Junior Homeschool student from MD aiming for mid-size MT programs [4.0 GPA, <$30k]

Demographics

  • US Citizen
  • State/Location of residency: Maryland
  • Type of high school (or current college for transfers): Homeschooled, dual-enrolled at Regent University
  • Other special factors: UMD legacy (both parents), grandchild of veteran

Cost Constraints / Budget
30k/year max

Intended Major(s)
BFA/BA Musical Theatre
OR
BFA/BA Acting/Performance with concentration in MT

GPA, Rank, and Test Scores

  • Unweighted HS GPA: 4.0 (out of 4)
  • Weighted HS GPA: 4.25 (+0.5 for honors, +1 for college level)
  • Class Rank: N/A
  • ACT/SAT Scores: N/A

List your HS coursework

  • English: (All honors) British Literature, Composition and Literature, Modern Russian Literature, Banned and Burned Books, Literature
  • Math: Honors Pre-Algebra, Honors Geometry, Algebra 1, Algebra 2
  • Science: Physical Science, Honors Biology, Honors Anatomy and Physiology, General Science
  • History and social studies: Geography, Honors Government, Honors US History, Honors Western Civilization, Economics
  • Language other than English: Polish 1, ASL 1, ASL 2, Irish 1
  • Visual or performing arts: Music Theory 1, Music Theory 2, Voice Lessons, Choir, Drama
  • Other academic courses: Public Speaking, Public Speaking (college level)

Awards
President’s Award for Educational Excellence
YEG and Witness Change’s Leadership Award
Sacagawea Award
Ida Scudder Award
Harriet Tubman Award

Extracurriculars
Musical Theatre
Voice Lessons
Babysitting
CIT at a theatre camp during the summers
Tap Dance
Genealogy
Young Adult Rare Representative

LOR
Drama teacher
Theatre director
History professor

Schools
I’m going for musical theatre, so it’s unpredictable

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unfortunately, i dont think there are many theatre programs in maryland, but there are a ton in the East! i would 100% reccomend Pittsburgh Unifieds Auditions for helping you in this process. It opened my eyes to programs I wasnt even considering before.

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Elon

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Fyi @bfamthopeful don’t use real name, just in case.
How Do I Change My Username?

So when planning on acting/MT it is important to have safeties, targets and reaches just like any other program. For safties, the typical recommendation is Muhlenberg. They have an excellent program that is non audition based and you may qualify for merit aid. I dont know that it will get down to less than 30K, your budget may be the big limitation in non audition based safety schools. Other commonly suggested schools are your state flagship as a theater major and other large universities that do not have auditions.
Otherwise, there is no safety for audition based schools for this. I can give you a long list of less selective and highly selective schools but it would be a guess. If your family can afford it I suggest meeting with one of the college counseling for MT/acting programs to get a sense of your level and to get a good list. The average MT/Acting student applies to about 20 schools, 15-16 of which are audition based and excellent prescreens and a balanced list is vital.

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University of Wisconsin Steven’s Point has direct costs under $30k for out of state students (tuition, housing, meals). Acacdemic admissions and cost should make it a safety on that end, but auditions are required for the conservatory style BFA MT. I’m not sure about requirements for the BA major in Drama.
I’ve visited the campus though not related to MT. UWSP show up occaionally on CC in various MT threads talking about auditions so I believe they participate in Unified Audutions in Chicago.

Southern Illinois U and Western Illinois U also do not charge out of state rates and both have BFA MT. SIU comes in under $30k but does require auditions, not sure about WIU.

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Molloy has a high sticker price, but we know a MT student that was able to get it down quite a bit. Contact an AO and see what is available.

Musical Theatre is difficult to gauge regarding your chance of being accepted since it’s largely talent-based. Unified Auditions are a great place to get feedback and connect with schools. I’d also recommend that you check out the SUNY system. A few of them have great MT programs and are highly affordable. Shenandoah in Virginia and American in DC could also interest you.

Molloy is on my list! Thanks so much!

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