Marymount Manhatten College

College Majors Musical Theater Major
21

<p>Let me start by saying that all these questions should be directly to the colleges specifically. I don't know all the standards of each university.</p>

<p>You are right Susan about USC.'s academic bar.
I think what the rep mean't about it being unusual that a student would be accepted into the BFA acting, but not academically is that they consider the BFA in acting bar to be even higher than the USC academic bar!</p>

<p>OK, so now on with this "accepted" thing. It is a good thing I have a lot of energy to continue trying to answer yours and the one other poster questions/scepticisms. I am good naturedly teasing. But, I am apparently not doing a very good job of explaining. I appologize again.</p>

<p>Here goes:</p>

<p>I will QUOTE the letters of what I, my students and their parents are calling "acceptance" after the audition at NET and BEFORE application.</p>

<p>"I am writing to offer you acceptance into the BFA program at the ------University"</p>

<p>"I am pleased to let you know that we are prepared to offer you placement within the-----track in the -------School of Drama for the Fall of 2006."</p>

<p>"We would be delighted to have you as a BA student in Theatre Arts at------"</p>

<p>Verbal paraphrase "You are in, no question about it, we want you in our program"</p>

<p>OK, call me crazy, but these are acceptances in my book. All these happened BEFORE an application was completed.</p>

<p>Now, let me suggest that you please call the individual schools and ask them directly to clarify. I have posted the list of colleges twice, so you or anyone with questions should be able to get the names easily.</p>

<p>Of course, as I have always stated, these acceptances are based on the artisic merit of the audition and contingent upon a completed application. Some of these schools,as Susan said, have a basic academic bar. </p>

<p>Let's not, continue to argue semantics over this please. Even after an acceptance letter after a completed application, the offer is contingent upon graduation and a passing grade in all classes. Yes?</p>

<p>Thanks for you interest in this process,</p>

<p>xxx,Mary Anna</p>

22

<p>Mary Anna, with regard to the vignette about USC and a student, I don't find that unusual whatsoever. USC, unlike some of these other acceptances you are talking about after an artistic review where the schools' academic bar is fairly basic and not that high,where academic acceptance now will be a formality, but at USC the school is selective academically as well. What that person was saying is that the bar to get into a BFA is higher....yes, of course, we all know the VERY low admit rates to BFA programs and these rates are LOWER (more selective) than the university as a whole. Example, Penn State accepts 55% of applicants to the university but only 5% to the BFA program (many others are just like this). But it is NOT unsual at all that a kid could be talented enough to be admitted to a BFA program but not have the adequate qualifications to be admitted to the selective university even if the academic selectivity is at a higher rate than their BFA program. For instance, to be admitted to Tisch for a BFA is a low admit rate, lower than to the university as a whole if just applying academically. However, there ARE kids all the time who have what it takes to get into Tisch for the BFA but don't have the qualifications to get in academically. That's even with the academic admit rate not being as low as the BFA admit rate. The academic bar itself still must be gotten over. It doesn't matter if the BFA itself is more selective in terms of the acceptance rate. There are kids who would not have the academic qualifications to get into USC or some other selective schools academically. </p>

<p>For instance, I am working with clients now who may have the talent to get into any BFA program but I don't even have schools like NYU, CMU, USC, UMiami, Syracuse on their list because academically, the students could not get in. There ARE BFA programs where the academic bar is fairly low. Some of those programs....if someone came to an artistic review and said the kid is in, well, the kid is likely close to in if he/she meets the fairly low academic bar. But for a school like your example with USC, this would not necessarily be considered an admittance without acceptance academically which would not have been a sure thing, as you can see. That is why I don't find what happened unusual at all.....where the BFA program was saying yes but admissions was saying no. Otherwise, if this did not happen, why do the kids have to bother writing essays, sending scores, transcripts, recs, etc. At some schools, there really IS something to the academic review. USC is one such example. It is entirely possible for a very selective BFA program with a low admit rate (higher bar as you called it) to want a student but the student cannot pass the selectivity of the academic program, even if that academic program has a higher admit rate (which is typical) than the BFA program itself. Schools like USC or U Mich or NYU are selective universities in their own right academically. And then a school like NYU also weighs academics 50% of the admissions decision. So, that is why unless you want to go to certain conservatories or certain levels of colleges that have a BFA program, it always pays to do well academically. I have clients who are closed out of even trying for several fine BFA programs due to academics alone. </p>

<p>Susan</p>

23

<p>Has anyone out there done the MT minor singing audition on the Marymount campus?</p>

<p>I would be interested in any feedback about this singing audition itself and how it was conducted. Also, is there a dance component?</p>

<p>Thanks for any info from those who have participated in this or those who know someone who has.</p>

<p>xxx,Mary Anna</p>

24

<p>Mary Anna - I have heard that all those participating in the MT minor audition are in the same theatre watching/listening to each other perform.</p>

25

<p>That's really good piece of information to have.</p>

<p>Any idea how they evaluate which dancers are advanced? Is there any tap?</p>

26

<p>There is no dance audition for MT. Also they time your monologues with a stop watch. The auditions are done as a group and my daughter said more than half of the kids were cut off.</p>

27

<p>Hi Everyone!
I auditioned for MMC BA or BFA theatre with a mt minor in the beginning of November. I was wondering if anyone has heard back from the theatre department. I got my acceptance into the college about a week ago. </p>

<p>Also, How competitive is it. They said they accepted 1 in 5 but that seems like a really low acceptance rate...</p>

28

<p>I don't know about the acceptance rate. I didn't ask.
They were very selective at the Dallas NET auditions (which are listed on their web site). Of the 200 who auditioned they only made offers to a handful and additionally, just a small number at the Booker T. Washington Senior Showcase which was the next day.</p>

<p>I have a student who was accepted for theatre from the November audition in Dallas, but now has to go on campus and sing in order to pursue the MT minor degree. </p>

<p>Their website says that there is a mulit-level dance component for the MT minor audition but some are saying there isn't one. I will call and find out more but was interested in anyone's experience. Until now, I have never had a student who was interested and am out of the loop about MM.</p>

<p>Thanks for the feedback</p>

<p>xxx,Mary Anna</p>

29

<p>I just read your old post.</p>

<p>I don't disagree with your logic. But why do you think the USC rep said that was an unusual situation? He must have had a reason.</p>

<p>Maybe in his mind, he thinks that there are so few people who have the talent to get in the BFA acting and so many more who have the grades/tests to be accepted into the college. And remember this is the BFA, not the BA in acting, which, although it is competitive, not as much so as the BFA.</p>

<p>I am just guessing, but, so are you I suppose.</p>

<p>xxx,Mary Anna</p>

30

<p>Mary Anna,
There is not a dance component, they said that you are given an evaluation upon acceptance. Thanks for your information, let me know if you find out anything else!
Claire</p>

31

<p>Can anyone comment on this?
Thanks
xxx,Mary Anna</p>

<p>Students interested in the MUSICAL THEATRE MINOR participate in Musical Theatre Auditions on the Saturday interview/audition dates in the morning. Musical Theatre Auditions are conducted as a class and consist of two parts. First, a group dance audition that assesses the beginning student's dance potential and, for the more advanced student, the level of dance technique. Second, students must present two songs from the musical theatre repertoire that best demonstrate vocal range and strengths (a ballad and up-tempo selection). One song must be from a musical written before 1970. An accompanist is provided; please bring sheet music. Audition tapes are not allowed. Please wear appropriate clothing for the dance audition. Please note: Students must be admitted to the BFA IN ACTING or the BA IN THEATRE ARTS with a concentration in THEATRE PERFORMANCE to pursue the MUSICAL THEATRE MINOR. The BA IN THEATRE ARTS is the program best suited for the student whom wishes to minor in MUSICAL THEATRE. It is also possible to audition for the MUSICAL THEATRE MINOR once you are a student in THEATRE ARTS.</p>

32

<p>to marymount students:
I have been accepted to marymount and i plan on studing communications arts. what is this program like? and what is the social scene like at the college? I am from Texas, would i fit in?</p>

33

<p>What's the word on the BFA in acting (no MT minor) at Marymount. How cut-throat are the auditions?</p>

34

<p>I am not sure I know exactly what you mean about cut throat but I had a student accepted at the NET auditions in Dallas in November in the MM acting program.
This particular student is very talented and has an extensive resume and has also been accepted into some of the more highly selective acting schools. </p>

<p>MM did not express an interest in many students at NET. They seemed to be more selective than I had anticipated. But their reps were friendly and helpful and approachable.</p>

<p>Hope that helps somewhat,
xxx,Mary Anna</p>

35

<p>SO who is going to be auditioning the 18th of Feb? I'll be there going for a BFA in acting and Theatre Arts.</p>

<p>What's everyone else going for?</p>

36

<p>My D will be there on the 18th of Feb! She has already been accepted into the the Theater Dept but she is auditioning for the MT minor. Her last name begins with T so we will be in the second group. Hope to see you there!!</p>

37

<p>Hey! I'll be there the 18th of February as well! Last name Wolfendon, so obviously I'll be in the second group as well!</p>

<p>Did your daughter previously audition for the acting program & then came back a second time to do the musical theatre audition?</p>

38

<p>I was very fortunate to get to meet NOCCAMom today at Marymount. One of the greatest parts of this audition process is getting to meet people from CC (and elsewhere) and hearing their life stories. Let me tell you, NOCCAMom has an amazing one, as well as one of the other mothers we sat with who was from Florida during the hurricanes. These kids are so deserving of any schools they get into, with all they've been through this past year. Such tenacity!</p>

39

<p>Yes, indeed.
This process is about so much more than college. I am so glad you see the big picture.
Noccamom and family have shown tremendous courage through their ordeal. I have such admiration for them and have grown to love the children more than tongue can tell.
Thanks for being such a good companion during the auditions. Sounds like it was a great experience for all.</p>

<p>Best of luck!</p>

<p>xxx,Mary Anna</p>

40

<p>Mary Anna - Your part in Noccamom's story is, by far, the absolutely most genererous, amazing one. Offering up your home to a displaced family, sight unseen, after Hurricane Katrina showed more compassion than most can even imagine. If THAT was not the best CC connection ever made, I don't know what was!</p>