@HPDbfa Yes, Millikin is a hard school, but since they are in the process (foundation and walls going up) of building a new school of theatre and dance they will be slowly expanding their program.
@HPDbfa - if the school requires an audition, it’s a “hard” school. End of story.
@GloriaVaughn @EastchesterMom Yes, I heard they were building a new facility. Do you know what the ETA is on that? And you’re right that any audition is a hard school - sometimes you can lose sight of that. Thanks
1040 should be all you need. ??
If a school asks for a transcript with the pre-screen then a student’s grades and/or scores are a consideration in the pre-screen. It may not be an extremely high benchmark for some schools, but is a consideration at some level.
In the audition room, it’s the audition. But, if they ask for something for the pre-screen, there is a reason. Including the resume.
@HPDbfa Millikin is shooting for the opening of the new school in the fall of 2020
@BWmama I am sorry for your D. It does hurt. It will make her acceptances more sweet.
@loribelle - I don’t know of any prescreen schools - other than Michigan, who ask for grades with prescreen. BUT - to be fair, they were FAR less common when my D did auditions in 2014, her only one was Ithaca (she auditioned for Syracuse and CMU - but they didn’t use prescreens then) so I don’t have direct experience. I have read MANY prescreen posts however, and hadn’t noticed any discussions of academics. Maybe everyone wants the transcript - but I Can’t imagine a school would invite a student to audition based on strength of grades… (as suggested by @Jpkcmo ) do you?
There are more schools that ask for transcripts now on pre-screens. It could be an issue for a pre-screen if they have separate academic entrances and a benchmark for the school. For example, FSU, TCU, and Penn State have higher academic minimums and If I remember correctly, asked for transcripts for pre-screens (but I would have to go back and look).
No, I don’t think it’s a deciding factor to pass only for exceptional grades/scores; however, looking at the decision for offers in the final round, if they had two fairly equivalent applicants, one with a 2.5 and one with a 4.5, I wouldn’t be surprised if it had an influence on decisions for the more academic schools.
I believe schools ask for grades and/or test scores to make sure the student is “over” the bar from an academic admissions perspective. Michigan does that academic check on the front end (blended with the prescreen)–other schools do it later in the process. Unfortunately I do know some really talented kids with grades that were too low for admission at a few schools–even with the advocacy of the MT head. But not true at every school, or even most. So it isn’t going to get you in–but in some cases, could keep you out.
@loribelle @toowonderful - My D auditioned last Saturday at FSU and the question of GPA was brought up.
They told us that whoever was auditioning it was because academics was checked.
They offered auditions only to the talented candidates that they think have the grades to be admitted or at least deferred by the University. They didn’t invite anyone who academically can’t make it to FSU. But I think once you audition they are looking for talent.
@BWmama I’m sorry about Rider.
Your D is extremely talented I know she will get into a great program.
@MTJourney19 said it more succinctly than I did. Thank you.
@Jpkcmo - out of the list of schools to which you applied, I don’t think any of them will weigh academics as heavily as the audition, although some do have some minimum academic thresholds your son has certainly exceeded. At this point, I think all those schools will make their decision based on his audition. NYU is the one school that weights academics equal to the audition, so good academics are a must for applying there. Your son may need to ask himself what he really wants out of his college experience. We had a friend who turned down Carnegie Mellon and went to Harvard, studied theater there among many other pursuits, and is now a working actress. So for those academically gifted, there are many good options. The other school where good academics would be a strong plus in terms of admission would be Northwestern. I believe they still audition for the MT certificate after the students are already at the school. So you would be accepted to the school as a theatre major, but you would not know if you got in the MT program until further down the road. One thing your son may wish to consider is how he would like a school with lesser academic standards. Will he enjoy classes with students who may not be as academically motivated as he is? Just food for thought. There was a discussion of this a couple of years ago where a boy with strong academic stats decided to go to Wright St., whose academics, while OK, were not considered particularly challenging. As I recall, he thrived there, enjoying the freedom to learn and practice his craft with like-minded theatre folk. He did not miss intense academics. But for some people who really enjoy the academic side of school, some programs may not be well-suited for them if they are going to get annoyed with easy classes or classmates who are not particularly interested in their academic classes. Just something to think about.
Has anyone heard from CCM? At auditions last week they said they would send out YES/NO this evening for MT and Acting. If we don’t hear; the audition results are on hold until all auditions are done. We’re waiting and feeling nervous!
As I said, the prescreen game is COMPLETELY different than it was when my kid did it. And I have never read any comments about academics in prescreen (which leads me to believe they aren’t a major bar). So I learned new stuff today. But I still cannot imagine a situation where a school gives a pass to a prescreen where the academics outweigh talent. Do they want to make sure your basics are up to snuff, sure. But if they don’t like what they hear when they hear you sing… all the grades/scores in the world won’t be enough to get you through
@penny1234 my D auditioned at ccm on campus - acting only. Not a peep here either. I have heard a couple of people on this board say they received no’s for MT but that’s been it.
Thanks for responding. My dd thinks we might need to wait for west coast schools to end for the day.
So excited to say my D got her first acceptance from University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point! It’s such a relief to know that shes for sure going to college!
Putting good vibes out for everyone going to Chicago this weekend!
Congrats!! @MTMomma13! Great news!
@penny1234 my daughter auditioned NYC unifieds for MT and has heard nothing. Did your daughter audition on campus? Did they actually say if you don’t hear today then it’s a hold until the end?