Hi!
I am looking to transfer. I am currently attending a very well known, academically top-notch public university. However, I’m not satisfied. I want a straight drama program with strong acting training. I am also hoping to minor or double major in music, because I’m truly passionate about singing - even if it’s classical instead of MT.
I definitely want a smaller school, with more of a quirky liberal arts feel (I’m pretty seriously looking at Bard, Sarah Lawrence, and Skidmore). However, I am open to other kinds of schools as well, as long as they aren’t as engulfingly large as the typical big public University. I really just want a more intimate setting where I feel like I really know people.
My grades are pretty good. I expect I will have at least a 3.5 by the end of this semester, and, due to some serious health problems last year, (I ended up leaving early second semester and had to drop most of my first semester classes) I would probably still be a candidate to send my high school transcript - unweighted GPA 3.9, weighted 5.7ish, top 10% of classes, attended gifted program for STEM. I also was double enrolled in community college my junior and senior years, and had a 3.89, and 44 credits there.
Anyway, this is a lot of information. Basically, I am looking for some advice as to some other smaller schools, preferably liberal arts-y ones, with strong drama programs that fit my stats. I also am looking for schools that either give a lot of merit aid or a lot of need-based aid. I am open to less competitive academic schools, as I really want theatre training to be the priority. I am open to either BA or BFA, but I don’t want to go through a massive rigamarole of a huge audition season, so I’m hoping to keep the auditions at a lower number, or to have more video submissions so I don’t have travel - can’t really miss class. East coast is a must - I can’t afford to fly back and forth. I am from VA.
Thanks!
Look into Drew University in New Jersey
Both Sarah Lawrence and Skidmore have wonderful programs – Skidmore in particular let’s you take more theatre classes than a typical major, I believe it was 60% theatre 40% general ed. Both schools, if I remember, allow you to submit an arts supplement which my daughter did by performing two monologues. You may want to stretch and look at Vassar.
@bisouu I just checked out Drew! It sounds perfect, thanks so much for the recommendation. Do you know what the social climate is like? I know it’s religiously affiliated, and I’m not at all. Is that a big part of the atmosphere?
@astute12 I am visiting Sarah Lawrence on Monday (my spring break) so I’m really excited to see what that is like. Skidmore offers a BS, right?
Also, I’m interested in Vassar, but I’m not sure I would get in. I was waitlisted when I applied my senior year. However, after my senior year, I ended up having some pretty impressive records at the National Speech and Debate Competition, and last year I was on my school’s mock trial team (one of the top 10 in the country) and did a bunch of volunteer work and was involved in some other really impressive organisations. Do you think these EC’s would work in my favour? I wasn’t sure bc I don’t think my GPA is high enough, and it’s harder to get in as a transfer.
Another place to check out might be Bennington in VT. IDK about offerings in music there, but they have a strong theater department, a VERY quirky liberal arts vibe ( in a good way) and the ability to really tailor your program to your interests. D has had a couple of friends go there, they love it.
AND - if you are willing to stretch geographically a bit, you might want to check out Kenyon in Ohio.
I think those ECs would definitely help and also the fact that you really know what you are looking for now – you can position yourself as a more mature student! Finding a teacher at your current school or from one of the organizations you are involved with who could write you a really strong recommendation would help as well.
I sent you a PM
In VA look at Emory and Henry, and maybe University of Richmond. In MD, maybe look at Goucher.
give a look at Brandeis and UVM
If you’re in VA already then you must look at Shenandoah Conservatory. Many students transfer successfully each semester and the small class sizes, about 2400 undergrad, provide the intimate setting you’re looking for.