<p>I know that especially in CFA, a large portion of the decision is on the audition, so none of you can really help with that (unless you have some tips!). I was wondering if there was anything I could do outside of the audition (or even inside) to improve my chances of getting in to CMU. Thanks!</p>
<p>Your preparation for applying and auditioning for CMU really is no different than to any other BFA programs. </p>
<p>First, do not focus solely on CMU!!! The acceptance rate into this program for MT is about 2%. Think of it as the lottery. Build a very balanced list of colleges and MT programs. Don’t focus on a single one. Cast a wide net. VERY important!</p>
<p>Challenge yourself at school taking the most rigorous courses you can succeed at. Get the best grades that you can. Practice for the SAT or ACT tests before taking them. Be involved in extracurriculars in a significant capacity. Secure effective recommendations. Put time into writing good essays.</p>
<p>Train in dance (at least ballet and jazz), take private voice lessons, and acting classes as available. Take part in theater productions. </p>
<p>Put a lot of time and energy into selecting appropriate songs and monologues for your auditions. Seek some coaching to help you prep your audition materials. Get some assessment as to your competitiveness for BFA in MT programs. </p>
<p>Remember that beyond being well prepared, you have to have an appropriate and balanced college list that relates to YOU individually.</p>
<p>Another important thing to remember in applying to any school is that you have no idea what they are looking for that particular year and who they end up choosing may not have more talent than you----they just may be the “type” they’re looking for that year. My daughter made it onto the wait list at CMU this year, but if she were to audition next spring who knows if she would make it----they may be looking for something totally different. One thing that we fell was definitely in her favor was the fact that she has done as much classical voice training/performing/competing as she has musical theatre, and they did comment on her well-rounded background. So try to get as much variety in your experience as possible. We did not use a professional coach but my D did take private voice lessons since middle school, dance classes, her drama teacher at high school (a Penn State alum) helped her with monologue selection and preparation, etc. So she did get that kind of coaching and it was invaluable in getting us through the whole process :)</p>
<p>I’ll second and third to all the above. My d just went through the graduate acting audition/admission process. The admit numbers are frightening… at Yale, they auditioned 600 women for 6 spots -she shared a cab with a young man who was on his third year of applying to Yale and not getting a callback. Juilliard had two audition days in NY and the only women being called back were tall brunettes. My d is short and blonde… so not what they were looking for this year apparently. She is used to all of this being on the NY audition circuit where callbacks can be few and far between…but I think when you are first applying as a freshman admit, you aren’t really 100% necessarily focused on how slim the admit chances might be especially if you have your heart set on any specific school. My d is a singer too but her voice type, a coloratura soprano is not what they are looking to cast these days.</p>
<p>Ohhhh thank you so much! This information has been really helpful.
To soozievt - I really appreciate you making sure that I look at other schools! I am - don’t worry! CMU is the only school (so far) that I’m applying to for musical theatre (and vocal performance), all others I’m applying to for just vocal performance. To be really honest, even though my heart’s set on it, I know the numbers are against me. But there’s nothing wrong with trying!</p>
<p>momarmarino - phew! I’m really glad to hear that! I was a bit afraid at first that it would hurt I’m trained classically. I’ve also started talking to my drama teacher for a bit of one-on-one help.</p>
<p>bookmama2 - yikes! yeah i’ve heard a bit about that infamous “type” and I thought it was a rumor! so a lot of it is really luck then, I guess! </p>
<p>to all of you: i know you all mentioned dance…but I’m not really as well trained in dance as I am in voice and acting, so much will that hurt my chances?</p>
<p>…anyone?</p>
<p>Dancing is going to be more important in some MT auditions than others. CM has taken the dance portion out of their auditions as they state in their website that they feel confident in their ability to train dancers of all backgrounds. This is not the case, however, in most other programs. Try and get some ballet and/or jazz at least before you audition. Many schools really do look for triple threats. They realize that everyone has a strength and a weakness, but I can’t imagine that anyone who doesn’t dance at all will be very competitive since most kids that are seriously into musical theater do take dance classes.</p>