, and that any grad program would benefit from your presence!</p>
<p>I was wondering if you have looked over at the boards that include Musical Theater/Acting advice? I know they are primarily about undergrad, but thought those folks might also have some very good advice for you…</p>
<p>Thanks for your nice words churchmusicmom. I have been checking out the undergrad posts a bit. I was going to post there but I’ve noticed on many threads that if a post about graduate school shows up, that it gets “moved” to this area. I wish there were others like me here! The graduate school posts seem to be 90% about engineering. I would love to see more people who are applying to (or currently in) theater or music graduate schools. I’ll look in the undergrad theater and musical theater posts a bit more like you suggested.</p>