<p>I need to narrow my college list down to 10 schools to audition for and transfer into. Which 10 should I pick and why? (I am looking for a VERY strong program with positive, healthily competitive students, great professors and an overall nice environment).</p>
<p>List of College Programs:</p>
<p>Tisch NYU (NY)
AMDA (NY)
CAP21 (NY)
Oklahoma City University (OK)
CCM (OH)
CMU (PA)
Coast Carolina University (SC)
UArts (PA)
Syracuse University (NY)
Penn State (PA)
Oklahoma University (OK)
Roosevelt University (IL)
Elon University (NC)
Boston Conservatory (MA)
Otterbein College (OH)</p>
<p>Are you looking for a large program or a smaller program? a program on a university/ college campus or a program that is more separate/ part of an arts conservatory? a more urban program, a more rural program? a program that requires more general education classes or less? rigorous academics or less rigorous academics? </p>
<p>The programs you have listed above are very different from each other in the above regards, and all are for the most part “VERY strong programs with positive, healthily competitive students, great professors and an overall nice environment.”</p>
<p>More specific information may help people to suggestions of which schools fit your broader criteria.</p>
<p>Good questions! Haha.
*I am definitely looking for a smaller program.
*Location I don’t so much mind, although if I had a say, I’d like to stay within the New England region.
*I’d prefer a B.F.A. program.</p>
<p>Based on personal experiences (be it at college auditions, college visits, college enrollments…), where would you all recommend I look?</p>
<p>If you’re looking for a small, strong BFA MT in New England, with a positive environment, I’d definitely consider Hartt. It has been taking 20-25 BFAs per year but is considering cutting that number for next year. And there’s Ithaca too, in this general area. </p>
<p>AMDA and CAP21 don’t offer college degrees so you might be able to take them off your list. And NYU is the largest program in the country so if you’re looking for a smaller program that might not work for you. But it really is totally your decision, based on your own criteria. If you start reading on this board you’ll find lots of info to help, including class sizes etc. You also need to decide on a backup plan–these programs are so competitive it really helps to think out your backups carefully.</p>
<p>I live in Columbus so know Otterbein very well. They have a top-notch program that is difficult to get in to. They have a lot of well-known graduates. The program is not overly large. I also know a lot about Oklahoma City- excellent program for MT majors.</p>
<p>You said you are looking for a small program, but what about the campus environment? Conservatory setting? University setting with a small MT program? Do you want to be near a big city or is a more rural setting OK? For instance, BoCo is a Conservatory in a big city but does not have a traditional campus environment- it also has a fairly large MT program. Penn State is a very small BFA program (12-14 per class) on a very large university campus in a college town in the middle of nowhere. (I only use these 2 examples because they are the two that I am most familiar with). AMDA does now offer a degree, but I have heard that many grad programs will not accept their credits, so something to check into. The more we know the more we can address your question…</p>
<p>I would prefer a conservatory program. I recently transferred out of the Hartt School’s BFA MT program. I loved it but needed to leave due to personal health issues. I might need a change of scenery and a fresh start. I liked the small class size and the great teachers. I also liked that the distance from NYC was not too tremendous. The city didn’t bother me, though I suppose I would prefer the suburbs over a very large city.</p>
<p>I would REALLY like to enter a program as a sophomore or junior because I have two full years of B.F.A. credits under my belt but I understand that many strong B.F.A. programs require that you enter as a freshman in order to take as much from the program as possible.</p>
<p>AMDA does offer college degree. Their BFA is out of LA though with the option of 1 semester in NY. They also have a 2 year no degree earning conservatory program in NY.</p>
<p>CAP21 does not offer a degree but they have an agreement with The New School. Graduates of the CAP21 2-Year Professional Musical Theatre can now transfer academic credits towards a bachelor’s degree from The New School for Public Engagement – a division of The New School.</p>
<p>I have to pick about 10 out of the schools I’ve listed.
I don’t know much about the quality of Pace’s program but I might consider Ithaca.
For one thing, I know the application/audition fee for BoCo is $160 and the application/audition fee for CCM is $110. I don’t have to money to apply for both. I do know I am looking for a smaller class size, so should i go with CCM over BoCo?</p>
<p>Jsachs-- I am currently a Senior MT at Roosevelt. I have really enjoyed my time there and (depending on course work) Roosevelt does accept transfers. Feel free to PM me with any specific questions!</p>
<p>One way to help narrow down your list would be to contact the schools to find out which schools would even consider allowing you to complete the program in 2 years (HIGHLY UNLIKELY) 3 years (Still unlikely, but you will find some schools that will consider it), and which schools would require you to complete all four years in the program.</p>
<p>What is it about a BFA program that interests you? Do you want to take as few academic classes as possible? Is it that you want a sequenced conservatory program? Is it that you like the idea of a close knit small program? Depending on what you think interests you about the BFA in general, you may find that some BM or even some BA programs would offer something similar. You may also find that some BFA programs do not offer what you want.</p>
<p>I was looking into BFA programs because I know for certain they intensely revolve around theatre (with very little room for other subjects and classes). I am basically looking for a program that has a well-balanced collection of strictly theater classes–not mostly music-based classes. I clearly don’t know much about BM programs but I have a pretty good handle on BA programs. What is the difference between a BM degree and a BFA degree in musical theatre?</p>
<p>OCU has a good list of all the classes required for its BM degree. You can compare that to other schools you are interested in. Surprisingly, all BFA’s are not alike. Some on your list require a boatload of non theatre credits while others have very few. It’s a pain but it’s very useful to compare the programs side by side. I wish we had done that earlier in the game.</p>
<p>All BAs are not alike, all BFAs are not alike, and all BMs are not alike. The only way to figure out whether a program offers the balance of classes that you are seeking is to go to the website for each school and look to see what is listed on the program website or in the catalog.</p>
<p>If a program looks like it does not offer as much in the major, make sure to also look at the available courses that you can take as electives, and/ or contact the program directly.</p>
<p>They are so different! Check how the casting happens, how many performance opportunities there are. I feel like D just lucked out–there was so much we didn’t know, and didn’t even know to ask.</p>
<p>I noticed on another thread that Shenandoah Conservatory says they try to work with transfers so they can use as many of their previous credits as possible. Some schools use each class as an ensemble all four years so that it’s disruptive to add a transfer.</p>
<p>You should also consider Ohio Northern University. They offer a BFA in Musical Theatre and Tech Theatre - the program is solid and is gaining recognition. The training is intense (conservatory training within a liberal arts environment) and there are many opportunities to network with industry professionals.</p>
<p>My daughter is a HS sophomore. I am looking for info on when and how to get started with auditions and applications to top musical theatre schools.</p>
<p>Are unified auditions the best way to go - any help would be appreciated since we are just getting started.</p>