College auditions and interviews are a huge process to begin. Where do you look for information? What do you wear to the audition? So many questions pop up around admissions for performing arts programs. Ask yourself these four questions to get a good start on a comprehensive search for performance-based college programs.
What kind of degree do I want?
There are over 200 different performing arts degrees available in the nation. To understand which degree will serve you best, you’ll need to examine your goals for your career.
A Bachelor of Arts degree is a broad liberal arts degree, while a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree will lead you through a program more specialized in your major. A BA is more flexible in class offerings and encourages the opportunity to engage in more electives, which is great for a curious student looking to learn a little about everything. A BFA is a more structured experience that will help students build their portfolio in a specific area.
Within the BFA in Acting/Musical theatre umbrella, there are two kinds of BFA programs – Conservatory vs. Liberal Arts. Some musical theatre programs are also considered a BM (Bachelor of Music) and typically resemble the structure of a BFA Conservatory-Style program.
It all comes down to what YOU want to get out of your college experience. Do you want to become part of a tight-knit cohort that will travel through the program as a unit? A BFA or conservatory program may be for you if you thrive in intensive programs. Are you interested in exploring all of the avenues of performing and the arts and potentially getting a double major in a non-arts-related field? You may want to pursue a BA if you value participating in a wider range of programming. Are you a musician first? Look into a few BM programs to see if they offer what you are looking for.
What kind of program will I fit in best?
Every degree is different, but so is every program. Each college’s trajectory of classes will differ from the next, even if you’ll graduate with the same degree. So how do you find the right program? Consider what you are looking for in the intensity of the program and its application process, whether or not you are interested in double-majoring or completing a minor, and the location of the schools you are applying to.
Every program has its own rules and regulations. Many conservatory programs do not allow students to audition for shows outside of the school, do not allow students to transfer in or out without loss of credits, or will require classes or internships that other programs do not. BFA programs are notoriously difficult to complete a double major with another program due to higher constraints on students’ time and degree requirements. Alternatively, broader liberal arts programs that culminate in a BA may encourage students to pursue work outside of the school, as well as have a wider range of options in classes to complete your degree.
Location is more important than you think. How far are you from home – do you want to be close enough to your childhood home to drive home for holidays? Do you want to be close enough to commute every day? What is the community like outside of the school and what opportunities are around in your industry when you graduate? Do you want to live on a closed campus, or do you want to live in a big city? What kind of jobs are available around campus for students? Will you want to move after graduation to start your career?
What is their interview or audition process like?
There are two waves to the college audition process. Many schools now require a prescreen audition which is a recorded, self-taped audition that you film and submit to the schools as part of your initial application. For many schools, you need to pass the prescreen round to be invited to a live audition (in person or on Zoom). This is not the case for ALL schools, but the vast majority of them. There are some BFA and audition-based programs that allow you to schedule an audition without submitting a prescreen.
If you are applying to a school that requires a prescreen, you must pass that prescreen in order to be invited to an audition. If you do not pass the prescreen, you are no longer in the running for that institution.
Once you move onto the audition phase, you will determine how you’ll audition for that program.
- Live in person on campus at the school
- Live in person at Unifieds or regional auditions
- Live Digital Audition Over Zoom
All auditions will be met with the same consideration from the auditors, so it’s important to select the option that makes the most sense for you, your schedule, and your family.
Am I qualified to apply?
If there is one thing that does NOT differ in the application process between performing arts degrees and all other degrees, it is the need to plan out your applications. You should be applying to all three categories of schools – safety, target, and reach.
A safety school is a college or university that is likely to accept you just based on your academic profile. This should also be a school that is financially viable for you and your family.
No school that requires an audition can be considered a safety as there is still some element of subjectivity regarding the process. Of course, it’s good to identify audition-based programs that may be less competitive in terms of number of applicants but it is imperative to understand that no school that requires an audition can be considered a safety school.
It is important to note that the vast majority of rigorous performing arts programs in the country are considered reach schools. Reach schools will be your toughest applications. Some of your reach schools may have an application rate as low as 3%, but do not get discouraged by statistics. If your reach schools offer a program that you know will help you succeed, it is always worth applying for!
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