Emerson Cut Policy for Straight Theater?

<p>Does anyone know if Emerson has the same cut policy for their straight theater students as they do for their MTs?</p>

<p>Yes. They do. My D was accepted last year to Emerson BFA Acting and seriously considered it. We went to spend a day at Emerson and spent a significant amount of time with faculty members, including the professor who heads up the acting program. We had lunch with him and he discussed the cuts with us. There are multiple evaluations in the year… opportunities in sophomore year … to “fix” the things that the student is having issues with. So, essentially, you have a situation with no surprises. The students know that there is an issue and a problem is there. They have been cutting because by junior year, the BFA acting program is fairly small. I don’t remember the exact number, but they believe in the "ensemble’ principle and the idea that the students really get to know one another. If a student is cut, they are not left in the cold. They move into the BA Acting program, and have an emphasis.</p>

<p>In the end, my D decided not to attend Emerson, but it was not because she was scared of the cuts. Emerson was first rate. The people and students we met were wonderful. She really loved it there. But she felt UCLA, even thought it was a BA program done in conservatory style, would give her a better overall education and better acting education with more of a “name” and that UCLA had a stronger alumni network than Emerson. She also liked the idea of being in LA or NYC because she sees that as a good place for an actor to study. But it was not the cuts that scared her, because she felt as an actor you need to be prepared for such things.</p>

<p>Thanks so much, chrissyblu. I have followed your D’s journey and yours with interest, and I appreciate all your postings, but it was especially helpful to get details on Emerson. I felt when we visited that the student who led the performing arts table discussion had been coached to play down the cuts and we couldn’t quite get a straight answer, there was a general dismissive attitude, like, it’s not a big deal, most of the time it’s people leaving who want to leave…We found the same to be true at Syracuse. Anyway, thanks again and I hope you will let us know how your D likes UCLA!</p>

<p>Will do… orientation is in two weeks… :)</p>

<p>Actually, I’m still a bit confused about Emerson’s cut policy. Do they cut to get a specific number of students, or do they only cut students who are not making the grade? If that is the case, it’s not really a “cut” policy.</p>

<p>I don’t remember the exact numbers, but my understanding is they do cut. They start out with a certain number (I think it was 25) and go down to (I think 18) another number. They make it sound like many kids just leave or change majors but when I pushed it they admitted that they have to go down to a certain number so kids are cut. chrissyblu is right with regards to the specifics of how it is handled, but it is a “cut” policy any way you slice it. Personally, I think it’s a shame, otherwise it seems like an amazing program.</p>

<p>Oh, I see. Then it really is a cut policy. You had also mentioned Syracuse in post #3, but they do NOT have the same type of policy.</p>

<p>onstage, we were told by the guides that there was not a cut policy at Syracuse, that there were sophomore evaluations, etc…but then my D recognized one of the guides from a show she had done in the past and then the guides were like, ok, here’s the real deal…you can get cut, and it can be random and you go thru your freshman and sophomore years nervous about it. I would love to hear your take on that. My D and I liked Syracuse quite a bit, but didn’t like the mixed messages…</p>

<p>I am sure onstage can give more specific current information about Syracuse from her D :), but from the students I have worked with recently who are currently in the program it does not sound as if it has changed much since I graduated 15 years ago. There is a sophomore evaluation at the end of sophomore year. Some students are asked to repeat sophomore level courses (scene study, mt performance) and are given the opportunity to evaluate again at the end of the next semester. If it seems at this point that the student is not making the progress needed to move onto upper level acting classes they are counseled into the BS program that does not include upper level performance classes. In the BS program there is time to pursue a minor more courses outside of the major, and more non-performance courses in the major. Students in the BS program may audition for all shows. I know some students who choose the BS track because they wanted to add a minor. When I was there there were some students who passed the evaluation, took some of the upper level acting classes,and still went after the BS because they wanted the time to pursue a minor, and take other non-performance based theatre courses. I am sure that the requirements have probably changed in the past 15 years, and this may have changed as well. </p>

<p>I remember being a little nervous about it second semester sophomore year, when evaluations were coming close, but it was not something on my mind (or my friend’s minds) freshman year or first semester sophomore year. Also (because they are not trying to cut to a specific, pre-determined number), I did not feel that it was something that seemed to cause negative competition between peers in the program.</p>

<p>For MT students I have heard that they have added a dance component to the evaluation? This information is only anecdotal, however.</p>

<p>It is true that there are sophomore evaluations, and students do indeed get nervous about them! But it is most definitely not a “cut” program, where the class is reduced to a certain number of students. For example, my D’s MT class started out with 28, and now, going into senior year, there are 24 students. Of the four who are no longer in the BFA program, one left after freshman year, one graduated early, and one left early to go on tour with Cats. Only one student completely failed sophomore evals. According to my D, it was not at all random and he was clearly not meeting class requirements – not doing assignments, not showing up for classes, etc. In spite of that, he was given the opportunity to re-take some classes, but chose not to do so, and is now in the B.S. program. (Several other students who were struggling in some areas were given the same option, and passed their evals on their second try, including one of my D’s roommates.) Interestingly enough, that particular B.S. student often gives theater department tours to prospective students, and could actually have been the one who gave you his version of the way the program is set up!</p>

<p>Yes, KatMT, there is a dance component to the MT evals now. But of the 3 disciplines, there is probably the most leeway in dance. Acting and vocal prowess are considered most important for MT majors. And if there is an issue with vocal prowess, MT students will first be given the option to transfer to the Acting BFA. This is what happened to my D’s roommate – but she chose to re-take some vocal performance credits, and did pass her evals on the second try.</p>

<p>HSN – I think SU’s evaluation system is similar to many other programs; they do not want to pass students into upper level classes if they are not meeting requirements and expectations. It is not a “cut” system, and in the 3 years my D has been there no one has been dropped from the program randomly or without warning. If you liked everything else about the program at Syracuse, I would encourage you to keep it on your list.</p>

<p>They cut to a certain number at Emerson.</p>

<p>Emerson cuts to a class of 16 people. Even if you do everything to improve the problems they have with your performance you will still be cut if you are #17 or higher on their totem pole. I confirmed this with the school. They cut to 16 even if they have actors with no “issues.” So if they have 17 really good people, one will go regardless.</p>