@emf1959 you just made your plea! Call them, call the financial aid … I’ll inbox you now
@actingdreams thank you so much!!!
@emf1959 I don’t know about FA, but Emerson was the only early action (EA) school that did not offer my son any merit money based on his grades/test scores.
@Twoboysandadog Same for us for Emerson. It had been my S first choice but then we didn’t get any money at all
Another question wise sages 
…when they give you x amount of dollars in grant money for the 2018/19 semester then how do you know what you can get the next three years?
@emf1959 LOL, I don’t know about that… but I do know with all of D’s grants at each school, that they each have the contingencies and requirements stated in the “Terms and Conditions” page on their portal. If you are confused, that could be something to ask your financial aid officer or admissions representative.
Is there anyone who could catch me up on how Summerstock works/when auditions are (specifically for straight actors)? S brought it up to me when we were talking about trying to intern/rub elbows while in school.
@rutgersmom321, here’s a thread on summer work on the MT board: http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/2016564-2017-2018-audition-calendar-for-summer-and-year-round-work-p1.html
I don’t know how it works, and I don’t know if the MT folks will know about opportunities for straight actors, but hopefully they can point you in the right direction!
I feel like I need the same advice - in negotiating with schools. I mean, it’s a business, right? But what are some good strategies in negotiating? Are there any good articles on the subject?
@fergie978, tell them it’s your child’s first choice school, but the money issue is holding you back. Tell them you need X amount to make it financially feasible for your child to attend, and can they make that happen so she can attend. If you have a better offer from another school, mention that and send them a copy of that award letter.
@actorparent1 - Thank you. We have already given them the letters, but still need more. Is it okay to ask them again for another $2,000?
@Fergie978 - You can ask FA for the amount you need to make it work. (Doesn’t mean they will give it to you-but won’t know till you ask!) Go for it!
Funny question: Does anyone have a child attending the National Shakespeare Competition in NYC on April 23rd? My D is attending and figured there could be other BFA actors in this crowd. Would hate to miss the chance to meet any CC folks In the Real World!!!
@FourStars my friend is going to be there
@emf1959 I call the FA office, and have them go with me, line by line, what stays the same for 4 years, and what can change, and any requirements attached to the aid. I’m doing this with multiple schools. I’m sharing the most competitive offer with schools that have a process in place to reconsider. It’s time consuming, and if S could just narrow it down, it would help. It must really be difficult to be working a FA office right now. Combine this with tax season, it’s brutal.
I’ll add one more thing…I ask the % increase year to year, because I know student loan will not keep up with that increase.
@rutgersmom321 Hi! We live in the Berkshires of MA - the home of Williamstown Theatre Festival, Berkshire Theatre Group and Barrington Stage Co. All heavy hitters in the Summerstock scene - Williamstown being the strongest. The companies cast summerstock actors in different ways around here. I know Williamstown goes to different colleges, Juilliard for example, and auditions right on campus. So does Barrington Stage - I believe they went to Ithaca a few weeks ago. BTG I know for fact goes to NETC and SETC - and some others huge audition conferences for actors and tech kids. The BTG program is an apprenticeship and the actors pay to be part of it (covers housing and some food). What I have noticed is BTG asks the same kids back year after year. As they become more comfortable with the actors they cast them in bigger shows (acting with Phillipa Soo, Kate Baldwin, Aaron Tveit, Brad Oscar - for example). Two summers ago the entire apprentice company took their summer show (Fiorello) to an Off-Broadway production in the fall - super thrilling for these kids. I am no professional on this topic - I just know how they cast here in the Berkshires.
My D has been fortunate to grow up in such a theatre rich environment (not like growing up in NYC of course!) and has had many opportunities because of it. (Last summer I bumped into Aaron Tveit more than once while getting eggs in the supermarket - he is as cute as he seems.) She plans on auditioning at NETC for summer stock next summer- unless her first year of college leaves her needing something else.
Can anyone offer any personal insight on UC Irvine’s BA program? All of the info on here seems to be from a few years ago.
Only thing I know is that the MFA students are in competition with the BA kids. They all audition together.
@actorparent1 and @Fergie978 and others who’ve written or commented. Thank you for the compassionate notes. It’s been a helluva week for many it seems. The long and short of our weird story is that apparently one of my d’s schools changed our FAFSA to indicate that only 1 child would be attending college next year rather than 2. The aforementioned dream school’s FA Director gave my H this info today in person bec we decided to let our D attend admitted BFA acting students day to work out just how much going to this school was worth to her so she could let us know. Anyway, the story is that dream school saw 1 kid in college rather than 2 and that doubles our EFC, even through the EFC I received when completing FAFSA WAS CORRECT. According to dream school FA Director, apparently choice #2 school had made the mistake and once it changed in their system it changed for all other schools she applied to.
Given the back and forth on these FA issues I honestly don’t know what will come of this correction. However, I let the stress of this decision and the year and the soon to be empty nest and other stuff get to me and I was rude and inappropriate to post negative comments about anyone at any school here. I sincerely apologize for my untoward behavior here. These people do the best with what they have the rules they are instructed to follow under difficult deadlines and with kids and families dreams and financial futures at stake.
That said, our parental experience of FA at dream school has been a nightmare. And it sent my d into the 5 stages of grief over a 3 day period. In the end I could see that she needed the right to self determination so badly that I realized I could not let FA dictate her choice by limiting it. They will correct it. It will get resolved. Uada hada.
I’m not a current fan but if she still believes seem school is the dream then I am going to do what I can tonget her there. Short of debt.
As someone else mentioned, the rational and wise choice an adult would make with a fully developed frontal lobe and experience with scarcity is not one that young dreamers make. And I realized saying this the other day that maybe that’s okay. Youth is for dreams. It’s why kids take these incredible risks that no sane 50-year old would dare take. And maybe that’s ok. Bec going for it at 18 is kinda when they need to do that.
My D feels guilty now bec she knows it’s going to cost more and we are paying for it, but we are. Wing very clear about what we will not and cannot pay later if she chooses this option. So, even that process of wrestling with dreams and realities is all good.
this is her life. Not mine. She gets to go for it and rise or fall and that matters as much or more than 10-20k a year. I’m realizing if I hadn’t spent all that money on. Any gap clothes or Starbucks or lunches out in my 30s etc etc I could do this for her. I don’t want her to pay for my mistakes with not be prudent enough with money.
I really just want her to be happy and thrilled and excited. But like someone else said: I see a real possibility of a Gap Year with a deferred admission so she can work to earn money to help finance her dream without debt. Some things are worth waiting for. Ironic givenn my chosen screen name.