Would universities take me seriously if I went to an arts public high school?

I want to go to an arts public high school for musical theatre (because I love it and am very good at it). I’m a straight A student, yet I’ve been told that an A+ at a prestigious private school (where I go now) counts more than an A+ at a public arts school.
I don’t want to be an actress as much as I want to be a detective, doctor, or a profiler (and yes, I know the odds of getting those jobs). But I’m wondering universities will take me seriously with my school background…? (Private school from kindergarden to grade 8, arts public high for 9-12)

It really depends on the curriculum of the arts school, colleges are aware of the curriculum of every high school. So yes, an A+ at a top private school *weighs* more than an A+ at a public arts school. Also, some arts schools do not focus on academics enough and the kids who bring up the standardized scores are tutored outside of school to keep up their grades and test scores for college admissions. (At the art school near me, academics only from 8 – 12n, then your art until 4pm.)

Where it might actually help college admissions to go to a public arts school is if you were planning on an arts career. But then, if your private school has an excellent arts program…. The arts program at my son’s private school is better than the arts program at the local public arts high, which is considered very good and is well known. At his school there is no political in-fighting like at the public arts high, and they have better facilities and amazing teachers who work in the industry and turned down teaching at top colleges to work at the private school. After seeing performances at both, he didn’t even apply to the public arts high.

Your odds of getting those jobs are extremely high if you do well in school! They really aren’t a big reach, like becoming a famous actress. Only 5% of SAG (the union you must belong to) actors make over $75,000 a year from acting! Not really a decent living in LA.

Good luck in your decision.

Maria High School (Chicago, IL)

Comments are closed