<p>So I have been attending American Academy of Dramatic Arts, I will be graduating this year. It is only a two year conservatory and I wanted to go to a University. I’d like to go to a really good undergraduate program such as USC, CMU, BU, Purchase- something along those lines. The only problem is… I have to apply at both the university and the theater program I wish to go to. IF I am not accepted to the University, do I even get a chance to audition? My grades were alright in high school, but I know I could do a theater program like this. I am basically just wondering how this works. Do conservatory programs waive the admission a bit, if you show great talent? ahh just give me answers.</p>
<p>It’s true that you have to be admitted by both the university and the conservatory, but generally your audition is scheduled shortly after you apply, so the conservatory faculty will see your work before the university admissions office makes its decision. Conservatory students generally do not need to meet the same standards as other students with regard to test scores, gpa, etc. (that’s not to say that a university will admit an extremely talented student with extremely poor grades; it just means that students on the lower end of the “acceptable” gpa/test score spectrum may still gain admission if the conservatory finds them to be extremely talented). I suppose it’s similar to the admissions requirements for recruited athletes.</p>
<p>While I’m not an admissions office “expert” (I’m just the parent of a Purchase conservatory student), my guess is that the conservatory communicates to the admissions office the names of students it really wants, and the admissions office goes along with it unless the other factors are completely unacceptable.</p>