So you think you have a chance?

Natalie Porter, a Weber State University dance student, arrived in Salt Lake City at 5 a.m. to audition for the Fox reality show "So You Think You Can Dance." Little did she know, she would have to wait in line for hours to get seven to 10 seconds to impress the judges.

Many people every year try out for America's hit reality shows. "American Idol," "Survivor" and "Deal or No Deal" are a few with huge payoffs for winning contestants.

Getting on a reality show can be tricky. Besides long lines and hundreds of people all trying for the same spot, a contestant must appeal to the particular show's producers.

Joan Dunn, WSU communication major, waited through bad weather to get on "Deal or No Deal."

"I wanted to do something that was fun and exciting." Dunn said. " I tried to speak out and show how I would be on the show."

Viewers watch the shows for unscripted entertainment. Some require raw talent while others look to expose the lack of talent. Porter developed her own opinion.

"Who can show what a great dancer they are within 10 seconds? she asked. "It's impossible and unless a dancer can extend their leg up to their head and wrap it around their head a few times, the dancer won't make the cut."

While they are looking for the best, some go just to get on TV.

"American Idol" shows many contestants who cannot sing. "So You Think You Can Dance" does a similar thing, showing the people who think they can dance, but have two left feet.

There are many different ways to get on a reality show. Network Web sites have applications; some require a short video about the applicant.

The other option is to do what many WSU students have done and attend open auditions. These auditions are advertised in the newspapers, local news stations, and on the Internet.

A callback is something all contestants dream about. Dunn received her callback as she left the audition. She scheduled a time to come back and make a demo video for the producers. After finishing the demo video, they asked her to pick one of two cases. Inside the case would reveal whether her video would be sent or not. When her case revealed "Yes," she and her family were ecstatic.

"We flipped out. I guess that's how we would have acted if we were on the show," she said.

The motives of getting on a show are different for everyone. Wes Haddock, a WSU business freshman said he doesn't watch much of reality television, but he would do it for the money.

For those thinking about entering an audition, "don't expect to get past the first or second cuts," Porter said. "Just go to enjoy the audition."