<p>Acceptance rates for Musical Theater spots nationally are in the 1-2% range.
These are at non-elite (as defined here) schools, for the most part. At elites like NWU, NYU, CMU, the acceptance rate for MT is much lower than for the school as a whole, as well. The MT community regards different schools and programs as elite, in a different order.
And for years, Julliard had a spectacularly low acceptance rate vs the Ivies, even. Now th eIvies have similar below 10% acceptance rates.</p>
<p>It is a case of way too few spots to accommodate those interested, and possibly qualified.
It is also a reflection of the “career” afterwards: earning power, job openings and the like. A very tough business.
The talk about reality shows made me think of this.</p>
<p>It really speaks to the way branding occurs. HYPS set a standard for an OVERALL excellence, prestige, across its programs. That is a tough thing to overcome and emulate and compete with.
The privileged could afford a liberal arts approach to secondary education- no decision about major or career until after admission. Less privileged would have thought more about career and concentration earlier, I surmise. Pre-professionalism and strength by program could have set the tone in defining elitism, quality, prestige, but it did not.
I do see a re-surgence in this, these days, however.</p>