Hello! I’m not sure if I’m supposed to use the guided template or delete it and write my own post but I’m just going to use the template for convenience. I’m a rising senior who is looking to apply to Oberlin for musical theater. It’s my top school currently and has practically everything I want out of a school, but I worry about how selective the MT program is. I’m a strong singer and a good (still improving) actor but despite 5+ years of training I have always been subpar at dance.
Demographics
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US citizen since birth
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Since it does matter for MT: I am male and a high tenor
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State/Location of residency: Michigan
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Type of high school (or current college for transfers): Public
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Other special factors: first generation
Cost Constraints / Budget
There’s much more info in the scholarship section, but to put it plainly, my family is poor. I have done the SAI predictor and it’s -1500. I don’t think we can afford more than $12,000.
Intended Major: Music Theater (might minor in Anthropology or something similar)
GPA, Rank, and Test Scores
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Unweighted HS GPA: 3.76 (I think?? Calculating instructions online were vague)
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Weighted HS GPA: 3.77
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SAT Scores: 1200 (710 reading/writing, 490 math)
List your HS coursework
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English: English 9, English 10, American Literature, Creative Writing (next year), considering AP English Literature for senior year
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Math: Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Intermediate Algebra (next year)
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Science: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, AP Environmental Science
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History and social studies: Civics, Economics, US History, World History, considering AP Government and Politics for senior year
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Language other than English: 7 years of Spanish Immersion from pre-K to sixth grade, tested out for high school language credit
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Visual or performing arts: Dance I, Dance II, Dance III (next year), Chorus (2 years), Varsity Chorus (1 year going on 2), TA for Chorus (next year), Drama I, Drama II
Extracurriculars
Four years in my school’s theater program: I’ve played leads and supporting in both musicals and plays, directed a skit, did run crew for a few shows, helped with sets, costuming, photography, etc.
One (about to be two) years of a capella: My school’s group has performed at ICHSA, I soloed one of the pieces, I’m learning how to arrange more pieces for next year
Solo and Ensemble: I’ve done both MT and Choral S&E through MSVMA and have received multiple perfect scores in both and qualified for State for Choral.
Other clubs: I’ve dabbled in DND club, GSA, and our racial justice club, but don’t have much time due to theater and am not currently active members of any. I did Model U.N. this (junior) year and went to a conference but I don’t think I have time to continue with it next year
Summer: I’ve done local community theater, MT dance classes, and theater camp in years past. I’m about to take a two-week MT intensive in June and am going to a semi-prestigious fine arts camp on a full-tuition scholarship for choral study in July
Voice lessons: I took lessons during my sophomore year, took a break due to time commitments, and currently am working with a different voice teacher this summer to prepare for prescreens
Work: I work two jobs, one as a dinner server at an assisted living facility and one as a technician at my school’s auditorium (we mostly just strike sets, clean the arts facilities, and set up mics/band shells/dance floors/etc.)
Essays/LORs/Other
I really struggle with self-perception and writing about my own experiences feels weird and scary to me, so I’m not sure how well I’m going to do on my essay. I am a writer but I mostly am good at writing fictional stories. I know Oberlin requires an essay so I’m going to try to push through and write something meaningful enough.
I’m very close with all the performing arts teachers at my school and I trust them to write accurate letters of recommendation for me.
Financial Aid:
I come from a very low-income family and most of the training I’ve gotten for MT has been free through my school, which happens to have a really good PA program for a public school. Everything else has been scholarship or me taking extra shifts and saving up birthday and Christmas money and all. With Oberlin specifically I’m not too worried about aid as they demonstrate 100% of financial need and the net price calculator said I could be paying as low as $600 a year (which is insane??). This is a big reason why the school is so high on my list, as some others I’m planning on auditioning for are 20k or more. I plan on doing a work-study as well if accepted and I refuse to take out more than $5,000 in student loans.
I think that’s all! Sorry if I’ve done this wrong or if I’ve provided too much/not enough info. I also hope nothing sounds braggadocious I was really worried about that when having to list my MT experience. OK bye!!