New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts

College Majors Theater/Drama Majors
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<p>maudelebowski and actingbug…</p>

<p>I am not on any type of witchhunt in any shape or form! </p>

<p>My questions are for two reasons. The first reason is that I am a college counselor who advises applicants to college theater programs. I had not heard of this program and was reading this thread along with everyone else. Questions arose for me after reading various posts and I assumed since the admissions director for this program was participating, and offered to answer any questions posed of him, I would learn more so that I could understand this school and become more familiar with it as the nature of my job is such that I recommend colleges and theater programs to prospective students. I read many threads on CC to learn of programs and people’s experiences at them to inform myself so that I can guide students in their college selections. I had no idea that the types of questions I asked which are TYPICAL QUESTIONS asked of any college theater program would be an issue for a college rep to answer. It’s funny but I just sent off a list of questions to one of my juniors that he should ask at theater departments on his college visits and in his exploration of schools. The questions I asked here are the kinds of things that prospective families SHOULD ask. </p>

<p>How are those a witch hunt and how am I showing off? I am relating what I know about college admissions since the rep from this school first assumed that I, and/or others, did not understand how the process works. I mentioned where I was coming from to give some perspective that I have some clue as to how admissions works as not only do I have a graduate degree in Education, have taught at five colleges, have been the parent of two college graduates (including a BFA in Drama student), and am a college counselor who advises students and their families on college admissions, including to theater programs. Not everyone on CC is new to the college process and I could see that this member is NEW TO CC and likely did not realize that and so I pointed that out and not to “show off”. Anyone who has been on the Musical Theater or Theater Majors Forum or other forums on CC for some time, know who I am (just look at my post count that is just since Aug., 2004 when the post counts started new but I have actually been on CC since the summer of 2002, a total of seven years). </p>

<p>The second reason I was asking questions for clarification as I did not understand the information that the adcom was sharing here…is because I care about CC and the information that is on these message boards and that it be accurate since a huge number of people visit these forums to gather information. And so as much clarity as possible would benefit all who read here and want to learn about this program (and others). I was asking on behalf of all who were reading the thread. I was not the only one confused, either.</p>

<p>I have nothing against this program/school/conservatory as I had never heard of it until I had read this thread. I wanted to learn more and understand what I was reading. I am not picking on this school whatsoever. Had it been about ANY other school and I had read similar posts, I would be asking similar questions! And we have an adcom here and so I thought I would get the real information from the horse’s mouth, as they say. The answers are not that forthcoming. I think it is the answers themselves that are hurting the school on this thread, NOT the questions. The questions are questions that are asked on CC ALL THE TIME about ALL programs. However, we tend to be able to get this information readily about almost all other programs. I did not know these were trick questions or witch hunt questions. </p>

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<p>Ya see, my “endless questions” are due to the statements that have been made that are NOT TRUE and thus, I asked for clarification as they appear misleading. The admissions director stated that 180 are ACCEPTED. The website says that 180 are ACCEPTED. That is impossible if they have 180 slots available. Why would a school make it sound like out of 4000 applicants, that only 180 are accepted? You are right. OF COURSE THEY ACCEPT MORE THAN 180! But why would the website and admissions director state they ONLY accept 180??? It is misleading. I have never seen another school do this. The school’s website says that 5% are admitted. That can’t possibly be true. The way you state an acceptance rate is you take how many applied (not how many were seen at festivals and conventions) and how many were admitted. But what NYCDA seems to be doing, if I am following the posts and website correctly, is saying how many were seen at conventions, festivals and other individual auditions (4000) and then using the YIELD (180) which is not the same as the number ACCEPTED, to state an acceptance rate. This is not how it is done. </p>

<p>I don’t understand what I am showing off. I care about the readers on CC and that they get accurate information. Some are new to college admissions and so need to understand what it is they are reading here. CC has threads that list how many apply and how many are accepted and how many enroll at many theater programs. I could not safely state if NYCDA were to be added to such a list (or even in materials I send my clients) that they have a 5% acceptance rate and that 4000 apply and only 180 are accepted even though the admissions director here implied those figures. </p>

<p>It would be REALLY great if we could all get the correct information. Otherwise, I believe the posts by the reps hurt, rather than help. I was really eager to learn more about this program as I have occasionally had students who have considered two year programs and I don’t know enough about NYCDA to recommend it to them and I know even LESS now that this thread has such unclear information on it.</p>

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<p>The admissions director stated here on this thread:</p>

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<p>People want to learn more about this program. Here is a great chance to share information about it for those of us who know nothing about it. Did he mean there truly is nothing he can’t or won’t answer honestly? Since he offered…we’re asking…and not truly understanding the answers. </p>

<p>NotMamaRose wrote:

</p>

<p>I agree that the admissions officer should know these facts and figures and be willing to share them like all other schools do and particularly since he offered right here to ask any question of him and he’d answer. That’s all we are doing. The answers have only added more confusion and therein lies the problem. The problem is not the questions. These questions are asked of ALL schools by ALL prospective families and are very very common questions that should be asked.</p>

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<p>I would also like to mention I actually saw NYCDA at AMTC in 2006. They were giving away scholarships and I’m not sure if they still go there. I’m still open about the summer program and thanks to the person who shared the info. I called and asked about the summer program months ago and the person on the phone was very nice. I think I may try for the scholarship for 2009-2010. But the link she gave me is wrong and it was for this year in Orlando. Do you have the correct link, so I know when your coming to my city and so that I can try out for a scholarship for the summer program? </p>

<p>I agree with soov and NotMamaRose 100% though. Soov has been on these boards way before any of us and she honestly comes on and tries to help every single person. All she wanted was to learn more about the program, but the answers are misleading. It sounds like the adm. person is going around the questions. I am also saying this from a 15 yrs old point of view, lol. Also, I would love and thank soov for all the work she has done for me personally. I don’t know if Simon’s Rock is going to work out, but if it doesn’t NYU is and will be my number 1 choice. Chapman will also considered and so will other programs. I think for me personally, I am looking for a liberal arts education for my undergraduate be career. I think a MFA is more for me, but may not if I don’t go to the Rock. Anyways, acting is not my only option. I also have a passion for screenwriting and print journalism. So, we will see where it takes me.</p>

<p>In conclusion, thank you soov and I also forgot to thank NMR. You both have helped me and soov is just trying to learn more about the school. She would like to have a better answer to her students than, “I don’t know much about NYCDA”. I also don’t think it is right to question her, when she has been here a lot longer and is just trying to help in the long run. I myself have done it many times, but soov is a great help. I myself would like to learn more about the program and if I go to the summer program I will tell you more info. God Bless!</p>

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<p>I’ve been on CC long enough to get suspicious when one or more posters magically appear in one thread only to comment when someone is asking questions about a particular program, and who have never been on CC before, nor do they participate in any other discussion or on any other CC forum. Talk about fishy.</p>

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<p>Sorry Always, don’t care about your kids school, only mine. Where does your kid go, I’ll comment about theirs. Would that make it better? Sorry if I’m not as “good” or “senior” as you. What a nasty comment, you should be ashamed.</p>

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<p>Apologies for the delay in responding… May is so hectic, isn’t it?!</p>

<p>Maud - I think it’s great that your daughter had such a positive experience. It’s very thoughtful of you to share her successes on cc for others to read. </p>

<p>Thank you for mentioning the importance of doing research. It is, yes, very important that parents do adequate research on prospective schools. Of course, I did research the school, though I admit to not flying from FL to NY to look at a school which was giving me a negative feeling. My research - online, local drama coach w/ experience in NY, former conservatory student from New England, college advisor/friend, and calling and speaking to the school directly - did noting to redirect my concerns regarding the way their contact with my D was handled. I do not believe it was an oversight. I believe it was an effort to fill their local audition spots.</p>

<p>You are correct, the cost was not $6,000. It was $5,920. </p>

<p>My findings and feelings about the “come audition for us” experience are shared for the benefit of the group. I would hate for a familiy to be taken-in by what I felt to be a bait-and-switch tactic. That would be a shame.</p>

<p>I’m thankful that you had opposing findings and feelings. It would be terrible if the school did both things - contacting prospective students and educating young talent - badly. It sounds like they’re doing the later well in your experience and that’s good.</p>

<p>Both of our sharings will benefit those who read this thread, especially those like early_college, by helping them to be well-informed.</p>

<p>As a theatre goer, I applaud your D’s opportunities and success. She is blessed to have your strong support. </p>

<p>As my D is to have mine, even when it protects her from a stealthy sales pitch. </p>

<p>sooz - As a mom and an educator, I thank you for your advocacy of young artists. Questioning and obtaining accurate information is part of advocacy - though it’s not always an eady or comfortable part of it!</p>

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<p>Maud- Why get so nasty, lol? You just come out of no where and always has been here way longer. You just happen just to post on this thread, right.</p>

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<p>Sorry, Maude, but I won’t feel ashamed about what I said. I didn’t comment on your kid’s school, simply on the fact that the questions asked here were not being answered completely by the individual who is representing the school. In addition to that, some of the information which has been provide by him/her has not been entirely accurate. Combine that with the fact that many of those here who are very familiar with the theatre world and with theatre college admissions know very little about this program, and you’re going to get people delving more deeply into the issue. This is a valuable resource for kids going down this path and it’s important to have accurate and complete information available to them and to their families. </p>

<p>To then have a couple of new members appear to comment on the program, members who haven’t participated before or since in any other discussion, is suspicious to those of us who have been around for a while, simply because it has happened before and eventually proven to be not exactly as presented on the forum. If that is not the case now, that’s fine, but it’s how it appears to us from experience. If you’re happy with the program, great! It doesn’t help your case to attack and accuse a longtime member, counsellor, and probably the most knowledgeable person on the forum about college admissions, of conducting a witch hunt, when, in fact, all she was doing was attempting to get accurate information. You can read the various and assorted discussions on the forum to see that how “good” or “senior” a member is has no impact on how I, or anyone else!, is going to reply to someone seeking assistance. A couple of weeks ago, I posted a comment about a photographer whose work I had seen and had been so impressed with, and an offer to provide the information to anyone interested. I ended up emailing that information out to close to 75 people after they requested it, and actually spent a lot more time on it than I had imagined I would. That’s what is typically done here every single day, helping others by sharing our knowledge and experience. Susan is the epitome of a helpful individual and she didn’t deserve your comments.</p>

<p>The request for information made by her would be made for any program which is virtually unknown and un-discussed here. That’s the whole point of the forum, to be able to discuss any and all programs honestly and completely. The reluctance on the part of this program to provide certain information is unusual. I have seen that at NO other program in all the years I’ve been involved in this issue, and that’s a long time because my D graduated two years ago.</p>

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<p>I recently audition for NYCDA and they gave me a $750 scholarship and are placing me with other student actors that are my age. for those who have been through their summer program (i am going to the first session this year) can you tell me what to expect and what i should bring?</p>

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<p>I don’t think it will work out. If it’s $6000, I would need a full scholarship and $750 isn’t much. I just reread and it said you only can get half and $3000 is still too much money. I really liked Tisch’s program in Dublin, hopefully we win the lottery. Do they give any scholarships?</p>

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<p>qweenmildred i too auditoned for the summer program. i got a similar schlorship but unfornatly and not able to attend. i would have been in session 1 as well.
i talked to a girl at he auditons that went to the summer program and is now trying out for the conservatory program and she loved it . she said ti was very intense and tiring, it is basicaly like going to summer school. you get the weekends for yourself and really get to know the city. she said it alot of technique and depending on what teacher you get alot of performance.</p>

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<p>Adm: I am new to this site and in truth I am a member only because I found this thread and wanted to know more. I have been researching NYCDA for the past few months. NYCDA was the first school I found that completely fit my interests and preferences for training outside of high school. As I am just about finished my Junior year in high school I am getting ready to start sending out college applications and would like to know if you have a recommended deadline for applying to NYCDA? I have visited your website but haven’t found that information. If you could let me know that would be wonderful. I look forward to auditioning with you this coming year.</p>

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<p>I have read with interest the comments about the NYCDA. If it is important, let me state that I have two undergraduate degrees and a master’s degree and live with a woman I have called my wife for some 36 years who has two undergraduate degrees and a master’s degree as well. I am a professional with my own practice. None of our degrees are education nor theatre/acting oriented. Now you know from whence I come. I am really, really curious what all of the blabber is about. If you want to know more about the school, pick up the phone and call them. Yes, their website has alot of information, but you will get more via a call. And does it matter if they audition 4,000 or 1,000, or even 500? I would think the bigger concern is the quality of the educators. It has been oft said, after you graduate from whatever school, not many people are going to care whether you got your degree from Yale (no offense to the Harvard folk) or in the mail. It is what you were taught and what you do with that learning that is important. Now, all of that said, my son attended a performing arts high school for the final two years of his high school education. Between his junior and senior year, he attend the Summer in the City with NYCDA and absolutely loved it - the educators, the curriculum, the environment, the city (what’s not to love about the city). Pricey? Maybe a little. But not a major bump from other high level programs. (He had done other summer programs that were far cheaper and, well, they were just that.) While he was at the summer program at NYCDA, he auditioned for the two year program and was subsequently invited to attend. He just finished up the first year of the two year program and I am pleased with the education he received. But the story does not stop there. You see, in the present industry, it seems that there is a constant weeding out of the weaker - whether it be going into the second year of NYCDA or after graduating from a four year degree. (What is the % of graduates working in the industry after graduation? 5 years after graduation? 10 years after graduation? - To me, those are the questions that folks should be asking.) Well, it seems at NYCDA, your ticket to the second year of the two year conservatory is “by invitation only”. They tell you this up front. The first year is intense, but the second year even more so. But the second year is where the meat of the program lies. This is off of their website: “Advancement into the second year is by invitation only and is based on teacher evaluations, academic standing and final performances reviewed by the Academic Committee”. Because of this and attrition and various and asundry other reasons, the second year class is considerably smaller than the first. This weeding process should not cause alarm. They will tell you at orientation to the first year that if you were accepted into the two year program to start with, “these are the things you will need to do and accomplish” to get into the second year. The only complaint I have had with the school thus far is that the letters of invitation to the second year do not get sent out until early June, leaving those that do not make the cut somewhat handicapped. Now, I understand why it takes that long, but it still is problematic. That said, my son indicated that those that did not make the cut knew who they were. And he was way more confident about his situation than I thought he should be - for his own good. But by the grace of God, he did, just Friday, receive his letter of invitation to the second year. Woohoo! As to working during the program, it is all a matter of commitment. Since you are being trained by people working in the industry, the instructor’s schedule will dictate when classes meet. And the school will tell you that you should plan on being available for class Monday through Saturday from 8:30 in the morning until 10:00 at night. And again, the schedule will be dictated by when the instructor can be there. I really, really like the part about being taught by those that are currently working in the industry. Well, my fingers are getting tired. But the bottom line is NYCDA, like any other school out there, is not for every body. But if you fit its mold, and it fits you, hang on tight, because the ride will be fast and furious.</p>

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<p>This thread has so many one-post-wonders endorsing this school that I find it weird and a bit shady, I’m not gonna lie.</p>

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<p>Hi rfassett, </p>

<p>Welcome to College Confidential. </p>

<p>First and foremost, what is really important, in my view, is that your son (and you) is very pleased with the education and training he is getting at NYCDA. As a parent myself, there is nothing I care more about than my kids being happy with their schools and that they have gotten a lot out of those schools. I agree with you that it is not as important in terms of success which school you attend compared to what you make of your education. Certain schools fit certain kids and it sounds like your son has found a school that is what he wants. That is certainly what we all want for our kids. </p>

<p>You wrote:</p>

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<p>One thing I agree with is that if you are considering a school, you need to research it directly online and visit and call and talk to current students and faculty. CC, however, has many readers and not everyone who is reading this thread is a college applicant, including myself. I had never heard of this school until I stumbled upon this thread. What has occurred here is that someone who appears to be the admissions director for NYCDA is posting on this thread (like other college reps do all over CC), and offered to answer any questions about his school. Thus, members on CC are posing questions where they are hoping that someone who is a rep from this school will be able to give direct answers. It is not like another thread where one can’t be sure if the information they are getting is correct as participants are the general public but in this case, the rep from the school is participating and asking readers to pose questions. Seems like this is an opportunity to get questions answered directly from the admissions person. Since many here are not considering applying, they don’t need to call the school but do want to know more about it and have someone who is offering to answer questions. </p>

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<p>It doesn’t matter how many they audition or admit but what matters is that when one reads a school’s website or asks an adcom (such as one who is participating here) that information (very very common information for any college or acting training program), that the information is correct and accurate and not misleading. Right now, it is all quite unclear to many who are reading this thread and there is a lot of mixed information. </p>

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<p>It appears that NYCDA has a cut program after the first year from what you are describing. Cut programs have been discussed at length on CC on other threads. I personally do not support cut policies based on talent/performance/evaluation. So, it seems that NYCDA is not that selective for the initial admissions to the program but is more selective after the first year and cuts/weeds out students at that juncture. Many other programs, such as my D’s BFA, do not “cut” or “weed out” ever during the four years of the program. The “cut” is at the point of admissions into the school. It is not as if all the kids who make the cut into the second year at NYCDA will have successful acting careers. There are no guarantees. The same goes for those who make it through four years of many BFA programs, where there are no guarantees of work. It is not as if NYCDA graduates will all work because the schools weeded people out after a year. By the way, congratulations to your son for making the cut into the second year of his program! Bravo! </p>

<p>NYCDA graduates have no more chance in securing work than graduates of other acting programs. Many talented young adults graduate from all these programs. It is a very iffy field and even if you do find work as an actor, it is not permanent and there is no way of knowing from year to year. Speaking as a parent of a just graduated actor from a BFA program that is highly selective, we had no illusions about the career prospects. A cut within the program would not have increased the odds in any which way. So far, my kid has gotten lucky. She got an agent right before graduating. She had a job in her field lined up for this summer months ago, and started auditioning just a few weeks ago right after graduation and got cast from one of her first auditions that took place just six days after graduating and will get her Equity card. We did not expect it and have no clue if when these jobs end, if she’ll get new ones. I do believe that my D’s BFA program has led to opportunities and each person must weigh all that when selecting a college theater program. </p>

<p>By the way, the faculty in her BFA program are also working professionals in the industry and so I don’t think NYCDA is unique in that way but it is a good thing of course. </p>

<p>I agree with you about a person fitting a school and the school fitting the student. I’m glad that your son has found his fit in NYCDA and I’m glad that my child found such a good match for her in her BFA program as well. </p>

<p>CC is a place to learn about colleges and admissions and for people to share their experiences. Yes, CC cannot replace contacting a school directly or visiting it. But it is still a wealth of information including first hand accounts (thanks for sharing your son’s) and sometimes, college reps, like the one from NYCDA, participate and it is an opportunity to have some questions answered on this discussion forum. The adcom has not posted recently but he did offer to ask questions. People are asking. Some of the answers have led to more questions; that’s all. I don’t think of that as “blabber”. This is a highly active forum (look at the view counts!) and people read and discuss to learn more. Here we have an adcom offering to respond to questions. What a great opportunity to provide information that is not clear on the website. It is a chance to share specifics that people want to know about. Things like how many apply and are accepted are very common data points that all colleges share and should share, so that applicants can build appropriate college lists and ascertain the selectivity of the schools on their list and their chances of admission. Hopefully questions posed here will be answered as offered by the school’s rep after all.</p>

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<p>Well said soovievt!!! :)</p>

<p>I have a question, lol. Do you think credits can transfer to other BFA programs out there? I remember admissions for NYCDA said you can, but the programs they offer aren’t really that great. I don’t think I would want to go to Northern Colorado or go to a three tier school in NYC. No offense though. Can those credits transfer to NYU? Would it be worth it and would you have to start all over as a freshman. I think it may be good for some people, but who knows. I also don’t think you would be aloud to do any of the advance studio’s at Tisch, if you did that. Thanks!</p>

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<p>It seems to me that you are trying to “pigeon hole” this school. It just does not fit the mold. The school, at any given time, probably does not have more than 275 students (and that number could be high). And I sense a comparison to much larger schools. Comparison in the sense that you expect it to have all of the things that the other schools have. I am not making any affirmative statements here, but rather just formulating the argument. A larger school may have a very large staff in their admissions office, for example. Whereas a school the size of NYCDA may only have one or two people in that office. They just do not have the resources that the other schools have. Try to keep that in mind when trying to pull together information that may just not be available. Also, the sense that there are one-post wonders, again, may have to do with the size of the pool. It would seem to me that no news in this case may be good news. Since bad news seems to travel very fast, if your research does not dig up some dirt on the school, perhaps, and I am just saying perhaps, you can conclude that there is no, or very little, dirt. I have researched this school until I am blue in the face - but only from the perspective of whether it is a good fit for my son. I posted earlier, I am real big on higher education, and this school in my opinion, for what it is designed to accomplish, has very few, if any, holes. Do I think that my son is guaranteed a job when he graduates? Absolutley not. An actor, across the board, has to come to the conclusion that he/she is a business and he/she needs to approach their career in that manner. The product they have to sell is themselves. And they will have to sell that product repeatedly, throughout their career, unless they are fortunate enough to become a marquee name. And they will have to continually improve that product in order to stay competitive. For my son, NYCDA will continue to build the foundation that was begun in the Musical Theatre program at the performing arts high school that he attended. I do believe, however, that when he graduates from NYCDA he will be a very marketable product - and he could very well be working in a very short order after graduation. Well here is something that is not, at least I do not think it is, common knowledge yet. NYCDA was formerly known as The New York School for Film and Television. A year or two ago, the name was changed - and so were some other things. Previously if you were a student in the two year program you were in year one or year two. Now you are in the platform year (year one) or the Film and Television Year (year two) or the Theatre Year. My understanding is that the Theatre Year is by invitation only and can be taken in lieu of the Film and Television Year or in addition to that year. Here again, we need to talk about the numbers. My understanding is that only 14 students are being invited into the Theatre Year for the class starting in the fall. The fact that upstairs from the school is “Three of Us Studios” does not hurt either. I am not sure if there is a connection between the school and the studio, but something sticks in my mind that there is, but I will have to check into that further.</p>

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<p>Soov has just been asking questions she would ask to any general school. These are just simple questions, not that hard to answer. Admissions has been circling around them though. It being a small school has nothing to do with it. Things haven’t been adding up and Soov has been trying to ask questions to help students who ask about the school. Soov knows A LOT about different acting programs and is just a concerned counselor. </p>

<p>Congrats on your son making the cut. I’m curious, how many do they usually cut? Thanks!</p>

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<p>We are going to have to agree to disagree. As a business person myself, I disagree with your comment that size does not matter. Take it down to the local level. Does the one-man used car lot offer the same services offered by the franchised dealerships? Size does make a difference as to what ancillaries items get addressed. My understanding is that as many as two thirds of a first year group were not invited back. I do not believe that is the case every year. And I do not believe that there is a preset number that make the cut. Although I could be wrong. But the important point is the fact that they will tell you at the beginning of the first year what you need to accomplish to make the cut - so the burden is on you to perform to their standards.</p>

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<p>rfassett, </p>

<p>I have no interest in pigeon holing this school, whatever that means. I am interested in all schools of all types…regular colleges, colleges for theater, BA, BFA, BM, conservatories, two year certificate programs, and so on. NYCDA is not a school I had known of before this thread, but I am now aware (before your post) that the school was previosly known as New York School for Film and Television, which admittedly, I had heard of (my kid went to college in NYC) but knew nothing about. But I do read this forum and so I got interested in what I was reading here and I didn’t understand some things and we had an adcom who was offering to field questions. I advise many students applying to college and a large number of them are pursuing either straight theater/acting or musical theater and so the more I learn about other options out there, the better and so I started following this thread to learn more. I don’t know a lot more now than before but I do know a little (your post has been informative on a few things). More questions were raised by some of the answers the adcom gave. The size of the school is irrelevant when it comes to very basic questions such as how many apply and audition and how many are accepted and how many enroll. This is so basic that every school knows it and can state it. In fact, NYCDA has a statement on their website and then the adcom here made some statements and some of it was not clear and he also was inferring that it was confidential information, yet every other school releases such information. It is commonly on their website and in the college theater directories. In one directory, this school did list an acceptance rate but it didn’t jive with what I wsas reading here but it was also an older edition. This is something that EVERY person inquiring about the school likely asks on the college visits and on calls. So, I’m not sure why this information is so difficult to obtain. It is precisely the kind of information that an applicant NEEDS to know in order to build her/his college list accordingly in terms of assessing their odds at each school and so forth. </p>

<p>In NO way am I comparing this school to all other schools. For one thing, it is a two year program, and not a college degree. So, it is apples to oranges and so I’m not comparing every factor. But sharing information about acceptance rates and so forth is a common denominator for ANY school regardless of type or size. But if I WERE to compare this school to others, I would do so with other two year certificate programs naturally. </p>

<p>Again, I am pleased to read that you are so pleased with the education your son is receiving at NYCDA and I am not in any way doubting the merits of it as I have no knowledge of it to say. I’m glad you feel he’ll graduate and be “marketable” as well. As a parent, while I know my kid is entering a very competitive field, I also feel her training was superb and she made many connections that have led to opportunities. I hope that for your son from parent to parent. I’m not comparing my kid’s school to your kid’s. I don’t need to. I never said her school was the best but simply that she (and we) have been 100% pleased with it. It isn’t for everyone but it was great for her. I am sure you feel the same about your son’s school. It is a great match for him and you are pleased. All is good. </p>

<p>early_college…re: Post #92…
I cannot definitely answer for you about credits at NYCDA transferring to a school like NYU. You would have to check with NYU and also probe NYCDA (maybe the adcom can help you out on this thread with this question which surely has arisen in his admissions office before I bet). But at NYU, usually transfer students, while they may get sophomore year standing at the university, must start in the first year of the Tisch BFA program in the studio. That is when they transfer from a regular university and not a place like NYCDA where there are no liberal arts credits (I don’t think) to transfer and it is not a regular college. My gut feeling is that even if you got sophomore or junior year standing, you’d have to start in studio at the first year of training in primary studio at Tisch. And generally speaking, transfers must spend two years in primary studio before they may audition to get into any of the advanced studios at Tisch, including Stonestreet. As well, I know I have mentioned this to you before, the odds of admission to Tisch as a transfer student are lower than as a freshmen applicant and it is already highly selective for freshmen applicants. My advice is to not enter the college admissions process with the thought of transferring into a BFA. I would apply to college from the get go as a freshmen applicant into the colleges of your choice. Much easier, but still quite tough, path for BFA applicants. I know you want to go to Simons Rock College first, but I still feel your best bet is to enter a four year college as a freshmen in order to get into all the levels of the degree program you hope to study (be it at Tisch or any school) and particularly given your interest in double majoring, which again may be harder to accomplish as a transfer student compared to staying in one place for four years.</p>