Carnegie Mellon Acceptance Tips — Page 2

I could be wrong, but most of the information that I received about CMU this summer, was that talent is first, grades are second. The way it was described to me was that grades are looked at as the last bit...i.e.: two applicants of identical talent and activities and dedication, but one has better grades, that person will get in.

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Emcee, I think I was at a very similar information session at CMU. According to their pie chart, 75% of your admission into performing arts is based on your audition. So yeah, a person with a "B" average stands a pretty good chance at getting in. The other 25% is of course made up transcripts, test scorse, essays, etc.

I'm anxiously awaiting their letter. I'm hoping I get in, but the theatre department is very selective so I'm not betting the farm on this one.

The current pie-chart for the School of Drama is 90% audition/interview, and only 10% academics. Both areas have to accept you independantly, but if the SoD REALLY wants you, they have enough power to make the University let you in, providing they are confident in your ability to keep up academically once you are here.

Man... personally, I think that my grades would help me in more... gosh darnit... I wish that I wanted to do something else with my life... I have the grades and scores to get into good schools... But goodness only knows if I have the talent...

yeah i heard 90%/10% as well. I have a 1310 combined SAT so I dunno-that'll help I guess. My school grades are mainly B's some lower some higher, but I have A LOT of extracurriculars, a pretty impressive list of accomplishments and my reccomendations are supposedly really awesome. As for the alumni interviews, it's too late now... As for the phone calls, do I just call the office of admission?
-Jesse

what were your grades like?
-Jesse

colleges care less and less about grades now. the top schools are finding the people who make the most out of their college experience in the people who they let in with the c averages now. i go to swarthmore and a friend of mine had C's on his transcripts and he got in because he's like so smart, not just book smart. he's like WORLDLY smart. another friend of mine got into Point Park University with a like 2.0. But he was really talented. Schools care about grades, but performing arts schools want people that benefit the most from their program and a lot of statistics show that most of the people who come in with high GPAs are usually the ones who cant handle the the performing arts work AND the academic work. usually the people that can handle this balance are people coming from Performing Arts High Schools.and everybody doesnt have the oppurtunity to go to one of those. i believe if you do a lot of extra curriculars, do your BEST at an audtion, and do a great interview youll have just as much chance as anybody.

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I just finished addressing my application for the summer program a couple of hours ago. What I havn't figures out yet though is the summer program selective or one where they don't see anything wrong with your application so they let you in? I'm applying for musical theatre and very excited.

As for me, I'm a sophomore and have been planning college since second grade. My grades have been slipping a bit this year and my past grades are screwed because I'm sick so I'm paranoid even though everyone tells me I have an excuse. Don't mind my random college ramblings.

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Thanks VoiceofReason, I'm really excited. I also have to comment on your icon, capitol steps is amazing.

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jesse - I had a GPA in the high 90's, but that's with a ton of honors and AP weights, etc. My core academic grades were usually in the A/A- range, and some dipped into the B+ range here and there during senior year.

ETA - but my grades and extra curriculars were all they were looking at, so it's a bit of a different ballgame.

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Updated On: 2/28/05 at 10:46 PM

jesse, as difficult as it is, there's nothing you can do now but wait. To harass them with calls, letters, videos, etc. isn't going to help and may just annoy them. Your audition at CMU is overwhelmingly what will decide whether or not you get in. Having said that, you have to keep in mind that hundreds of kids have auditioned and they only take a very small number. Lots of kids who are very talented will be rejected. It's the same as at any of the top programs. There are just very few spots to fill. This is why it's important to find lots of schools where you'll be happy and to audition at several, and even to apply at some of the programs which don't require auditions. Hopefully, you've done that. Good luck to you!

Thanks erin-I have auditioned for other schools-none that are nonaudition cause my grades are not great as I've mentioned elsewhere. I am still setting my hopes on CMU since I want to go there so badly.
Is it true that they log your calls?