<p>So I understand that there's no audition, so how are students admitted? I've heard their program is excellent so really how do they choose? Also, do you know how many students they accept each year to their program? </p>
<p>So since it's just a BA program, can you double major? Does the certificate in Musical Theatre count as another major or could you double major and get a certificate? </p>
<p>Finally, it's really really expensive. In your opinion, do you think it's worth it? Though I've seen stuff on their website that says they give out a lot of aid and used the calculator and it said I was eligible for $40,000 in aid from the college. Is this realistic because that seems like a lot just to be given as aid? </p>
<p>One more question, how busy are you with a theatre major since it's only BA. Is it like a BFA in the sense that you're completely immersed in it? Will I have enough time for a job/work-study program? Thank you!</p>
<p>Edit: What scores should you have to get in? I have a 4.0 and a 29 ACT, is that a solid score? And how much should you have on your theatre resume? I've acted in 10 productions and been on crew or ASM for 12 plus some classes and vocal lessons. Is that also ok? I plan on talking to an admissions rep soon, but just wanted to see if anybody on here had some answers first</p>
<p>Hey, NU was my S’s number 1 pick, so we did a lot of visiting and research and this is what we learned.</p>
<p>1) They admit strictly on academics. You can submit an arts supplement, if you want, but there is no evidence (at least in our case) that it makes any difference.
2) Anyone can major in acting for two years. There is an audition for the MT certificate sophomore year.<br>
3) They are expensive but their financial aid is top drawer. If you have need, they will meet it. They also limit student loans to $20,000 tops for all four years. And they have need-blind admissions that is, they won’t subject you to higher standards (or reject you) just because you need more aid.<br>
4) They have general auditions for all shows once a term. Anyone can audition.
5) There is an arts residence hall that you can request. I believe it has a recording studio and perhaps (can’t remember exactly) a small theater.<br>
6) Your scores are very good, but no one is a shoo-in for NU. It’s like an Ivy. They turn down lots and lots of very well qualified students. </p>
<p>There are other people on this list whose kids have gotten into NU and can tell you more about it. We had our hearts pretty much broken when my S got rejected ED from NU. Lots of people in the family had gone. My S had been going to football games there since he was 4. </p>
<p>Anyway, I do hope you have better luck than we did. (your stats are a bit better, just FYI). </p>
<p>jkellynh, so sorry he didn’t get accepted, This is often a crapshot.</p>
<p>My D is a Sophomore there. She loves it and is having a wonderful experience. In part this is because it’s a great match for her. It might not be a match for everyone. Btw she was rejected from several schools that were ‘lower tiered.’ YOu just never know. And she badly wanted to go to Guthrie at the time, but was rejected early. She found out about NU late, in late March. I’m putting that out there because this is such a stressful time for everyone. I’m hoping it turns out well for you all! :-)</p>
<p>It was an email. Thank you @connections. It was sort of a nudge for my S towards more of an acting focus, which has turned out well for him, so I think it turned out okay…still this is a very difficult process for everyone. </p>
<p>Northwestern is a difficult admit, even for tippy-top students. The stats below are for the “middle 50%” of the freshman admits in 2012. 25% of students admitted had scores higher, and 25% of students had scores lower.</p>
<p>As I’ve said before, my daughter was admitted to Yale and waitlisted at NU, go figure! She graduated last year and, while there have been some changes, I will attempt to answer your questions.</p>
<p>No one can figure out how they wind up with such a great class without auditions, but they do. Not everyone remains in the major so there is a bit of self selection. I don’t know how many are admitted but I believe there are generally 100 kid in the class including techies and other non-acting kids.</p>
<p>Double majoring is very common at NU even if you’re in the MT program. You are crazy busy but most of these kids are used to that and thrive on it. Because it’s a BA program you can take as many or as few Theatre classes as you like (obviously there is a minimum for the degree). My daughter decided not to double major or even minor (she was MT) because she wanted freedom and options to take whatever she wanted to take without having to take “required” courses for a double major or minor. She took upper level math classes for fun and relaxation and some history classes with a history major friend of hers. She also took far more acting, dancing, and voice classes than were required, creating a BA program that was specialized for her needs and interests and contained as many or more classes than many BFA programs.</p>
<p>They also have something relatively new call modules. I don’t really understand it but they developed it to allow for more opportunities in other School of Communications areas - film, directing, etc. It’s less classes than a Certificate Program but a cohesive track of classes I think.</p>
We were told that it’s a combination of very strong academic stats and very solid Theatre experience (it was suggested to D during tour that she send her resume and headshot) but as others have said with all highly selective schools, admission is a crapshoot even for kids with amazing stats. They use “a wholistic process to build a diverse class”, so hooks can matter. Fingers crossed for everyone who is waiting for decisions this year!</p>
<p>I think auditions for the MT Certificate are now held fairly early Freshman year.
3 years ago we were told they shoot for 50 males and 50 females. This will include folks who want to direct, write, design, produce, stage manage, etc in addition to actors and MTs.
Our D is getting the MT Certificate and double majoring. Like most NU kids, she came in with a lot of AP credits.
We think it is absolutely worth it, even though we paid full tuition until our second child started there. As has been said, they are extremely generous with need-based aid.
D has done work study her past 2 years. Theatre majors are insanely busy, but NU offers much more scheduling/curriculum flexibility than BFA programs.</p>
<p>I noticed that twice in your post you said “JUST” a BA. Although cc has a focus on BFA programs because of their unique application process, I can assure you that a strong BA is in no way “less than” a BFA. Most kids at NU, Yale, Brown, USC, etc purposely selected their programs over all BFAs, and admission to these programs is at least as selective, if not more so. ;)</p>
<p>My S is in the Northwestern theatre program. Our experience also is that they are very fair with financial aid. Many students double major and hold work-study jobs. My S and his friends appreciate the small class sizes (three out of four of his classes had 16 students or less this term); the amount of individual attention the faculty provide; the experience they’re acquiring not just in acting but in other aspects of theatre through the 60-80 shows typically produced each year; the connections they’re developing with the Chicago area theatre community through faculty, courses, and summer acting/internship opportunities (two of his friends are getting their Equity cards this summer through a local theatre musical production they’ve been cast in); and the ability to do more in-depth exploration in a particular area through the module program: <a href=“https://society.northwestern.edu/module_communities”>https://society.northwestern.edu/module_communities</a>. NU has been a great fit and absolutely worth it. </p>
@CCMom2U – Just found this while looking for something else. Haha – I think I know one of those kids pretty well, so I’ll bet our kids are friends. </p>
<p>I’m trying to figure out the module thing. D would like to double major in stage management and sound design. But none of the modules are for those? Anyone have a child who is majoring in either of these areas?</p>
<p>You wouldn’t major in sound design at NU–that would be too specific. A module isn’t a major, It’s an area of focus within a major. So within Theatre (your major), you can choose a module for “Theatre Management” or “Theatrical Design.” I don’t know which one would suit her better–she should email or call them and ask. </p>
@amtc I’m a rising hs senior and I love all the options that exist at NU. If I got in I would probably major in Acting however music, specifically musical theatre, is my passion so I’m obviously very concerned about getting into NU (I have strong academics) as an acting or voice major and then not making the MT certificate program. I can’t find any info about how hard the certificate program is to get into, so would you mind telling me what your daughter experienced? Also do you know if people ever double major in vocal performance and acting or would that be ridiculous?
Thanks!
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