<p>In discussing colleges with my mother she posed the question. What if you don't ge into ANY musical theater programs, and your not called back for anything performing arts related, then what? Its one of her big worries facing the audition process next year, and frankly one of mine . Has anyone faced this prospect and if so did you do the liberal arts /regular college, or take a year off try again next year?</p>
<p>Hi DG,</p>
<p>I sent you a PM with the theme - all is not lost if you don't get in. </p>
<p>There is a small group on this board who seem to have done all possible variations when they did not get after the first audition season. One attended a non-audition theater program, ended up not liking it, and leaving, and re-auditioned this year. One took a year off from school entirely and did a second round of auditions this year as a freshman. One went to a liberal arts program for the freshman year, then auditioned again this year for BFA programs as a transfer. </p>
<p>If you think creatively, and IF you find yourself in this position, there is no limit to the options you will still have. The important thing is to keep moving toward your goal. Getting into a top program the first time around is not the only way to move toward your goal! </p>
<p>Each person seems to have chosen a particular "alternative" year based on their own strengths, financial situation, and goals. I hope it helps to have heard a little bit about the choices others have made.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>DG, as Chris wrote, there are many alternatives you can set up and there are a few represented on this forum. </p>
<p>Last year, also, there was a mom (who we met at several auditions as well) on the forum whose D did not get into any BFA programs but she auditioned for American's BA program (must audition to get in) and did get in and is going there. As Chris wrote, some took a year off to continue training (lessons, classes) and are auditioning this year for a second time. </p>
<p>You have to figure out which options YOU would consider and plan accordingly. One way way to go about it would be to add some audition based BA programs in MT (there are some), some less competitive BFA programs, some non-audition MT BA schools (there are a few), some non-audition BA colleges with a BA in theater that also put on musicals (either through the dept. or just on campus), some two year certificate type theater programs, and so on. A balanced list like this might be best for you to consider. This allows for various options for school, different degrees of selectivity, and more possibilities in spring of senior year and then you can consider what to do when all your cards are on the table. That is one way I would suggest that you go about it. There is the idea of a GAP year if you don't get in, as well, and you can pursue further training. But you still could do the Plan A that I mentioned and the GAP year idea can be a consideration when you have other options when the time comes but at least go for these options for now and see what happens. </p>
<p>Susan</p>
<p>chrism and soozievt are right on, so I won't add much, but from a student who has been down that road (and taken many different routes, lol) I would easily be able to give some personal anecdotes as well as many other students here. The best you can do is prepare that list of schools so that you DO get into something, and if it happens to be a BA program or a year of liberal arts, PM me or any other student with that experience and we can share stories on how we made that work, and how we moved on to get into other programs. (I, for example, am going to OCU for a BA in music, and even though it's not MT, from my experiences I've learned that I have it in me to do that extra work to take out of the program what any MT major would.. in the end I'm sooo excited.. lol)
Bottom line: We MT folk are so strong-willed, there's NOTHING you won't bounce back from.</p>
<p>Well said, MTpolk! Well, I guess I'm worrying very much about the same thing, coming from small-town North Dakota, and not really having any experience with "the big city." Personally, I've applied to back-up schools so I can keep my mind sharp, go someplace where I can take voice/dance/acting classes/lessons, and train myself in something that can earn me some extra money between shows. I'll either do that or take a gap year to do theater and take lessons/classes, I hope you get in, I hope I get in, I hope we all do, but I understand where you're coming from!</p>
<p>There are SO MANY alternatives. </p>
<p>I would need to know more specifics before giving advice here. </p>
<p>If you want, PM me and I will give you some excellent alternative choices I have experience with. </p>
<p>Not to worry.
xxx,Mary Anna</p>
<p>defyinggravity04 --</p>
<p>i am one of the people who didn't get in anywhere last year. (actually, that's not true, i got into AMDA but decided not to go) </p>
<p>i decided to attend a school that i got into academically and in some ways that might not have been the best decision. you can PM me for more details (or IM me, my sn is Sporti2005) some programs don't take transfer students, and so this year of school and taken me completely out of the running for those schools. there are a bunch of other reasons, so definitely PM or IM me about it.</p>
<p>i just got back from my audition at BoCo, and i'm feeling pretty good about it. hopefully this will work out, but otherwise i'll just have to find something else to do.</p>
<p>good luck,
maggie</p>
<p>I admire those of you students who are in this for the second time around this year, and I wish you much success!</p>
<p>Defying, and all you other lurkers who are juniors now or younger and planning to audition your senior year. After reading CC, you'll know that I preach that everyone should have a safety school or two. It needs to be one where you can be happy, that you qualify for academically, and that does not require an audition. Try for all your dream schools and some that may be more reachable from auditions, but you must have a safety!</p>
<p>Here is my recommendation - go to the "big list" under the FAQ link. Look for schools marked non-audition. You have many options from that list that you can consider. Word of caution - Indiana U has been marked non-audition, but that will change for a new MT program they are adding beginning with the class entering fall 2007. I guess someone should change it on the big list. Also, Northwestern U is non-audition going in but has very high academic standards, so may not be good as a safety school.</p>
<p>Lastly, a few of the competitive MT schools have late auditions. If all else fails, you could try to catch a late one. They are still hard to get into, so you still need that safety! Also, sometimes even if you get in late, all the scholarship money is gone.</p>
<p>We have been incredibly pleased with academic scholarship money offered for 2 non-audition programs for my son. You may send me an e-mail if you would like details. My PMs stay mostly full.</p>
<p>And then there are those who wanted to attend a top program, but did NOT want to attend school at any cost, and did NOT want to attend a non-audition school. </p>
<p>So make sure you have a non-audition school on your list, but only IF your mind is made up that you have to go to SOME, ANY school with a theater program - if not, the best financial/training option might be a gap year (I guess my bias is obvious now!).</p>
<p>My daughter didn't get in her first try either. She ended up spending a semester at IU where she thought she might be able to piece together a musical theatre major. After one semester (even though she liked the school), she took a semester off. During that spring, she got intensive coaching in voice, acting and dance (something she didn't do first time around). She then reapplied and did so also including a larger range of schools. She got into about 10 schools the second time around and is very happy as a current sophomore (with a few credits from Indiana) at U Arts.
Don't give up if this is what you really want to do.</p>
<p>Dramamama,</p>
<p>Did your D apply for an Individualized Major Program in MT at Indiana?</p>
<p>Hi.
My daughter has received rejections from Penn State, Michigan, and Elon's MT program--although she has been accepted at Elon with a nice scholarship offer academically. Still waiting on Ithaca and Emerson BFAs, and James Madison U. in Virginia, which is a BA program.
I have started to look a lot more carefully at the James Madison program, since the results have been so discouraging. Do you know anything about JMU?</p>
<p>I've heard a few good things about James Madison for theatre. Do they offer musical theatre?</p>
<p>We know a few people who are looking at other options for majors at Elon if they in a similar situation as you - communications, for example. You might want to explore your options. Elon is impressive as a university totally outside of and unrelated to the scope of the performing arts.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Being a freshman in a program now and seeing how difficult if not imp]possible to transfer in, not to mention the adjustment you have to make in college, the friends you would have to leave after finally making some, etc... I would recommend not enrolling in a college but waiting a year taking college classes (non-matriculating in a good 4 year college so that they can be transferred) and intense vocal, dance and acting training and do the audition thing the next year around.</p>
<p>That is some pretty smart thinking shortnsweet. Sounds like a good plan for those here that have their heart set on MT, and nothing but MT. I especially like your advice about taking classes at a GOOD 4 year college without matriculating. It makes good sense.</p>
<p>But you have to watch the credit number. At most schools, if you have x credits, you'll be considered a transfer no matter what your status if you have above a minimum number of college course credits. You have to check the limit for each school, as it differs wildly from school to school.</p>
<p>chrism makes a very good point and anyone who is thinking of going this route has to be very careful to inquire at the schools they're interested in. When you're taking college courses that are not being counted as high school credits, in other words, if you are NOT a currently enrolled high school student, MANY schools automatically will consider you a transfer applicant when you are ready to apply.</p>
<p>hey-- I definitely feel the pressure... my only bfa program that I auditioned for was BOCO-- I did that for many personal reasons. I love the city... more specifically, I love Boston. I spent my child hood, and discovered the wonders of that city once I wasn't living there anymore. Having lived in Rhode Island for the past 7 years, I have realized how much I do miss the city. So a conservatory program in the city that I love was the ultimate score. however, there is a big chance I won't get in. I've applied to Rhode Island College (a four year state college under $6,000 with a strong theatre program although they only do 1 musical a year) and Suffolk University (a private liberal arts school in Boston with a theatre program although I have not heard much of the quality of the program.) Both my back ups have their downfalls. RIC has a good program to start out in and its cheap. But it's in Rhode Island, and Im so sick of living here-- I WANT OUT! Then theres Suffolk. Its a nice school right in Boston. Perfect location, but from what I hear the theatre program is not the greatest. And neither school provide a whole lot of oppurtunities for more musically theatre oriented actors. The only place I want to be at 100% is BOCO. But hey, you have to make due with what you have available. And I'll only be at either school for a year if I dont get into BOCO. Bottom line, you'll never be completely satisfied settling for a back-up school. In these situations, you have to just keep your eye on the prize. Because I DO plan on hitting that audition circuit next season if it doesnt work out this year</p>
<p>well, I would imagine 2 classes (6 credits) in the general education category would be safe, but again, if you have your dream schools defined giving them a call to check is a very good idea.</p>
<p>6 credits isn't necessarily 'safe', it will qualify you as a transfer for some schools. As stated, you have to check with EACH school to which you plan to apply. And then think carefully about whether you want to apply as a transfer or as a freshman(person).</p>