<p>I had a long discussion over the weekend with a friend of my S. She is a freshman MT in a highly-regarded program but feels she has chosen the wrong program and is considering re-auditioning. Does anyone have particular experience with a transfer MT or Acting (BFA) student? It is difficult to wrap my head around someone having to do it over so soon but she can't be the first student to do so!</p>
<p>We know a few people who have transferred programs. They all went back through the entire audition process in order to attend another program. I will talk in general terms so as not to reveal who they or the programs in question are unless I have been authorized to tell:</p>
<p>Girl A transferred from one very well known and respected program to another newer program (but much talked about on CC) closer to home. Her first program had been 15 or more hours from home. She is now only about 4-5 hours from home. She seems to be very happy. But, she had completed 1 1/2 years at her first program. Took the 2nd semester of her sophomore year off, moved home and took some gen eds at a local community college while re-auditioning. She was accepted to this other BFA program, but has had to enter as a freshman again. So where she would be a junior this year in her original program, she is a freshman again in her new program.</p>
<p>Girl B was unhappy with her first program, one that is also discussed a lot her on CC. In fact, she quit the program after her first semester although she stayed at the school until the end of her freshman year. During that 2nd semester, she hired MTCA (hadn’t used a coach the first time but got in another well regarded program), re-auditioned at many places, and chose another BFA program that is again, talked about on here a lot. However, at some point during the spring/summer, she had another change of heart and decided to attend her local state university with whom she had performed a lot during the summers, instead of the new BFA program she had been accepted to. So she went through all those auditions twice only to end up down the street at her local university. They do have a great opera program in which she is taking part. And she seems very content and happy with her decision.</p>
<p>We also know a boy who went to the same program as Girl B. He too was immediately unhappy with it but stuck it out his freshman year. However, he transferred to a different in-state school for his sophomore year that is known for its acting and MT programs. He is now a senior and seems very happy with his decision.</p>
<p>And lastly, Girl C really wanted to go to NYU but did not get in as a freshman. She attended the dance program at Pace for a year, reapplied to NYU and was able to transfer.</p>
<p>I would say - listen to your gut. It’s never too late to change if you are really unhappy. But make sure you know what about your current program is making you unhappy. Is it the school? the other students? the classes? the teachers? have you not been cast in shows? …be honest and determine whether transferring programs is going to improve whatever is bothering you. </p>
<p>Here are links to some of the many past threads on this subject:</p>
<p><a href=“transfer out of small MT program - Musical Theater Major - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/1703138-transfer-out-of-small-mt-program.html</a></p>
<p><a href=“MT Transfer HELP! - Musical Theater Major - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/1687993-mt-transfer-help-p1.html</a></p>
<p><a href=“MT Programs Accepting Transfers? - Musical Theater Major - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/1666376-mt-programs-accepting-transfers.html</a></p>
<p><a href=“transferring into an MT BFA? - Musical Theater Major - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/1521855-transferring-into-an-mt-bfa.html</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/1396919-current-first-semester-freshman-interested-transferring-bfa-program-help.html”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/1396919-current-first-semester-freshman-interested-transferring-bfa-program-help.html</a>?</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/1316545-schools-accept-transfers-juniors.html?highlight=transfer”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/1316545-schools-accept-transfers-juniors.html?highlight=transfer</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/1205255-programs-take-transfers.html?highlight=transfer”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/1205255-programs-take-transfers.html?highlight=transfer</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/1055492-musical-theater-transfer.html?highlight=transfer”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/1055492-musical-theater-transfer.html?highlight=transfer</a></p>
<p>You can find more by doing an Advanced Search with “transfer” in the “Title” area and then scroll down and select the Musical Theatre Forum in the “Forum” select list.</p>
<p>Thanks to you both. @EmsDad - I really appreciate the links! She said she’s made a cc account; I’m going to send her these links via email.</p>
<p>And remember, some of the “newer, less well-known” programs might be a better fit for your child. I can think of 3 people off the top of my head that transferred from “hot” to “less hot” programs because it just was a better fit. A girl transferred from CCM to Montclair this year. Spend as much time as you can at the schools that accept you and go with your gut. </p>
<p>Reputation is worthless if your student is miserable.</p>
Wishing her all the success in the world. The path isn’t always straight for some kids and there are wonderful programs out there to suit different needs. I’ve seen kids leave both my boys programs and other kids arrive at them as transfers-in – in the end, it sounds cliche, but I just want them all to be happy.