FINAL DECISIONS THEATER DRAMA MAJORS, COLLEGE CLASS OF 2019

College Majors Theater/Drama Majors
61

Oh, I didn’t interpret theatreisfun’s comment as diminishing the prestige of DePaul in any way - just that it reinforced the idea that fit is what matters most in program selection.

I was drawn to Carnegie because of the ego boost being wait listed offered me more than I was drawn to the actual program. I saw being accepted as such a long shot that, when I realized there was hope I could actually get in, my attitude became, “Well, how could I turn down CMU? How could anyone turn down ‘the golden ticket’ school?” And suddenly, the fact that DePaul checked all the right boxes for me and was still a highly regarded program became less important considerations than just wanting the validation of being one of those golden ticket winners - just to say that I was one.

But, once the air cleared and I had the finality of a definitive decision, I asked myself: A golden ticket to what, exactly? I want to work in regional theatre in the Chicago area - How would CMU prepare me for that better than DePaul? I had gotten caught up in the air of mysticism that surrounds Carnegie - their extreme selectivity, the elusive nature of their decision-making process.

I’m sure that, had I been accepted, I would have fallen in love with Carnegie. It would have become home. I know this is a broad generalization, but I think we mostly come to love the schools we attend - and I think that is so fantastic. But I feel like I would have felt boxed-in. I think there would have been moments where I felt limited. Their directing program is DEFINITELY a directing program. I wouldn’t have had the level of control over my classes that I want. I would have had to largely abandon acting. I wouldn’t have been able to explore theatre the way I want to. I think I could have come to accept that - I honestly do - but I would never go so far as to say it’s what I want or what I set out in this process to find.

When I started my process, I knew I wanted to find a program that was intense, but I also knew I wanted flexibility. I wanted to continue taking academics, and I wanted to be able to continue to explore both acting and directing. People recommended BA programs more than once, but I knew they weren’t quite right for me. I am aware this isn’t how every school functions, but I didn’t like that, at a lot of major programs, students who didn’t make it into the BFA program could be recommended for the BA program instead. I didn’t like that most BA programs weren’t audition-based at all. Maybe this is just ridiculous, but part of me really wanted to know that I fought tooth and nail to earn my slot at the program I attended - to know that everyone around me had done the same.

I remember discussing all of this with my college coach months and months ago, and how, as I was being told I might have to make some compromises, we stumbled across the page for the BFA Theatre Arts degree at Depaul. As she was reading it over, she stopped and said, “Well. That sounds just about perfect.”

And it really, really was. There was an intense and selective admissions process necessitating an interview, portfolio review, creative writing sample, and three letters of rec, so I knew I had to fight to get in. Students who applied were considered only for the major to which they applied, so I wouldn’t have to deal with, say, Acting applicants being funneled into a program they didn’t set out to be in. I wouldn’t feel like my program was “the stepchild.” The curriculum was exactly what I wanted. I could concentrate in directing, but, especially since I would be coming in with AP credits and, subsequently, with lib studies exemptions, I wouldn’t have to sacrifice my acting training. Plus, I was accepted to the honors program, meaning the lib studies courses I did take would be challenging. And the school was in the exact area I wanted.

And my interactions with Jed Harris from Carnegie have all been SO positive. The concerns he expressed to me at my interview were exactly the same as mine - that I may not have all the opportunities for exploration at Carnegie that I need to feel fulfilled. So, I think I have made a connection through him and still wound up where I was supposed to.

Everything has a way of working out.

62

That was beautifully articulated @HannahMTheatre I can really understand the place you’re coming from. However I just want to clarify in no way did I think @theatreisfun was diminishing Depaul. I was just branching off of his comment to a staple problem that I’ve realized this audition cycle. My post wasn’t meant to attack anyone but raise a point :slight_smile:

63

And I suppose I should clarify- I don’t think that @theaterisfun was diminishing DePaul - I was more reinforcing that it is an incredibly well respected program. To complain about being accepted there (which I reiterate @hannahMTheatre was NOT doing in anyway shape or form - she was talking about being excited- as well she should be) would be akin to someone complaining that they “only” got into Northwestern/Notre Dame rather than Harvard/Yale…

64

Wow, it’s hard to believe how and what gets read into a purely innocent comment. I’ll be honest, I stumbled upon CC during the last week of March when we were waiting for admission results. I was intrigued by it and read through many theater posts. When I told my daughter about it she wanted no parts of it. She even said her college counselor warned the students at her school about the dangers of using such sites. I remember reading the many posts about CMUs expected phone calls and the misinformation based on prior years that was being shared along with other information. Being new to the theater process I thought I had found a place that was going to be very helpful. I must say I am so glad I didn’t find CC earlier in the process. I am so grateful for the experience my daughter and I had. We will fondly remember the time we got to spend together visiting Boston, Rhode Island, Pittsburgh and New York. Had I found CC any earlier, I think I may have fallen victim and shared too much with my daughter which may have placed unnecessary pressure on her and really changed the way we felt about the process.

My experience with CC began when I did a Google search for a school and CC popped up in the results. I clicked on it and started to read what seemed very informative. As I mentioned above this was during the nerve wracking time when decisions were coming out. CC became a good distraction as we awaited the fate of my daughter. As my daughter wanted nothing to do with CC, I would joke with her and say “My friends told me” and then add what I learned from CC. I would do it in the most like hearted way because she was already on pins and needles. I learned things like the later in the day you received your decision from NYU the better because the non positive decisions were delivered earlier in the day. So nothing too earth shattering but at the time it seemed useful.

What surprised me was the number of parents on CC. I sometimes found the parents to be the biggest offenders of spreading misinformation and building the hype. I read posts and saw subjects that were a bit disturbing but felt it was indicative of an anonymous public forum and I was fine with that. I was also shocked by how the process has changed over the years. I’m happy to see we have evolved but wonder at the same time if there are any average students left in the world. The pressures today seem so elevated and widespread. I honestly can’t remember the last time I’ve talking with anyone who is not clawing to get into the best, most prestigious, most highly ranked, most admired, most sought after, most everything college or university. I can’t believe how young the preparation starts. I’ve seen so many posts from freshmen in high school asking what they should do to get into the best of everything colleges and universities. I ask in all sincerity, what happens with the average students? As a parent, I not only feel compelled to help my children in as positive a way as possible, I also feel a responsibility not to add to the already pressure cooker atmosphere most students face today.

I’m sure there are people who have found great comfort and some feeling of camaraderie from CC. So please don’t take my feelings as diminishing the the value of CC. I’m merely expressing my feelings. Similar to the importance of finding the right fit for the place students will call home for the years following high school, I find CC is not the right fit for me. I now move on. I sincerely wish each and every student the absolute best in your future endeavors and remember one of the best things I heard my daughter say her theater director at her high school repeatedly tells his students, BE KIND!

65

@theaterisfun - we are all entitled to our own feelings. Wishing you and your daughter happiness in the college journey - live long and prosper

66

I normally don’t comment on CC but felt compelled to second the last post from @theatreisfun. I’ve viewed CC many times and have felt there are a few who are sarcastic and make it difficult for parents who are new to the whole theater at the college level feel comfortable. Comments like the one in post #57 seem sarcastic and in my opinion take away from the natural flow of conversations. I think people then feel compelled to explain themselves and probably get turned off as I think has happened here. I also agree 100% about falling victim to CC and placing additional unnecessary pressure on my child. I like the last bit of advise from @theatreisfun, BE KIND. Something to think about.

67

I think the tough part about the written word, it so much can be lost in tone and expression. I find nothing sarcastic about comment #57. Everything is subjective. We hear about a school and assume it had prestige, but each and every known program has alum working in the business, so who cares? We really shouldn’t care. It’s about what is best for our kid.

This post that I started was originally meant to celebrate the final choices of the young adults that just went through a very unique, difficult, depressing, exhilarating, triumphant process and for the parents that were also part of the journey. As we all know, any performance major is going to have its pluses and minuses. Pressure is part of their lives now. Undo pressure is also part of their lives. Let’s give them credit, and remind ourselves that a parent who adds to the already stressful situation would probably still go overboard if their child decided to be a nurse, a cop, or hell, if they decided to not attend college at all and wanted to start out working downtown at the local convenient store.

Half of what I expressed here on CC, my son and I never even spoke of. It was a forum for me to expel my nerves during the process. A process which I questioned my involvement (over and under) everyday. Each person has individual needs and I am thankful for the fact that most CC participants don’t judge.

I learned so much from CC about how to help my son (and me too) prepare for the whole audition process (including a wonderful reminder to bring air freshener for the hotel bathroom at Unifieds-priceless!) and the types of schools that might be a good fit for him. You can only learn so much from a school’s website and a visit, as they are always trying to put their best foot forward. Opinions of others are important and helpful, but we all know that everyone has their own experience.

What I have learned most from the 18 months from this site is quite frankly, the school of choice really doesn’t matter. It’s what’s inside each kid that matters and whether or not they have what it takes. If you are banking that the likes of a CMU is going to turn your kid into something that they aren’t just based on the CMU reputation, you are in for a long, hard, expensive fall.

I have also gained a friend from CC, who I have met for coffee and who is just lovely.

I am pleased that my son chose a small school in NYC. It’s not as reputable as an NYU or CMU, but then again, he didn’t apply to either of them as he wanted an individualized education with smaller numbers.

Ultimately, we all want what is best for our kids. Cutting each other down or judging one another does no good.

I assert that if you don’t like what someone says (or types) than look the other way or choose healthy debate. I have changed my opinion more than once because I learned details that made me think.

So here’s to our children! May they be successful, happy and healthy and truly find their place in this crazy, mad, world. I look forward to hearing more about them all in the months/years to come!

68

Beautiful post @thestage603. CC has also been an invaluable place for me. I have learned things, shared fears, and bonded with many good people in triumph and disappointment alike. I am waiting in my kid’s dorm room while she checks out a cart (side note- where were those when I was in college? We had to make 57 trips back and forth from car to dorm) to end her freshman year in the city.

69

I wish every student in the class of 2015 a successful start to their college years. And best of luck to the class of 2016 who’s journey is about to begin. Namaste

70

Exactly, @toowonderful, here’s to success for all these kids, wherever they land and however they end up defining it. I think people in the arts, even tangentially through their kids, are probably a little more sarcastic than the general population, but I have found nothing but support here personally. I’m sorry that other people’s experiences have been different.

71

Can you tell me how your daughter liked Broadway Dreams summer intensive, thanks so much!

72

Would you mind sharing what his test scores and academics were like? My son will be applying to USC next year, and wondering about that piece of the puzzle. My son has strong performance resume so I think he’s good on that front. Thank you. And congratulations! That’s a great school and I wish your son much success there!

73

I am bumping this. Can someone, more technologically able than I, perhaps retitle this thread for this year’s class? I remember last year just loving this thread, and finding it both informative and uplifting.

74

I don’t think you can retitle, but should rather start a new one for this year.

75

I know this is like a year later but if you see this, Is you son enjoying MMC, does he like the program and the school and everything? I’m thinking about transferring there.

76

Unfortunately he did not stay. He is transferring himself. Although he originally wanted a small school, he has found that he may be better suited for a larger school with a more traditional college campus.