Hello, I don’t know how many posts I will make since we’re basically done, but I wanted to give a realistic view of the upcoming ordeal parents and students will experience in their quest to find a performing arts school. We just finished ours, and it was most exhilarating, and depleting (emotionally, physically, and financially). For those who don’t know all the steps, when your child applies for a performing arts program, there are so many activities, and many hidden costs. Let’s see if I can remember everything. The first step is actually visiting colleges and taking tours. It’s even more essential for our performing arts kids because it’s important to see if the program is a good fit. We found ourselves traveling to NYC, Pittsburgh, Ann Arbor, Los Angeles, Long Beach, and San Francisco. Once you’ve gotten a list (our began at 15), then it’s application time. Many of the colleges can be applied for through Accept’d. But others have their own online process. Each application will have a cost, from $50-125. Some of the colleges have a pre-screen. For my D who was applying for musical theater, that meant sending a video of the songs and monologues. Some also asked for an introduction, others a dance video. Pre-screens also cost. The schools were pretty good about notifying soon after if you were accepted for a audition. The easiest way to audition is at one of the Unifieds, where many of the colleges get together. They are usually at Chicago, L.A. and NYC. Many may also have regionals. We had many in our hometown of SF. Auditions also have a cost. Some argue that many of the colleges like it better if you actually audition on their campus, but all of my D’s acceptances were at regionals or Unifieds. My D also applied for several programs that don’t have auditions, just for safety schools. I think that’s a good idea…but again, there’s the cost. Once the auditions are over, hold on tight! As the letters come in, there are some rejections that can be very painful. And some acceptance of colleges low on your list. That was my daughter’s experience. And then today…NYU said yes! We still have a couple hear from, but we now know it was all worth it…even if we’re emotionally spent and a tad bit poorer. Sorry for the long missive, but I hope it was worthwhile for those who read it.
Thanks for sharing @sfbobbo. Just starting the fine arts journey with my 11th grader (technical theater) and trying to learn all I can. It’s a whole new world for us. Thankfully every school he is interested in is within driving distance for us. Unifieds are too. Still, I can already see it is going to be an expensive process.
Another good tip - do the net price calculators of the college so you’ll get an estimate of the cost of tuition. Nothing more heart breaking than getting in, and then realizing you can afford it.
GET A COACH!
Oh, that’s sweet that you think you are done but you’ve just started. You can now focus on how to pay for it, how to file taxes, how to travel to and from the school to see her perform…
My typo!..Nothing more heart breaking than getting in, and then realizing you can’t afford it.
LOL, @DoinResearch ,we knew what you meant. 
@RKmom -
Theater tech is a little different. You should be looking at the usual things like does your child want a BA or a BFA, what other type of programs are offered, but also what type of concentrations are offered within the programs For instance, at my son’s school, in the BFA, you can do lighting, costume, set design or technical production and design. Stage management falls under the BA program. His school has BFA’s in both Acting and MT, which appealed to him because he enjoys working on musicals, though he has no desire to perform. That was one reason why Purchase, for instance, didn’t appeal to him - it has only acting and tends to do more edgy type of productions that didn’t interest him. Although it might seem that the type of plays or shows put on would be of interest only to the potential performers, the tech people have to essentially learn the entire show, too. Another thing to consider is the availability of outside opportunities. My son’s school requires you to have a 3.5 to do non-department shows. My son is planning a lighting concentration, so we joke that if theater doesn’t work out, he can join the electrician’s union.
The main thing, for me, at least, was no debt. We are fortunate that SUNY has excellent schools for many, many majors and fields of study and that my son is not the type to insist on prestige (although his school is prestigious in its own right).
Good luck.
@RKmom -
Theater tech is a little different. You should be looking at the usual things like does your child want a BA or a BFA, what other type of programs are offered, but also what type of concentrations are offered within the programs For instance, at my son’s school, in the BFA, you can do lighting, costume, set design or technical production and design. Stage management falls under the BA program. His school has BFA’s in both Acting and MT, which appealed to him because he enjoys working on musicals, though he has no desire to perform. That was one reason why Purchase, for instance, didn’t appeal to him - it has only acting and tends to do more edgy type of productions that didn’t interest him. Although it might seem that the type of plays or shows put on would be of interest only to the potential performers, the tech people have to essentially learn the entire show, too. Another thing to consider is the availability of outside opportunities. My son’s school requires you to have a 3.5 to do non-department shows. My son is planning a lighting concentration, so we joke that if theater doesn’t work out, he can join the electrician’s union.
The main thing, for me, at least, was no debt. We are fortunate that SUNY has excellent schools for many, many majors and fields of study and that my son is not the type to insist on prestige (although his school is prestigious in its own right).
Good luck.
@RKmom -
Theater tech is a little different. You should be looking at the usual things like does your child want a BA or a BFA, what other type of programs are offered, but also what type of concentrations are offered within the programs For instance, at my son’s school, in the BFA, you can do lighting, costume, set design or technical production and design. Stage management falls under the BA program. His school has BFA’s in both Acting and MT, which appealed to him because he enjoys working on musicals, though he has no desire to perform. That was one reason why Purchase, for instance, didn’t appeal to him - it has only acting and tends to do more edgy type of productions that didn’t interest him. Although it might seem that the type of plays or shows put on would be of interest only to the potential performers, the tech people have to essentially learn the entire show, too. Another thing to consider is the availability of outside opportunities. My son’s school requires you to have a 3.5 to do non-department shows. My son is planning a lighting concentration, so we joke that if theater doesn’t work out, he can join the electrician’s union.
The main thing, for me, at least, was no debt. We are fortunate that SUNY has excellent schools for many, many majors and fields of study and that my son is not the type to insist on prestige (although his school is prestigious in its own right).
Good luck.
“Ordeal” is a really good way to put it. This process definitely isn’t for the faint of heart, but it’s great to see so many supportive parents in this community. Tell your kids how lucky they are!
I agree with everyone that technical theater is a bit different. But you will probably have to bring a “product” and therer’s probably an interview component. Many of my daughter’s friends applied for technology, dance, and even directing, and their experiences were quite varied. Break a leg, everyone.
@BFAbff , it absolutely is not for the faint of heart. As heartbreaking as it will be for the kids, I believe it’s even harder on the parents that love these kids!!!
twoinanddone, when I said done, I actually just meant talking about the audition process. Having a daughter going to NYU brings me into a new, financial ordeal. Fortunately, my wife are all in trying to get our daughter her dreams.
Yes, @sfbobbo -
Many BFA tech programs do have an interview and portfolio requirement. My S was accepted into all 3 schools where he did a review. His portfolio was very basic, but I think he probably came across well in interviews. He’s the youngest of 5 and not shy around adults.
@techmom99, which schools did your son get accepted to? Congratulations, by the way.
@sfbobbo -
Thank you. My son is class of 2021. He was accepted to Adelphi, LIU-Post and SUNY Fredonia. He is currently a freshman at Fredonia. He was accepted to the Theater BA at Purchase but didn’t complete the tech app. His stats and my finances didn’t warrant apps to schools like Tisch, NW, CMU and the like. He is very happy. He’s already done his housing app and course registration for next fall. As an aside, although he was in theater since 6th grade, he didn’t decide that he wanted to major in it until the end of junior year, so we were on a short learning curve.
@techmom99 Jillian also auditioned for LIU and was accepted. But NYU was one of her dreams. Looks like your son has it all together. Well done, Mom!!!
@sfbobbo -
We live not far from LIU and have been to the campus many times over the years. We also attended a couple of accepted student events last year, both general and theater. The theater people were just lovely and the program seemed amazing. Several things informed our choice for Fred - first, the OOP cost was less than half, even considering the scholarship he was offered, which was going to be reduced if he lived at home. Second - S17 didn’t really want to be only 15 minutes from home and Third - SUNY accepts 3’s on AP exams for credit and LIU doesn’t. S17 earned 9 credits at Fred as compared to 3 at LIU.
My D was accepted to Fredonia for MT. Is your son theater tech? What does he/you think of the faculty?