<p>Just to add a couple of things that have been missed;
Artist Diploma, Artist Certificates,etc- those are “special undergraduate credentials granted upon demonstration of an extraordinary level of performance skills”…“Auditions procedures exercise the highest degree of selectivity…”. Usually these are for active performers who can not be enrolled in graduate programs.
Going further, to really progress in opera, one must enter “Young Artist Programs” affiliated with major opera companies and they have restrictions according to age, generally early 20’s to 30. Usually one auditions for those after completing a Masters degree.
Many of you describe students in your programs who have had another profession or who have another undergrad degree, but with the constraints placed by the “Young Artist Programs”, the OP would be too old for these if she had to complete another undergrad degree in voice. Yes, I realize that voices are really coming into maturity at the OPs age, but the rules are set and nothing is likely to change within the next few years.
OP- if you have been keeping up with your voice lessons, you might try looking into “apprentice singer” slots with various companies. While they don’t usually expect applicants who haven’t come directly from school, you never know who you’re up against that year… Good luck!</p>