<p>So I have been accepted to a Marymount Manhattan BA Theatre Arts and MT minor. At first, I was ecstatic because it has been my life goal to go to college in NYC. I only applied to four schools because I really feel that I need to be in the city. This school was one of my top choices, so I was really happy when I was accepted... but now my finaid package came in and it is disappointing.. I do not want to leave school close to $100,000 in debt. Basically, I am under extreme stress, I've cried every day for a week, and I don't know what to do. I worked so hard to get accepted, but I am afraid of ruining my finances. I mean, how can someone who is in so much debt afford rent in NYC, food, healthcare, a family eventually? My parents are supportive, but worried. Should I just go to community even though it is really the last thing I want? Is it really worth the debt? Btw, I am dedicating my life to applying to scholarships now. But seriously, should I just go to community college? Or is the education at Marymount worth the debt? I really love the college. Also, keep in mind that I am in the BA program, not the BFA, so I may be in a slightly "safer" situation. This is awful.</p>
<p>I was rejected from MT Minor but waitlisted for BA theatre performance. I was thinking of going to MMC until I received my own aid package, and I am in the same boat as you! I am in a mentoring program and called upset that I received such a small amount. I was told to call financial aid and try to negotiate. I was told to tell them how much I really want to attend the school but it is not a viable option with the aid package. I don’t know how often negotiation works, but that is what my college mentor told me to do. I would do more research on how to do it though. Sorry if I was not much help.</p>
<p>Take a gap year, hone your skills, get more experience, i.e. community theatre, audition for everything you’re suited for. Spend the next six months researching all the wonderful programs out there, and remember – the bigger the school/reputation = the better financial aid package. You don’t want to graduate with all that debt in such a risky profession. Stay true to yourself, never give up. A gap year, if used wisely, will be to your advantage when you re-apply. Don’t cry, it WILL work out! Chin up!</p>
<p>I do not think that $100,000 in debt is a good idea. I wrote a thread somewhere else on the training you could put together for yourself in NYC and what it would cost. Look around and see if you can find it. Being in NYC as an undergrad is usually a mistake. You are going to undergrad to learn. NOT to: party, drink, go home with strangers, go to shows, go shopping, go to auditions you’re not ready for, or any of the other temptations that WILL exist. </p>
<p>Gap year’s are a great idea! Next year, look outside the city, I have friends in the “biz” who do not recommend any of the NYC schools to their students - and those are people who have worked on Broadway and teach current Broadway performers. If those people say “Get out of the city!” then you shouldn’t feel like you have to be running into it.</p>
<p>Its OK, it will work out. I speak from experience - neither of my parents were working when it was time to go to college, I went to my dead last choice school. Today - could NOT be happier with where my career has taken me - it all worked out better than I could have hoped.</p>
<p>VT</p>
<p>Here are three fairly recent threads on this topic that may be of some help. The post that VoiceTeacher references can be found in the last thread on the list (Should I go into debt?):</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/884188-money-issues-worth.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/884188-money-issues-worth.html</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/1112751-financial-dilemma.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/1112751-financial-dilemma.html</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/1261461-should-i-go-into-debt.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/1261461-should-i-go-into-debt.html</a></p>
<p>I know this is not the topic of the thread but I am just responding to the following comment in a post above:</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>While I don’t think a MT student NEEDS to be in NYC for college, I think the comment above that indicates that it is usually a mistake is NOT accurate whatsoever. My kid went to college in NYC (NYU/Tisch) and she was there to LEARN, not to party or the other things on that list (though she did see plenty of theater). She was sooooo busy in her BFA program, that there was no time to do those things anyway. But even so, she is a motivated driven student who did not treat college in NYC differently than in any other location in terms of her dedication to her studies. She achieved a lot in school winning awards and more scholarships during her time there and upon graduation. She also took advantage of the many benefits, opportunities and networking in NYC during her college years that have paid off since graduating. She started college at age 16 in the big city after growing up in a rural area in fact. She, along with the majority of her peers in her BFA program, were there to learn and flourished in their college environment and would not have made it through if they were there to party. </p>
<p>I think this needs to be said. It is a myth that if you go to college in a place like NYC, you are going to be distracted and not focus on your studies. There are all types of students and some are motivated learners and some are not. Also, at a place like NYU that is quite selective, it takes a certain type of student to be admitted, usually not the type who will goof off and focus on the distractions in the city. Look at students at Columbia. Most are quite successful at their studies and go to school in the Big Apple. I went to college and grad school in Boston and my other kid went to grad school at MIT (Boston) and Berkeley (San Fran) and these cities were great places for college but never distracted from the work at hand. Not all students would lose focus on learning just because they go to college in an exciting city. My NYC student rarely had time to do the exciting things NYC offered while she was in college but had a chance to sample it more during the summers and post graduation in fact. She was not nearly the only NYU graduate to graduate with Honors. It can be done, for those who are dedicated students, even in NYC.</p>
<p>PS, my MT kid, along with the majority of her peers at Tisch, did not audition in NYC for work that would take her out of college, during her tenure at NYU.</p>
<p>My son is living hand to mouth in NYC, but is making it on his own, but he has zero student loan obligations. We also have breathing room because he went to an affordable school, a state school and did not have to take out loans on his behalf which we would have had to have done had he gone to a private school like NYU unless he got a sizeable scholarship. We do not qualify for financial aid. </p>
<p>For ANY undergraduate program that does not have a good track record in job placement and earnings, it is risky to take out loans, unless your family can afford it. You have to pay them back, and it is a very painful process if you are struggling already in trying to make a go of it. This is a family financial decision that has to be made. Can your family support you during those lean years after college and with a heavy debt burden, or is this something that is going to be a big financial problem?</p>
<p>My son is currently at NYU for BFA Acting and absolutely loves it! He was salutatorian of his high school class and was able to secure some good financial aid (along with some student and parent loans). He is also VERY focused. So many times when I have texted him about what he is doing- the response is usually homework. Yes, he is able to see many Broadway shows but he also knows, school is FIRST. One time he wanted to go to a concert with his favorite bands- a chance that he would never get in our hometown, but he would have to miss some class. He calculated how much that class costs for the time he would have missed and realized, it was better to forego the concert and stay in class. That’s focus! For my son, NYU has been the perfect place and luckily, next year he will be an RA- so free room and board- a HUGE help! He has also been in student films and has made some incredible connections. So, to say not to recommend a school in New York city is just not fair at all! just sayin’- lol</p>
<p>Finances can be a difficult situation for any college student. I am so sorry to hear that you are feeling so conflicted with your dilemma. You could go to another school for a year or so and save up some tuition money, while still searching for scholarships. But if you really feel like you will not be happy with another school, there is only one thing I can advise you to do: stick with what you believe in. Remember that there are lots of options such as other schools you could look at as well as financial options like being an RA! College is an important decision, so don’t settle on something you don’t want to commit your education to! Good luck, and I hope things work out for you!</p>
<p>^^^is there ever such thing as someone in a BFA program having the time to be an RA? Asking sincerely as I did already think about it as a potential way down the road to help offset room and board (assuming one could get the job) but I wondered if it would/could ever happen for a BFA student because of their schedule. Does anyone know?</p>
<p>Can you go to an in-state U/CC & then transfer to this or similar U? That would reduce your debt to only two years, which should make it MUCH more manageable. $100K is MUCH too heavy a debt burden for an undergrad or family to assume, especially if you may need to go to grad school. It’s better to be sad & reassess now than be saddled with huge debt from now on for the next 10 or more years after you graduate!</p>
<p>My son said there are many Tisch acting students who are RA’s (I had the same concern about having the time). You know the old saying, the busier a person is, the more they can get done.</p>
<p>^^^Thanks that is actually really good to know. I was an RA (a zillion years ago) and that is how I paid two years of room and board which was a big help. We are in the process of trying to decide what we can swing and if there is at least some hope of major relief down the road, it helps to keep some things in the running. I know my daughter is the type that would be very good at that job as long as her schedule would not automatically count her out. Thank you!</p>
<p>^ You’re Welcome! Next year, I will have two kids in college and it is KILLING me! lol</p>
<p>I am kind of in a similar boat…got accepted to a school that is very expensive. It was not my top choice, although I really like it a lot, it was like my 3rd choice. Right now there is not enough money for me to go…we called the school and tried to get more and they told us that they had actually given us a lot of money and they didn’t have any more. I got merit, alumni, grants, and loans. At this point, I would probably have to take on around $40,000 in debt ($10,000 a year) graduating. Is that too much? I’m not the best at understanding finance.
I’ve been trying to think of other options if worst comes to worst, are there any I’m forgetting?
- Defer, take a gap year and work to get money to pay tuition.
- Take a gap year, work to get money, train some more, and reaudition at schools that may be a little cheaper (I did audition at cheaper schools the first time around, I just didn’t get in haha!). Since the school I’m considering wasn’t even my top choice, maybe I should audition again.
- Attend community college for a year in MT to get more training, work for tuition money, and reaudition at other schools, entering as a FRESHMAN.
- Attend local state college for straight theatre (non-audition, my state doesn’t have any MT schools) for one year to get more training, and reaudition at other schools, entering as a FRESHMAN.</p>
<p>Someone told me that I wouldn’t want to be a transfer because they do not get as many roles and other types of things because the professors do not know them as well, that is why I said that I would reaudition and be a freshman again, although i would be behind a year of everyone my age</p>
<p>If you attend CC or school after HS, you often will NOT be considered a freshman and will NOT be able to get as much merit aid (most of it is awarded to freshmen).</p>
<p>Check carefully as to how you calculated your $40K. Is that AFTER your summer earnings as well as any wages you get during school? Does it include increases in expenses/tuition, transportation & other expenses? What will your major be & what placement & wages do folks in that major from that school get upon graduation?</p>
<p>If YOU will have $40K debt of your own, that IS a significant amount of debt, especially if you may go to grad school or placements/post-college jobs are iffy, as they can be in artistic & performance fields.</p>
<p>Personally, would not have my kids take on that level of debt to get undergrad degree, especially in an artistic/performance field. It’s too much, which is why it is higher than stafford loans.</p>
<p>There is nothing wrong with going to local in-state U for undergrad & then going to pricier grad school.</p>
<p>VoiceTeacher, your post made me really nervous I have to admit. My d has been going to NY since she could walk and has always said she would live there. My biggest worry is that the other lures of the city will take control of her. Though she is a great student and no doubt will be very busy with her classes, I know she will always find time to shop, etc.
One of her friends, who had always been a really responsible kid, came home from NYC after Christmas break because she was spending all her money and doing more socializing than studying, so her parents pulled her out.
I have given my d the lectures, we have worked with her on budgeting, and let her know that if she goes through her “fun fund”, she will not be getting any more.
Short of that, and keeping her course load heavy, what do you suggest? The deposits been sent and she is heading to Pace, so now we just have to keep her on track.</p>
<p>And to the OP: One thing we have stressed to d is to also have a marketable degree; that is, to take as many business courses as she can, even consider a theater/arts management minor, so she can hopefully gain employment beyond performance, or open a school or… Because college debt is a very real thing and those years will pass quickly. (just got my own Masters and have the loans to show for it 
). Sallie Mae will not care that you can’t get a job.
Now… Some positives: you said you are researching scholarships. That is great. You know they have a scholarship for almost everything under the sun; left handed people, people with green eyes ;)… Write those essays and send send send!! Before you abandon all hope, see how much money you can gather.
I wish you well. I know how hard it has to be to be so close and feeling like it might not happen. P</p>
<p>Sorry my phone cut off my post. Stay positive, and know that you will reach your goals, even if it takes a winding path. :)</p>
<p>I think if you’re smart and the school has enough connections, debt is sometimes worth it. There are plenty of people who took on that debt, and are working right now. And there are some who are not. These days, any degree is a crap shoot and may not get you anywhere. Personally, I would look at taking as many classes at your local CC over the summers, as that will make your college tuition cheaper and you can pay for the CC classes with a part time job. Also look into auditioning for as many tours and cruise ship jobs during Senior year, because they take care of your food and board and you just make a decent amount of money. Then you can pay off a lot of that debt, and start auditioning with a manageable amount. EVERY actor will have a day job, regardless of debt or not. So I think if you really feel like this school will help you get your name out there, networking etc, then go for it.</p>