Gap Year questions/advice!!

College Majors Musical Theater Major
1

<p>I am a senior in HS and I have been rejected to every single musical theater program. I got a good amount of college acceptances, but there is still the issue for paying tuition and such. I have 2 options:</p>

<p>1.) I go to Columbia College Chicago and do Musical theater there or go to Pace and enter as undecided (Still will have to take out loans and find a way to pay the outstanding amount, even though I got some scholarship money)</p>

<p>or</p>

<p>2.) Take a gap year/ take classes at a CC (?). I'm definitely going to get a coach/train more and apply to A LOT more schools than I did. I would also work more hours at my part-time job to save up. I would also try to get involved in some type of community theater. </p>

<p>I live in LA and I have a car up until Fall. My mom is somewhat supportive of me staying home, but she would not let me take a gap year and not go to school. I wouldn't mind taking some courses at a local CC, but I don't want to apply as a transfer, because I hear that is harder somehow. Also, if I were to take classes at a CC, I wouldn't really mind if those did not transfer over, I just don't want it to hurt my chances of being accepted into the program. I don't mind starting as a freshman, but it looks like I have to take some CC classes to keep my mom happy. </p>

<p>I'd love any advice from people who have taken a gap year or know of anyone who did for musical theater. It's been a tough couple of weeks deciding how Im going to bounce back from the rejections. All I know is that I love musical theater, and I am willing to try again if that means living out my passions. Thank you! </p>

2

<p>Columbia College of Chicago is a great school - did you get scholarship money there? Pace is a long shot for anyone getting in and you will NOT have a better chance next year just because you already would be going to Pace. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. You might not get into Pace 's BFA next year, but if you’re committed, you’ll get the training you need at Columbia. CheeseheadMike - can you give wannabonbwy the scoop on Columbia? </p>

3

<p>Yes, I did get scholarship money, but not as much as Pace gave me. I seem to be leaning towards a gap year/going to a CC and training, but I don’t have all the information to decide yet. </p>

4

<p>I’ve heard that you have to research schools carefully because with going to a community college, some [most?] schools consider you a transfer even if you only have a few credits. Other schools gladly take transfers. I believe Voice Teacher (who is a professor at Shenandoah) has said that Shenandoah gladly takes transfers.</p>

<p>Do you have your heart set on a big name school? What do you consider your strengths and weaknesses? The advise of the people on this board will differ depending on your situation so if you give as many details as possible about you, it will help. For instance, there are some great BA to BFA programs that are still taking applicants. What part of the country are you interested in? Are you male or female? What do you want most from your training - acting, voice, dance, etc. and do you want a well rounded education or do you want to sing, dance and act for 4 years with virtually no academics? The answers to these questions would help us to help you.</p>

5

<p>I am a big fan of Columbia College of Chicago. For the right student, one who is self motivated and serious about their major, CCC can give them excellent training and ample opportunities. I would look more thoroughly at their program and speak with them also.</p>

6

<p>Also wannabonbwy - keep in mind that Chicago has many professional opportunities outside of the classroom and you may be fortunate enough to be cast in a professional production while still in college (check Columbia’s policy on accepting outside roles to see if they allow it). This is a big plus for Chicago. I understand that several TV and film studios are setting up shop in Chicago because it is cheaper than Los Angeles, so you may also be given the opportunity to audition for parts outside of live theatre (if that’s something you would be interested in).</p>

7

<p>BethsMom- I am a female. I am the strongest in dance, for I have been doing it the longest, but I also am a strong actress. I’ve been training in voice for 7 years, and I am a soprano. I think what hurt me is possibly my material, I think it fit me, but it obviously did not showcase me the best. I think I would try to get better songs and monologues this time round. I would like a program that is well rounded and has a good dance department because I want to be challenged. I think I would like to go somewhere with decent academics, but that isn’t everything for me. I would want to go out of state, but I would maybe apply to 1 or 2 schools in California. I would like to be on the east coast, but I auditioned for schools that were in other places than the East. </p>

8

<p>Like other posters, I would caution you to be very careful about how classes you take next year will impact your application to MT programs. Many will consider you a transfer because you’ve been in college. However, they will most likely require you to begin again as a freshman because the MTs are a class that progresses through the curriculum together throughout the 4 years. From what I’ve read, it is easier to gain acceptance as a true freshman an, rather than as a transfer. Although as we all know acceptance to an MT program at any time is tough. This may not be true for all schools but it is for many. So just make sure you research schools really well and understand what classes would benefit you in taking them at community college. I would think the best thing to do would be to try to get some general education requirements out of the way like English, Math and Science.<br>
Some suggestions for you since you’re on the West coast:
Utah has a strong dance program as does Arizona. Oklahoma City University, Texas State and Texas Christian are some you might want to consider that are closer to home. Also Oklahoma and Northern Colorado. There are lots of East coast schools to consider but if dance is an interest you might especially like Rider, Montclair, UArts,. Just some to consider.</p>

9

<p>Also, we have a very talented girl here who is going to Columbia in Chicago. It was her top choice school all along. You do have to push yourself there, but you can get good training. And the opportunities in Chicago are incredible.</p>

10

<p>Columbia is a great school in a great theatre city. You would start out as an MT BA candidate, and would be able to audition to join their BFA program sometime during the second semester of your Freshman year. If you look at their BFA curriculum you’ll find that it is just as rigorous as any conservatory in the country. Most of the dorms have been remodeled, and many look like luxury Chicago condos. Columbia was our D’s safety school, and we would have been perfectly happy if that’s where she ended up.</p>

<p>Like I said, Chicago is a great theatre/entertainment town. It sees a constant stream of national musical tours. It is the home of the Second City Theatre (the forerunner to Saturday Night Live), the Steppenwolf Theatre, and many current TV shows film there. Columbia is very active in the entertainment community and finds many internship opportunities for its students. </p>

<p>I would bet that your odds of getting a spot in Columbia’s BFA program are significantly better than entering Pace as undeclared and hoping to pass a 2nd year audition there. You may want to scour the CC boards to see if others have found success with this approach at Pace.</p>

<p>You might be wise to get your basic courses out of the way at a CC, but if you do this be careful when choosing colleges next year. Many do not accept transfer credits, even for basic courses. If you went this route and work hard enough to get ready for next year’s audition season you could hit it out of the park! </p>

<p>Finally - and I can’t emphasize this enough - add some schools to your list that don’t show up on the CC top 20 list. Many of these schools are cheaper, more accepting of transfer credits, and offer training that is just as good as the top schools.</p>

11

<p>Three of my children have successfully done gap years, most recently my son who has been fortunate to have been accepted to several excellent programs. It works for my kids. Personally, I’d have the focus of a gap year be regular paid work, and acting/dance/voice lessons, plus auditioning for whatever’s out there. I don’t see the purpose of CC for a potential MT BFA major, unless it’s a Ged Ed class, but it would have to be one you’d be positive the college would accept, and that is unknowable this early on. Even if you’re planning on a BA, I don’t think you should take all that many CC classes; your focus really should be on getting your resume stronger, working, gaining experience, and so on. If you do decide to take CC classes, it is imperative not to take more than 12 credits total, so you can still apply as a Freshman as opposed to a transfer; your application will be stronger as a Freshman. This is if you want to major in theatre. </p>

<p>My own kids successfully worked–my daughters both worked in ‘regular’ jobs, and earned a fair amount of money, although less than the income taxable amount. The experience was terrific for them–taught them discipline, commitment, social skills etc. One D was a hostess at a diner, the other was a children’s librarian at the local municipal library. My acting D also took acting classes in the city, and auditioned successfully for several community/semi-pro theatres. So when she applied, she had great letters of recommendation, from working directors, plus her resume was stronger.</p>

<p>My S has been acting for a while, so he kept acting. But he also did a 4 week program at RCS (which he paid for largely), which also added to his resume, plus gave him valuable experience in figuring out what sort of training he wanted.</p>

<p>I think if your focus is truly BFA MT training, then you would achieve most by a) working for money b) taking lessons/classes/programs (depending on your budget) and c) auditioning. I do not think you would be well advised to take classes at CC. BFAs are not regular college programs and most follow a track that you largely have to follow.This is true even for many BA programs (and you can’t know which BA programs will take your CC credit beforehand) CC classes also not strengthen your resume, experience and recommendations, which is really what you’re after. Also, I’d self-reflect how you want to improve next year based on your audition, and invest in a coach that can help you. If you work, you can pay for the coach, if it’s difficult for your parents.</p>

<p>Aside from your parents being on board - it is their home after all – you also need to be certain this is for you. My kids were. But you are pretty isolated and lots of people will treat you like a ‘drop out’ -what my own son was called, several times. You have to hold your head high and be sure of your path. Gap years are far more common in the UK, and I think can be very successfully used, if you use your time wisely. Good luck.</p>

12

<p>Wow! Thank you so much for all of your insightful advice. I still have a tiny amount of time before commitment day so I will contemplate my options. Thanks again! </p>

13

<p>wannabonbwy - have you visited Columbia College Chicago? It could help you tremendously to go see the school, even though a visit in expensive - it’s well worth the money.</p>

<p>I agree with cheeseheadmike that you have a much better chance of getting into Columbia’s BFA at the end of freshman year than you would re-auditioning at Pace and getting into Pace’s BFA. It’s VERY difficult to get into Pace and I fon’t believe going there as an Undecided major will increase your chances of getting into the BFA the following year.</p>

<p>connections also gave you very good advice. The only thing I would disagree with her on is the emphasis on strengthening your resume and letters of recommendation. In my limited experience (going through the audition process with my daughter), it doesn’t matter what you have on your resume or letters of recommendations - 99% is what you show on your audition. The head of MT at a very prestigious conservatory told us parents during a question and answer session that he doesn’t even read the letters of recommendation because “who is going to give a bad letter of recommendation?”</p>

<p>You could have a zillion professional productions on your resume and it will not matter if you don’t have a good audition in the room for that particular college. Except for NYU, which I have been told, weighs 50% based on the audition and 50% based on academics (University of Michigan also weighs academics but I don’t know how much nor do I know NYU’s real weighting; I only heard the 50% comment from an auditioner) and some other schools that weigh heavily on your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, it’s all about the audition. Now, of course, connections is correct that being in more productions will give you great training and lot’s of confidence in the room when you actually audition, so being in productions definitely helps.</p>

<p>If you do take a gap year, you need a coach who will help you select proper material for your castable type. Preparing for next year’s auditions would have to be your top priority with taking as few gen ed classes at a community college that your mom will let you get away with. connections is correct that taking a full load of courses at a community college could be detrimental to you having the time to properly prepare for your auditions. Get yourself some private coaching with MTCA or Mary Anna Dennard and read Mary Anna’s book “I Got In!” as a start.</p>

14

<p>On my previous post, I didn’t want to start a debate with all the posters who did not use a coach and had tremendous success - wannabonbwy feels that she has the talent, but her material did not showcase that talent effectively enough to be where she wants to be. A coach can be invaluable in selecting material and showcasing your strenghts. </p>

15

<p>Boston also has strong academic components. At information section of audition this year we were told that they give kids a ranking as part of audition with #1 ranking meaning someone they would accept. Then AFTER applications are processed- they look at who was academically accepted (and BU is selective) and see who from their #1 ranks made it through…THEN they make their list. </p>

16

<p>Personally, I think it matters what is on your resume. This was my third time doing this (crazily). Of course, the audition matters a lot, and if you have less experience, you can absolutely land in a top program—And I am <em>not</em> saying that if you have tons on your resume but if you give a mediocre or crappy audition you will get in. I am saying that all things equal, a strong resume will increase your chances (just chances, not definites). I mean, if you think about it, we’re talking about programs with extremely low admission rates, so things like where you’ve learned, what your experience is, who recommends you, what they say–this matters.</p>

<p>Also, as far as a gap year, I also think you should keep your options open. You may end up wanting to apply to BA programs, which care about your resume as well.</p>