<p>My son has some learning disabilities that can undermine his grades. His B- average really doesn't show what he has learned, but he has a D+ and some C's in math/sciences. Most of his English and performing arts classes have been A's. His standardized test scores are just above average--22 ACT/1500 SAT. On the other hand, he is very talented, very versatile and very driven in his performing. Does he have any hope of getting into schools which require academic acceptance first? Which MT schools would you recommend?</p>
<p>Probably should have mentioned that not all math/science grades are low (some B’s), and the lower math/science grades were not due to lack of trying or caring. Causes were more like he figured the problem properly but put the decimal in the wrong place on the answer line type of difficulties.</p>
<p>I think if he has an identified LD this gets taken into consideration, but there are also several schools on this list that an ACT of 22 would be withing the median 50%. DD had a 23 on her first round of ACTs and was academically accepted into several program with that.</p>
<p>Test Score and GPA Requirements
Hope this works - I’m trying to link you to a thread that lists programs by academic selectivity. If the link does not work, try doing a forum search by “grade point”, “minimum grade point” etc.</p>
<p>Thanks so, so much for your advice all. Will try that way. We’ve looked at the minimum admissions requirements on many of the schools’ websites and are forgetting programs like UMich, Elon and probably FSU. But, it’s so hard to know whether it’s worth taking a shot at auditioning at places he’d love to go like CCM and CMU which weigh auditions heavily but would still probably consider him to be in the bottom range academically.</p>
<p>It certainly wouldn’t hurt to take a shot at CMU and CCM; as you mentioned those schools weigh the audition more heavily than academics. You should also take a look at some of the conservatory schools, like BoCo. However, all of these schools that you have listed are highly competitive and have very low admission rates. It is essential that you come up with a balanced list that includes not only academic safeties, but non-auditioned schools as well. Any school that requires an audition cannot be considered a safety school. Your list should include at least one; and make sure that it is a school your son would be satisfied with. Every year I see many students on CC who are left with no options because their list was not well-balanced.</p>
<p>You are right to worry that some schools will look at a pretty high academice/test score threshold but don’t feel this is impossible! S has LD and had a resulting spotty HS record. He was accepted to 7 of his 9 schools and is a jr at CMU. Some schools are probably not worth the application because they will only consider students who meet their standard freshman admission criteria (even though documented disabilities are supposed to be taken into account).<br>
These are the schools he applied to and with the likely exception of USC, we think his academic record was viable and that the audition was the key: CMU, CCM, BoCo, Boston University, USC, University of Michigan, Syracuse, Juilliard, Cal Arts. That he was sick for one to which he wasn’t admitted was as likely a reason he was denied as anything in his record. Having a range of schools that will fit your S’s strengths and interests is the important thing to keep in mind when setting the list. Schools that have lots of general education requirements may not be the best fit if he’s going to struggle in some disciplines.</p>
<p>This is all great advice and encouragement. Many thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedules to help. If he can boost his scores a bit the second time around and if there are no big grade shocks for the next two semesters, maybe the academic piece look a bit rosier.</p>
<p>I would suggest looking at Shenandoah Conservatory, Catholic University, University of the Arts, and Plymouth State University as well.</p>
<p>I would also consider looking at Point Park University in Pittsburgh.</p>
<p>Relies 80% on auditions for acceptance. My D auditioned there and they said at the time that they are more focused on the talent aspect than grades/academics</p>
<p>Maybe Webster?</p>
<p>Those grades aren’t that bad. The schools will have minimums posted for admission. Look at those, and find schools that you like. Apply early and you’ll know you are academically eligible prior to auditions.</p>
<p>My non-musical theatre daughter has a learning disability and the best piece of advice we received is that you absolutely should meet with the special services department at the college/university and if you choose to apply then get in touch with the department and let them know that the application has been submitted. They can help you with how to handle the admissions process with a LD student. </p>
<p>The artistic part of admissions would be covered through auditions. I don’t know how it would work, but I would think that if the student has a strong audition and the MT/Acting department wants to give the child an offer but is concerned about the academics, the special services department might be able to help out with their impressions of how the student would handle the program. As I said, I only know this from an outside MT/Acting world and maybe one of the counselers on CC can chime in with how their schools/departments handle the combination of LD/Arts.</p>
<p>A very rough list of some schools off the top of my head where the academic bar is lower than at some other MT schools that may be possibilities for your son (this is not a complete list, nor is it accurate vis a vie your son’s profile as I don’t know enough about his qualifications)…
Look into:
Baldwin-Wallace
University of the Arts
Boston Conservatory
Hartt School at U of Hartford
Point Park
Pace
Shenandoah
Roosevelt
Marymount Manhattan
Montclair State
Otterbein
Westminster College of the Arts
Coastal Carolina
Wagner
CCM
Oklahoma City University
Webster</p>
<p>This does NOT mean he WOULD get into these academically, but these are ones to explore as possibilities compared to some that are less likely. Some of these are harder than others and may be more difficult for him to get into academically. And there are surely others that I did not mention that he should look into as this list is not meant to be complete.</p>
<p>This advice is just phenomenal. Thanks to all. I hope others benefit from your wisdom, too. Since he just won’t be able to audition for every school, do you think that we should face facts and skip CCM and CMU on the theory that they are so tough even if one managed to get in? (Not that all the programs aren’t rigorous.) My S was in a show over the weekend and blew everyone away, but he will not impress anyone with his grades and will not come across in an interview or audition as a slick super-manager.</p>