<p>Just want to say hi to everyone. I've been reading everything I can on CC MT for the last couple of weeks and trying to get a feel for how it all works. We're not complete newbies as my ds booked several national tours as a kid and also has a couple of decent tv/film credits more recently, but the college application thing is a whole new ballgame really.</p>
<p>I think my biggest concern, since my husband and I are both in the arts, is that we know very well what a life in the theater or music or acting means. Too well, maybe. But our ds is quite talented, so we can also see our way clear to supporting him if he decides this is what he wants to do. </p>
<p>So my first question, is there any instance where a kid would get a full-ride or close to it for MT? Reading the boards, it seems this is never or hardly ever the case, but I just thought I'd ask.</p>
<p>I've been looking at a lot of schools and kind of getting a feel for what's offered, but I wondered if anyone could chime in if I give ds's vital stats as it were, as to fit. Here goes...</p>
<p>Ballet, tap, jazz, and modern for years. Acceptances at the top Ballet Summer Intensives with scholarship/board. He also fits ballroom in when he can, and he has a small bit of gymnastics and hip hop. He's very musical and picks up choreography quickly. Singing is good. He hasn't studied formally a lot yet, as his voice is still settling. He'll probably start training more next year with a good teacher. He has a naturally healthy vocal technique. Acting is good, and he is training in that. His grades are very good. No standardized testing yet.</p>
<p>Since he has an interest in both stage and screen, we'd really like to find a school that encompasses both those aspects. USC seems to be the best fit so far. I'm just wondering if anyone else has any other schools that work in both areas.</p>
<p>Thanks so much. So happy to have found this resource relatively early. Looking forward! :)</p>
<p>Welcome Ewanes. Sounds like you have a very talented son. </p>
<p>A few quick things…full ride scholarships are pretty rare for MT. But many of the programs give out scholarship awards and some can be substantial and some not, but I have rarely heard of complete full rides. Now, if you qualify also for need based aid, that might increase your awards. </p>
<p>Sounds like your son is training in dance and acting. For MT admissions, the voice will be a critical component and so starting on voice training now would be best.</p>
<p>There are lots of MT school options and so read this forum …it will take a while. I will mention since you said your son is interested in both MT and screen acting, that at NYU/Tisch, he could train in the New Studio on Broadway in MT and then do Stonestreet Studio (for screen acting) during his four year program at NYU/Tisch. Just put that one out there to you. Not all programs in MT will offer screen acting coursework. Keep in mind, however, that while most acting programs focus on the stage, this is typical background training even for those wanting to act on the screen. If your son is more interested in that than in MT, a BFA in Acting should also be explored as an option. </p>
<p>The fact that your son is a trained dancer will be a plus as not all male MT applicants can dance!~</p>
<p>Also, it sounds like your son has gone away to summer ballet intensive programs, which is terrific, but with his remaining high school summers, you might want to consider MT summer programs so he can get that kind of intensive training that is more focused on MT now, if he desires to apply to college MT programs. As a strong dancer, he might enjoy Broadway Theater Project, for example.</p>
<p>We do know of one male who was given a full ride at a top MT program. His key strength is his incredible voice, but he is also tall and very handsome which doesn’t hurt. As Soozievt says, I would start to put a lot of emphasis on vocal training ASAP, and if you can teach your S to be tall and handsome do that as well. ;-)</p>
<p>I’d add Northwestern to Soozievt’s schools to consider that seem to have a lot of theatre/MT students go on to do film/TV (some examples are Zach Braff, Zoey Deschanel, David Schwimmer and Stephen Colbert). Also, screen actors like Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks have recently chosen NU for their own children, so it seems like the school has a decent reputation in Hollywood. The school’s film program actively draws on theatre and MT students for talent. </p>
<p>I hope you all really enjoy these coming years. Looking back it seems they’ve flown by too quickly.</p>
<p>If acting in films DURING college matters to your son, three of the top undergraduate film schools that also have MT programs are: UCLA, USC, and NYU. There are many student film productions at those schools.</p>
<p>Other schools with strong film production programs that also have MT programs include: Temple, Florida State, and American.</p>
<p>(this is not the same exact thing as training in acting for the screen)</p>
<p>UCLA does have film production but their MT department does not allow any double majors or minors. However, you can major in another area, and then apply to minor in MT as a soph. On the other hand, there would be nothing to stop someone from majoring in MT and auditioning to act in student films on the side. UCLA is not handing out much money right now so if that is important it is something to consider. OOS students would have to pay around $50,000 incl. room and board. We also know quite a few kids at USC and they are also not giving out a lot right now either.</p>
<p>I have a student who got a full ride to USC for BFA Acting, but both her academics and talent are incredible. (She was also admitted to CMU and several other schools for Acting - didn’t audition for MT.) Another got a full ride to SMU for Acting - that was based more on talent that grades, but his academics were also excellent. Most full rides are going to be based at least in part on academics (grades, coursework, test scores, recommendations, and non-classwork academic activities).</p>
<p>takeitallin, when I mentioned film production, such as at UCLA and other schools, it wasn’t with the thought of majoring or double majoring or even minoring in it as the OP was not talking of her son wanting to study filmmaking, but rather to act for the screen. When MomCares mentioned that a theater student at Northwestern could be in student films, I just brought up certain universities that have very strong film programs that also have MT programs and so there are student films being cast a lot at those schools that perhaps a MT student could act in. </p>
<p>CoachC, that is great about the full rides those two Acting students received. I do think full rides for BFA programs are not too common but anything is possible. Full rides exist in colleges, such as I know our state university offers a full ride to all valedictorians in the state and offered my D one but she wasn’t interested in that school. Not sure if by “full ride” if you mean full tuition or tuition/room/board. That is great for your two students going USC and SMU!! Those new to college admissions for BFA in MT programs, should realize, however, that this is the exception, and not the norm. However, most BFA programs do offer scholarships (I know all the BFA in MT programs my D got into offered her them) but the amounts can vary and some are substantial (some aren’t) but not necessarily a free ride, and so prospective students and their parents should plan accordingly as a full ride is atypical.</p>
<p>Totally agreed, soozie - my point (which I don’t think I made clearly enough) was that in those very rare cases where big scholarships or full rides are offered, they almost always depend upon great academics as well as talent. (Pace U., for example, gives GREAT $$ to students with strong academics but doesn’t have much if anything available in the way of talent awards.) But yes, big $$ is rare for any audition-based program, more rare than in other major areas.</p>
<p>In the case of the guy I was referring to, his full ride was NOT academic but was at least in part based on a bidding war, so keep in mind that while no doubt rare – and I’m guessing limited almost exclusively to tall, handsome, singing MALE MT candidates – it can happen.</p>
<p>We certainly don’t have the range of experience of either CoachC or soozie, but our little microcosm of the MT college world that we experienced, definitely supports what they are saying, the observation that academics factor into that offer very heavily for us in theater.</p>
<p>My daughter had a lot of friends in sports who got offers with a bigger ratio of talent to academics than what she found to be typical for theater. Most of her money, in her offers, came from her academics so while she was not, alas, a tippy top scholar, she was certainly a good scholar and was in whatever tier is right below tippy top I guess because several schools did give generous offers based on academics. Most of the schools she auditioned for had policies of limiting the amount that the theater department could offer. The one school where she auditioned who did not have that policy in place, gave her a <em>significantly</em> bigger talent offer. (which was gratifying to have a few things offset those rejections!!) Alas, that school also had much more selective academics and instead of being at, or slightly, or a good bit above the mean, which was the case with all her other schools, her stats were just slightly below the mean, and while they did offer her a decent academic award, it was a lot less than the schools where she was above.</p>
<p>If a school might be convinced to make an exception for talent monies offered, it *would *probably be to an insanely talented, trained, and handsome BOY :D. But for everyone else, once more I say - if you want money - do your best with those grades and standardized tests!! It matters! How wonderful to be that exception but I’d hedge my bets just the same! haha.</p>
<p>Susan and CoachC are correct. Full rides are rare enough that no one should consider them a realistic possibility. I’ve known probably hundreds of theatre students through the years and I don’t know of even one who got a true full ride, which in the academic world means everything is paid. I’ve also known several senior administrators at a few college drama/theatre programs and have had discussions about this on more than one occasion, in relation to kids whom I was assisting in the admissions process. In my years here on CC, when this topic comes up, there is always someone who knows of someone who has received one but, in past years, on a few occasions, it has turned out that another member here happens to know the same kid being talked about and what one person thought was a full ride, turned out not to be. In most cases, people don’t know exactly what another student received, and some kids, and parents, exaggerate their personal situation. Same with the ‘bidding war’ stories, and I mean this in general, MomCares, not directed at you. </p>
<p>As has been mentioned, high academic stats are always going to be a big advantage when it comes to scholarships. There is more merit $$ available everywhere than there is talent $$. When you throw financial need into the mix, those are the kids who are likely to receive the most in aid. </p>
<p>One last comment in relation to what the OP’s son wants. I agree with Susan that attending a theatre program where there is also a strong film school is a great idea. The opportunity for students to participate in student films and, as a result, to often be able to get a reel made for themselves, can be invaluable, both in the experience and in the product. The number of young theatre actors participating in screen work these days (the older ones have been doing it for years) is increasing, particularly in NYC with the number of quality tv shows being produced there.</p>
<p>Wow!! Thank you all sooo much for your ideas and insight and experience. This has helped immensely already. </p>
<p>Where to start? Well, I was very pleased to see that a few of the best fits were on the West Coast, although we won’t rule out NYU. Or Temple, since dh attended Temple. Also, it is true that, at the moment anyway, ds is more interested in acting for screen rather than studying film production. Having the possibility to work in student films is important. And MT is also something he loves, too. So the MT minor would be great to have. But who knows, these things can change, and having the options that the LA schools offer is a definite plus. </p>
<p>Also it’s great to have a realistic picture of what might be possible re. money. I think it’s time to start up with those voice lessons and register for a SAT/ACT prep course. I guess you just have to do your best in terms of preparation and see what happens. Luckily, ds has the possibility of attending a state school at reduced tuition as a backup.</p>
<p>Does anyone have any thoughts on Pepperdine or Stanford? I know quite a few screen actors that have attended those schools, but I’ve not heard much re. MT.</p>
<p>I’m going to look into Broadway Theater Project as well. It’s definitely time for him to move more beyond ballet programs to more MT-based dance although he will continue ballet until he finishes high school. We are considering BAA for a couple of weeks in the summer. Any thoughts on that program?</p>
<p>In terms of tall, dark, handsome, and a fabulous singer, well, we’re not quite there yet…lol. Ds still looks like a sixteen year old boy, still growing, the voice is settling, and he’s a bit of a late bloomer. Time will tell. :)</p>
<p>Pepperdine and Stanford are BA programs in Theater and do not have MT programs. However, if your son wants to focus on straight theater, these are possibilities and he should also examine the productions done extracurricularly. I was just at Stanford actually (my older D was admitted there for grad school) and saw posters of a student musical of Sweeney Todd this spring. Please be aware that highly selective colleges such as the Ivy League and Stanford and others of that sort, do not award MERIT aid, but do award need based aid and often very good need based aid (meet full need) for undergraduates.</p>
<p>How much more does a program in screen acting really help someone who wants to be in film/tv? It seems to me a strong acting program is going to prepare someone for both the stage and the screen. I’m thinking about CMU. The list of alumni includes Holly Hunter, Ted Danson, Zachary Quinto, Cote de Pablo, Matt Bomer, Jack Klugman, Judith Light, Blair Underwood, and on and on - some were straight acting students and some musical theatre. I’m sure many other schools could produce similar lists.</p>
<p>xatty, I actually agree with YOU. Very few colleges have an entire major in screen acting. Most actors who obtain college training, train within a theater program. There they learn to act. Many go onto film and TV careers (CMU is one of many examples!). SOME BFA in Acting programs do have some coursework on acting for the screen. And as I said, at Tisch, one could spend a year in Stonestreet Studio to focus on this facet of acting, while training their three other years in a MT or Theater Acting studio. Chapman is the only BFA program I know specifically on Screen Acting. But like you, I feel a student normally would go to college to study acting in theater and later go onto a career on the screen if desired. There are also workshops and classes on that in NYC and LA for example if needed. But acting in theater is the main training for an actor in a college setting, even those going onto careers on the screen. And like your example with CMU’s successful BFA students who went onto film/TV, Tisch, for example, has lots and lots of BFA graduates who go into that part of the industry!</p>
<p>That’s good to know re. screen acting. Ds has been lucky enough to do some film/tv work as well as stage work and enjoys both, but because he can sing and dance as well, he, and we, are not quite sure which direction he should or wants to go, MT or Acting program. What I do know is that he really likes the (small) residual check that turns up in the mail twice a year! Enough for an iphone, but nowhere near enough for college. If only. Still though, that speaks for straight acting rather than stage or MT. But it would be great to be able to do all three, if possible. </p>
<p>We hear a lot about how different stage and screen acting are. Ds has learned some great film acting techniques in the last few years while auditioning and he’s gotten very close on a couple of bigger film projects, but he did have to figure it how to “tone it down” and “be real and natural” with the help of coach initially because all his experience was on the stage, mostly musical theater since that is where the roles were for him as a kid. He’s got it now, but it was an adjustment.</p>
<p>Some actors do go to college and train, and others just seem to have it and start in on their career…Timothy Hutton, Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp…come to mind off the top of my head. Others, Tom Hanks, for example, studied theater as well as the actors mentioned in Xatty’s post. Not that I’m advocating taking off to LA or NY at eighteen to give it a go, far, far from it!! It’s just interesting to see all the different ways that you can get to the same goal.</p>
<p>So now I’m beginning to wonder if a BA or BFA in acting with a MT emphasis might be the best for him. And really work on keeping up the dance and vocal training. That way, he’d be prepared for all eventualities. </p>
<p>Thanks again so much for all your thoughts and input. This is going to be an interesting next couple of years!</p>
<p>You may want to take a look at the University of Texas in Austin. Wonderful theatre program and LOTS of opportunities to get involved in student films and to also work in television and film. My D worked in a number of UT films throughout high school and had really great experiences. She also supplemented her income with tv and film work. There is always something shooting in Austin. And UT offers a world-class education. My D’s friends in the UT theatre program love it. And of course there is the added plus of being in Austin!</p>
<p>I’ll try to refrain from being boorish and outright namedropping, but one of my SIL’s is an old friend (still friends - I’m hoping maybe for an intro/autograph some day <em>fangirly squee</em> oooh he’s cute ;)) of a UT alumni who has had some decent roles in some pretty good stuff - tv series, movies…(early on, he was once a cast member of Esther’s Follies! :)) ~ and he is one of the main characters on a certain HBO series concerning blood sucking creatures. He’s not the only UT alumni to do well, by any means. So I would definitely agree that UT would be a good place for someone interested in film specialization. It’s true there’s always something afoot in Austin. </p>
<p>As it has been mentioned upthread that theater is good background for films, I’ll add that this guy did a lot of theater, too. </p>
<p>Richard Linklater (I don’t happen to have any connections to him though haha) is an independent filmmaker from Austin and in the past he has done a lot of his casting locally.</p>
<p>Austin is not Hollywood yet but there’s definitely action there!</p>
<p>My daughter is not really as much of a fit for an enormous flagship school (Oklahoma’s MT would have been the only exception ha) as she is a smallish liberal arts school type, so she did not consider UT for undergrad, but many of her friends who graduated high school last year who were looking for that kind of experience went there, and so far all of them seem to be doing great.</p>
because several schools did give generous offers based on academics. Most of the schools she auditioned for had policies of limiting the amount that the theater department could offer. The one school where she auditioned who did not have that policy in place, gave her a <em>significantly</em> bigger talent offer. (which was gratifying to have a few things offset those rejections!!) Alas, that school also had much more selective academics and instead of being at, or slightly, or a good bit above the mean, which was the case with all her other schools, her stats were just slightly below the mean, and while they did offer her a decent academic award, it was a lot less than the schools where she was above.</p>