<p>I have heard through word of mouth that Emerson is removing their cut program. Apparently this has been announced on campus tours, but I can’t find any evidence of it on their website. Can anyone verify?</p>
<p>Yes it’s true. I just got confirmation from an admissions contact at Emerson. </p>
<p>Starting with this year’s applying class their plan is to enroll 18 first-year students in BFA Acting and 18 first-year students in BFA Musical Theatre. And, starting with that class, they will replace the Junior year Departmental requirement of a 16 student maximum in those programs and the “re-audition” process with a probationary system based on grades, juries, and conduct.</p>
<p>Both of these programs are still intensive, rigorous programs with high expectations but they do not need to reach a 16 student maximum for Junior and Senior year.</p>
<p>Just got back from Emerson auditions, and they confirmed that the cut program is gone. They are therefore accepting fewer students to their MT program–aiming for a yield of 18. There will still be a regular “review” at the end of each semester (I <em>think</em> they said semester), in which the student will receive input and, if there are any problems (in academics or behavior, principally), perhaps be put on probation.</p>
Thank god. Cut programs are indefensible, an abomination, IMO. They allow for laziness on the school’s part during the audition process, and allow the school to collect a lot of freshman tuition, but they do NOTHING for the student, other than crushing the occasional dream, setting the cut student back a year and creating a cut-throat environment that is antithetical to making art. I think Emerson finally got shamed out of this repulsive practice.