<p>Okay, I’ve read that Ithaca has “assessments” and that some students are not allowed to continue in the program. This sounds like a Cut System to me, but I’ve heard that they don’t have one there. I’m confused. Can someone clarify for me? Perhaps I’m not understanding the concept of a cut system…</p>
<p>In any case, does someone know how many students generally are not allowed to advance in any given year?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>~Tracy</p>
<p>Tracy - i can’t address Ithaca specifically but almost all BFA programs have some type of assessments/juries/etc for students to continue in the program. A “cut” system is where a program admits more students than it plans to keep and “cuts” to a smaller number. Even if students are performing well in the program they may be cut just so the program can get to their desired number. So when people here talk about a “cut program” that is usually what they are talking about.</p>
<p>when my D aud at Ithaca a few weeks ago they heavily addressed this situation. They technically don’t have cuts but they do have a pretty rigorous assessment program in place. Students are notified of areas (Freshman/Sophomore years) of where they need to improve. If improvement is not met then they will be cut. There is no cut set # that they are looking for. My D has a friend going through this right now at Ithaca and it has been a pretty stressful year for the student. I did appreciate though how honest they were explaining it to the auditionees/parents. Hope this helps.</p>
<p>My child auditioned for Ithaca last weekend, and the explanation she received about the evaluation process was consistent with what Lulu63 reports. The school emphasized that they do not try to reduce the class to a certain number, and they hope everyone they admit is successful and is able to complete the program.</p>
<p>D is a Freshman MTer at IC—she received formal assessment (acting only) at end of her first semester—very constructive feedback really. Also given a letter which contains feedback from her Acting professor, her V&M (voice and movement) instructor, her Ballet and her jazz instructors, and her voice teacher—My understanding is at the end of this 2nd semester (freshman year) she will receive formal assessments for both acting and voice as she is MT. Have not heard of any horror stories at IC–they really do want all of their students to do well and succeed.</p>
<p>As has been said above, the dept. truly wants every student they accept who decides to be part of the BFA track to stay for their full training. The student would not have been accepted if this weren’t true. However, sometimes it is necessary for a student to be asked to consider a different path. What is meant when “Ithaca does not have a cut program” is said is that no, Ithaca does not have a cut program. If a student feels that the program isn’t right for him/her, or if the faculty feels this way about a student within the program, a student may get discontinued from the BFA track, but that by no means means that that student has to leave the dept. or the school. That student may choose to study theatre via a more broad perspective through the BA Drama degree, or choose another field of study entirely. What I am trying to say is that with a traditional “cut” system, a school cuts enough students to make however small of a class they want and oftentimes forces a student to leave the school as well as the program. Ithaca hopes to keep as many students as come in, and encourages a student to explore and pursue his/her other options or passions within the dept. or college. Hope this helps. Cheers everyone!</p>
<p>Thank you for the thoughtful responses. It would seem that Ithaca’s program is just like pretty much everyone else’s with regard to “cuts.”</p>
<p>As a matter of fact I have yet to find a single program in my (admittedly limited) research that has a true “cut” system in place, except for Cal State Fullerton. (Our local MT University, unfortunately!). </p>
<p>Perhaps a more useful question to be asking each university would be, “on average, how many students each year are determined by the faculty not to be progressing appropriately and are asked to leave the program?” </p>
<p>This question is more in line with the one we asked of the Universities my S (not a MT person) applied to, and that is, “What is your retention rate from year to year?”</p>
<p>Thanks again for the help! This process, while still overwhelming, is GREATLY improved by having CC as a wonderful resource!</p>
<p>For what it’s worth- I know this is the Ithaca thread- Emerson MT does cut down to 16 before junior year. Really nice people though!</p>