<p>I am really just looking for some advice and help and I dont know were to start looking? </p>
<p>I am 24 years old eeek and I currently live in England however I was born and raised in America for half of my life so hold an American Passport. I have applied to courses in England and received call backs but it is hugely competitive here and I feel personality and talent wise I would be better off doing my training in America.</p>
<p>I am a strong singer and actor but very weak in dance. I know that its to late to apply most places for 2009 so it would be for 2010 entry. I am concerned about my grades matching the American and I do really suffer with dyslexia so the SAT test scares me half to death. So I would like to avoid if possible or if I did have to do the SAT then if my mark was low it would not be such a issue. I would like to be more based on talent.</p>
<p>I just wanted to know in people opinions were would be a good place to apply and if there is conventions that you can go to attend so you see lots of courses and colleges.</p>
<p>Any advice would be really appreciated</p>
<p>To avoid the SAT problem, you should consider looking at schools which offer a conservatory program – some of them don’t require SATs. I think University of the Arts is one – and I’m sure you’ll hear from other posters with suggestions. OR – you might want to consider a non-college program where academics are not considered, such as Circle in the Square. Also, I wonder if your age may put you at a bit of a disadvantage where colleges are concerned.</p>
<p>Have you not done any college yet in the UK? I think due to your non-traditional age for undergraduate education, you would be best served by applying/auditioning to programs like Circle in the Square (in NYC) or CAP21 Professional Musical Theater program (in NYC), both of which are two year Certificate programs and have students your age and do not require academics for admissions purposes. You will get good training and I think you ought to look into these options.</p>
<p>You could inquire at places like University of The Arts or Boston Conservatory, both four year BFA programs, which have less stringent academic requirements for admissions (than some BFA programs in university settings) and where the audition is the biggest factor.</p>
<p>University of the Arts does require SAT’s or the ACT for U.S. students unless the student has taken a college english class with a grade of C or better or has been out of school for 5 years. Foreign students must take the TOEFL test. As soozie states, though, the audition is more important than standardized testing scores. There is a broad range of SAT scores, however, reflected by the students there including some very high scores. This could impact on merit scholarships.</p>
<p>Another possibility may be Roosevelt. It is in Chicago (a major theater city).</p>
<p>Hey,</p>
<p>Thank you for all your help I really appreciate it.</p>
<p>I am confused however what you mean about no college experience? In England we jump straight to Uni normally from School. I have done A levels and got my grades all c and above but do you class this Uni or College or school? I just want to go somewhere that I get very good training for musical theatre and I DON’T care about my age.</p>
<p>I was just curious to what onstage meant by my age bring a disadvantage? I understand that its older but what age do you guys go to Uni or college over there? I however think your never to old to learn and being and actor or in musical theatre it requires all ages and life exprierence is essential for learning so I am not really sure what you meant?</p>
<p>Yes I would prefer to do something with out having to take a sat but with a very good reputation in the business. Or somewhere I can apply now</p>
<p>again thanks for your help</p>
<p>In the US, students typically enter college/university at age 18 (right after finishing high school) and graduate at age 22. It sounds like you have already done some college/university (past high school). I don’t think that onstage meant that you are too old to train in MT! I believe she is saying that you are not a traditionally aged college student. You are not. You are not right out of high school and are not 18 as the other applicants will be. You may be considered a transfer student (if you have attended college/university at all and have not finished). Typically, non-traditional age students either attend schools that are geared for that or else for instance, the two year professional degree programs that some of us have mentioned to you which are aimed at those who have already gone to college but want MT training and the students are not all age 18 either! Those are likely your best bet. if you have attended some college but have not graduated, then you will be a transfer applicant into the four year BFA in MT programs in the US which has much harder odds of admissions than a freshman applicant (age 18 and directly out of high school). Thus, the two year programs may be your best option and in fact, many people in those programs will be your age and these schools embrace applicants who are your age.</p>
<p>Ahhh I see.</p>
<p>Actually by the sounds of it I wouldnt be a transfer student at all. I understand that I would be alot older and maybe a bfa is the wrong choice for me. In England our Bfa programes musical theratre are the same and take 18 year olds but they also feel that older students benefit more as they have life expricence in saying that they only focus on MT and I think with most Uni or college would focus on academics aswell.</p>
<p>I wasnt trying to be rude its just I am already very scared about the age thing and have wanted to perform since I was little but my parents didnt allow it. So hear I am and I have huge regrets with the way my life has gone but I am really trying to change that. </p>
<p>I think maybe a two year program would be better for me but I just want good training and I was wondering whats your views on the dreaded AMDA?</p>
<p>There are many threads on the musical theater forum here on CC about AMDA and if you use the search function, you will find much discussion.</p>
<p>I also don’t know your previous level of training experience or work in theater and the programs are competitive by audition (though AMDA not so much) and so you will need to train to be prepared to go through this process as desire alone will not be enough. You should know going into this that it is very competitive and requires previous training to be successful in the admissions/audition process.</p>