It really depends on where you want to go to school. Cornell (Ithaca, NY) has no specific requirements for any of the performing arts departments. You simply need to get admitted to the college of arts and sciences and at the beginning of your sophmore year declare your major. They don't care a whole lot about any prior theatre experience. If you're good enough to get in the school you're good enough for them.
UCLA on the other hand will pour over your resume, portfolio, essay, and interview you. As others have said they're looking for potential, but they want to see that you've already shown that you're intelligent, have alot of drive and self-motivation, and have some of the inate skills necessary for your major. They want to see that you've taken advantage of what your school offers. If it has a theatre program and you never designed lights for a show they'll want to know why.
Quite frankly though I'll generally prefer someone who's worked with John Himmelberger in Nebraska to someone from an Ivy (when I was hiring people).
UCLA on the other hand will pour over your resume, portfolio, essay, and interview you. As others have said they're looking for potential, but they want to see that you've already shown that you're intelligent, have alot of drive and self-motivation, and have some of the inate skills necessary for your major. They want to see that you've taken advantage of what your school offers. If it has a theatre program and you never designed lights for a show they'll want to know why.
Quite frankly though I'll generally prefer someone who's worked with John Himmelberger in Nebraska to someone from an Ivy (when I was hiring people).