<p>Do any of you have any hunches (or inside information!) about whether admission departments have clout with the decisions made by the theatre schools/programs? My D received very nice academic scholarships from both the University of Evansville and The Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster before she auditioned. Anyone ever heard one way or the other? I'd like to think it might help her chances!</p>
<p>I can tell you about our Evansville sequence, if that would help. My son applied EA and was accepted quickly to the university, which has continued to send him lots of letters, cards, etc. His audition was in mid-January and did not go well–we didn’t like the school or the audition experience, his audition felt awful, and the auditors clearly seemed to agree. About two weeks later he got a letter saying he was not accepted to the program–but was still strongly encouraged to attend the university. Two weeks after that, he received another letter with a sizable scholarship offer from the university. So…in my son’s case, pretty clearly there has been no connection between admissions and the audition result! Sorry it isn’t an encouraging story, but I hope it helps…</p>
<p>My D got several merit scholarships with her academic acceptances, but they didn’t end up being tied to her auditions (and was rejected by a couple of them artistically). I guess it would only be encouraging if it were a scholarship specifically based on talent, or originating from the theatre department. Sorry! Some of her schools wooed her quite a bit on academics, but at the same time didn’t even know she was pursuing auditioned theatre and that there was no way she was going there otherwise. Our experience was that usually the regular admissions dept and the theatre people had little or no communication with each other - I know that sometimes happens when the dept makes decisions regardless of academics, or if their opinion supersedes academics, but we didn’t find ourselves dealing with that kind of situation. It’s not that she had perfect grades or scores, but she either didn’t apply to or was rejected by - before getting a FA offer - schools where that might have been the case.</p>
<p>It seems every school is different, with some having no interaction between the college/university and others having the theatre dept. making the decision, despite what the university might say. At BU for instance, (yeah, I know, you’re getting sick of hearing about BU from me!) you must get accepted into the CFA before the university will look at your application. They have a liaison in the admissions office that works directly with the CFA. You could have a 4.5 GPA, but if you are applying to the school of theater, and you don’t get accepted artistically, the university will not go further with your application. So in that case, if you got scholarships it would be after your acceptance into the university and the CFA.</p>
<p>Marbleheader… when I first heard that about BU I was sad. My S hasn’t visited yet, but I have a feeling he is going to really like BU, and of course he loves the theater reputation. But, I think he would like to maybe attend BU if he didn’t make the cut in the CFA program. Oh well, play you money and take your chances I guess:)</p>
<p>Many, many schools will offer the BA in theatre if you don’t get into the BFA - or let you into the university to study something totally different. I don’t know why BU is so cut and dry about it.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone! Yes, that’s what I figured. Times3, that’s odd that he received a letter in two weeks and not at the end of the audition period in March. Wow.</p>
<p>ResrchMom - I see Times3 as being lucky in one sense - at least they new about E’ville and didn’t have to wait. We are in the same boat as you with Webster. My S received a great academic scholarship, had what he thought was a good audition, and now we are trying to squeeze in a visit. Will it be for naught? We truly have no clue! While I understand why they wait on a their yesses and maybes, I think it would be great if they would just let you know the no’s ASAP. I mean, clearly, out of the thousands of students they audition, I think there are plenty of flat out no’s on the date of the audition - as well as vice versa - our kids just don’t get a good vibe and know its not the place for them. Oh, well, thank you for letting me rant…now back to the waiting :)</p>
<p>Haha, thanks Resrch for rubbing salt in the wound–yes, it was very clear that they didn’t think he would be a good fit (and vice versa–he really didn’t feel good about it). And I agree with Dramamama; my son was about to withdraw that application anyway, so the letter was a bit of a relief. Really no different from the schools that do on-the-spot callbacks, and at least with the letter you find out in private whether or not you are advancing. On another thread about these kinds of practices (day-of-audition callbacks, gradual notification of admission decisions vs. all at one, etc.) I mentioned my preference for the prescreen method, as you don’t have to travel somewhere if they can tell you right off the bat that you aren’t what they’re looking for. At the Otterbein auditions, the kids appeared more confident knowing that they had already made the first cut. In our case, it was a relief to know that Evansville was off the table (especially since that academic scholarship might have been appealing otherwise). </p>
<p>Evansville wasn’t right for my son, but it’s a very strong program that would be ideal for some kids, and if your daughter ends up being accepted into the program, there’s a lot to consider–the school as a whole, not just the theater department. I would say that it’s very important to visit there on a NORMAL weekend or school day, not a special weekend set up for admitted students to show them a good time. Evansville is not a typical college town, and it’s somewhat off the beaten path, so it would be important to feel at home there in terms of both place and people (both faculty and fellow students). Visiting in person is crucial to gauging that sense of fit. Good luck!</p>
<p>We had the same thing happen with Shenandoah…my son knew instantly in his heart he was not going to be accepted and indeed was not, but received a letter from the school telling him they would very much want him to consider coming to the school anyway. We are in the opposite place with Montclair…he received an email from them about 2 weeks ago accepting him into the theatre program but have not yet heard from the school. </p>
<p>Waiting waiting waiting…!!!</p>
<p>I think every school is different. I’m very surprised to hear that photomom’s son was accepted to Montclair’s BFA program before he was admitted to the college; I thought they required academic acceptance before considering an applicant for the BFA. I admit, my recollections are a bit of a blur now, and schools can alter their policies. Some theater schools (e.g. DePaul and Tisch) are separate entities, and students cannot even apply for other divisions within the university. I do recall that DePaul awarded both academic and talent scholarships for accepted Theatre School students. In answer to ResrchMom’s original post, though - I suspect that the opposite is likelier to hold true: the theater department might try to pressure the regular admissions office to accept a talented applicant. The admissions office probably can’t persuade a very selective BFA program from selecting someone who had a weak audition. The only scenario I can envision for that is one where a scholarship isn’t involved - ie. a wealthy, well-connected applicant. The admissions office would probably just try to persuade the student to pursue a regular BA.</p>
<p>Yes, I think it would be very nice to receive letters immediately especially if they know that you’re not on the “maybe” list. That would be SO nice! Yes, if my D receives any offers, we have to make visits, absolutely. And thanks for suggesting that we visit on a regular day. I don’t know about all of you, but for us, there’s no reason to visit unless she’s going to see one of their performances. She’s incredibly decisive when it comes to seeing the actors in action. So, that makes visits all the more difficult, trying to work around her own shows and concerts, etc. Stresses me out so much. That’s the big reason I wish they would send letters as soon as possible–because many schools have shows in March or the first week of April.</p>
<p>Stagemum…you are absolutely correct! I thought the admissions person was going to fall off his chair when I called to see what was going on…they said that was completely backwards but they were so nice about it, and we just wait some more!!!</p>
<p>Looks like we’re going to be making a trip to Evansville. My D received her acceptance into the U of Evansville’s BFA performance major today! I’m so happy for her!</p>
<p>ResrchMom…I am so excited for your daughter! Enjoy the trip and the happiness that comes with the acceptance!!!</p>
<p>Congrats to your daughter, ResrchMom–will you get to see a production when you visit?</p>
<p>@Marbleheader… BU has a dual degree program where you can get your BFA and a degree in CAS in 5 years. How the heck does that work in admissions? My DS is considering it. I think you have to apply and get admitted to both schools. What if you get admitted to one and not the other?? Questions, questions, questions??</p>
<p>I still think you need to pass the audition first. I know when we went to the CFA Info day at BU, they gave a general speech about admissions and how you needed to pass the audition before your app goes to admissions Then the kids went off to see a class, take a masterclass, etc. But the faculty asked if anyone was interested in the dual degree, and if so they had to go to a special meeting before they went anywhere else for the day. So I’m assuming since they had to listen to the part about being accepted artistically first, that would still apply to them. But that is only my opinion.</p>
<p>Maybe have your S send the CFA an email and ask.</p>
<p>Thanks MH… I will have him do that. BU sent him a big catalog this weekend… he was drooling over it.</p>
<p>Times3–yes, we’re planning to see a show–probably a senior student directed show. Thanks everyone!</p>