<p>What would you say are the top 5 safe (no audition) schools on the east coast?</p>
<p>I honestly don't think anyone can lay those out for you without knowing your academic record. A school is only "safe" if you are sure that you have the academic record to be admitted. No school that requires an audition is a safety, as you know, but not all schools that don't require auditions are perfect "walk ins" for every student.</p>
<p>I agree totally with NotMamaRose. It is a misconception that a non-audition school is automatically a "safety" school. MANY MANY non-audition schools are NOT safety schools at all!! As well, one person's safety school is another person's reach. For instance, I know some kids who can consider Muhlenberg a safety school and I know others where Muhlenberg would be a far reach.</p>
<p>Safety (likelies or sure bets) schools are the ones where you will have little problem being admitted. An applicant's safety schools are still very good schools and are safe only in terms of an individual's chances of admission. Everyone needs these schools on their list. Make sure that your safety schools are ones you would be happy to attend. Put energy into finding ones you truly like. A safety school would be one where your "stats" are above the 75%tile approximately of those admitted to that particular school. </p>
<p>No audition schools can be considered safeties (though some are "easier" to get into than others). So, non-audition schools should be added to a person's list but the fact that they are non-audition, ALONE, does NOT make them a safety. For instance, someone might have Northwestern on their list. It is a non audition BA school and I venture to say, that school is RARELY a safety for anyone. Same with very good theater schools like Brown or Yale. </p>
<p>Again, what is a safety school is RELATIVE to each student. I have had students have Muhlenberg as a safety and I have others where that school is a reach. Some may have Susquehanna, McDaniel, Indiana (the BA program), or Manhattanville as a safety. Some might have Rollins as a safety but I know others where that school is a reach. Without knowing your entire profile, it is hard to say what would be a safety for you. We could discuss non audition schools, but that is not the definition of a safety school.</p>
<p>Idk if my grades are good or not. I mean my GPA has always been a 3.5 or higher...is that good compared to an average HS student?</p>
<p>Is that 3.5 weighted or unweighted?</p>
<p>Ohernjr8:
When a college evaluates you for admission, it is not simply a numerical equation or cut off. Most schools, unless a huge state university with high acceptance rates, look at the total picture. I could not begin to tell your odds at a school without knowing lots more about you than the GPA. Schools look at the rigor of your chosen courses in the context of your high school (what was offered), your GPA (unweighted), your class rank or percentile, your SAT scores (and at some schools also SAT Subject Test scores), your extracurricular activities and roles in them and achievements, your essays, your recommendations, and so forth. It is not a formula with the highest GPA and test scores getting the acceptance nod. Someone with a lower GPA can be admitted over someone with a higher GPA because he/she has a very strong total package. </p>
<p>Also, I can't tell you how good your GPA is out of context. It sounds like quite a decent GPA (if unweighted), but a GPA without knowing which courses you took and what was available, is not a total picture. Your GPA and grades will be looked at using the high school profile. A GPA of 3.5 taking the most rigorous courses available is not the same as a GPA taking a much less demanding courseload. More selective colleges want to see candidates who have challenged themselves with a more demanding curriculum. So, the GPA of 3.5 is hard to evaluate without all those other factors and is too out of context. As well, we don't know how that falls within the context of your senior class....what percentile such a GPA would put you in within your class.</p>
<p>I personally think this post has gotten SO off track. All I asked was what would YOU say for the AVERAGE person are the top 5 NON AUDITION schools MT wise. Thanks for your help though.</p>
<p>I would suggest at looking at programs that are instate, especially since I believe you are the one who said you might be interested in theatre ed. as well. I can't really help you out at all in Florida - but I'd say try to check out schools online, then try to visit ones that look possible.</p>
<p>Also, by looking at schools geographically close to you, you (or your school guidance counselor) might know some kids already enrolled there, and have an idea how you would fit academically.</p>
<p>ohernjr8 -- I think the reason the thread has gotten "off track" is because there is no simple answer. First -- there are not many non-auditioned musical theatre programs. Second -- It is impossible to rank programs as the top 5 because they are all different in terms of what they offer the student, and what is required to get in to the school academically. Third -- There is no average student.</p>
<p>Because I was curious I looked at the Big List on the FAQs link:</p>
<p>Here are the East Coast, four-year colleges that are listed on the Big List as offering a Musical Theatre major that is non-auditioned:</p>
<p>University of South Alabama
Ouachita Baptist University
University of West FL
Brenau University
Shorter College
Northern Kentucky University
Western Kentucky University
University of New Hampshire
Catawba College
Mars Hills College
DeSales University
Johnson State College
West Virginia Weslyan College</p>
<p>That is 13 schools. If you add Muhlenberg College (which offers a BA in Theatre with many MT opportunities), you have 14 schools. The top 5 "safe schools" will differ depending on what a student is looking for in a program... small school/ big school.... urban location/ rural location... distance from home.... distance from NYC... degree offered... finances... HS grades... etc.</p>
<p>Rollins College, in your home state of FL has a BA in Theatre with a MT Emphasis option in the Performance Track. The admissions deadline is Feb. 15. I cannot claim it under your question of "safety" school as I don't know if it is "safe" for YOU, but it is a very good option to look into.</p>
<p>columbia college chicago is also a non-audition school. they accept aprox 97% of all applicants, and that is what they said at an interview that i had with them. they have a strong MT program too.</p>
<p>Ouachita Baptist, in Arkansas, and Columbia in Chicago (both good safety options) are not exactly East Coast, in my opinion. They are more in central US.</p>
<p>I believe that Catawba theatre is non-audition but that one must audition after a semester or a year to be in their MT program.</p>
<p>Without too much comment, I would add Niagara University to a list of "safe" schools in the East. It is a BFA in Performing Arts with ample MT opportunities. They have several successful alumni and reasonable connections to NYC - the drawback for some might be tutition costs at a private University.</p>
<p>University of West Florida is a very cost effective educational option for you if you qualify for Bright Futures.</p>
<p>Anyone have more opinions on the non-auditioned schools? I've heard people really like Muhlenberg, but have heard a lot of not-so-good things about Columbia...I haven't heard too much about any of the other schools.</p>
<p>Not exactly east coast, but my son was impressed with Indiana University, which did not have a BFA MT program at the time he looked. I think they still offer the BA in theatre or independent studies, and this is worth a look as a possibly safety option.</p>
<p>East Carolina University has a decent program. I am not sure if it is considered a "real" safety school. They used to require an audition before the sophomore year for acceptance into the program and I assume they still do. But that gives you a year to "wow" them before you audition for the program.</p>
<p>West Chester University in PA has a non-audition theater BA with a concentration in MT. I think you are in straight theater the first year and then apply for MT later, but I could be wrong. My D was accepted for vocal performance after auditioning in November. The performing arts center is brand new and state of the art - one of nicest we saw anywhere.</p>
<p>I've heard through the grapevine that Columbia accepts like EVERYONE</p>
<p>I attend Siena Heights University in Michigan, and it's a non-audition Musical Theatre program, I LOVE it!</p>