<p>So i was accepted in to the CCM drama department this year. It's coming to the time where i finally have to commit to a single school, does anyone have anything good/bad to say about it? (and this is drama not MT). And will it help once i graduate (connections etc.)? I'd like to hear both the good and bad about the program- so feel free to speak your minds
-airman</p>
<p>What I know about CCM has more to do with their musical division; in that area they are certainly one of the best and most respected schools in the country. I am sure that the theater division is very closely affiliated with the MT department, and that the training there is very good.</p>
<p>I can’t say anything very analytical. However, I did go and visit the school just before thanksgiving break and I LOVED it. The faculty are incredibly kind, enthusiastic, and dedicated. I sat in on a voice and a movement class for freshmen and they were both really interesting. The group of kids seem to get along really well, even if they’re not all best friends, and the vibe was very positive overall.</p>
<p>I dont have my audition for another couple of weeks but congratulations on your acceptance! That’s very exciting 
Sorry I couldn’t give anything more substantial.</p>
<p>Haha thats ok- thanks for what you said. I’m going to visit in either feb or april but yea I heard its great there. And ty, who knows perhaps you and I will be in the same classes next year lol. break a leg at your audition : - )</p>
<p>So i have another problem. I live in Texas, which is obviously pretty far away (and we complain that it’s cold when it’s 50 degrees here- going to be a huge change lol) but how do i go about getting in- state tuition. I’ve been digging and some places are saying that if you come to ohio primarily for a higher education you can not become a resident- there has to be a loop hole / something to help me so i can gain in state- anyone know anything that could help me?</p>
<p>Hi, Airman. My D was accepted to CCM Drama last year. She was also accepted to Emerson BFA Acting, Cal Arts and UCLA. We decided to go visit each school and really spend time with the schools before she made her decision. CCM offered her $5000, so that was a very nice thing. It made CCM reasonable, second to UCLA in cost. We went in April and met with staff. We spent a day at the school, and she was even invited to spend time in one of the classes with the first year theatre students. Here’s what my D thought and considered in making her decision. Your thoughts may differ.</p>
<p>First, its cold there. This wasn’t so much an issue, but something to think about if you are a person used to warm weather. We were also a little concerned about the surrounding environs. I’ll be honest. I have lived in the Tenderloin in San Francisco and off Telegraph in Berkeley and even I was a little creeped out. The campus itself, however, was honestly one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. I have never seen such gorgeous architecture on a campus. Also, the facilities for CCM were not matched by any of the other schools my D was considering. They simply have incredible facilities for their Theatre students. They have the most beautiful black box theatre you will ever see. </p>
<p>As for the students. My D found the first year theatre students to be engaging and friendly… not stuck up and stuffy like at other schools. She was concerned, however, when one of them told her she had only just begun acting a year before she was admitted to CCM. Then there was the issue of last year’s graduating class. If I recall correctly, they only graduated seven students in CCM Drama, down from an admitted class of twenty some. We did some digging, and we understand what happen (much of it was personal and I won’t share it here). But this also concerned my D. Finally, there was Cincinnati itself. It was not Boston or LA. She felt that it didn’t have the connections that she would have in the other places she was admitted. And it did not have the alumni connections of the school she ultimate chose. But on the positive sides, however, she was very much impressed with the facilities and the faculty and the genuine friendliness of the students. </p>
<p>I have read many, many things about CCM Drama. I do believe that it may, in the future, be considered one of the best programs in the country. The current head of the program is absolutely determined to make it a star in it own right. But they are currently not as selective as other programs (I believe they accept 35% of those that apply) and that may be why its still having growing pains. It is also a place that you just have to feel like you belong. You either like CCM or not. My D being a city girl from California just didn’t feel the “click.” You really should go and visit. CCM is wonderfully willing to meet with accepted students, and spend time with them answering questions and letting those students attend classes. I found the faculty to be so open and friendly. You should take advantage of that if you can before you make this… one of the most important decisions of your life. </p>
<p>Good luck to you and let us know what you decide. </p>
<p>P.S. in case you are wondering, my D is at UCLA… and loves it. It was the right place for her.</p>
<p>My son is in CCM drama. This school was the first choice on our list and he was elated to get accepted. </p>
<p>That 35% acceptance rate mentioned above sounds too high, based on the numbers I was told. Each class has only ~15 students, and I believe they usually audition ~200.
If you assume that half of the acceptees enroll, then that puts it at 15% acceptance.</p>
<p>Consequently, with about 60 kids in the entire program, everyone knows everyone. </p>
<p>We couldn’t be happier with the school. It’s true - the facilities and instructors are top-notch. They each take a personal interest in developing each actor as an artist.</p>
<p>This is a bit off topic—does anyone know if CCM drama allows walk ins for Unifieds?</p>
<p>A close family friend is a senior in drama at CCM and has been incredibly happy there. I was fortunate enough to see a show last year that she had a lead role in and i was simply blown away by the unbelievably strong performances by everyone on stage. They seemed to be an incredibly talented group…aside from the cast, the set was stupendous…i don’t think i have seen a set in a college setting that was as “professional” looking. Our friend has very much loved her time there in every respect…</p>
<p>Regarding gettting in-state tuition…I attended CCM as a music major many years ago. Got as much talent $$$s as they were offering, but finally had to take a year’s leave of absence to work to earn money to continue. Since I worked full-time (at an insurance agency) and had my own apartment, I was able to return as an in-state student. (Had to do with income tax records, etc.) Maybe not the option you’d be looking for, but it allowed me to finish school without crushing debt (and I got really, really good at proofreading insurance policy fine print…zzzzz…)</p>
<p>Bunker- so your son really thinks its that great? My director says that the drama department there is not very good- but i really want to go there. So you reccomend it?</p>
<p>The school is definitely rated highly, and we’re quite pleased, but you need to make sure that it is a fit for you.</p>
<p>You should take time to visit any school that you’re considering, and talk to students and faculty as much as you can.</p>
<p>The 35% acceptance rate came from CCM itself. I remember it being right in that neighborhood because I looked it up. CCM has a webpage that allows you to look at the program you are interested in and see the acceptance rate. This is the acceptance rate for DRAMA, not MT. MT is much harder to get in. I also recall when I was waiting in the hallway at CCM and reading the bulletin boards while my D was talking to an Asst. Dean, I saw a post of the number of students that had applied the previous year and how many were accepted. Once again, it was right around 1/3. </p>
<p>We spent significant time evaluating CCM last year when my D was accepted and went and spent a day with the professors and students. My D attended a class with the first years last year (which you can do if you ask.) There were definitely more than 15 in the room, so I don’t know why you say the size is supposed to be 15. From what we were told, they are supposed to be around 25 or so. That doesn’t always happen, though.</p>