<p>I'm a rising HS Senior, and I'm having a bit of trouble coming up with some match schools to apply to. My parents have given me the stipulation that I can apply to five or six colleges (depending on the app. fees), but I'm honestly clueless as to what would count as a match academically. Financially, a match would be in the realm of 5-8k left over after merit aid. My parents may be able to foot a bit more, but they're extremely reluctant to. I'm pretty sure we won't qualify for need-based aid.</p>
<p>UMD-College Park and UMBC are my safeties, instate. (Maryland resident)</p>
<p>Stats:
3.3-ish UW GPA/ 3.82 W GPA
SAT: 2050 (730 CR, 650 M, 670 W)
ACT: 33 Composite (35 E, 34 M, 33 W, 28 S)</p>
<p>By the end of my senior year I'll have taken nine APs, twelve honors and a few unweighted arts and a (mandatory) pys. ed class. I'm pretty sure it's a rigorous schedule, coupled with the Engineering track in the magnet school I attend.
I participate in church-related and school-related activities (marching band, student government, strong involvement with the theatre and art department, historian of our Thespian Troupe), and some volunteering previously at a library and this summer at an animal shelter.
I'd love to take on a job to help with college, but I've not found a place that will hire me due to age.</p>
<p>I'd like to stick to the East Coast if possible, and it'd be great to find somewhere (state uni, private, LAC, doesn't really matter) that's both affordable and has a decent theatre program and a design and production track.</p>
<p>Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!</p>
<p>University if Maryland does have a solid theatre program, but I would ask some detailed questions about their D and P track because I don’t think it’s all that well-defined and connections really matter. Rutgers (Mason Gross) has an excellent tech program and is definitely an academic match and is an affordable school. Similarly for Montclair State Univ. Excellent D and P and they may be able to offer you merit aid making that school quite affordable as well. Did you want a BFA? I don’t think you mentioned that, and this will have an impact on the recommendations for programs that you will receive. Both of the programs I mentioned are east coast. How important is a very strong academic program to you in terms of core requirements? If you want a rigorous academic program and a BA in theatre, you might consider Fordham- might not be affordable, but your stats may score merit aid. George Mason is close by and their theatre program has a D and P track. How much experience do you have in Tech? You will need to put together a portfolio of your work for any of the audition- based programs. Are you interested in that route or looking at non- auditioned programs? The ones I’ve mentioned are audition-based. One that isn’t, but has a very well-regarded theatre program, is Muhlenberg- the interview/portfolio is only for merit aid. I am not sure about the tuition costs for out of state, but what about VCU and James Madison? I know VCU has a very strong and competitive tech track, but not sure about JMU- I know they have a wonderful theatre department. UNCSA is one of the major stars for design and is very affordable, but you will need a really strong portfolio. One thing to discuss with your parents is the issue about how many schools to apply to. Most applicants to theatre programs apply to considerably more if they are audition-based programs- probably an average of 8. I’m sure other CCers will contribute to the issue as well. There aren’t any “safeties” when it comes to programs that require an audition/interview so be sure to include at least a couple of theatre programs that are non-audition and/or apply to schools where you would also be satisfied to major outside of theatre if that’s your situation and perhaps minor in it ( although I do not think there are minors in tech). There are many, many fantastic programs out there and it’s impossible to write about all of them. Keep searching these threads and you’ll find great info. Try to visit as many as you can and/or write the directors of design at the schools you’re interested in and ask questions about the training program and learn about the general educations requirements at each school under consideration as they vary a lot! Best of luck during this exciting time!</p>
<p>A BFA is more of a conservatory degree, right? I guess then that I might be looking for a BA so I could possibly take on a minor.
I’ll definitely take a closer look at some of the programs you listed; I’m slightly disappointed that VCU and JMU’s OOS tuition is so high, their programs looked amazing.
Also, I’ve been working with tech all three years I’ve been at my school, but the only thing I’ve had legitimate control over were two similar free-standing background pieces. Should I submit just those for theatre-related pieces in a portfolio, or try to get pictures of the sets of everything I’ve been involved in?
I’ll definitely keep looking into more programs, but thank you so much for the help so far!</p>
<p>EDIT: I’ve already looked into the Academic common market, turns out only MT and Physical Theatre qualify :/</p>
<p>Make sure that anywhere you are applying knows about ALL your tech and design experience, even when you were not “in charge”. They will understand that tech and design people have to often be “assistants” or “technicians” or “crewmembers” who are not in charge, but this is still very important experience. (But don’t try to lie and claim you were responsible for more than you really were!) I think you can put together a very impressive portfolio.</p>