<p>I am getting a little use to this. I enjoy reading the few comments I have time for, and am figuring out slowly how to make my way around the site. That being said, I hope I am not asking for a repeat of information already given. </p>
<p>We are looking at multiple schools and most of them are mentioned on everyone's list, however, I would like to hear more about the schools that might be hidden gems or schools that are not getting all the rank. There are alot of people on this site which means alot of kids, so somebody is not getting into the school they want or have as 1st choice, 2nd choice, and maybe even 3rd choice.</p>
<p>I told my daughter that you hear all the time about actors out there who never took a class, never went to college, and had no training whatsoever, and they break out. That being said you still need to prepare, give a 100%, and go for it and what happens will happen. </p>
<p>I am going to start by helping her look for the best college for the money that fits her style. As I mentioned before she is not big into academics so I need to start with the BFA programs that are conservatories or at a University that fits someone like her. </p>
<p>If it helps, briefly, here is some information: She is a junior, she currently attends a boarding school of the art's, she has been to summer arts programs, and all she wants to do is act. She does well in school all A's and B's, however, is not a good test taker, and will most likely do average on tha SAT/ACT which she has agreed to take without me forcing:). She plans on spending the rest of her life as an actor and this will be fine with me. Do what you love and learn to live off of the money you make doing that. This is contentment and will make you more happier then alot of money doing what you don't like or had no plans on doing.</p>
<p>My D is tech, but is not a big fan of academics. She has multiple learning issues and is horrible at standardized testing. After reading and messaging and reading some more, we made several lists of schools. She did apply to some of those super reach schools, but she also applied to some others. However, these are auditioned schools, so they are still difficult to get into-just not as difficult as those super reach ones.</p>
<p>Otterbein
Coastal Carolina
Wright State
Virginia Commonwealth
Evansville
Webster
Shenandoah
Point Park</p>
<p>Some of those are more well known than others, but it might give you an idea.</p>
<p>By the way, her really big reach schools were CMU and UNCSA.</p>
<p>Thank you UGADOG, I am assuming this is University of Georgia Bulldogs:) My daughter is an acting major(TV and Film focus). I am a little bit overwhelmed with all the information and trying to take it slow. Whew. I am almost getting confused, however, thank you for the different list. I did see another section that talked about some of these schools and I am going to reseach them. My daughter went to UNCSA last summer and loved it and will most likely apply for the BFA program. CM seems to be more Musical theatre and very academic. I have some knowlegde of CM as a school and it is wonderful, however, not sure it is a fit for my daughter. We did however look at the summer program. Thanks again.</p>
<p>You mentioned in a post that your daughter is interested in TV/film acting. Take a look at Chapman University in Orange CA. It is about an hour south of LA. Not many schools have TV/Film acting as a concentration. The schools proximity to LA is a plus for TV and film.</p>
<p>One other thing. This may be an idea. University of Southern California also has a BFA in acting. I know for their screenwriting program students did not have too many academic core classes. Maybe the BFA acting is less stressful core wise as well. She may be able to use her good grades in high school to get into a school like USC. </p>
<p>If you want to be a working film/tv actor I think this is the school for a kid. It’s high on my sons list for that very reason.</p>
<p>I think threed is not concerned with her daughter’s high school grades, she is more interested in the college program’s academic focus. She wants to know which programs are run more like a conservatory…right?</p>
<p>Right, photomom, that’s what I thought. Because of my D’s high school academic issues, we were also looking for colleges without a high concentration on academics. Most of the ones I listed are light on the academics. I just know my D will never survive a traditional academic heavy college. :(</p>
<p>Threed, actually CMU for the BFA kids is not about the academics, either. Oh, and yes, ugadog is UGA. Sadly, neither of my girls wanted to go to Athens.</p>
<p>CMU has just as good a reputation for acting as for musical theatre. Lots of kids who would not apply to other schools that offer both do apply to CMU for acting.</p>
<p>Got it, ugadog! I can tell you that Shenandoah is light on the academics but the classes my daughter has taken (except for math!) she has really enjoyed. That was a nice surprise to her…</p>
<p>My son had dreadful grades, and is very happy in the Acting BFA program at UArts. They have some liberal arts requirements, but nothing onerous (ie. no math, no lab science, no foreign language required). It is in a great location in central Philadelphia. The local arts scene is exciting, and Philly is much more affordable for young people than NYC, Boston, etc. They are overhauling the curriculum, allowing more flexibility for minors and interdisciplinary studies in the future.</p>
<p>You all keep me from having a nervous breakdown about my son’s grades. Apparently, he’s not the only kid out there who can learn every line in a show but won’t study for a social studies test. It’s good to know there might be a college out there for him too.</p>
<p>LOL! dcsparent - that very fact always comes to mind when I am watching S perform in a show. How the heck does he learn all of the lines and songs for a show, but can’t learn math facts?!?!?!</p>
<p>But of course, I know the answer and so do you. They LOVE learning the play/musical - they hate learning the other stuff!</p>
<p>I think a lot of theater kids mine included have a certain form of attention deficit disorder. The obsession with everything theater/acting related channels their brain and is part of what makes them good at it. But give them something entirely outside of that domain, and particularly with a teacher that doesn’t do anything to energize the subject, forget about it.</p>
<p>^^Also, a lot of them are (like my son) kinetic learners. It took awhile for the lights to go on in BOTH of our heads that since he learned his lines easily if he incorporated the blocking/gestures into his practices, he could apply the same technique to other kinds of content. Moving around, reading out loud, etc., have become helpful techniques across the board. By the way, speaking as a high-school teacher–teenagers who excel at learning when they’re deeply interested in the subject are pretty much the norm…just sayin’!</p>
<p>All of you are making me laugh…and feel much better! I have often said if his teachers would just ask him to sing the material or have him recite the tests from a stage he would do much better!!! My daughter is proving, though, there is a world of difference between the college classes and high school classes. I think when they have a say in what they learn, they do much better sometimes.</p>
<p>The drama kids do have some advantages. They tend to give much better oral reports than their peers, read aloud well, and their accents in foreign language class can gladden the teachers’ hearts.</p>
<p>College students are usually taking fewer classes than high school students, and can usually manage to sleep later.</p>
<p>That is so true, prodesse, and has saved my son’s grades more than a few times. </p>
<p>The other benefit of college, when it works, is sometimes, they actually have an entire day off…my daughter has no classes this semester on Fridays. This will really be helpful when her rehearsal schedules get insane…</p>
<p>My son was MC of the school talent show today. I think our kids should receive extra credit for their courage. I never would have done that in high school.</p>
<p>Me either. I know a drama kid who has exercise-induced asthma and her mom had a huge battle with the school over an idiotic requirement that all students run the mile. She said to the principal, “My daughter could stand up in front of the entire school and sing a solo, something very few people could do, but there is no way she can ever run the mile.” </p>
<p>Another advantage theatre kids have – they’re trained in improv, which comes in handy in so many situations!</p>