<p>@neuroticstagedad if your kid is “good enough” to get into a “top school” feel free to send him/her there. If you chose to judge the programs by the number of Broadway grads that’s your family’s choice. Everyone has to find their own way.</p>
<p>Many Broadway and Film stars never went to ANY college…for my daughter that is not a good route to go…but for many it is…to each his own and thank goodness for the variety of paths available to our children. We are very blessed.</p>
<p>Not a question of good enough. A little bit of luck is needed too. You need to be realistic or your kid is going to be
A very talented waiter or waitress</p>
<p>@neuroticstagedad - what is the point of going to one of those top schools if when you are finished you can’t afford to go to auditions because you have to get a non MT job to pay for your huge college loan debt? Some people have the talent but do not have the $$$. Ultimately, it is talent that will get them the job. Granted, a great school can help them with connections but only if you can afford to attend the school, which many simply cannot. Many audition knowing they can’t afford the school simply for the affirmation that they “could have” had they had the $ to do so. They want to know they were good enough talent wise but then make more prudent financial choices.</p>
<p>The only thing a top school “may” be able to do is get you into the room. Whether you book that Broadway role depends on who else is in the room. There are plenty of talented young adults pounding the pavement who never went to college and are Broadway material. Anyone who thinks that any college program is the be all and end all is in for a rude awakening. </p>
<p>I’m extremely realistic, and neuroticstagedad’s points are very logical just not the way we are choosing to look at it. I’ll spin your head even more. This is not a brag… I’m making a point. My S passed every prescreen, has had more than one program Director call him immediately after his audition to recruit for their programs. He withdrew apps from CMU, U of MI, Ithaca and Penn State…they weren’t a good fit for him, didn’t matter where they are ranked. I’ll let you know when he’s one of the Rider grads on Broadway in a few years :-* </p>
<p>Thank you @Times3, you nailed it. Our D would love to work on a cruise ship - is that any less ambitious than being in the chorus of X on Broadway? I say again, read the book “Making it on Broadway”. It sure seems a lot less glamorous when you read the stories of those who have “made it”.</p>
<p>
Tell me what those doors are neuroticstagedad.<br>
But if you look at the ESPN top 10 NBA players 2013 rankings, only one of those attended one of the schools you listed. So obviously there are other paths to NBA success. Just as there are other paths to success in the MT world.</p>
<p>Not everyone sees Broadway or Hollywood as the only ways to define success. I certainly don’t. I don’t make it to NYC as often as I would like. Thank goodness there are fabulously talented performers working in regional theatres and on tours so those like me have access to quality theatre in our own neck of the woods. And don’t tell me the quality is lesser because I have seen some real stinkers on the Broadway stage. </p>
<p>My D is one who picked a “lesser known/less prestigious” program because it was where she felt like she fit. So many people questioned her decision. But she has grown tremendously - as an artist and as a person - in her 4 years at that school. We were driving to an audition recently (yes, sometimes even college seniors let their moms have some audition fun) and talked about the college audition process and her decision. She has no regrets. She is ready for whatever that next step is for her. And you know what? I’m good with that. </p>
<p>Remember we’re all in this together to share information and support one another, not to criticize opinions and choices. There is no right answer in trying to determine which achools are best. It is all relative. Pick the program that is best for your student and your family. But realize others’ choice of schools and others goals for performing that may differ from yours are just as valid. Wishing all of you much success in finding the perfect training for your aspiring MT/actor. </p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Did you confirm that this is the case, addictedtoMT? I ask because I know students in the past who received a good amount of scholarship $$ from CCM. I wouldn’t rely on anyone’s information on this topic other than the school itself.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I think you probably know the answer to this question, neuroticstagedad. In any case, it’s the wrong question to even ask. Knowing where recent grads have booked work is important but you need to broaden your horizons from simply basing the question on Broadway. As has been said many times here, most of these kids will never set foot on a Broadway stage, regardless of what school they attend.</p>
<p>Unless they have an agent, every MT graduate will be attending non-equity or EPA’s, ECC’s (if they are lucky enough to be seen) auditions along with EVERYONE else with a BFA or not. This levels the playing field. No Casting Director will cast you based on what school you went to, not even if it’s Juilliard. What matters to them is that you are a fit for the role talent wise and physically.</p>
<p>@alwaysamom - I have to admit that I have not checked with the school itself, so I will. However, I have been told so by two different college audition coaches - my daughter’s and another we heard speak to parents on the subject of getting your MT child into college. I promise to share my findings with all my CC friends.</p>
<p>your failing to miss the point. I agree with everything that has been said. But if money wasn’t a concern, most of us would want our kids to go to one of the top schools. Lets be honest with ourselves, most 18 yo seniors are not capable to realize what a “good fit” is. </p>
<p>addicted2MT I was going to say the same thing, I’m almost positive my S’s friend received 15K which brought her down to in state tuition 2 years ago from CCM. Rider is expensive, total cost (living on campus) this year is 50,575. They have good academic awards, I’m not sure about other grants or FA yet.</p>
<p>Where/when will people post final decisions? Is there a thread designated to this? </p>
<p>removed</p>
<p>Most 18 year olds have been determining things that are “good fits” for their lives for years. They are well-practiced in being able to tell which teachers, directors, voice instructors, etc they work well with, and which ones they don’t work well with. </p>
<p>Well, then what is your point? Because you can’t go unless you get in and have the money to attend. This is not a choice most of these auditionees have to make. The ones with loads of money and talent have a better shot than those without? Okay, you’re probably right. But, plenty of them are kicking around NYC looking for work, too. People love to name the successful grads of the top programs. I would like to see a list of the unsuccessful grads, sometime. At the bigger schools that could be a long list.</p>
<p>I think most of us are aware that in the end, it is what the person brings forth as they audition not where they went to school. For that reason, fit and comfort are paramount as students navigate their options. A big name school does not guarantee them a job and it does not even place them over someone who never went to a prestigious musical theater school or college for that matter. They are gaining training and growing as artists and it is as likely for some to get into a top school and not improve to the level that it takes to have success as a performer as it is for someone to go to their state BA program and make vast improvements.<br>
We do not measure success as being cast on Broadway. My son, for one, hopes to work on a cruise line when he graduates. Along with his love of MT, he shares an equal love of travel and adventure (goes to school in London). For him, that would be a dream job.
There are some that just ooze talent with little training. One of the kids who danced with my kids for several years on their competition dance team, went on to Broadway at 12, a Tony nominee and then onto Hollywood and an academy award nominee. Successful, yes, BFA program, no, talented, absolutely.</p>
<p>Yes, there is a Final Decision thread already started. Here is the link: <a href=“Final Decisions; BACKGROUND, Class of 2018 - Musical Theater Major - College Confidential Forums”>Final Decisions; BACKGROUND, Class of 2018 - Musical Theater Major - College Confidential Forums; </p>