<p>I am only going to state my observations.
At each audition we went to, each school’s freshman class of helping students had a definite “theme” or type. It was pretty obvious at one college in particular.
And to add to that, one of the places my d was accepted, when she searched twitter to find other people who had maybe tweeted their acceptance, it was much like looking in the mirror at a bunch of hers.
But one thing you also have to remember; make up does wonders. There are cover models who look drastically different without make up. It’s more about bone structure and your overall “canvas” than a specific “look” I think. A director is looking at you like an artist looks at a canvas. He or she wants to know they can take and mold you into the part they envision for you. If you are a chameleon, someone who can change into a part easily in my opinion that will work better for you than if you are drop dead attractive. I hope that makes sense.
I do agree that even by 18, a student has an idea of the kind of actor they are; my daughter is decidedly a quirky, comedic type… Think Lucille Ball meets Jennifer Aniston. She’s pretty, but she’s not drop dead gorgeous unless she is in stage make up. But she is a chameleon; she can go from ugly duckling to swan just by forgoing make up and by what she wears, how she carries herself, etc. I don’t know if that translates to more “marketability” or not. Just using her as an example.</p>