<p>I liked the school when we visited but the reviews on line are numerous and largely scathing.... it is a bit of a disappointment. anyone got any ideas? advice?</p>
<p>According to their literature they have at least 58 alumni since 2000 working on television, Broadway, off-Broadway and in films as well as other theatres around the country. I would say they are producing quality actors, directors, playwrights, costumers, etc. I haven’t read anything about the school that I would describe as scathing. Their faculty seem accomplished and are still involved in the business which can be helpful. Some graduates have gone on to prominent graduate programs. What advice are you looking for?</p>
<p>I don’t mean for this to sound rude, but compared to what? I think you need to look at the specific program your child is considering (e.g. BFA Acting), check out the curriculum, talk to the current students, talk to the professors, talk to the program director, look at the facilities, check out the productions, inquire about the graduates of the program, consider the special circumstances (e.g. the location, the living arrangements, etc.), look at the costs, etc. After considering all of the above, does it feel like a good fit for your child? What other schools are in consideration? These boards tend to be populated by students and parents who have strong feelings (particularly about the schools they or their children attend) – keep that in mind when they slam MMC or tell you how wonderful other Big Apple schools are… It’s best to do as much primary research as possible (i.e. real data from the school and the students, alumni, faculty and staff) and rely less on the opinions of those with an axe to grind or who may have very little direct experience with MMC. But then again, that’s just my opinion :)</p>
<p>Marymount Manhattan is a liberal arts based BFA program, opposed to the more traditional type of conservatory style BFAs (like NCSA, Purchase, Juilliard, and CalArts). They integrate literature and English courses with the intensive drama courses.</p>
<p>One drawback I would say is the lack of performance opportuniuties there. I was recently accepted, and I know three people who go there (two are in the BFA program). They seem to like having that liberal arts base, but they feel unfulfilled performance-wise…I think they do about two or three shows a year…I think it is all in a matter of taste…it is a very fine university, and it is one that is focused…I do know that they have a wonderful series of lectures from guest speakers (I recall hearing Stephen Sondheim, Olympia Dukakis, Edward Albee at the information meeting). They have a musical theatre minor (but it should really be a musical theatre major, really, the way it was described to me). The campus is in the heart of Manhattan…so you get a city experience…however, some campus sites are scattered about the city, and that may be stressful (I am one who is not familiar with the city). Marymount also has connections and internships, too…</p>
<p>hmmm…what else might be helpful…if I think of anything, I will let you know…I do know that there are really three categories of students, BA Drama, BFA Drama, and BFA Drama plus Musical Theatre Minor…selected students in the BFA groups are used to represent a showcase at the end of the senior year.</p>
<p>Marymount Manhattan also gives great scholarships. You can earn money for academic work AND artistic talent…the money I recieved from them makes that university high on the possibility list…</p>
<p>We saw a production at Marymount Manhattan College and the performance was excellent! Living in the northeast we have been able to attend productions at many competitive acting conservatories/colleges and we were very impressed with MMC’s production of She Stoops to Conquer. We have also received and read mixed opinions about MMC, but after seeing MMC’s performance last night, there is no doubt their BFA program has a solid, committed talent pool that is as good and in some cases even better than what we have seen at the other highly rated schools. If you are confused about where to go,feedback is helpful, but seeing live productions and showcases will also give you invaluable insight that can be helpful in the decision making process.</p>
<p>Yesterday I received my decision letter from MMC: Waitlisted. But I thought I’d share with CCers what the letter told me about the numbers:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>One year ago, in the previous admission year 2009, MMC Theater Department auditioned and/or interviewed 1000 prospective BFA and/or BA candidates. They do not say how many they offered admission to, but they enrolled 44 first-years and 16 upperclassmen transfers into the BA with Performance Concentration. They do not say anything about the BFA group, which is odd because I auditioned for that. </p></li>
<li><p>As of Feb. 24, 2010 (the date of my letter) they’d auditoned and/or interviewed 860 and had another 300 to go. Imagine that-- they’re still auditioning! They expect to enroll a number “similar” to last year’s. Again, that’s BA Performance (Acting), with no mention of BFA. </p></li>
<li><p>In the distant past, people have made it off the waitlist to enroll; and if that does occur, it’s between May 15 and June 15. But no one has made it off the waitlist in the recent past because “a majority of those admitted do enroll.”</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Overall, I found the MMC experience to be very professional, and I’m glad to have auditioned for them.</p>
<p>violetsky - My D also received a letter yesterday that she was waitlisted for the BA Theatre/MT Minor. She loved her audition for Marymount and loved the school when we visited. She was not very encouraged by the waitlist, but still wants to be on it as it is a school she likes.</p>
<p>Does anybody know roughly how many students Marymount accepts to the B.F.A. program each year?</p>
<p>Hi This is my first post but I feel like I know alot of you since I have been reading this site and MT for over a year! My S and I visited MMC and liked it. He recently received an acceptance to their BFA Acting program. Since he applied to many schools, he will wait to decide. However MMC has alot to offer it’s students in NYC especially their internships. We just came home from Pace today. It too has alot to offer in the city. My S wants to be near NYC, all other things being equal.Thank you all for helping us through this process!</p>
<p>I believe MMC said at their info session that they accept 90-95 to yield about 50-55 in their BFA Acting program.</p>
<p>MMC auditions 1,000 applicants?</p>
<p>Wow.</p>
<p>hey what day did you guys audition becuase I haven’t heard back from them yet. I auditioned on february 20 so maybe you guys auditioned before me and that’s why you already heard back? idk but could someone tell me how long it might take for them to get back to me. im sooo anxiuos waiting</p>
<p>Dramamama, my D auditioned Feb. 20 too and in the info session they said they would hear by April 1st. Sure sounds like a long time from now…</p>
<p>Dramamama – my S auditioned 1/23 and heard about two weeks ago…</p>
<p>Huh. Collating the info on this forum with the numbers presented in this thread, I’m becoming either very skeptical of the 90 person acceptance number or very impressed with this forum: so far, 8 kids have been accepted from this forum to MMC (1 BA, 7 BFA). Assuming a few more acceptances are on their way, we would represent upwards of 10% of their accepted students. Strange.</p>
<p>Thanks for replying mmc is my 1st choice school so I’m just going crazy checking the mail everyday</p>
<p>My son auditioned in November…the 21st. He has been accepted to the BA Theater Performance and Musical Theater Minor…he got the letter last week of February.Also letter stated that he will receive a competative talent scholarship as well. We are waiting for the financial aid package which will include this scholarship we are told. It is tough waiting though I agree…i was just as nervous as he was! Good luck to all…</p>
<p>My concern is that on a tour through their Black Box Theatre… the seats were all torn by what appeared to be poking with sharp objects and everything was in a state of dis-repair. Very depressed environment.
I asked one of the current students… He said “you have people that really care here about their acting and a whole lot more that they seem to accept for the money…either check or Pell Grant… it makes for a most unusual theatre group and they seem to charge for everything. Beware of the costs and additional costs”. That was enough for us as other students chimed in with factual evidence to concur during our second visit.
Marymount needs to get with it if they want to succeed. Some of us actually work more than one job & our student’s work and sacrifice to pay for their college education!!!</p>
<p>I came home to a message on my answering machine. I’ve been moved off the waiting list and am now accepted into the BA Performance track. This is great news for other CCers on the waitlist (I know you’re out there even if you don’t post).</p>
<p>My daughter got the phone call tonight too. It was quite a surprise since they said they haven’t taken anyone off of the waiting list for several years.</p>