<p>As a Mom with a D who had high aspirations of getting into one of the "top " mt but did not. She was wait listed at Elon but rejected from the program and was devastated. She has been accepted into several BFA programs. She was asked to tour with Disney in Japan in the fall but was unable to do so because she will not be eighteen until November. So her plan is to go a BFA program and then do the tour with Disney (last a3-4 months) and then return to school. Does anyone have any thoughts whether her current game plan makes sense.? My concern is that it is hard to go back to school once you leave for a while. She is very thankful she was accepted into some of the schools and is still waiting for BOCA. What is up with BOCA the director of Penn State really didn't think highly of it. Any thoughts on Boca (although no acceptance to date) thanks.
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<p>cda105 - I’m sorry that your D did not have the results she hoped for in this audition season. You did say she has been admitted to several bfa programs so that is good news. I don’t know exactly what the Disney Japan tour is, but I’m not sure that most bfa programs would want her to start in the fall and then leave the program for the next semester. If this is something she really wants to do then maybe she can defer a year if possible.
The second part of your question was asking about BOCA. Did you mean BOCO? My D has a number of friends attending BOCO that really like the program. Their only complaint is that the school accepts a large number into the mt program and it is difficult to be cast. Otherwise I have only heard excellent things about the training received at BOCO.
Good luck to your D.</p>
<p>We are about to enter this process, and from all I have heard getting acceptances at all is a very good thing. If this was my D a year from now I’d have her enroll in whichever school she’s been accepted to that she finds most acceptable, so she gets her education and experience that college provides. I know it’s just my opinion and others have differing thoughts, but as I tell my daughter all the time, you don’t have to be in a big hurry to grow up. Sounds like your daughter is very talented; given that Disney will be there in 4 years, and she will have her college experience and education as well.</p>
<p>My daughter was a working actress and a member of SAG/AFTRA/AEA when she was 17. She went to college to get her BFA/MT at The Boston Conservatory aka Boco. She went to Boco for the training so she could have “staying power” in the industry as an adult. Besides the training in the arts, she also has a college degree. The experience of which she will have for the rest of her life. </p>
<p>As far as leaving school and returning I doubt any school would be happy about taking time off for a Disney tour. Broadway or Broadway National tour OK, but Disney?</p>
<p>While there are BFA programs that allow students to leave for a tour or other opportunity, I would contact the director of any program she is considering, to ask specifically before accepting an offer. I have a feeling that many programs would not be too excited that she wants to attend for only 1 semester before leaving, regardless of what the show is (Disney or otherwise). </p>
<p>I am guessing you mean BOCO, but please correct me if I am wrong. My D attended BOCO for a semester before deciding that it was not the right program for her, and then transferred to Penn State. She has never heard the director of PSU make any negative comments about BOCO. In her case, she was looking for a more traditional university atmosphere, and smaller class size. Her leaving had nothing to do with the quality of education at BOCO. While she is much happier at PSU, she has very talented friends who are attending or graduating from BOCO, with great training. I would be surprised if anyone at PSU would specifically put down the program at BOCO. I suspect that there is a bit of personal competition among directors of the various programs as to which is the best, but I can’t imagine he would actually “dis” the program. My D is in the unique position of having attended both programs, and she would say you could get great training at either one. </p>
<p>One advantage for us when she transferred, was the huge savings in cost of attendance for PSU over BOCO, although we didn’t know that would be a benefit at the time. While she had a significant scholarship at BoCo, the tuition is one of the more costly. The cost at PSU is much less, even as an OOS student. </p>
<p>YOu might want to discuss the concept of the “top” MT schools with your daughter. The list varies all over the place depending on who you talk to. On many lists, Elon would not even be considered on that list- absolutely no insult toward Elon intended, but just the reality of these “lists”; Elon would be included on other lists. I don’t know at what BFA programs she was accepted, but if you read through the posts on CC, you will see that many would count themselves lucky to be accepted to ANY BFA program. There are successful graduates from a variety of BFA programs that are not considered to be on the top of the “list”, but are still legitimate, well-rounded, and wonderful programs. You might have her look at her acceptances once again, confirm that they are indeed, legitimate programs, and look at the overall experience to see if she might be happy at the school. Sometimes that initial disappointment at not being accepted to a “dream” school is so overwhelming that it is hard to stay open minded about other options.</p>
<p>I would recommend her contacting the programs once she has all acceptances in hand. Although some programs are open to a student taking a semester or a year off you a professional opportunity, freshman year is foundational, and sequential… consistency can be key. Many programs would likely encourage her to defer for a year rather than do one semester, leave, and then come back in the fall of the following year. Either way she would likely have to wait until the spring of the year she returns to pick back up again with second semester freshman year coursework, so no real time is lost by deferring. BUT, definately check with each school directly. It may depend on the structure of the training.</p>
<p>BOCO is a strong conservatory program. That kind of environment will not be for the student who wants training within the context of a larger university… but, training within the context of a larger university will not be for the student who really wants to be in a small arts conservatory program. Many different paths :)</p>
<p>Thanks for all that responded. Does BOCO not provide generous scholarships?? Milliken has given her an unbelievable package and Wagner has given her some merit but still waiting on scholarship. REceived acceptance from Muhlenberg today but doesn’t want to go there because they don’t have a BFA program although I think by far they have the best facilities. Info about Milliken???</p>
<p>Thanks again.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t count on much money from BOCO. Sounds like she should think about a gap year, maybe with a deferral from one of the schools she’s not thrilled with as a safety. No kid I know is thrilled about their safety.</p>
<p>BoCo offers some decent money, but with tuition, room and board in the $55 to 60K range, even a $20K scholarship knocks it down to $35 or $40K a year-ouch!</p>
<p>^^^^^^ Agree 100%. But even the 20K is rare for a girl. Most scholarships, if even offered, are in the 5K - 10K range for girls and 10K - 20K for guys. Between tuition, mandatory fees, room and board you are just about 60K, And that does not include extra money, travel, equipment, etc. </p>
<p>But, in the end, I still felt the training was worth it.</p>
<p>Just to chime in, I agree with most posters–I doubt any program would be happy with a new student disrupting her program to tour, even for Broadway to be honest. What makes it especially problematic is that she already is planning for it, so she’d be dishonest if she didn’t say this was her intention. She would be risking the college being quite annoyed with her dishonesty, which would not be a good way to start out a program. So yes, at the very least she should call the college and bring this openly to the table and have them help her with the decision. At least then they’re all above board.</p>
<p>Can I ask what you mean by a Disney tour? Is this a job at the Tokyo Magical Kingdom? Is it something else? Is this job equity? I’m trying to gauge how much it will help your daughter’s career and whether it’s worth it to simply defer, take a gap year, and accept the November tour. That would be the other option. I do disagree with beenthereMTdad a little–some Disney positions can be quite prestigious and be great on your resume. Others however are not equity and are more a way to gain valuable experience with Disney and the world in general. Nothing wrong with that, but that may not be what your D wants at this time.</p>
<p>I do know a young woman who has spent the year on a Disney cruise as a Character (as equity). She earned great money and it was a great experience. She was then offered a spot in Tokyo, but had to turn it down for personal reasons. SHe loved working with Disney.</p>
<p>If she really wants the Disney job, I would take the gap year and reapply after the job is over–her resume will be stronger and she will be more mature. I would not assume the Disney jobs will still be there four years from now. I would seize the opportunity now.</p>
<p>So the choices to me would be to: 1. Take a gap year, go to Disney, then reapply for colleges or 2. Talk openly with the college she wants to go to now and bring them in to the decision making process.</p>
<p>thanks for the input. The opportunities with Disney didn’t pan out almost immediately because they require that she be 18 and that wouldn’t happen until November. Tour starts in September. This tour was for a select group of singers to sing disney (obviously) songs with the syphony, She is not currently up so I am thinking she didn’t get into BOCO so that even though she has some bfa options she make take a gap year. She has an opportunity to do a disney cruise tour after she turns 18 (through a master class she made a wonderful, supportive mentor) where as you mentioned she would work really hard but have the opportunity to make a considerable amount of money.</p>
<p>Now that this process is near its conclusion I don’t wish it on anyone, especially for a girl. My d 's best friend is a very young guy who has gotten into all the top schools. Such a tough field but I am not sure it gets any easier after this!</p>
<p>In times of peril, follow your heart, and then destiny will lead the way </p>
<p>Sent from my Desire HD using CC</p>
<p>I’m sorry your d has gone through all this heartbreak! She might want to look at Muhlenberg again, however. Some very talented kids from my daughter’s coach have gone there and are very happy. Lots of money goes into the theatre program from the university. Did she talk with the director? He’s wonderful and has so much vision for the program! Many, many kids are applying there, so it’s a high compliment to her that she got in! And it’s scholastically quite competitive, so nothing to sneer at:-) </p>
<p>She can major in theater, minor in voice so that she gets free vocal instruction every week and take lots of their top, top dance classes. That would give her equal opportunity to what she would get in most BFA programs! She would get way more acting than the BFA/music based MT program my daughter is currently in, and the same vocal training as the BFA program that was my daughter’s second choice. Muhlenberg started an NYC showcase a couple of years back, where they told us at the time that everyone goes to, which is better than many BFA’s where only part of the students go.</p>
<p>Going to a titled “BFA” is no guarantee of getting the best MT education. It’s all about what you put n and take out of any program, as I’m sure you’ve discussed. Lots of posts on here about that!</p>
<p>Best of luck with decisions!</p>
<p>I empathize with all parents having gone through the dreaded college audition process. It does require thick-skin for sure! It is difficult to be rejected, but most times, we parents take it more personally than our children. It is rarely personal. Colleges are casting, and sometimes the role is perfect for someone and other times, it is not.</p>
<p>It bears mentioning that no one school’s education can guarantee success in this field. This is not true in many other majors. My hope is that your student gets a wonderful and well-rounded college experience and education wherever they may choose to go.</p>
<p>^^^^^^^very well said.</p>
<p>There is a wealth of talent out there and I think sometimes it is just nice to keep it all in perspective!</p>
<p>One of our favorite directors once said to my D: “You may be the most wonderful pumpkin pie spice in the whole world. But if the director is looking for pepper, you are simply not going to get that role. It has nothing to do with your talent.” If schools are filling their freshman class like a casting, then think of it this way. You may be the most awesome pumpkin pie spice, but they were looking for pepper. If this is your dream,keep your chin up and work hard. GLTA!</p>
<p>I should say that my D was accepted at BoCo so she is now floating on air. Thanks for all for your advice. Now I am trying to see if she can get a summer internship on a Disney cruise (yes she is lucky to have a well placed mentor) to offset the high cost. Just happy the process if over. I honestly didn’t realize how personally I was stressed by the rejection and anticipation until its conclusion.</p>