Last year there was a list that went around as people discovered if a school required a pre screen. I wonder if there are any schools that have either added or dropped the pre screen requirement. This is the list for school year 2015-2016:
PRE SCREEN REQUIRED 2015-16
Baldwin Wallace
Coastal Carolina
East Carolina
Elon
Florida State University
Illinois Wesleyan - Unless recruited from an off-campus audition
Indiana University-Bloomington
Ithaca College
Marymount Manhattan (only required for regional auditions)
Nebraska Wesleyan University
NYU/Steinhardt
Otterbein University
Pace University
Penn State
Shenandoah Conservatory
Texas Christian University (not required but recommended)
Texas State
University of the Arts (not required but recommended)
University of Central Florida (had one on campus audition that doesn’t require a pre-screen)
University of Colorado at Boulder
University of Michigan
University of Oklahoma
University of Texas
Viterbo - Part of application, but not used to screen out applicants
I don’t think Elon requires prescreen this year. My friends daughter just sent a short video describing why she wanted to go there and her headshot resume
While not technically a pre-screen, apparently for the first time this year Northwestern is encouraging MT applicants to submit an optional MT supplement, which includes a video performance and interview. There is more discussion on the Northwestern Forum.
Really? Syracuse is on my daughters list… So now we will have to have that as a prescreen as well? I called them last week to find out the audition dates and they said they were literally in the meeting discussing it … And for me to call back this week- no one’s answering the phones and I find the website very difficult to navigate- It 's the only one out of 15 schools that did not have audition date info “live” last week.
As an aside, in regards to the common app, does anyone know how to handle the common app with prescreens? Most of the schools my daughter’s applying to do not require prescreens …and we want to send the common app in within the next week or so so that she can start scheduling her auditions. My dilemma is that I don’t know if She should include Ithaca, Pace, and Carnegie Mellon on the Common App now… Or Should she wait until She hears back whether or not she’s been invited for an audition as a result of the prescreens …and then send in the common app… With those four schools… This is my first child going off to school so I’m not familiar with the common app as far as can you send it in multiple times with different schools or do they all have to be on there at once … Thinking I might have to call those three schools just to find out the scoop !!! I just hate to pay and apply to those schools… there’s no point to it if she’s not even asked to audition !!! Three schools at 60-100 bucks a pop "ain’t " cheap! Lol!!
You don’t have to send all at once on the common app… It just saves time repeating info on apps. You can submit each as its ready… And even add later on if you so choose. If my memory serves, you may have to apply AND send prescreens to the schools you mention. (Not wait for a prescreen result to apply, some won’t look at prescreen without completed app) again… Check individual school websites to be sure.
@duxellen - You can add schools to common app- D submitted in phases as she finished essays etc. Syracuse info for prescreen is on website now - search vpa drama - prospective students. Some schools (otterbein, tx state) tell you to wait for results of prescreen. 2 years ago (2014) d had to complete Ithaca app before she could schedule audition. CMU doesn’t have a prescreen (at least they never have- just took a quick peek at website and didn’t see one, though I did not look super carefully) - but their auditions fill up quickly - don’t delay.
I think we spent close to $1000 on app and audition fees D’s year…
Not only is Syracuse requiring a prescreen for the first time, but the requirements are different from other schools. Syracuse wants two full songs (2 minutes each, both from musicals). Plus a 2 minute monolog and a pretty specific dance requirement. I thought we were finished recording, but it seems not, since Syracuse is still on son’s list. Regarding the application steps, most schools (Otterbein is the only exception I’m aware of) require you to submit a completed application, either through Common App or through their websites, before you are able to upload the prescreen. Some allow you to book a tentative audition date at this stage, but some won’t let you book a date until they have passed the prescreen. Some make an additional charge (beyond the common app charges) for uploading the prescreen and booking an audition spot. My son probably has too many schools on his list but our app feels alone are already over $700. Of course, we’re hoping this pays off in better scholarship down the line… It’s a difficult process so do give your kid as much help as you can. I can’t even conceive of students trying to do this without help. Good luck!
@duxellen Ithaca is on my D’s list as well. Step 1 on their getacceptd page is to apply to the college via the Common App and step 2 is to upload the audition materials.
Thanks everyone! Anyone else out there crazy enough for their son or daughter to apply to Carnegie Mellon??? I feel like it’s throwing money away because the chances are infinitesimal…but it’s my daughter’s dream school- so how do you say no to that??? Funny that they don’t have a prescreen??? My D is going to try to audition for them at Unifieds…
Son is also throwing his hat in for CMU–the only way you’re sure to never find a four-leaf clover is to not look for it. He’s allowed one shot in the dark, and CMU is it. My worry is that even if by some miracle he got in or was waitlisted, we wouldn’t be able to afford it. But the odds are that I won’t have to worry about that!
CMU was one of my D’s favorite auditions even though she was not accepted. The time they spent and feedback given were well worth the application cost. She did her audition at Unifieds. As I’ve said before, somebody is going to get in. It might as well be you! But you’ll neve get in if you don’t at least apply. So if you have the resources to include it, and it’s a school you love, I say go for it. Good luck – and remember to enjoy the process no matter the outcome!
HA! Nearly, what, 2000 kids throw their hat in the CMU ring. Somebody has to be one of the approx 24 to get in. (A number of the current acting majors there auditioned for MT). I’ve never heard anyone say that they had a bad audition experience with them. They make each student feel like a million bucks.
