<p>hehe. well obviously bwmt09 has some strong opinions about columbia :)</p>
<p>Do a search, we've talked in some detail last year about that school. There was a thread on the CMU forum (above the MT threads). Not sure why it started there, but that's where much discussion took place.</p>
<p>I looked at the program on the web and was predominantly concerned with the financial picture. They state a reasonable tuition, but when you dig further that tuition price is for part-time credits. You have to pay more for full-time credits and even more above 16. I'm thinking many kids in MT probably take 16 credits, so the cost is very high (and much more than stated in the guide books and on the website). I had to really dig to get that information. When I posted this last year, a current student posted that most MT coursework is done with less than 16 credits, so that's good.</p>
<p>I went to Columbia College Chicago, and I transferred out at the end of last year. Stay away from it, it is a school where there is little talent (which I didn't know going into the school). Take a year off and train it definetly is not worth the money. Go to a community college get gen eds because Columbia's credits don't transfer.</p>
<p>I'm currently stressing out with what to do. I'm most likely starting SUNY Binghamton in the spring. Until then I might work/take classes at community college/take dance,acting, voice lessons/travel. But then of course I could get off the fall waitlist and the muhlenberg waitlist and all my plans would be messed up. I guess I'm nervous because I won't have the fall semester experience of school to help me decide whether or not I want to re-audition.</p>
<p>Anyone know of any semester long drama programs abroad?</p>
<p>My mom always tells me to look at the people who did not get into this business until the middle of college or after college. Everyone keep their chins up, we're not alone!</p>
<p>Babygiraffeboots
Sorry this has been so stressful for you. If it's any consolation SUNY Binghamton is a great school I know that they do put on some pretty good musicals, there are also many student run productions. Their dance program used to be quite good, check it out may still be. I only wish they had a MT program, if they did it probably would have been a first choice. The other slight choice you might have is that a friend of ours was in your position 2 years ago at this time of year. She did a last minute application to New Pauls. She did get some training there for one year and then transferred to a MT program. It might be a good option to get some experience and you could start in the fall. Good luck to you, you have great and independent spirit.</p>
<p>i...am at the end of the road for musical theatre.</p>
<p>i got rejected at fredonia. the only one i auditioned at. and it's too close to home to not be doing what i want to be doing, which is the musical theatre b.f.a.</p>
<p>i don't know what else to do with my life.</p>
<p>Is there any way you could take your gen eds there the first semester, and arrange housing close by so you can meet others and start blending with the community?</p>
<p>it's so close.</p>
<p>academically, it would be a safety school.</p>
<p>I posted this on the Rejections Thread as well, but I figured this would be an appropriate time to double-post and put it here, too:</p>
<p>Buddha (and EVERYONE else who is worried about the outcome of this season)-- </p>
<p>Not getting into these schools has NOTHING to do with your talent, seriously. I know all these people are saying it and it probably sounds like it doesn't mean anything, but it means something when I say it. This was my THIRD YEAR auditioning for MT programs and I FINALLY got one acceptance. I know exactly how you're feeling right now, and I know how much it hurts to think about all the kids who are getting in -- trust me. </p>
<p>Not getting into schools has NOTHING to do with the real world!! I wasn't planning on posting this publicly at all, but I feel like it might help some kids to see it. This year, after receiving two of three BFA rejections, I had large summerstock auditions where tons of actors attend and you get scored and notified if the companies want to see you again. I felt like I had no chance of getting a single callback or a good mark -- but from all the Equity theatres there I got 4's and mostly 5's (on a scale of 1-5), and I got a bunch of callbacks and even an offer on the spot. I was shocked, but it REALLY solidified in my mind that BFAs are looking for very specific types during any given year, and it's possible that this year just wasn't for you. </p>
<p>PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE understand that this isn't it!! It's fine to feel crappy for a while, you will. Buy yourself a jar of Nutella and some graham crackers and watch a good movie (it REALLY helps!!). But think of it this way -- when you DO get a BFA/BA/BM acceptance next year or whenever, you will have a leg up!! You KNOW how to bounce back from a series of quick rejections and you will know how to use the anger and the frustration to fuel your passion more. That's what I've done. And trust me, there are SO many times when I felt like it would never happen, and every single second was worth it knowing now that someone (aka the admissions panel) thinks I can succeed and thinks they can take what I already have and make it better, and that now is the right time to do that.</p>
<p>Don't give up. If you love it enough and can't imagine what else you would possibly do, you'll find a way to make it happen. There will be a lot of heartache and pulled muslces and frustrating voice lessons along the way, but there will also eventually be a lot of applause and it will all be worth it.</p>
<p>ALSO: When I was going through all of this, all I wanted was someone to talk to who understood what I was going through and who had been through it. Well, I have. Twice. So parents, kids, anyone, feel free to PM me and I'll give you my AIM screenname or something.</p>
<p>I didn't get in anywhere this year either, I fully intend to go ahead and audition next year. Even if I don't get in anywhere next year, I will definitley not give up on what I love to do.</p>
<p>Ditto, BroadwayBelter :)</p>
<p>I'm having a bit of a problem. So this year I auditioned for straight programs and got into a BFA I like.</p>
<p>Trouble is...I have always loved musical theater and now I would like to audition and perhaps transfer (if accepted) to a program next year.</p>
<p>Is it possible to do this?</p>
<p>Also...to the girl a couple posts above me, thanks for posting that. I'm 4'9 and a lot of schools regected me and at first I was pretty upset because I figured I just wasn't talented. But now I think that it might have been due to my physical stature, <em>sigh, if I could only have one wish</em>...</p>
<p>I understand that since I stand at 4'11". It's tough but most of this business is about having the right look on top of having talent.</p>
<p>How tall is Kristin Chenowith? She couldn't be much taller than you and has been quite successful. Keep up your positive attitude! It doesn't hurt to try again and see what happens.</p>
<p>I have a feeling that only the absolute very most competitive programs to get into would even consider height as a factor for admissions, because they can afford to be highly selective. One will hear that a certain height is needed in chorus parts, but actually my son (who is rather short) has been able to play pretty good roles, sometimes because he is small!</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>fabulous_diva -- i just emailed you back :)</p>
<p>AAAAAND the grass is not always greener...I am 5'10", and it can be QUITE tough sometimes!</p>
<p>Oh I wouldn't change my height for anything. I like being as tall as I am. It's just a stated fact that any look, any height, and hair color etc. affects the musical theater performer. I'm not sure the grass is green anywhere in this profession... but I think you can certainly make it fun colors while you try. :-)</p>
<p>Lol...well...atleast I play a fabulous leprachaun.</p>
<p>Chenoweth is 4'10" tall, without the three-inch heels she normally wears. Of course, she's one of a kind ... an interesting mix of ingenue and character actor, all rolled into one. As a director allegedly told her, back when she auditioned for one of her first musicals outside of school "You're special."</p>
<p>I have not been checking into this website for a long time as my s and d are now out of college and into the working world. They never wanted me to give out any info about them, but I can say they have had success in the performing world. But I am free to comment to the students that are not sure as to what to do next because they didn't get admitted into the schools of their choice.</p>
<p>I have to start out by saying that I am totally amazed at the number of music theatre programs now available. I am pretty sure that 5 or 6 years ago there were fewer programs. I am guessing that colleges have been expanding to meet the need for music theatre majors. In the long run this means that there are many more students majoring in music theatre. This could be a good thing as there are so many regional theatres that need quality performers. On the flip side, there are only so many Broadway theatres and shows. However, I want to reassure the students that didn't get into the program of their choice...please remember that the majority of the performers that are currently on Broadway did NOT attend the better known college programs. If you go thru all of the Playbills, most of the performers list no college or one of the lesser known programs. This is a business of TALENT and going to a well known program may open some doors for you, but their are many, many performers that did not go that route. So keep up the voice lessons and dance classes and who knows..you could be the next Broadway sensation. NATURAL TALENT will transend "learned" talent in the long run. And you just may be not as mature at 18 as the next person to audition. I have known several graduates from the better known programs have minor success as new graduates...but 2 or 3 years later unemployed and very frustrated. This is a tough business. And there are so many amazingly talented performers. Please go into this knowing that you may need to adapt and figure out your place in all of this. You may be offered something amazing right away, or you may have to wait for a few years until your time is right. Good luck!</p>
<p>Happy Days... you are right... I am not sure about 5 - 6 years ago... but back when I was applying for MT programs in 1989 (ouch)... there were maybe 6 - 7 BFA programs in MT... CMU, Michagan, Syracuse, Florida State, Shenandoah, BoCo, Ithaca... NYU had a studio at what was then known as "Musical Theatre Works" that you could transfer into as a Junior after doing 2 years in an acting studio, NYU also had a BM degree in the music/ education school (I think)... Emerson had a MT program where an audition was not required.. you sent an audio tape (if I remember correctly), and then took placement exams when you arrived in the fall... and I think UC- Irvine had a BA Musical Theatre Program... maybe OCU had a program?? But being from the North East, I was not looking to move out West.</p>
<p>Musical Theatre has become an INCREDIBLY popular college major... many schools have added BFA programs... many are wonderful... some are not as wonderful. The BFA degree is no guarentee of success in the profession. </p>
<p>I have posted this here before... I went to school, and was in NYC as a young BFA MT grad with many performers who had a MT degree... some were super successful, some were not... I also worked with many people who had gone to liberal arts schools, music schools, etc... who were very successful in musical theatre and acting.</p>
<p>Those who put in the hard work and have a true passion for the art form can surpass those who had a lot of potential at 18 and then were lazy... those who had a lot of potential at 17 or 18 and work hard will most likely do well in some way... but no guarentee that they will do any better professionally than the person who may not have been as polished at 17 or 18 and worked hard to move forward. </p>
<p>Life is funny.. some doors open easily, others do not... only you can decide when it is time to try another door... Sporti knew what she wanted... kept her eye on the prize continued to put herself out there, and now has been accepted to a program that she is excited about! woo woo! Someone else might have decided that they did not love this enough to continually put themselves out there... each of you will figure out your path... life moves forward... you will move forward... some things will go as planned, others will not.... keep re-assessing your heart and your goals and you will find your path. Hippy Dippy sounding.... but... ;)</p>