<p>Hi, I'm a junior in high school and very worried about having good enough grades to get into a musical theatre program. I would love to go to a conservatory, and I am planning on applying to many programs such as BoCo, CCM, CMU, Elon, and UMich. I have gotten a lot of C's in my past, and I will be getting at least 2 in my Junior year. How will this affect my options for good musical theatre programs?</p>
<p>It really depends on the school. I'm not familiar with Elon, but I do know that grades won't matter at CCM, CMU or BOCO. Where you could very well have a problem is at Michigan. I've found that while grades aren't extremely weighted that can be great in getting merit scholarships.</p>
<p>While auditions are a large part of acceptance, grades play an important and vital role. I can state that grades/SAT/ACT/extracurricular activities are vital at most of the programs especially the ones I am familiar with such as CMU, U of Mich, Ithaca, Syracuse, Otterbein, Elon, PSU, Shenandoah and BOCO. If you don't have the grades, it could be a big push for acceptance. I am aware of two people who have been told they would have been accepted to premier schools but they do not have the academic standing of others also applying. But remember, each school is different but a school is not going to water down their acceptance requirements just because you can dance, act and sing if their academic requirements are a certain level. </p>
<p>For example, you may need them to even get the audition granted, but if auditions are open (as in you may schedule them and not be admitted generally to the school yet)...the scenario could be that if two people scored/evaluated the same on their audition, the better grades/SAT/ACT will get you in if admissions has the final say....there are many programs and each is different...several schools mentioned to my D that even if she was the top audition, if her grades were not at a minimum for the school she would not be admitted and vice versa. My D had developed a set of questions and asked each admissions office and each MT program what is expected and what is typically accepted, along with minimum...the list included, the step wise progression of the application, and the audition until the final decision was made. </p>
<p>This is a more efficient way to do rather than just rely on opinions...it pays off in the end because then you set up your applications and auditions with reality of the issue. There are always exceptions. It is good to shoot for the stars but make sure you have a variety of safety schools, meaning you know you meet their standards without a problem. Best of Luck!</p>
<p>BoCo admissions states that they really like students to have a 2.7 GPA. They said to me that if you have a 3.0 they're really happy about it.</p>
<p>At UMich, you have to pass an academic review before you're allowed to audition, so that may be a problem for you there.</p>
<p>While I agree that grades are less important at schools that place primary emphasis on auditions (CCM & CMU for example), remember that grades can sometimes be the deciding factor when it comes down between you and the next student. Given similar talent, experience, etc., sometimes the grades, school activities, and community involvement will make the difference. Certainly a few C's shouldn't discourage you from applying, just be prepared to show your stuff at auditions.</p>
<p>At this point, I would work my tail off in the remainder of this semester to bring up every grade I can. If it means giving up something you love (like performance opportunities) I would do it. It will make you a more serious candidate, and could provide something to write about for admissions essays. I gave up "insert show name here" to work on academics in the spring of my junior year, because I relaized that going to college is very important to me. Maybe take some summer school classes, or add community college night courses if it's not too late to help your GPA. I am not saying to ignore your training, but if admissions officers see a trend upwards they are more likely to cut you some slack.</p>
<p>I had a 2.5, and I got into BoCo, Syracuse, and wait-listed at CCM . . . anything is possible! lol</p>
<p>I agree with anothermom!!!!! Do eveything that you can to bring your GPA up. A large part of your acceptance will be on your audition, but the competition is incredible! Any type of edge you can get will be to your advantage. I believe you can check out the schools websites for their academic requirements....check SAT and ACT scores out also. What you have that 'we' don't is time!!! Make the most of it and follow your dreams!
Hope your journey is a good one! Best wishes!</p>
<p>The thing is, I feel like it's already too late. I am aware that getting better grades is definitely the best option, but I'm just curious if it is a long shot to still get into a good program with the grades I have.</p>
<p>As someone who looks at student applications for admissions (graduate though, not undergrad.) poor grades will rule you out of some places, but most schools look at a combination of things. You may want to take a prep course for SATs or ACTs so those scores can provide some balance to a weaker High School GPA. It is difficult for a college to know the quality of your HS by looking at grades, so if you are at an academically competitive school and have strong SAT or ACT scores your C may look less forbidding. My D is at an academically weak to very weak school, so will need to prep for tests. A high GPA and low test scores is not helpful either.</p>
<p>My advice is work hard to show that you can improve your grades in your last year and then look at other things thta you do that may help to balance a GPA you are not so happy with.</p>
<p>IT IS NOT TOO LATE and NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS!!! Hang in there and there are definately programs out there for you. Have you looked at any schools yet? If this is what you want, do not give up. You could even contact schools, especially if you have some that you are specifically interested in. Ask them!</p>
<p>At FSU the admissions procces for the University and for the MT program are conducted independently of each other. Students who successfully audition for the MT program must also be admitted to the University but there are many, many factors that they consider.</p>
<p>Don't give up - it's not too late! An SAT or ACT prep class will help and you can still improve your GPA. If you are boarderline, many schools will ask for an additional transcript after the first semeser of your senior year. Another thing that will help you is to take an academically rigorous senior schedule, because for some schools schedule is part of the admissions scoring. </p>
<p>Best of luck!
Michele</p>
<p>As stated above, U Michigan has an academic review before you are invited to audition. I believe their minimum requirements are listed, probably on their school of music admissions site and also on their application for the school of music.</p>
<p>Elon has an audition for MT acceptance but separately has an academic admission that is required. The acceptance letter for MT says it is pending your acceptance to the university. I recommend that you apply early action (non-binding) so you know about university acceptance before Christmas. You could also consider auditioning in the fall. We have heard that Elon is becoming more and more competitive for academic admissions. We know a student last year who wanted Elon as first choice (for a different major, I think communications) and was not admitted to the university.</p>
<p>Lastly, I would not consider these two schools to be conservatories. In fact, a benefit to these, in my opinion, is that you also get a good liberal arts education.</p>
<p>My S almost did not apply for CMU because we thought you had to have great SAT scores/grade point average to get in. Luckily I attended a CMU question and answer session in my home town. I was told that admittance to CMU Drama was based 85%-90% on the audition. He then applied, auditioned and the rest is history.</p>
<p>There were colleges that he applied to where his grades and SAT scores where not high enough for admittance (NYU, BU, USC).</p>
<p>I also know of some students who did not have the grades/SAT scores to get into one of the above mentioned programs but got in anyway.</p>
<p>My S was turned down from a college, (got a letter saying so) but when he got another letter from the drama dept., (at that same college) saying he was accepted, I called and was told that the correspondence from the college must be a mistake and they would rectify it. In other words they wanted him bad enough to make an exception. It happens.</p>
<p>Yes, grades/SAT scores are important if you want to increase your odds at getting into more colleges, especially the ones that look at grades/SAT scores first prior to auditioning you. Talent will also play a role. Sometimes it plays a big role.</p>
<p>I had a 2.5 in high school too, and got into BoCo.</p>
<p>For me, I also have a 2.5 with lots of C's, a couple D's and an F in Algebra my freshman year. Many of my C's and both my D's were also in junior year as well. I also dropped my Chem class senior year. So when I applied to Rhode Island College, I was initially rejected based on academics. However, prior to being rejected I had auditioned for a theatre scholarship at that school. About 8 weeks after initially being rejected I received a letter from RIC stating they wanted to give me $4,000 a year (out of a $4,800 tuition) if I was accepted and majored in theatre. When I got the letter I emailed the woman at admissions and told her about my situation to see what they could do for me. So now they're working something out so that I can take advantage of the scholarship and go to the school. So see how things happen? The one thing that I actually DID work on through out high school was the thing that saved me and got me into college with a near full scholarship! I dont recommend slacking off in high school. WORK HARD! IT WILL BE WORTH IT! But my saving grace was my talent, and I'm glad I had that to fall back on despite my lack luster transcript</p>