<p>And YES! I see that I now have over 15 posts, so I should be allowed to PM. If anyone prefers to communicate that way, it is fine with me.</p>
<p>Okay…SOMEONE needs to do that laundry around here…and that someone is probably me.</p>
<p>Re: your question about walk-ins at Unifieds, I do know of situations where kids ended up at a school that hadn’t been on their radar before they had the chance to do a walk-in. One such school where kids I know are very happy is The New School, which launched a new BFA program this past year and which might also suit your son’s strengths and interests.</p>
<p>The other issue for many of us is finances. For my own children, as I say to them, they have two hurdles: a) getting in and b) affording it.</p>
<p>I’ve mentioned this in other threads, but my older D got into what she then felt was the top school of her dreams, RISD–only to be denied any need based grant. They basically said, “Congrats, you can now borrow $55,000/year!” So she couldn’t go there.</p>
<p>Make sure that you <em>also</em> apply to <em>financial</em> safeties as well. This includes not only in state universities, but to well endowed colleges that state that they are need blind and that they are committed to low or no loans. You can check their website for information.</p>
<p>Swarthmore’s acting program is not terribly strong, and it is extremely difficult to get into the college, as it is one of the top LACs in the country.</p>
<p>Temple on the other hand is often listed as a great non-auditioned acting program, with strong connections to Philly’s theatre scene.</p>
<p>MsMommy </p>
<p>Has your son visited these schools? You note Purchase is one of his top choices; and that he has no interest in Columbia. But, based on your description of him, I could see him changing his mind if he spent a day or so at both those colleges - meeting students and professors and touring the campus. </p>
<p>Some of the schools that my daughter was really excited about were struck off her list after her visit; and some she was not that excited about, moved up on her list.</p>
<p>Connections, so would u say for the Philly area, Temple is the best option. More asking for my kid at this point. He’s very big on urban school too. Any others in Philly you’d recommend? He may apply to Arcadia too. Stats are decent, 2130 SAT, top ten percent of class, around 3.9 GPA. NYC school he liked was Pace but too pricey even with expected merit aid so won’t apply. Any NYC schools other than Fordham, which has also been ruled out you’d recommend? He wants BA, not BFA</p>
<p>Ms mommy. I am making a list of schools we want to do walk ins for at Unifieds. It is a good way to get a few extra chances at schools without having to do all the apps and essays first or paying the total fee. I’ve Definitely read many times that students audition for a few extra schools while at Unifieds.</p>
<p>Do they all take walk ins or just certain schools? Could you provide a list of those who do allow walk ins?</p>
<p>bisouu, I don’t know firsthand, but from the accounts I’ve read here probably on the MT forum, it seems that there are sign up sheets for walk-ins on the first day of Unifieds. I’m pretty sure that not every school has walk-ins, however.</p>
<p>Yes, get there early, bring a check book (for audition fees) and walk around and ask. Worst case, you get a chance to warm up in front of an audience, best case you have another option when April acceptance time rolls around. My son did walk in for Savannah College of Art and Design (and got accepted with a bunch of scholarship), and could have, but decided against, walking in at University of Miami.</p>
<p>jkelly, how is ur kid liking Miami?</p>
<p>No, he actually didn’t audition for Miami, but he could have. (I actually went out to the bank to WD the audition fee, and by the time I got back, he’d decided not to stick around…There was a dance call several hours away, and it had been a very long weekend already.) He’s at CCPA/Roosevelt now and absolutely loving it. He’s auditioning for a bunch of summer theater internships from now into January, so, while the college search may end, the audition process never does. There’s somebody on here whose daughter is at Miami, maybe Broadway95? (Might be MT)</p>
<p>Sorry, when I said list I meant schools my D might be interested in if we had more time/more money to apply to more. She wouldn’t do a walk-in for a school she was not interested in going to. But there are definitely a number of schools that have good programs that didn’t make our final list for whatever reason that she would still be interested in.
You can find out from some of the school’s websites if they are going to be at Unifieds just by checking their audition date/location lists. But they probably won’t know if they are doing walkins until much closer to Unifieds, when they know how many kids are registered for auditions.</p>
<p>Here’s the Miami thread I was thinking about if anybody’s still interested: </p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/theater-drama-majors/1548773-university-miami.html?highlight=miami+and+bfa[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/theater-drama-majors/1548773-university-miami.html?highlight=miami+and+bfa</a></p>
<p>actually, on a related note. Any schools anyone can suggest in Florida for a theatre BA? We’ll be near Orlando and may trek up to UF. FSU is too far away but I thought about looking at schools in the Tampa area, possibly UCF, or other schools we can get to easily. Suggestions are welcome!!!</p>
<p>Arwarw has a good point, back to the earlier topic of msmommy! Is there any way your son can visit any of the schools? Many schools surprise you when you visit. I know my oldest thought he wanted Columbia, just to give an example–then when we visited he struck it off his list. Obviously, it’s very personal. </p>
<p>As to Philly & NYC BAs–In addition to Temple: If you have the stats, you can apply to U Penn. Its theatre program isn’t super strong, but it is very good, and it has great connections with the theatre community and the theatre program folks are really nice. For Catholics, DeSales’s theatre program in Philly has good connections to Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival. NYC–well, in addition to Fordham, Columbia has the connections to NYC and Barnard’s program is good. My own son didn’t like it but that doesn’t mean anything for anyone else. </p>
<p>I feel like I’m missing something but I just got home from work and am exhausted…</p>
<p>Of course if the goal is to find a school with a strong theatre program that is also more in the safety zone to round out the list, U Penn and Columbia aren’t going to accomplish that goal. Neither schools are safeties for any student. Both turn away more than their fair share of 4.0, 2400 students.</p>
<p>I don’t think it will be possible for us to visit other schools before Auditions in Jan/Feb. My son is in another play which wraps the weekend before Christmas, and we have a pretty tight schedule, except for Christmas break, which doesn’t really help. The way our auditions are scheduled, he is going to miss close to two weeks for auditions, and although we didn’t schedule them tightly and would have time to do some visits then, it is probably too late for most deadlines. I’ll keep researching. Thanks again. You all rock!</p>
<p>arwarw, he did visit Purchase, and I was not along, but he and my husband liked it. I would need to ask to see his notes to see what he particularly liked. He has not visited Columbia, but he has not visited any schools with BA programs only. It is what he has read about the program and the fact that it is a BA that has turned him off. He has in his head that a BA is STUDYING ABOUT acting (and of course the other required classes)…much more than actually acting. And once someone whom he really admires (in this case, his beloved teacher/director) has planted an idea in his head…well…I certainly haven’t been able to shake it loose. He really wants a conservatory setting. Period.</p>
<p>He’s a great kid. Confident, friendly, kind, and just happy. And he KNOWS (or thinks he knows…not much different at 18) what he wants. And I’m getting more and more comfortable with the idea of a gap year if he doesn’t get into any of the programs he has visited and fallen in love with.</p>
<p>We shall see. My research may find some good fits that he is willing to consider. If not…I’m pretty “go with the flow” in some regards. Our main concern is that he be happy. My second concern is that he be resilient. That when life isn’t necessarily “happy”, he trusts that he will find his way back there. And not much else truly matters. But that’s just my philosophical opinion. LOL!!! And I’m tired tonight. So I’m not giving up…just turning in. So much to think about. But need to sleep. Good night, friends!</p>
<p>i hear u Msmommy. I understand why he is going for the BFA. That makes sense. Happy is good, Resilient is key too, esp in the very competitive field our kids are going for.</p>