Colleges for Musical Theater Major - Part 35

<p>A word about admission to CCM:
It is ALSO possible to be admitted to the U of Cincinnati w/o being admitted to CCM (just like Emerson).</p>

<p>U Of Cincinnati has mailed us a packet about the "Cincinnatus Scholarship" (amounts between 2 and 15 grand a year). Apparently, my D is before eclaring her an official candidate. But they also expect candidates to show up in Ohio at a reception!! I called the admissions office and told them that I can't spare the expense of flying out there when my D's chances of getting into CCM MT program are really so small. I'm now supposed to wait to hear from them. Then, I must write the director of this scholarship program a letter explaining why we won't be able to attend this reception. It is in Feb. the weekend of the Unifieds in NYC (near where we live). I think this is all a marketing ploy to get students interested to attending the university. They probably award the minimal amount to anyone who just shows up.
Getting into the CCM MT program is based upon the strength of the audition. But here again (like Emerson), it is possible to get admittance into the "regular" school.</p>

<p>If anybody else has info or experience with this one this please post.</p>

<p>I really SHOULD preview my posts. Sorry, soozievt and others.</p>

<p>Our son Jake got a similar invitation. We think we're going to go, figuring $8000 is worth the $1000 trip. However, my thinking was not as clear as yours and I didn't even think about his chances of getting in. Duh.</p>

<p>I'm going to reconsider before I schedule any plane flights.
I'm also not sure that Cincinnati is the palce for him He just got offered admission to Emerson and that seems like a better match (to his mother, at least).</p>

<p>Laurie Aaron</p>

<p>Freelance -
I've posted this one before, so apologies to anyone tired of hearing it, but in answer to your question about CCM scholarships & acceptance, yes that has happened to others. We know and/or have met 3 girls who experienced exactly that. All were offered that scholarship at U of Cinn, yet none of them made it into the MT program. It totally confused them too. They were offered spots in the CCM vocal performance program but all 3 declined and got into MT spots at other schools. This same situation happens with lots of other schools. </p>

<p>Like so many parents said last year, apply to a broad range of schools to increase your odds and keep all of those audition slots at Unifieds. Unifieds was a lot of fun for us last year (despite the stress). Good luck to your d and all the great kids going through the process this year! Best holiday wishes too - TX Mom</p>

<p>In the past, the Cincinnatus Scholarships have been awarded partially on the basis of SAT / ACT scores, H.S. grades, community service, extracurricular activites, etc. - i.e. the usual. Students apply for the scholarship online. The application is very limiting in terms of the space one is allowed. Many of my D's awards and activities could not be fit into the allowed space. The university says this is to keep the competitors on a more even footing. (I disagree with the policy - the competitors aren't supposed to be on an even footing!) The reception you referred to is actually part of the competition. Students spend an entire day on the U.C. campus. They are place in small groups of about 5 to 6 and must brainstorm. Students are evaluated on leadership, creativity, and cooperation. Scholarships are awarded at several different levels. Out-of-state students receive additional money to help cover the out-of-state tuition surcharge. The scholarships can be quite substantial. My D was awarded a very large scholarship through Cincinnatus. Actually, I think that it was the 2nd largest scholarship award she received from the 4 schools that accepted her.</p>

<p>Yes, the odds of getting acceptance to CCM are much lower than the odds for the university as a whole. However, if your S or D decides to enroll at CCM, having a Cincinnatus scholarship in hand would be a nice bonus. Usually there is an alternate date for the Cincinnatus competition. Ironically, my D could not attend the main competition last year because it was the date of her CCM audition! If I were in your situation, I would check the date of the 2ndary competition. If your child's audition for CCM is in January, you may possibly have an answer regarding acceptance into the MT program before the 2ndary competition takes place. Then, if there's no acceptance, you could cancel the trip to the Cincinnatus competition. </p>

<p>If your student will have to compete for a scholarship before getting audition results, I suppose you have to weigh your student's academic qualifications, his leadership skills, and the likelihood of attending CCM against the cost of making a 2nd trip to Cincinnati. I believe that every student who attends the Cincinnatus competition is guaranteed some minimum award. However, much larger monetary awards are certainly possible.</p>

<p>We also got that invitation last year. Neither of the offered dates worked for us as they conflicted with other auditions. However, I recall calling CCM and asking if there were anyway to participate without going to Cincinnati and I was told that my D could write an essay (along with a letter explaining why she couldn't go to Cincinnati) for consideration, but as a result, would only be considered for the lowest award, $2000 a year, I believe. After her CCM audition, she decided she didn't want to go there and so never applied for the scholarship program. Just as well - she didn't get in to CCM anyway.</p>

<p>My D also got the invite for the Cincinnatus competition and was giving serious consideration to competing (it IS, after all, money to help with college) ...and has been academically accepted to all the schools she has applied to thus far, but after receiving her EA acceptance to OCU's MT program (and a VERY generous scholarship) I think that we are leaning toward canceling her remaining auditions, especially given the fact that it has been so disheartening to get those MT rejections after receiving letters of acceptance from the schools. I can't see competing for an academic scholarship if you are not accepted into the MT program (doesn't it seem odd that they would schedule it that way?) At least one of the other schools she applied to EA didn't require the scholarship essays, etc. until February! These kids are under enough stress as it is!<br>
Anyone else ready to make an early commitment? Or is everyone going to keep at it? We are just debating...my D reallllly likes OCU and I think that the school and program is a great fit for her...and the scholarship money isn't bad either! Any thoughts???</p>

<p>Wow! I haven't been on in a looonnnngggg while, and there has been a lot of activity! I haven't had a chance to go through and search the messages of the past few weeks, so this is probably a repeat question, but was wondering if anyone is going to Miami in January for the NFAA Awards Week? My son is a finalist in MT. Thanks!</p>

<p>I just realized that I was recently classified a "Junior" member of CC and it made me laugh. In just a few more years, I'll be a "Senior" at the movies (they keep lowering the "senior" age - I'm not THAT old! Guess they're hungry for patrons) and it's been a long time since I was a "junior" anything.......Okay!</p>

<p>Have you checked out the number of "views" this thread has received? And that doesn't even count the 29 Parts in the archives. I know we write a lot but there still must be a hell of a lot of lurkers out there........Come on in! the water's fine!</p>

<p>My wish for all of the parents and prospective students of the MT classes of 2005 (and beyond) is that you find a way to put your anxiety away for the holidays, smile at someone you don't even know and enjoy the love, warmth and company of family and friends. Take a deep breath (I know, I say that a lot) and give and receive as many hugs as you can. I'm sending out a great big one to all of you, along with best wishes for a healthy, peaceful New Year. Whatever happens with regard to college admissions, remember that we remain among the most fortunate people on the planet.</p>

<p>Theatermom wrote..."Whatever happens with regard to college admissions, remember that we remain among the most fortunate people on the planet."</p>

<p>THANKS for the reminder, Theatermom. In the crush, it's easy to forget! Happy holidays to all!</p>

<p>ok, one down, one to go. we heard today from the ocu THEATRE department. lauren was accepted and offered a nice scholarship. no letter from music department yet. maybe tomorrow, but a lot of the pressure is off. she's in. even if the musical theatre program is a negative, she'll still go and just try to add the vocal classes as electives and continue to audition for that major. so, at least we don't have to pursue any other schools and she can go where she really wants to. hope others have good news today and we'll continue to wait for that ever elusive letter from the school of music. jamie in texas</p>

<p>I can really sympathize with those who are getting confusing signals from schools with a two part admission process. So far D has gotten accepted at 4 schools with great (academic) scholarship offers, but with regard to the MT program is either deferred (1), rejected (1), or no answer, or hasn't yet auditioned yet. (No names to protect the innocent)</p>

<p>This has led to some amusing circumstances where the left hand is obviously out of touch with the right hand. Today was the tops. From school x (she was first accepted with a huge scholarship, then she auditioned, felt there was a really bad fit there, they must have agreed for she was rejected from MT) she is getting lots of mail even though she was rejected. ??? Mail and other communications encouraging her to enroll. </p>

<p>Then today, the last straw - a letter from the school that rejected her from the MT program touting the virtues of the MT program and asking her to apply when she finally decides on her college choices. HUH???</p>

<p>I'm glad to say that D is taking this situation with the humor it deserves and we both had a good laugh. Nothing like the "personal touch" from a school!</p>

<p>After 3 years of watching others get leads in school musicals, D finally got a lead in this spring's - she was so pleased that she'd get to work hard on this production that it is helping the other college stuff to slide off her back , so to speak. She can't wait to be back in rehearsal. </p>

<p>The lack of coordination between academic and artistic acceptance is a little bit strange to me - thought others might get a chuckle from our story today.</p>

<p>Best holiday wishes to everyone, and may we block off the "college" and "audition" parts of our brains for just a bit, enjoy the snow or whatever you have, and count the ways in which we are so lucky.</p>

<p>Mrsark....I want to offer my congratulations to your daughter on her acceptance. We all know what an achievement that is given how selective these programs are. Rejoice and enjoy and it sure is a great way to go into the rest of auditions or even go this school if that is the one she wants! Good for her!</p>

<p>Chris...yeah, that is quite something. It is not enough to be rejected from the MT program but have these letters that just keep playing around with the whole deal further! Yikes. Glad you saw the humor in it at least. </p>

<p>You bring up a good point about the lead in the school musical. The day my D got the "accepted but deferred" decision from Emerson ( I don't even know what else to call it, lol, particularly to anyone unfamiliar with these programs), her thoughts about it were quickly dissapated because she was so heavily involved that day (and every day) with a musical she created and is directing and she is just so into that and loving it so much that there is no time to dwell on one college letter. I think she is not unique this way as lots of these kids are so immersed in their theater stuff that that takes over and is also so enjoyable to them and is what matters alot in their life. I think it is just great that your daughter worked up to getting a lead at her school and that dream was realized. This field involves lots of steps forward and some steps back and it is the nature of it all!
Susan</p>

<p>Inkyblb-</p>

<p>Congratulations to your son! We have two finalists from our performing arts HS going. A female violinist and a male finalist in MT, ( if you are from Californmia you may be the parent?!).</p>

<p>It is an amazing experience. My son was a finalist in theater and a 2003 Presidential Scholar in the Arts.</p>

<p>I hope you or your son will talk about the experience on this thread so that others will learn more about it and be encouraged to apply next year.</p>

<p>Freelance,</p>

<p>Just wanted to offer a congrats to your daughter. Judging from your previous posts and the little information you've given, I think I met her at the November Michigan date. She was very nice and I had fun getting to know her throughout the day. She and I sat next to each other at the first meeting, and have the same name - even though my name is, obviously, the male version, and her's is the female! I wish her luck on all her future auditions, if she decides to do any now that she's gotten such great news! Take care.</p>

<p>For those that have gotten academically accepted but not accepted into the MT program, you will need to actually call or write the university that you will not be attending. Otherwise they will continue to send you registration information, housing, financial aid info, etc., etc., etc. Ignoring will not make them go away . . .</p>

<p>Peg</p>

<p>My son is in his final semester at AMDA and loves it. We went through a very comprehensive search with him before deciding on AMDA... he is a strong student both academically and artistically. He was accepted at every school he auditioned for, and we chose AMDA because he is very serious about becomming a professional actor and it seemed that AMDA would offer the best preparation. (After many agonizing weeks on the college trail, the number one factor became the question of where he would get the best preparation for a career.) He has never been interested in teaching, or in doing ANYTHING other than pursuing this as a profession (which, as a parent, has always made me nervous!). AMDA has been a good fit and an excellent choice for him. He raves about his teachers and the training he has gotten. I have been impressed with the school thru and thru. They seem to have been incredibly responsive to my son. Teachers even spend time with him outside of class coaching him. The training seems very pragmatic-- he explains it as "technical training for the real world"... meaning that he is learning about the art and craft of performing as well as learning the nuts and bolts of how to build a career in the industry. We are looking forward to taking a trip to the big apple this spring to see his graduation showcase. Hopefully, the proof will be in the pudding, and so far, I have every reason to believe it will be.</p>

<p>jasonluck: Thanks for passing along your son's experiences with AMDA.
Congratulations to all those who have heard good news in the past few days.
I wish everyone a very happy holiday season. I agree with the sentiment that we should enjoy this time of year with our children; especially those who will be heading out into a different world next year.</p>

<p>wct - Thanks! My son is really excited about the trip and so honored to have this experience. Was wondering if you'd be willing to share info about your son's Miami week and what to bring, etc? They weren't too specific. We are from CA, but my son goes to Idyllwild. Congrats to your son on being a Presidential Scholar - wow! Where is he this year? Sorry, it's been so long since I"ve been in the loop on this thread.</p>

<p>inkyblb-</p>

<p>When your son gets to Miami he will meet another MT finalist with the initials EA. He is from our performing arts HS (OCHSA) and he knows my S. My S is a second year BFA acting major at CMU. He was contacted by some college programs after the week in Miami, some we had not considered until then, because of the work they saw him do there.</p>

<p>In Miami it is wonderful because you are not judged against each other in your discipline. You are judged against a standard so there is no competition between the kids. You are in a place, just like at most of the college conservatory programs, where everyone is extremely talented. This is good for kids who are at the top of their game at their own HS. It is an eye opener. You live, work and play, with the finalists<br>
(mostly those in your discipline) and the judges the week you are there. For most it is a life changing experience and you make many new friends.</p>

<p>Have your S bring comfortable casual clothes and shoes that he will be comfortable working in. Check the weather reports in Florida but I suspect it will be warm so California clothing will be fine. He needs to bring one nice suit or tux if he wants to go all out at the Gala. My S brought a suit for that. He will also want to bring something to perform in. Something he feels great in for his onstage work. I remember having some questions and so I called NFAA and everyone I spoke to was very helpful. Don't hesitate to call if you need to.</p>

<p>After your S gets home he will receive information from NFAA about his level award. If he is being nominated as a Presidential Scholar he will get something in the mail (separate) regarding that. If that should happen your S and the school (Idyllwild) will have a lot of paperwork to do. Lot's of paperwork! Essay's for the nominee and questions for the administration/teachers to answer at the HS. It is all worth it I promise!</p>