Final Decisions; BACKGROUND, Class of 2016

College Majors Musical Theater Major
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<p>It was suggested that it might be useful to upcoming families to have 2 threads - a Final Decision SHORT LIST thread, with a running list of everyone's final decisions, plus a Final Decisions BACKGROUND thread, with more details about people's decision process (format thanks to Emmybet, 2011). </p>

<hr>

<p>It's still early, but there may be some ED and rolling admissions folks who have already made final decisions.</p>

<p>It's up to you how you post, but it's very helpful to the kids coming up if you state whichever of the following are relevant to you:</p>

<p>Applied to:
Accepted to:
Rejected from:
Waitlisted at:
Final Decision:</p>

<p>Then you can add a few sentences about how you (or your kid) reached a decision. I know we followed these kinds of threads very closely when my D was making her list, and now the Class of '11 can make the same kind of contribution for the years ahead.</p>

<p>Whenever someone is ready, start us off. There doesn't have to be any cumulative list for the posts, just your own status.</p>

<p>Thank you!</p>

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<p>Applied to: FSU (but not for theatre), Rutgers (BFA MG), Penn State (MT), Northern Illinois (BFA Acting)
Accepted to: all schools
Rejected from: Mason Gross but got into BA Acting
Waitlisted at: Penn State MT
Final Decision: Northern Illinois (BFA Acting)</p>

<p>I know- my daughter only applied to 4 schools! However, she knew what she wanted. Since she goes to a performing arts school (since 6th grade), she did NOT want a conservatory or a small school. She wanted a mid to large school that offered a lot of programs besides the arts. She wanted to go up north and see snow for the first time. She wanted a football team and college life and a chance to take classes outside of her major and she wanted to be around kids who had other interests besides theatre. She doesn’t even want to live in an arts dorm. NIU has a great theatre program and in the junior year, they spend a semester in Moscow. It’s a hidden gem and the people we have met could not be more nice and welcoming!</p>

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<p>Applied to: Wagner College MT, Rider MT, Pace MT, Stockton (not for MT, just safe school)
Accepted to: Pace for Commercial Dance, Academically accepted to all schools
Rejected from: Rider
Waitlisted at: Wagner MT, accepted for Theater/Speech, Theater/Education, and Dance
Final Decision: Pace for CD</p>

<p>My daughter chose Pace because of it’s location right in Manhattan. She is also permitted to audition for Broadway productions with permission, as a freshman; many colleges do not allow this. She is also excited to be taught by Rhonda Miller, and felt that this program and being in NYC will give her the best training and experience. She also felt the happiest and most welcomed there, and had the best audition and overall experience there. </p>

<p>She also had a really short list, shorter than any kids we knew that auditioned, so we are really happy she got the CD acceptance and the Wagner waitlist, even though she won’t be attending there. Funny thing about campus visits and decisions though; her first campus visit was to Wagner and she was convinced that was the only place she wanted and would go there no matter what. Then once she visited Pace, she changed her mind. When she went to the Wagner audition, she still didn’t have her original warm, fuzzy feeling for Wagner, so that made the decision to choose Pace easy. </p>

<p>I am very glad this whole process is over!!!</p>

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<p>Thank you so much for this, Momcares and Supportive. It is especially helpful to know why students choose their school after going through the whole process. I know some kids just want MT 24/7 and would be unhappy with anything else. As I mentioned before, my dk is more like Supportive’s daughter. Loves theatre, acting, dancing, singing, the whole nine yards, but also has other interests in many areas.</p>

<p>I just wanted to add that I read in the “Freshmen Experience” thread, a very long and detailed and wonderful account of a VP first year experience at NYU/Steinhardt. It very much clarified just how different programs can be and how much research you have to do to find that “right fit”. Honestly, the Steinhardt program sounds wonderful. That the program is set up to have VP and MT majors take the same core program for the first two years that focuses on many aspects of musicianship, theory, music history, IPA, keyboard, music history, the business of music, and both classical and MT vocal technique is wonderful. Also it seems if dk changes their mind and decides to go classical instead of VP or visa versa, the program is flexible enough to do that. Wish it wasn’t so darn expensive.</p>

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<p>Awesome! Okay, ladies, which one of you (Ewanes, Lulusmom2) wants to start the the new threads for this year???</p>

<p>Final Decisions; LIST BY COLLEGE NAME, Class of 2016
AND
Final Decisions; LIST BY MEMBER NAME, Class of 2016</p>

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<p>Thanks for the note about the NYU/Steinhardt post, EWanes, as that was from my daughter! Just a note about the expense of the school: my daughter was awarded a $22,000 academic/artistic/needs scholarship plus $4,000 in work study that have really helped out. She did keep her grades high in h.s. and took a number of AP classes and was a National Merit finalist, so let your kids know, that does make a HUGE difference! Folks kept saying that NYU does not make big financial awards, but they were very generous, considering that we are solid middle class (teacher parents).</p>

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<p>Since the MT forum didn’t do a BACKGROUND thread last year, it might be helpful to include anyone who wants to post info from prior years here (indicate the year on your post). I suspect that info from the past couple years might still be of use to upcoming families since little has changed in most programs.</p>

<p>This is background info for D’s Class of 2015 decision process, which is a repeat from another thread but I’ll include it here in case it’s useful to anyone. </p>

<p>Applied to:
…Northwestern, Yale, Brown,
…University of Michigan, CCM, CMU, NYU,
…Penn State, Syracuse, Evansville,
…U of Oklahoma, Emerson, Webster
…University of Washington, Willamette University
Pulled Applications:
…In Dec, pulled all applications after ED to NU
Accepted to:
…Northwestern (ED - BA w/ MT Certificate), Evansville (BFA Perf), Santa Fe (BFA MT)
…University of Washington, Willamette University
Rejected from: None
Waitlisted at: None
Final Decision: Northwestern University (BA/BS dual major w/ MT Certificate hopefully)</p>

<p>Thought process: After falling in love with UMich during MPulse last summer, and getting several early BFA offers after the summer Thespian Festival, D gave serious thought to what she wanted from her college years. She decided she wanted a traditional college experience, including a “real” campus, challenging academics, world-class a cappella groups, the opportunity to double major, PLUS a BFA-style theatre and MT program. She wanted a class size larger than 20 people, and wanted close contact with future writers, directors, designers, straight actors, MTs, etc. She also wanted VERY strong acting training. She found the best fit for her at Northwestern, followed by Yale and Brown.</p>

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<p>I can do list by College Name :)</p>

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<p>Oh, this will be a trip down memory lane. These are my stats (as I remember them) from the Class of 2014:</p>

<p>Applied to (20): CCU, Otterbein, Texas State, Oklahoma City, University of Miami, Point Park, Sante Fe, Elon, Baldwin-Wallace, Montclair, Marymount Manhattan, University of Oklahoma, Ithaca, Pace, Ohio Northern, NYU, Webster, Roosevelt/CCPA, Millikin, Evansville
Accepted to (9): CCU, Santa Fe, Marymount Manhattan, Ohio Northern, Millikin, Point Park (Acting), Oklahoma City (Acting), NYU (Acting - Stella Adler), Evansville (Acting)
Rejected from (9): Otterbein, Elon, Baldwin-Wallace, Montclair, Oklahoma, Ithaca, Pace, Webster, Roosevelt/CCPA
Waitlisted at (2 - Turned down waitlist spot after accepting CCU): University of Miami, Texas State
Final Decision: Coastal Carolina University BFA MT</p>

<p>My stats are really strange, so I guess they’re good to look at? All over the board! I chose CCU for various reasons and am still happy with my decision. You can read all about it in the Freshman Experience thread or the CCU forum.</p>

<p>Congrats to all of you on your final decisions! I’m sure it feels wonderful to have the process over and done with.</p>

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<p>p.s.- my son is a sophomore at NYU and my daughter knew she didn’t want to be in debt. He graduated salutatorian of his class and although he got about $33,000 or so in scholarship, we had to take out a PLUS loan and he took out student loans. My daughter did not want to be his little sister- again- in college. She also didn’t want to go anywhere in our state because she didn’t want to go to school with the same kids she has since elementary school. Don’t get me wrong, she is gorgeous and very outgoing. She’s also very adventurous and wanted something different. She knew college would be the right time to spread her wings. Also, even though she didn’t apply- she “walked-in” at Unifieds in NY for Ohio Northern and Long Island University. Both schools followed up with her strongly encouraging her to apply as they were very interested in her. I think her college audition experience was very positive and I believe she is very happy with her decision.</p>

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<p>Oh, thank you Lulusmom2. As I glanced at the new threads, I think I saw both college name and member name are up now? </p>

<p>AlexaMT, thanks for your stats! I will head off to Freshman Experience with my cuppa now and read away. Thank you so much for taking the time to do this for those of us trying to figure this all out this year!</p>

<p>Christie2, your daughter’s descriptions of her experience are so sweet. She must be a lovely girl! So enthusiastic and appreciative and down-to-earth as well. She’s taking it all in and getting everything out of it that she possibly can, even when there is a little bump in the road or a prof that may be a little hard to follow. And she also talks about the needs of other students…those needing more advanced dance, for example, and how they go about getting those classes. </p>

<p>We are educators, too, so I guess it won’t hurt to apply if there is some chance of getting aid. My dk is a good student, high GPA, APs, etc., so we’ll see. I really like the fact that NYU offers the core curriculum for music theory, keyboard, foreign language, IPA, and gen eds. Is this unusual? I need to look around a bit more. </p>

<p>From experience, there are the years of a performer’s life when one works hard and performs every chance one gets and finds the success that the performer is destined to find. And then there’s the time when you pass on that knowledge and experience. So the more I think about it, the more it makes sense to me to have a good degree with solid gen ed and musical, acting and dancing skills, whichever it is. Maybe most programs are like this though, off to research!</p>

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<p>Ewanes, in answer to your question about the music core curriculum: schools are all over the board! You might find this emphasis on music more in schools where the degree is a vocal performance degree or is run by the music department, like Baldwin Wallace, Oklahoma City University, one avenue at James Madison, etc. My daughter decided to apply to Steinhardt rather than Tisch for the very reason that her strength is in her vocal training. I supported that decision for a couple of reasons: I thought it would give her a better base to stand on down the road in the future (if she ever decides to teach, etc) and because I I thought auditioning with hundreds rather than thousands (smile) might be more approachable! She does have a small concern that she might not get enough acting training, outside of acting the song, but hey, what better place could she be in to get some outside acting classes if need be??? I think those will be easier to find than excellent and long lasting vocal training. An MT tour guide at another school in NYC (to remain nameless unless you pm me) answered my question about ‘classical vocal training’ with the reply “what’s that?” So make sure that you dig down in each school’s website and really peruse the curriculum . . . and thank you for the compliments. I think my D is pretty special!</p>

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<p>… in case others are ready to add their decision stories!</p>

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<p>BACKGROUND, Class of 2014</p>

<p>Applied: NYU Tisch (ED)
Accepted: NYU Tisch / New Studio on Broadway MT</p>

<p>I am always amazed when I think about how crazy we were to apply to only one school. It was a little bit like walking a tight rope without a net! Not recommended, lol! My son just wanted to be in New York. Period. He wanted to go to NYU. Period. He is very very happy with his decision, even though NSB was a total unknown at the time. He also considered Steinhardt and has two good friends from his high school graduating class there. They love it. For us, the only down side is cost. We are paying full tuition and it is killing us! Even so, the boy will graduate debt free. Then, it’s all up to him!</p>

<p>Good Luck and Best wishes to the Class of 2016!</p>

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<p>Okay…from last year’s cycle (Class of 2015):</p>

<p>Dd applied to (9): Baldwin-Wallace, Ball State, CCM, Elon, U of Mich, U of Oklahoma, Otterbein, Pace, Point Park.</p>

<p>Accepted academically to all, artistically to (4): Ball State (BFA MT), Otterbein (dance), Pace (commercial dance), Point Park (MT)</p>

<p>Final Decision: Ball State</p>

<p>Background: Small public h.s. w/little to offer in the way of arts education but a good academic fit, YEARS of dance training in pre-professional studios and summer intensives, private voice teacher worth her weight in gold, summers studying at BAA and OCU and MPulse. </p>

<p>D is a National Merit Scholar, which offers a few thousand a year in scholarship. She also competed for every possible academic scholarship, and was selected as an Elon Fellow, as well as a Whitinger Scholar at Ball State. As a Whitinger Scholar, she will be blessed to graduate with no debt. </p>

<p>Ball State “won” because of its honors college, other academic offerings, mid-sizeness, and the programs of study available. It was so hard, as parents, not to insist she choose based on final price tag (she did receive generous scholarship awards from each of her schools, but Ball State’s was the highest offer). Decision was made after some re-visits and talking to current students. (To those making decisions between acceptances, or of the schools you want to put on your list – call the department and ask to talk to a current student. They will set you up with someone to talk or email or Facebook with…really helped my d figure out where she would fit, and be able to ask those burning questions that just aren’t addressed in the shiny promotional blurbs!)</p>

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<p>This thread is SO helpful to the families of juniors, like me! Thanks to all who are posting!</p>

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<p>monkey13, You are welcome. It is so much easier to reflect on what we have all been through than to face the daunting aspects of upcoming college applications and auditions! Nonetheless, we do have perspective. So, I’m glad if we can help. Every year is a new adventure!</p>

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<p>@monkey13 - Glad it’s helpful! I know stories like these really helped D last year when she was finalizing her list!</p>

<p>I think more people are making final decision this weekend, so feel free to share your decision process while it’s fresh in your mind.</p>

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<p>I will return the favor next year when (hopefully) my D is making her decision, if she has a decision to make!</p>

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<p>Thought I would jump in here as an “old-timer” and add my S’s experience from 2010. Still like to come back and check in on CC - especially this time of year - as it was so helpful in probably the toughest decision we’ve ever had to make! My S only applied to a few schools (we were so green!). </p>

<p>Accepted to: Pace (MT), Boston Conservatory (MT), Oklahoma City Univ. (MT), Univ. of Oklahoma (MT), AMDA
Rejected from: CCM
Waitlisted at: Carnegie Mellon (MT) Priority Hold Waitlist (note: my S removed himself from the list in May)
Final Decision: Pace BFA MT</p>

<p>At the end of the day, my S really would have preferred a pure conservatory atmosphere - singing, acting and dancing all day. But - we realize the value of a college education - so decided to go the BFA route. To be honest we really loved ALL of the schools he was accepted to - we were able to visit each of them and during the visits and auditions we were able to meet amazingly committed and talented staff in all of the programs. There were distinct features that each of them had that were wonderful and that made it so difficult. </p>

<p>Why Pace? He had spent a lot of time in NY prior to his senior year and really took advantage of what the city offers & felt “at home” there. Many of the professionals he worked with had recommended Pace and offered that while it was a new program, it was up-and-coming, very connected to the NY “scene” and had a contemporary focus (but still strong in all styles) - very desirable to my boy who loves modern theater and MT. We were happy with the curriculum and got great feedback from kids and parents that were already in the program. After much research, visiting and soul-searching he decided on Pace - and never looked back. </p>

<p>In hind-sight it has been a great decision for him. Now in his 2nd year he has been fortunate to be cast in fantastic shows, worked with unbelievable talent in his classes and masterclasses, and has loved his training - especially vocal and acting training. He now has his own apartment, has been cast himself in shows outside of school, and attends Broadway and other shows around the city on a regular basis - in many cases to see his friends and mentors in them (training in itself in my mind).</p>

<p>On a seperate note - his peer group is amazing. My husband and I were simply blown away at their Freshman Showcase last spring - written and directed by Ryan Scott Oliver. </p>

<p>Hope that helps anyone that has Pace on their final list!</p>