In 2013, a mere 378 applicants auditioned to be one of the 20 members of the class of 2017. In 2017, a total of 802 applicants auditioned for the same number of spots.
Elon University’s still young Music Theatre program has, over the past two decades since its inception, become one of the most competitive performing arts programs in the country.
In 2013, 378 applicants auditioned to be a member of the 20-person Music Theatre Class of 2017. That year, the overall acceptance rate into the music theatre program was 11 percent. During the past several years, the mass of auditionees who sought to apply could not all receive slots for the few audition days on campus – so a need for pre-screen videos arose.
This year, 802 applicants auditioned via pre-screen videos, and only 387 of those applicants were invited to audition on campus for 20 spots in the Music Theatre Class of 2021. This audition season, the overall acceptance rate into the music theatre program was 2.5 percent, making it one of the most competitive music theatre programs to be admitted to in the country.
Additionally, many websites and publications have recently and consistently ranked Elon’s music theatre program among the best in the country.
College Magazine ranked Elon the #4 program for musical theatre in the country:http://www.collegemagazine.com/top-10-schools-musical-theatre-majors/
Music School Central ranked Elon in the Top 10 programs for musical theatre:
http://musicschoolcentral.com/discover-the-10-best-colleges-for-musical-theater/
On Stage Blog ranked Elon the #6 musical theatre program in the country:
CollegeRaptor.com put Elon at the very top of their list of BFA programs:
https://www.collegeraptor.com/Majors/Details/50.0509/Level/Bachelors-degree/Musical-Theatre
Universities.com ranked Elon #6 on their list of musical theatre programs:
https://www.universities.com/programs/musical-theatre-degrees
American Theatre.org put Elon #4 on their list of the best musical theatre programs outside of New York City:
Broadway Artists Alliance ranked Elon in their “Top 15 Musical Theatre Schools”:
On Stage Blog also named Elon as the best school for theatre in North Carolina:
http://www.onstageblog.com/columns/2016/12/20/the-best-theatre-colleges-in-every-state-for-2017