Match a Community College Transfer Student: CA resident, 3.65 GPA, Music Education/Vocal Performance/Musical Theatre

I’m a current transfer student from California who has applied to transfer schools that are out-of-state for Fall 2025 for Musical Theatre. I have gotten some responses, and most have been rejections/invitations to audition for different majors. Because of this, I want to apply to more colleges to better my chances of transferring out. I also acknowledge and understand that as a transfer, I most likely would have to start again due to the curriculum of music programs and I have accepted that.

Demographics

  • US Citizen
  • State/Location of residency: California
  • Type of high school (or current college for transfers): Community College
  • Other special factors: (first generation to college, legacy, recruitable athlete, etc.): LGBTQ

Cost Constraints / Budget
On paper, my parents’ combined income is too much to qualify for financial aid/FAFSA. I have actively been applying for scholarships.

Intended Major(s): Music Performance (Voice), Music Education, Vocal Performance, Musical Theatre

GPA, Rank, and Test Scores

  • No AP/IB taken
  • SAT/ACT: SAT 1100, taken in Aug 2019, did not report because test-optional
  • Final High School GPA: 3.53
  • Graduated with HiSET (high school school equivalency) in Apr 2021
  • Enrolled in CC since the Summer of 2020
  • Current College GPA: 3.65
  • Class Rank: N/A

College Coursework (Transfer Applicants)

IGETC is completed, and I will complete my AA in Music and my graduation requirements this coming semester.

English: Composition (A), Honors Comp, Lit, & Crit Think (A), Comp, Argument, Crit Thinking (A), Filipino American Literature (A)

Math: Intermediate Algebra (B+), Precalc/Trig (B), Calculus/Analytic Geometry I (B)

Communications: Interpersonal Communication (C), Public Speaking (A), Argumentation and Debate (A-), Intercultural Communication (A)

Business/Economics: Introduction to Business (B-), Princ of Macro Econ-Honors (A), Principles of Micro Economics (B), Business Communications (C)

Science: Intro to Environmental Science (A), Human Biology (A), General Psychology (A), Environmental Science Lab (A)

Foreign Language: Elementary Filipino (A), Advanced Elementary Filipino (A-)

Music: Music Appreciation (A), Fundamentals of Music (A), 2 Semesters of Symphonic Band (A), Jazz Band I (A), Concert Band I (A), Voice for Musical Theatre I, II, III (all As), Voice I, II, III (all As), Music Theory I (B-), Musicianship I (A), Music Technology (A), Piano I (A-), Contemporary Singing Styles (A), Studio Lessons I (A)

Dance: Dance - Musical Theater Prod I, II, III (all As), Jazz Dance I (A), Ballet I (A), Tap Dance I (A), Modern Dance I (NP)

Misc. Subjects: College Success (A), Ten-Key Skills (P), Honors Research Seminar (A-), Computer Keyboard Skill Build (P), Honors Seminar (A)

Next semester, I’m planning on taking: Small Group Communication, Jazz Dance II, Ballet II, Theory of Acting, History of Ethnic Groups in CA, African American History, Music Theory II, Musicianship II, Voice IV, Concert Band II, Vocal Jazz Ensemble I, Studio Lessons II

Awards
Dean’s List (8 subsequent semesters since Spring 2022).

Member of PTK

Extracurriculars

College Extracurriculars:

  • Musicals (both in and out of school): since Spring 2023
  • Musical instrument ensembles: Jazz Band, Concert Band, Symphonic Band
  • Beauty Advisor in Cosmetic Retail Store: 6 Months (June 2024 - Nov 2024)
  • Peer Mentor: 10 Months (Aug 2023 - May 2024)
  • Student Ambassador for International Student Program: 10 Months (Aug 2022 - May 2023)
  • Senator in Student Government: 10 Months (Aug 2022 - May 2023)

High School Extracurriculars

  • Marching Band (1 school year)

Essays/LORs/Other

I am a strong writer and I have 3 close relationships with people who have written LORs for me for the application process.

I am a tenor and vocally, my voice is more contemporary, and I am actively working on the operatic aspect of it. I do have songs/pieces that I would use to apply to colleges.

Schools

I am looking for any recommendations for vocal/music programs out-of-state to transfer to that would still accept applications in the spring. I am looking more for matches to apply, and I am open to being chanced as well. Here are the results so far:

  • Accepted: UC Irvine (TAG into BA Drama)
  • Academically accepted: Belmont University,
  • Prescreen passed/no prescreen needed: Baldwin Wallace (BM MT)
  • Invited to apply to another major: Emerson (rejected for BFA MT, invited to audition for BFA Theatre Education and Performance or BFA Theatre and Performance), Ithaca (rejected for BFA MT, invited to audition for BM Music Education and Performance (Voice)
    • I am planning to continue the application process for both colleges.
  • Rejected: Manhattan School of Music (BM MT), Carnegie Mellon (BFA MT)
  • Waiting on response: NYU (BM Vocal Performance, MT), UC-CCM (BFA MT), University of Michigan (BFA MT)

Thank you for your time and support with this!

I’m not sure of the timeline for audition-based transfers… but you could look into the WUE-reciprocity schools with BFA programs, as these would be relatively affordable. Utah has very strong performing arts programs https://theatre.utah.edu/apply-online?view=article&id=394:transfer-student&catid=10:general as does Southern Oregon, but their BFA is a secondary-admission pathway, and I am not clear how that dovetails with transfer admissions.

Did you not apply to any Cal State BFA programs? (esp Fullerton?)

Sounds like you will have some good options, even if they aren’t your top choices. There’s not much point in “chancing” an audition-based major, but good luck - I hope one of your pending apps comes through for you!

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As you likely know, it really all comes down to the prescreens and auditions. For many of the schools, academics are not a huge component. And, I’m sure you also know that the acceptance rates for most BFA MT majors are below 10% even if their college acceptance rates are much higher (especially for the well known programs you listed). You might want to look back at past posts in the musical theatre thread. It seems like almost every year someone asks about schools still accepting later application. Good luck!

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Thank you so much for your response! I will definitely look into past posts regarding late applications. I appreciate your help!

Thank you for your response! I will take a look into the schools you mentioned.

I did not apply for any Cal States. I actually was planning on applying to Fullerton, however I chose not to complete the application due to personal reasons.

Thank you for your kind wishes! I also hope that one of my pending applications will come through soon with good news.

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