<p>I love reading about all the wonderful schools, but money does have to be considered for us. What is out there that you would consider a good MT program, that is affordable or a good value for the money. </p>
<p>Does anyone transfer to a better program if you dont get in the first time?</p>
<p>Unfortunately, that is a tough question to answer. When looking at programs, you really cannot rule any out due to cost, as the final cost is so dependent on potential academic and talent scholarships. The school at which my D ended up would have been out of reach for us except for a very generous scholarship that she was awarded after she auditioned. We would never have known that this was a possibility if she had not applied and auditioned. Other schools that were originally more within our reach ended up being more expensive than her current program, because even though the COA was less, they did not offer as much in scholarships. You need to formulate a list that includes a wide range of programs that includes reaches, and shoe-ins, financially, academically, and talent-wise. </p>
<p>As to the transfer question, that is another tricky one. If you are looking at a BFA program, most find it difficult to transfer without having to start over as a freshman. Most BFA programs move their students thru the program as a unit, so if someone were to come in the middle of the program, they would not be able to catch up. As a result, most will require you to start from scratch. There are BA programs that are more flexible and may allow a transfer straight across. Again with my D, she did transfer from one BFA program to another in what should have been her junior year, but had to go in as a sophomore. At a BA program to which she was also accepted, she could have transferred as a Junior. However, because of the generous scholarship, it has still been less for her to do 3 years at the BFA program, than it would have been to do 2 years at the BA program. AS the BFA program was her 1st choice, it all worked out perfectly!</p>
<p>Read everything you can on this site about the process of selecting and auditioning for programs. It will definitely make the whole process easier.</p>
<p>Agree with takeitallin. In our experience the awards vary widely and you never quite know where the best programatic and financial fit is until the acceptances and awards come. Some schools with a $40,000 plus/year tuition price tag may give your child $25,000 or more per year. Another school with a less expensive price tag may have a higher net cost because no merit aid is coming your way. I know that there is quite a bit of ‘sticker shock’ when you see the cost for NYU, BOCO, Northwestern, etc. My twins opted for Florida State’s MT program. It was not only the pefect fit for their artistic needs, but they received generous merit aid. Four boys and five girls in the MT class of 2016. Everyone’s situation is unique.</p>
<p>momoftheatergal - I read another post where you mention that you are in Maryland. So you should qualify for in-state tuition at Coastal Carolina University for the MT major. that’s makes CCU a very affordable option for you.
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/14347573-post7.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/14347573-post7.html</a></p>
<p>Here are a couple threads that you may want to look at:</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/1311654-least-expensive-mt-bfa-u-s.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/1311654-least-expensive-mt-bfa-u-s.html</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/1227739-cheaper-schools.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/1227739-cheaper-schools.html</a></p>
<p>Since you are in MD look at Catholic, American, Shenandoah, James Madison, Penn State, Temple, and UArts. A great opportunity to see different types of programs within a relatively close distance to home. Not MT programs, but Towson, UMCP, and Goucher are MD schools that provide some MT opportunities. </p>
<p>Sent from my DROID RAZR using CC</p>