@artskids yes, eventually I did use the tool. The first time in on 10/1, the tool wouldn’t work, so I manually entered. I was selected for verification. Then a few days later, I used the tool, and it worked, so I have the date I used the tool as part of the verification process. Tonight I will go line by line to see if I can find any differences, just to feel better about it. It will take me god knows how long to find that original print out, in a folder somewhere. And to be fair, I am asking the schools to reconsider based on medical costs, so maybe they’re in the FAFSA just poking around (for fun, to mess with me, because they’re already too busy and don’t need more requests…)
The title of the short play in my mind is “Revenge of the Financial Aid Office”. I often take everyday events, and turn them into a short play (in my mind). I even cast. 
Kathy Bates as the FA officer in the lead role.
@DoinResearch as if you don’t have ENOUGH to worry about!
Mom from last year here chiming in…For those of you who are perhaps making a final decision between a BA and a BFA program I wanted to chime in with our experience so far in a BA program. My daughter is currently a freshman at Loyola Marymount (LMU). It really was not an easy decision to make and we certainly had our doubts. I’m not going to lie…there’s nowhere near the number of training hours in a BA program as in a BFA. Of course, this we knew going in. But so far there have been some nice perks that have made us feel very reassured about my D’s choice. Within the first two weeks of the fall semester the department held auditions for their fall shows. At first she was not going to do it, but then she learned that the theater dept encourages everyone to audition so she did. She tried out for a drama and a musical and got call backs for the lead in both. She was ultimately cast as Jackie in the musical Runaways which ran two weekends in October. After that she decided not to audition again because she got herself a job she liked, working three days a week and also wanted to be free to audition for pilot season. As pilot season started winding down she auditioned for the Shakespeare production LMU is putting on in October 2018…she was called back for the lead with three other girls (upperclassmen) so we really didn’t expect she would get it but she did! She is playing Isabella in Measure for Measure! The director is a faculty member but also a successful working actor, Jim Holmes. He has his MFA from Calarts. In the meantime, she also auditioned and interviewed for LMU’s theater study abroad program. She just found out today she was accepted! They only take 15 students throughout the entire program so it’s a big honor to be chosen. Here is a link to the program…it’s the only undergraduate theater program the studies at the Moscow Art theater. She will be attending that in Spring 2019. https://cfa.lmu.edu/programs/theatrearts/academics/theatreartsstudyabroad/
So bottom line…sometimes it’s not just BA vs BFA, but it’s about opportunities as well. Weigh everything! Also compare credits in the major. There is a big variation within BFA programs as well as within BAs. Some BAs come pretty close in credits to some BFA programs. My D also just declared a minor in Classics and Archaeology and may also minor in Journalism. Being a well-rounded student is a huge advantage for an actor. Feel free to pick my brain via PM!
@Twoboysandadog and others following my FA story. Here is the official word from my college friend who is a Director of FA at a small LAC:
Schools can make corrections to FAFSA. If it is from a tax return, tax transcript or signed verification worksheet, it is standard. If it is simply a different number on PROFILE compared to FAFSA, we check with the student.unless there are other factors that lead us to believe that the CSS PROFILE is correct.
Back to my story:
Just want to clear up any misconceptions. Not sure how this cuts and whether it is our fault bec we submitted two FAFSAs (by unintentionally hitting send on a draft that was saved under a different account my d had started before I told her we would take care of FAFSA) or whether a school fA office changed it bec I made a mistake on the CSS Profile or whether it wasn’t my error but just human error that resulted in dream school legitimately believing our EFC was higher than it actually is. But, regardless, it’s just a word of caution when filling out your forms. And a good caution to always question if thenachools have the same numbers you think they have.
Long story short, the FA Director at dream school (Elon) DID NOTHING WRONG.
. Her staff Miscommunicated by sending me an estimate before the official award, and she did reduce the award she told me we had orally on the phone based on information I gave her about a talent scholarship, but that is ONLY because he Talent award put us under our higher (mistaken) EFC. In fact, she still awarded us a Stafford despite being under EFC. So. I really apologize To Elon here (and have done so in writing since). It was just a chain of human errors and in the end I think it was God’s way of leading us to a different (but the right) decision all along.
I will post that tomorrow when she hits the accept button on line tonight. I’m still giving her space to do this in her own way and time.
@FourStars - sent you a PM with more info, but so others here will know too, Wright State is a terrific school. There is a lot of crossover in Acting and MT. It is very selective (usually around 12 Acting & 12 MT majors). The school is also very affordable. They changed their Showcase last year from the typical 1 performance in NYC to a week of masterclasses with Agents and Casting Directors where the students performed and got feedback. They all loved the new format.
@FourStars my recommendation would also be for your friend to take a serious look at WSU. The curriculum, the staff, the cost of attendance…it is a fantastic program.
hey everyone! Has anyone here heard from the DePaul Waitlist?? Thank you and good luck!
@calartsdreamer I’m curious about the DePaul waitlist too and wondering if anyone knows about whether or not they notified in the past before May 1st or after.
@actor16 I do believe it’s only after may 1st.
hello people. It’s me again. Between SCAD B.F.A and Columbia College Chicago B.A. Which one do you guys think it’s best? Thank you.
@calartsdreamer depends on what is the ultimate goal? Scad has an agent on staff and they have a newer program but I hear it’s nice. Columbia College is in the middle of whats happening in Chicago. There is so much going on in theatre, tv, film so their are opportunities there. I would certainly do some yelp reviews of both to see what the students are saying.
@calartsdreamer Chicago is a great city. CCC seems to be living in changing times, selling buildings, and the teachers and administration have some tension over the changes. Look at the financial health of the school on the Forbes lists. My son really liked CCC, but I as a parent was concerned about the price tag when I was uneasy about the financial health. Don’t know much about SCAD.
@MTmom2017 and @owensfolks - Thank you so much for your thoughts and insight. I did get the PM, too. I was hunting around on the WSU site and it looked like a very well constructed curriculum. Particularly for actors who want a bit of the MT stuff (which was/is my daughter), although I am asking for a friend and need to understand her priorities more. So many people helped me, I just wanted to help this mother/daughter duo we met at an audition. Isn’t it amazing how much more you we know now than 1-2 years ago, heck, even 3-4 months ago. Thanks for chiming in, I appreciate it.
oops almost reposted, just deleted in time.
Any Pace parents who would be willing to give their opinion/s on the performing arts programs? The college in general? Thanks.
Hi @blessedgirl3 I can inbox you about someone sitting in on the Pace BFA program on Monday and viewing some shows performed by Seniors if you’d like.
@blessedgirl3 my oldest daughter graduated from Pace this past May with her BFA in commercial dance. So while I really can’t answer theater questions per se I may be able to answer more general questions. Fun fact I also graduated from pace in 1986 back in the days where they had zero performing arts programs!
My D went with Hartt! So excited for her and happy this leg of journey is done…
@marg928 I saw videos of Commercial Dance classes at Pace. They are REALLY REALLY Good!