Since Michigan has been brought up here a few times recently, I thought I’d share a bit. Michigan has been a great fit for our D, and our decision was an easy one: In-state tuition at a well-respected program, with strong academics and close to home. An enviable position, for sure, and not a day goes by that I don’t think of how fortunate we are. This could be her one and only lucky break of her career. Who knows? Her experience there so far has been incredible. The focus is clearly on the art and helping the artists grow into their best selves and create the best art they can. It is a very supportive environment. There is no talk of making students into stars. Because, honestly, who can predict? The students in the program are serious, and seriously creative. Some have come into the program with entire musicals they’ve written, wanting to share and get feedback on. Some have won, or placed very high, in national competitions, like YoungArts, the Jimmys, NATS, and Poetry Out Loud. Many are accomplished musicians, playing a cadre of instruments. Some are absolute triple threats. I think it’s true that some could go straight to Broadway, and once in awhile, they do. But I think most who attend Michigan are there because they want to learn. They want an education. It’s not just about the technical training. It’s about the exchange of ideas and moving society forward through theatre, by telling stories, and sharing feelings and experiences. All the students in the program are unique, and yet they all seem to be very open, open to new perspectives, open to others, open to taking risks, plus they all share a strong commitment to their education and a deep love for the art. It’s been an intense year for our D but she’s loved it and she has grown immensely. Finally, I think it’s hard to track alumni accomplishments and I don’t know if that’s a fair way to ascertain the strength of a program because so much depends on the student and what that student chooses to do with the education. Oh, and one more thing… some families can actually afford to pay full boat for their kid to attend CMU or another expensive school, like Northwestern or NYU. I know some families who could and would. More power to them! Every student, every situation is different. Hats off to all who are wrapping up this crazy audition season! If you have one admission, you’ve done very well. If you are still waiting to hear good news, fingers and toes crossed for you… it isn’t over yet and it won’t be over for some time. It’s a grueling, mysterious process. Best wishes all!
Congrats on all the acceptances, everyone! Enjoy the ride; my daughter is about to graduate and it has gone by so fast! I second (or third, or fourth) the value of graduating debt-free as they enter this scary business. Throwing that out there as you all make those final decisions. And @grayhairedman, I discovered recently that your son and my daughter worked together last summer. Talented (and handsome!) young man!
Thank you so much for saying that @HappyDancer98 that actually was BEYOND helpful
@JaneDo you will likely get your honest answer from @grayhairedman off this board and in a private message
Wow @ phillyg007, congrats! Lots of acceptances, that’s phenomenal! Any idea which way your leaning? This gives those on wait lists hope, because kids may have multiple offers and they can only pick one! Lol! I pray you and others with many choices let each school that you are declining know as soon as possible, so they may move on to their wait lists.
Reposting my statement from a different thread regarding schools pressuring kids to make earlier than May 1 decisions. I know those on waitlists would die to come off–my D is on a waitlist as well. But in suppport of @phillyg007 and others lucky enough to have choices, please consider the situation:
My D will have at least 5 schools to visit or potentially revisit in 4 different states in order to make a decision. My D has never based her school choice on some arbitrary ranking or perception of programs. There is not one she would rule out. They are all quality programs with strengths and deficiencies. She has very specific things she’s looking for and will go where the most of those needs are met and, finally, where she feels connected. She just received 2 notifications within the last week. We are still waiting for 3. All of these kids are still in school. To make that many out-of-state visits?! While finishing up high school classes and performances?! And you can’t visit on the weekend, because there aren’t any classes to observe. We will see 2, MAYBE 3, on spring break, which ends the 10th. The remainder will be after that. MT/Acting kids need the May 1 deadline MORE than regular admission kids!! If colleges need kids to make earlier decisions, they should synchronize and move up notifications.
@JaneDo Thanks. I am no expert on college BFA MT programs. It’s just my opinion. I am on my second rodeo now with my D. And Notmath1 is correct. Message me and we can have a private dialog.
@HappyDancer98 I concur. UMich is a superb program. My S was number 1 on the waitlist 4 years ago and came off the waitlist. We were out of state. We do not qualify for reasons of need for financial aid and admissions told us that talent or merit scholarship only went to the original 10 and 10. So it was a non starter with us AND S had already committed to Texas State at that time; a decision he was thrilled about and remains so to this day, graduating in May.
My personal opinion is that UMich’s policy on NOT giving money to waitlist students is short sighted, but if you can make the money work, it is a fantastic program. I am not certain if that policy is the same. If a student on the original list says no, at least four years ago we were told that money goes back into the pot and stays there.
From what I have been reading Mighican’s goal for the university as a WHOLE (nothing to do with BFA) is to have OOS kids pay as close to full freight as humanly possible. And with their reputation and rankings in ALL areas, they must be able to get it done, they don’t seem to be lacking for kids…
Many of the schools of not most have not completed sending the financial packages. There have been a number in that list that have been ruled out and notified. I would not be comfortable sharing that information but assure you that we are not squatting on offers that we have no intent of pursuing. Also some of these schools have offered scholarships but still leave one with 30-40K per year out of pocket. Some of THOSE schools indicate a possibility of more funds but want a visit first. We try to communicate we want to take 2-3 visits when we know the financial certainty. They don’t want to offer more unless they are sure we are committed enough to come visit. Son has missed more school this semester than all the years from kindergarten through fall semester combined (approaching 13 days) of one hits 15 you cannot graduate due to state attendance laws even if in top 10% of class…we are VERY mindful of releasing the spots we have no intention of pursuing for either the reason he desires another program more, or it is. It the right Financial fit. Do unto others…we do teach and practice that. Know it’s a difficult process for all…some of these “offers” are like winning a 5 million dollar home…yay! Now you have to pay the taxes each year and those are more than you make in a year. So there’s more to meet the eye. I never posted here until a few weeks ago and just got caught up in the fun as offers started coming. Anyway wish all lots of break legs and our kids will all end up where they’re supposed to. Things on our end will be whittled down even more over next 7 days but for many reasons that will not be posted here until there is a final decision.
That is what all of my time not at my job is spent doing now, trying to negotiate packages. Have even had several that have said send us written offers and we can use that to try and get more for your son…this ain’t a car dealership…what a grueling mentally unhealthy process for the kids, parents, and we have 3 other kids in high school simultaneously…feel most sorry for them, they’re great and rooting for their brother but this has been all consuming since August. Thank God coming to an end soon!
Great post! Hopkins first class of recruits was 2014, by 2015 and 2016 some lists have them in top 10 competing with Boston Conservatory, Elon, Penn St. CCM etc.
We saw Book of Mormon recently and the TSU grad stole the show. Unbelievable. They are doing an amazing job of team building and creating cohort adhesive collaboration. We have an offer there and it is a strong consideration but not just due to money although that part is important as well. I am a mental health counselor with 4 different licenses. The focus on the mental health aspect of the business and college is a huge focus of their program.
Ms. Hopkins is on the cutting edge of understanding what anyone in the entertainment business goes through and what kind of people are attracted to it in the first place. Usually very hardworking over achievers who then spend their career dependent on others opinions of them at least as it relates to their profession. I am impressed with BW, PSU, Ithaca, AZ, Montclair and actually all the places S has offers from. As far as a nurturing but professional environment where the head of the dept is committed to helping these young men and women grow in the area of resiliency and mental health AND getting significant money for research at the university in this area in the hundreds of thousands…TSU is unparalleled in this vital area. I do know this first hand because I am in the field and in state. Again it may or may not be our final destination, but your kids will be well taken care of there. Also at the orientation, she spoke of the fact that while there is no judgement passed as kids like to have fun, but she made it very clear, if you are here to drink or planning to smoke marijuana legal or not…please pick somewhere else even if we offer you. You need to be at your best mentally, physically, and emotionally and all of those substances are depressants and there is no way you can be your best if that is a part of it. So really decide what you want out of your program but I want to make it clear, we have zero room for that kind of stuff in this program. It was said with love and respect, not in a shaming way. Anyway again, first hand info I am comfortable sharing!
@phillyg007 your analogy of winning a $5 mil home and not being able to afford the annual taxes (or killing oneself to do so) is SO spot on. Best of luck to you, in your decision!
@phillyg007 Excellent posts - all of them – but this one especially:
“but she made it very clear, if you are here to drink or planning to smoke marijuana legal or not…please pick somewhere else even if we offer you. You need to be at your best mentally, physically, and emotionally and all of those substances are depressants and there is no way you can be your best if that is a part of it.”
Some of the colleges we visited had current students conducting tours and these students were happily telling their high school tour group about the “party life” on campus. No wonder the graduation rate at so many colleges is dropping!
IMHO there are going to be party kids on pretty much every campus. You just have to hope you’ve taught your kid well enough not to fall in with the wrong group.
This conversation should really be on the sharing venting board!
Sorry you are correct! I replied to someone and thread got away from me!
So I am receiving lots of messages asking for my opinion on “past their prime” programs. First thing. These are my personal opinions based both on my viewpoint as a father going through this process twice now and having worked in the theatre industry for over 30 years and have auditioned literally thousands of actors in New York and elsewhere.
Here are my thoughts -
There are more talented actors out there than there are jobs. Surprise. Haha. It’s only a good career for those students who have to do it because it’s who they are.
There are literally thousands of jobs in the theatre industry your kids don’t want now and do not even know exist, but are often filled by actors who go through a career change. So there is hope for a happy and fulfilled life.
I have auditioned talented actors from all the usual suspect programs, the top tier, etc. and equally talented actors from programs I have never heard of before. I NEVER cared where an actor went to college if they were right for the role.
I think that programs who are not pre screening with videos are now no longer looking at the best and the brightest. They are seeing only those who get to the scheduler first. These programs will eventually fall behind.
I think that programs who are not going to Unifieds may be good training programs but probably are not recruiting from all the best and the brightest nationally. These programs will eventually fall behind.
There are dozens of up and coming programs offering top training, bringing in casting directors, choreographers, playwrights, and they are bargains.
Some of the top tier programs have the same leadership they have had for decades, doing what has worked well in the past and may be falling behind the curve.
There will be an increased focus on developing the actor holistically, health, mental health, business skills in addition to the usual training in acting, singing and dancing. The programs who are not following this curve…will fall behind.
The programs who are charging life changing exorbitant sums of money, will …eventually fall behind. They will be for the rich and elite. Right now those programs are still in the game, but there are too many good or great programs that are not charging as much money and they are in this to compete. So those schools will need to adapt…with scholarship or instate tuition or …fall behind.
These are only my opinions and hunches. I have no data. Zero. Zilch.
All for now. Good luck all. All I got for now.
Those are really interesting thoughts - thanks for sharing. I will admit I was one of the curious- though since I won’t have another kid go through the process, I didn’t want to PM.
Random question - anybody have a loose count of how many schools prescreen, and what % they are of overall schools?
Very wise observations from @grayhairedman!! Also, many times some of the people who helped build a program’s reputation are not there anymore and at other programs. The choreographer who helped develop TX State’s program is now helping to develop the Rider program. CAP 21 used to be partnered with Tisch. They are now at Malloy.
Another example of one to watch is Manhattan School of Music. This fall launched its first MT class. It’s one of the oldest most prestigious conservatories in the country. And if you look at who is involved?! It’s going to be a formidable program, but at the moment it has no reputation.
Western Carolina is a newer program overseen by Terrance Mann. And with a total cost of attendances of $15-18,000 annually–are you kidding me?
There are so many great places (and often less expensive) to train!
Carefully copy and paste the LAST list AND these instructions. To color it red, copy the code as it is below, add in your information, then REMOVE THE SPACE AFTER THE FIRST BRACKET BEFORE THE WORD “COLOR” IN BOTH BRACKETS:
[ color=red] Name, D or S, home state [ /color]
MT & Acting ACCEPTANCES FOR 2021 BY COLLEGE
AMDA (BFA MT)
MTBaritone, S, NY
samigaga, D, NY
Nodream2big, D, CA
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY (BA MT)
CATenorMom,S, CA
ARCADIA UNIVERSITY (BFA ACTING - MT CONC.)
lalalovesmusic3, myself (D), PA
CATenorMom,S, CA
BALDWIN WALLACE UNIV. (BM MT)
drowsychaperone, D, from Georgia
theatremom10, S, NJ waitlist (BM MT)
p’smom, S, OK
phillyg007, S, Texas
DefyingGravity2, D, TX - Waitlist
TwinsDad2021, D, NY (BFA- Acting)
Freddieggirl, D, GA - Waitlist
BALL STATE (BFA MT)
DefyingGravity2, D, TX
NODREAM2big, D, CA
BELMONT UNIVERSITY (BFA MT
chenggang, D, TN - Waitlist
Nic Music, D, GA
lynwvr1233, D
MTAlabamamom,D
toxiclevi, D, IN - Waitlist
BOSTON UNIVERSITY (BFA ACTING)
EIS0301, Myself (S), MI
CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY (BFA MT)
EIS0301, Myself (S), MI
CENTRAL WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY (BFA MT)
Mardeen, D, WA
COASTAL CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
vshtxn, S (me), TN, BFA Physical Theatre & BFA Acting
CORNISH COLLEGE OF THE ARTS
Marg928, D, NJ (BFA Acting)
Mardeen, D, WA
DEAN COLLEGE (BA MT)
lalalovesmusic3, myself (D), PA
DESALES UNIVERSITY (BA MT)
theaterwork, D, MD
daughtersdreams, D, Maryland
DRAKE (BFA MT)
Momsully11, S, CO
Mardeen, D, WA
CentralOHmomof4, D, OH - waitlist
toxiclevi, D, IN - Waitlist
ELON UNIV. (BFA MT)
FourFoxes, D
EMERSON (BFA MT)
Lincoln 56,D,RI
Linart26, myself (D), CA (Communications)
Velmakelly, D , IL- waitlist
heliobike, S, CA
TwinsDad2021, D, NY, waitlist
Monkeiiboy, S (myself), WA
HARTT CONSERVATORY (BFA MT)
4dramadogs, S, VA
CATenorMom, S, CA
vshtxn, S (me), TN, BFA Actor Training
Lincoln56, D, RI
MomofMTBoy, S
Freddieggirl, D, GA
toxiclevi, D, IN
sopranomtmom, D, CA
DefyingGravity2, D, TX
ILLINOIS WESLEYAN (BFA MT)
DefyingGravity2, D, TX
redhead8811, S, IL
INDIANA UNIVERSITY (BFA MT)
EIS0301, Myself (S), MI
ITHACA COLLEGE (BFA MT)
Lincoln56,D,RI
phillyg007, S, Texas
theatremom10, S, NJ -waitlist
JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY (BA MT)
theaterwork, D, MD - waitlist
Lenahcluv, D, VA-waitlist
efr9598, S, VA [ color=red]
MTMHopeful D, PA BFA-waitlist
KENT STATE UNIV (BFA MT)
theaterwork, D, MD
RosesMT, D, MI
LIPSCOMB UNIVERSITY (BFA MT)
CMB625, D, TN
LIU POST (BFA, MT Con)
jessieburnett, D, Georgia
JWU1964, S, Massachusetts
MTalabamamom, D,Alabama
Onourown, D, Pennsylvania
daughtersdreams, D, Maryland
phillyg007, S, Texas
vshtxn, Myself (S), TN (BFA Acting)
waitingforlife, D, CA (BFA Acting)
nodream2big, D, CA
GaDramaMama, S, GA
LOYOLA MARYMOUNT (THEATER ARTS BA)
marg928, D, NJ
MARYMOUNT MANHATTAN
(BA THEATRE ARTS PERFORMANCE WITH MT MINOR)
Samigaga, D, NY
CATenorMom, S, CA
Momsully11,S, CO
jhayes000, D, PA
TwinsDad2021, D, NY
DramaRama, D, CA
DaughtersDreams, D, MD (WaitList MT)
MILLIKIN UNIV. (BFA MT)
asianactor, (Myself) S, IA
redhead8811, S, IL
MOLLOY COLLEGE/CAP 21
freddieggirl, D, GA
EIS0301, Myself (S), MI
Jjrmom8, D, NJ
mmm333, D, International
WindsInTheEast, S, TX
waitingforlife, D, CA
DaughtersDreams, D, MD
MONTCLAIR STATE UNIV. (BFA MT)
EIS0301, Myself (S), MI
Heliobike S, CA
aiming4success, myself (D), Pa
4dramadogs, S, VA
phillyg007, S, Texas
staycoolboy99, S, NY (MT and Acting)
MTMHopeful D, PA
MUHLENBERG (BA Theatre)
MomofMTBoy, S
CATenorMom,S, CA
Samigaga, D, NY
NORTHERN KENTUCKY U (BFA MT)
theaterwork (D) , MD
lynwvr1233, D
NORTHWESTERN (BA Theater)
efr9598, S, VA
OHIO NORTHERN UNIV. (BFA MT)
bexsky26, S, Kentucky
KelviVan, D, TX
4dramadogs, S, VA
toxiclevi, D, Indiana
MTAlabamaMom, D, Alabama
phillyg007, S, Texas
MTMHopeful D, PA
CATenorMom,S, CA
OKLAHOMA CITY UNIVERSITY
KelviVan, D, TX (BFA Acting)
lynwvr1233, D, (MT and VP)
MTMHopeful D, PA
sopranomtmom, D, CA (BFA Acting)
OTTERBEIN (BFA MT/Acting)
theatremom16, D, Ohio (acting)
phillyg007, S, Texas
lynwvr1233, D, (BFA MT)
TwinsDad2021, D, (BFA Acting)
PACE UNIVERSITY (BFA MT)
EIS0301, Myself (S), MI
drowsychaperone, D, GA
vshtxn, Myself (S), TN (BFA Acting)
Linart26, Myself (D), CA (Communications)
Freddieggirl, D, GA (Acting)
PENN STATE (BFA MT)
drowsychaperone, D, from Georgia
phillyg007, S, Texas
POINT PARK UNIVERSITY (BFA MT)
theatremom10, S, NJ- waitlist
RIDER UNIVERSITY (BFA MT)
bexsky26, S, Kentucky
Cornymama, S, FL
Freddieggirl, D, GA
drowsychaperone, D, GA
heliobike, S, CA
EIS0301, Myself (S), MI
Lincoln56, D, RI
MomofMTBoy S, VA
emilya333, (Myself) D, PA
phillyg007, S, Texas
Lenahcluv, D , VA
theatremom10, S, NJ -waitlist
WindsInTheEast, S, TX
ROOSEVELT UNIVERSITY CCPA (BFA MT- VOICE)
Velmakelly, D , IL- waitlist
ALS0830, D, IL
Kentmtmom, D, KY
Monkeiiboy, S (Myself), WA
theatremom10, S, NJ
redhead8811, S, IL waitlist
GaDramaMama, S, GA
mmm333, D, International
ROOSEVELT UINVERSITY CCPA (BFA MT- DANCE)
Kentmtmom, D, KY
DallasSMB, D, TX
SAMFORD UNIVERSITY (BFA MT)
brightstaral, D, AL
Kentmtmom, D, KY
SETON HILL UNIVERSITY (BFA/BA MT)
lalalovesmusic3, myself (D), PA (BA MT)
SIU CARBONDALE (BFA MT)
CentralOHmomof4, D, OH
redhead8811, S, IL
SHENANDOAH (BFA MT)
4dramadogs, S, VA
Cornymama, S, Fl, (BFA MT)
Grayhairedman, D, FL, (BFA MT)
WhiteRaven1, D, VA (BFA ACTING)
Monkeiiboy, S (Myself), WA (BFA MT)-waitlist
SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY (BFA MT)
JaneDo, D, CA
heliobbike, S, CA
DramaRama, D,CA
Hummingbird17, D
TEMPLE (BFA MT)
MomofMTBoy S, VA
theatremom10, S, NJ
LAM2017, D, IL
EIS0301, Myself (S), MI
KelviVan, D, TX
Lincoln56,D,RI
Aiming4success , D, PA
efr9598, S, VA
jhayes000, D, PA
toxiclevi, D, IN
DaughtersDreams, D, MD (Acting)
emilya333, (Myself) D, PA
TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY (BFA MT)
drowsychaperone, D, GA
phillyg007, S, Texas
heliobike, S, CA
UNIV OF ALABAMA - BIRMINGHAM (BFA MT)
KelviVan, D, TX
CATenorMom, S, CA
phillyg007, S, Texas
UNIV of ARIZONA (BFA MT)
Heliobike, S, CA
drowsychaperone, D, from GA
MTAlabamaMom, D, Alabama
phillyg007, S, Texas
nodream2big, D, CA (WL)
UNC SCHOOL OF THE ARTS (BFA ACTING)
marg928, D, NJ - waitlist
UNIV. OF THE ARTS (BFA MT)
jjrmom8, D, NJ
KelviVan, D, TX
LAM2017, D, IL
MTMHopeful D
Monkeiiboy, S, from Washington
heliobike, S, CA
DefyingGravity2, D, TX
theatremom10, S, NJ (BFA MT)
WhiteRaven1, D, VA (DPP)
theaterwork, D, MD - waitlist
phillyg007, S, Texas
Lenahcluv, D, VA
WindsInTheEast, S, TX
UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS (BFA MT)
jjrmom8, D, NJ
UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI (BFA MT)
EIS0301, Myself (S), MI
Lincoln56, D, RI
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN (BFA MT)
EIS0301, Myself (S), MI
drowsychaperone, D, GA
UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA
marg928, D, NJ BA Theater
jessieburnett, D(myself), (BFA MT), GA
UNIVERSITY OF UTAH (BFA MT)
CATenorMom, S
theatremom10, S, NJ
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN - STEVENS POINT (BFA-MT)
Alcoka1, S
KelviVan, D, TX
VITERBO UNIVERSITY (BFA MT)
Bexsky26, S, KY
EIS0301, Myself (S), MI
lalalovesmusic3, myself (D), PA (BFA ACTING)
sopranomtmom (D), CA
WhiteRaven1, D, VA (BFA ACTING)
Nodream2big,D, CA(BFA ACTING)
WAGNER (BA MT)
Lincoln56, D, RI
MomofMTBoy S, VA
Velmakelly, D , IL- waitlist
WEBSTER UNIVERSITY
redhead8811, S, IL waitlist
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY (BFA MT)
Freddieggirl, D, GA
theaterwork, D, MD
Grayhairedman, D, FL
WESTERN MICHIGAN - (BFA MT)
KelviVan, D, TX
toxiclevi, D, IN - Waitlist
WVU (BFA MT)
2017MTMomma, S, Oh
4dramadogs, S, VA
WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY (BFA, MT)
chenggang, D, TN
drowsychaperone, D, GA
theatremom16, D, OH (BFA Acting)
sopranomtmom D (BFA Acting)
Freddieggirl, D, GA
lynwvr1233, D
GaDramaMama, S, GA (BFA Acting)