I auditioned for and was admitted to many well standing BFA programs last school year, but since graduating, I’ve decided to take a gap year at conservatory and re-apply for theatre programs this fall, mainly at small liberal arts schools that are academically stimulating and well rounded.
So far, my tops are:
Oberlin
Vassar
Bennington
UNCSA (BFA)
Pace (BA IPE 1st choice, BFA Acting 2nd)
UCLA (in-state), Smith, Skidmore, Concordia (Montreal) and Colorado College (go figure) are also on my radar.
Unfortunately, while auditioning last semester, I missed over a month of school and then two and a half weeks more after catching mono at Unifieds. I made the mistake of not taking a study hall and ended up with not-so-great grades, and my first and only F after having to let go of an elective after the drop date.
Many health issues (sinusitus, sleep apnea, asthma) have been taken care of this summer, which means I’m strong and ready for a much more productive few years. Regardless, my GPA dropped to a 3.4 (unweighted), though my test scores are still decent; 30 ACT (36 on both English sections, lousy math/science) and 1930 SAT (re-taking it in November in hopes of bumping it up to a 2000+ thanks to the new test).
Training wise, I’m set and oh so hungry. The conservatory I’m headed to is quite well regarded (my program coincides with the 1st year of the MFA), and I’ve been studying alongside adults through intensives all over the country for three years and have been working professionally in my hometown for four. I take class and read plays and theory constantly. Also involved in a plethora of school, extracurricular, and community service activities that don’t just have to do with theatre.
Do I have a chance of getting into these schools? Are there any others I should add to my radar? Specifically looking for a program where I can grow as an actor-creator and have access to rigorous discussion based gen-eds in a curious community.
I should add: I really love to learn. The BFA I was headed to was lovely, but I couldn’t fathom giving up English and history classes for four whole years. I’m hoping to do an MFA down the line (either finishing the one at my conservatory or heading to a strong university). I want to keep growing academically AND artistically – theatre about theatre just isn’t engaging.
I think you are still a good candidate, especially if you write a good essay about your second semester of senior year. I also think that visiting your top colleges is important, not only to show interest but to see if they are a good fit. We visited Bennington, and it is a lovely school with very happy students, but clearly not a fit for a number of people.
Other schools that are similar to the ones on your list, and might be safety schools that you love, include:
College of Wooster
Willamette
Kenyon
Williams - not a safety, but fits your criteria
a 3.4 GPA would be low for Kenyon… (Or Oberlin of Vassar for that matter)
@climbingtrees - interested by UNCSA on list- that is pretty much pure conservatory isn’t it? Not to mention Pace. If you can’t see giving up academic class are those a good fit?
@climbingtrees - Have you considered Sarah Lawrence? I know you didn’t feel Willamette was a great fit when you visited (though it would be awesome to have you in the area!) D has a friend attending SL for theatre and she reminds me very much of you and what you are looking for. Just a thought.
@climbingtrees UNCSA is pure conservatory. You take two liberal arts per semester but they don’t have the wide variety a LAC or regular university has. Not sure how many UNCSA grads get an MFA as the training for the BFA is very intense and similar to what MFAs offer. There are programs that routinely place students in top MFA schools. The BFA at Evansville and also Southern Methodist both say that alumni routinely go onto top MFA programs.
As another note— Pace does have lots of academics and you can take several if your schedule permits.
It is my understanding (and I could be wrong- Pace was never on our list) that whole Pace offers very high quality training- they are not known for their academics.
@toowonderful you may be correct. I cannot speak to the quality of Pace academics; just that they offer many academic options. They have an honors program and also have ways the BFA majors can minor in another area or take electives in any area of interest - especially if you come in with AP or college credits. I was impressed by that option. They also give lots of money for coming in with good grades and test scores. Again- I can’t speak to the academic rigor; but rather the various options available. My D didn’t end up going to Pace but considered it. I know a school like NYU or many of the BA programs offer a greater variety of academics than many BFAs. The quality of the courses is probably pretty high as well.
Another BFA with strong academics is university of Minnesota/Guthrie. Just thought of that one.
If you’re looking at Smith, also look at Bryn Mawr. The theater program for Haverford and Bryn Mawr is at BMC. Also, you can take courses at Swarthmore, which is part of the Tri-co consortium. Lots of opportunities to perform both with student productions and faculty-led productions. My D had an independent major at BMC (Theater and Russian)–she was able to get more conservatory-type training and get college credit through the Pig Iron Theater (in Philly) and also spending a semester in Russia and studying at the Moscow Art Theater. After working in Philly for a number of years, she’s headed to an MFA program at Brown.
@climbingtrees you were at accepted at conservatories but are not going to attend because you want academics? Is this correct? I feel with your Heath issues the east coast might be challenging. I’m kind of confused. Can you clarify?
