Class of '11 Theatre Decisions Thread

<p>My s is accepted to MaryMount Manhattan, SMU, CCM Drama and wait listed at UM Gutherie.
Any thoughts on decision criteria? Really don’t know much about SMU.
Thanks!</p>

<p>psbare. do a search on this subforum for SMU and read the “weigh in please” thread I started. Lots of info on SMU, although I have received a number of private messages about the long post on there about wealthy kids and the Greek system. You can also PM me. My S is probably going to choose SMU.</p>

<p>Applied to: Julliard, UNCSA, SCAD, Shenandoah Conservatory & NYCDA
Rejected from: Julliard & UNCSA
Accepted to: SCAD, Shenandoah & NYCDA</p>

<p>We were very lucky, considering how few schools my d auditioned/applied to, to have choices. We had no clue what we were doing, and did not realize until it was too late that there were unifieds, kids auditioned for a lot of schools and our chances were so small getting into these programs (and by our, I mean her!). NYCDA was a wonderful breathe of fresh air after she did not get a call back at Julliard, and the program they offer is what she was looking for, as she really never wanted to take a math or science class again. However, we really want her to get a BFA, and if she went to that school, she had agreed to transfer at the end of the program to complete her BFA.</p>

<p>Much to her delight, she was accepted at Shenandoah a few weeks ago, and her whole thinking changed. SCAD is a wonderful program, but we live in Savannah, and although we told her she would be living in the dorms, it would not be the same as leaving town. I know that kids do wonderfully but Savannah is so small, it is not like growing up in Philly and going to school in Philly. </p>

<p>So, after really doing some soul searching, and accepting that she will have to take math and science just one more time, she has chosen Shenandoah. The school is in a wonderful town, outside of the DC area, and they take advantage of the DC theatre scene as well as the NYC theatre scene. Another advantage of going to Shenandoah over NYCDA is that she will not have to go through this audition/application process again for a few years (until “real life” or graduate school!). In addition, she loves writing and will be able to take writing courses along with the other required general curriculum Shenandoah requires as part of their Global program.</p>

<p>Congrats, photomom!</p>

<p>Fantastic news, Photomom! </p>

<p>(Ah, the dreaded math and science, the bane of almost all theater kids’ existence…)</p>

<p>She’s going to love the area!</p>

<p>Thank you…I also want to thank you for all the encouraging posts, tons of information and all the support you have given me without you even knowing!<br>
@nalajen, she loved Winchester…and since we are from the DC area, she already knows she loves that too!</p>

<p>Congrats Photomom! It sounds like she landed in exactly the right place (math and science and all).</p>

<p>Yes…we are hoping that they have math and science for people who really only think with the right side of their brain!!!</p>

<p>I’m sure they do. I took something along the lines of Plants and Man back in the day. We went on a lot of field trips to arboretums and gardens. And there was a geology course that was affectionately called “Rocks for Jocks”. Its not just arts kids who need those soft science and math courses!</p>

<p>At Northwestern there’s an Astronomy class that is heavily attended by theatre kids - and they enjoy it!</p>

<p>One of the (many) things I love about this thread is seeing how different schools are perfect for different kids! In D’s case, a strong math and science program were on her must-have list as she knows she would miss them. She was in a Biotech program in HS that’s nearly as exclusive as most MT programs, and wants to further that knowledge in college.</p>

<p>GOING TO PACE UNIVERSITY (BFA Acting)</p>

<p>I haven’t made my deposit yet, but I’ve made my decision!</p>

<p>Applied to: NYU, BU, CalArts, UArts, U Minn, U Michigan, Evansville, CCM, Rutgers, UNCSA, Ithaca, Western Michigan, Indiana U, Marymount Manhattan, Elon, Hartt. I also applied to DePaul, SUNY Purchase, and Millikin, but decided not to audition for them.</p>

<p>Accepted to: UArts (BFA), Hartt (BFA), Elon (BFA), Marymount Manhattan (BA, with a double concentration in Theatre Performance and Directing), Evansville (academically, but they don’t have a BA), Rutgers (BA), Ithaca (BA), Western Michigan (BA), Indiana U (BA)</p>

<p>Rejected from: NYU, BU, CalArts, U Minn, CCM, UNCSA</p>

<p>Waitlisted at: U Michigan</p>

<p>Final Decision: UArts BFA Actng!</p>

<p>I was basically making my decision between UArts, Hartt, and Elon for the past 2 weeks or so. I first eliminated Elon, because, while I really liked the school and the program was nice, I felt either UArts or Hartt had everything that Elon had to offer and more (proximity to major cities, networking, performance opprotunities, etc). Not to knock Elon at all, they are a great school. One of my favorite directors I’ve worked with went there. Anyways, then I left with UArts and Hartt. UArts was originally tied for my second-choice school, and Hartt had been a little lower down. So then I started researching the curriculum more, and looking more at what each program included. I really didn’t like the location of the Hartt school being so far from the University itself, especially compared to UArts location with buildings being just blocks away. The main thing however, was I was looking for the more intensive acting program. UArts seemed to have a larger emphesis on contemporary theatre, which was a plus for me. As well as the options they have for music & dance (and the MT minor), and the fact that their program has been around and established in the theatre industry for a longer time. Hartt is much newer, and while I think they are a great up-and-coming program, right now I didn’t feel they were right for me. Those factors were basically what helped me make my decision.</p>

<p>I just realized I rambled on for MUCH longer than I thought I did…
Also, to anyone considering Hartt – I’d advise you to look at their 2009 senior Actor showcase on youtube. I never got the chance to sit in on a class there, but I’m using that as an example of the actors they produce.</p>

<p>Congrats, kevin and theatreguy! Have a great time at your chosen schools!</p>

<p>Congratualtions theatreguy321!
UArts has a very strong acting program. The sophomore year (which my D is just completing) is all Meisner and most of the students find it amazing with huge growth in their acting abilities. Their teacher (one of at least) studied with Sanford Meisner. But everything I hear about the acting classes has been positive. If you want to talk to a student PM me and I can put you in touch with my D (MT) and her acting roommate. You are going to love Philly!</p>

<p>For those of you on waitlists, at what point will you make a final decision? If you get off the waitlist after your deposit has been sent elsewhere, will you still consider the waitlisted school?</p>

<p>My D is in this position. She is just about ready to make her April decision, but she still says she wants to try the waitlist - these 2 schools have been neck and neck throughout this whole process.</p>

<p>She has to commit to a school by May 1, and it will be one she already is admitted to. In the meantime, she has additional paperwork required by the WL school in order to be considered. The WL school says they will notify of WL acceptances “sometime in May or June,” so we won’t hold our breath that she will get in anytime soon (some schools go to their WL before the May 1 deadline, and you can avoid the other commitment, but we knew this wasn’t the case for us). This school took 30% of its WL last year, so it’s not a ridiculous longshot, but demonstrated interest does seem to be important, and we of course have no idea what kind of student they’ll want to pull from the WL.</p>

<p>If she does sign on to the WL - which she hasn’t yet, something I think is a bit telling - and she does get accepted, we would forfeit the deposit to the other school, and she would switch to the WL school. Again, this is a hard choice for many kids, since many of them become very attached to the other school in the meantime.</p>

<p>I am planning a talk with my D, as she puts off the WL paperwork (in her case, it’s a “mini-app” with an essay and an update of ECs, awards, etc.), about how serious she is about dropping school #1 for the WL school. She would be entitled to turn down a WL offer, but if that’s at all likely, there’s a question of why do it - to the schools, or to herself. A dream WL acceptance is fantastic for some kids, but for others it can be very wrenching.</p>

<p>WLs that simply require a postcard reply are a different matter. She got offered one of those, too, but is turning it down, doesn’t want to go to that school. </p>

<p>Last night she got so much closer (really a hair’s breadth) from making her decision for the May 1 deadline that I decided not to push the WL issue. That’s our next little chat …</p>

<p>This is a very interesting and anxious time. It is fascinating to watch your child’s mind work through the permutations. My Son is waiting for waitlist notification from his #1 target, he is #1 on the wl, and they are supposed to give him an answer by Friday but that is no guarantee. He has his fall back plan in place and is fine with that decision if it becomes necessary.</p>

<p>The interesting question is whether you are willing to commit to a school with a wl issue still pending. Then suppose the wl school gives your child a spot. Do you condone your child backing out of a previous commit to get their “dream” school. We have talked a lot about the ethics of this possibility, it is a great discussion to have and not just about the specific subject but about life lessons, ethics, business practices etc… </p>

<p>We hope everything works out on Friday and we do not have to cross the pending wl issue and other offers expiring but if we have to make a tough decision that has to change later at least we have talked about it and are making a thoughtful decision.</p>

<p>Geek, don’t know if you’ve seen this thread or not. It’s SUNY Purchase specific, although the themes of staying on a WL for your #1 school vs accepting an offer of admission from somewhere else are discussed.</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/theater-drama-majors/674584-purchase-anyone.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/theater-drama-majors/674584-purchase-anyone.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>and the results of one poster:</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/theater-drama-majors/674584-purchase-anyone-post8632486.html?highlight=august#post8632486[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/theater-drama-majors/674584-purchase-anyone-post8632486.html?highlight=august#post8632486&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Geektheatre, it is not considered unethical if a student accepts an offer off of a wait list to then back out of their original school where they put a deposit down previous to the May 1 deadline. Colleges expect this to happen. That is how wait lists work. Everyone on a wait list had to put a deposit down on one of their accepted schools by May 1 before hearing the results from the wait list schools which in most cases won’t happen until AFTER May 1. So, ANYONE who accepts an offer from a wait list school DOES back out of their original school. There is no way around that. It happens constantly. Then, their previous school will give that spot to someone on their wait list and make that kid very happy. It is not considered breaking some sort of commitment. Colleges know kids are on wait lists elsewhere but were forced to deposit some place before getting results of their wait lists. Colleges will not be upset or find it unethical if a kid backs out of their school due to an offer from another school’s wait list which comes after May 1 typically. They will keep your deposit and fill your slot from their own wait list. Personally, I would not tell my kid this was unethical. It is not the same as breaking some commitment or promise to someone. This is how the college admissions system works and is EXPECTED, not unethical.</p>