<p>txmtmom - I was confused by this also, so I did a search in the main cc discussion and found out that it is considered illegal to place a deposit at more than one school, then reading the fine print in the acceptance response letter for the schools I realized that it could result in admission being denied at both schools!</p>
<p>ohh..ok, i havent put in any deposits as yet...but thanks!..i wont as yet then..</p>
<p>I haven't gone back all the way to follow this thread, but just thought I'd toss in Chapman University in Orange, CA where my daughter will be going next year. Quite small, but I have friends with students there and the small classes mean extra attention. They have a great film dept with an acceptance rate of under 10% this year and just announced they are forming a College of Performing Arts by moving their theatre, dance and music depts together. It appears this will include adding a music theatre major. You start in the BA and after sophmore year, can audition for BFA or stay with BA. Once Chapman puts their mind to a dept, it really takes off. I'm not sure if they accept late applications, but may for Spring '08. Hope this doesn't confuse you more, but just wanted to offer a suggestion.</p>
<p>OK, so i've been waiting a while to post this, but now I have all final decisions from all schools:</p>
<p>MT Acceptances :D:
Baldwin-Wallace
NYU - Tisch/CAP21
Lees-McRae College</p>
<p>Academic Acceptances But Not for MT:
Elon
Penn State</p>
<p>Rejection:
Syracuse</p>
<p>Hey is there anybody here whos D is at Indiana doing the BA program...or did the BA program at Indiana. Because ive been talking to alot of BW people, and hearing so much about the school and BA program im starting to lean towards BW....plus ive heard i can get alot of training there.....so i would love to talk to somebody who went through Indiana, so i can have equal information from both sides...thanks,cause right now im stuck..</p>
<p>Kaylagurl
I have read many of your posts and just want to say your attitude and strength is wonderful. With a positive outlook, and not giving up you will succeed wherever you go. My D loved BW. She was waitlisted and at this point, we don’t expect to hear from them. It is a wonderful school. My D has been accepted to Otterbein MT program and is very happy it is also a wonderful school. I know you were waitlisted for the acting program. We are hoping that you will get off that wait list and she can meet you next year as part of the freshman class. We just hear of a boy that moved off the waitlist in MT just this week. They also have a good nursing program and a BA in theatre. I don’t know much about the BA though. I think that you are doing all of the right things and looking into great opportunities. You are in our thoughts and I know you will make the right choice and be a great success.</p>
<p>well my dad officially broke my heart this morning and i dont believe he realises it..</p>
<p>at the beginning of all these auditions...i wanted to get into school not only for myself, but for my parents, even with Gary's support i was constantly told by my parents, especially my father that was not talented. So I really wanted to show them through these auditions that i could do it. So I did the auditions, and came back that night to abrbados with a staory to tel my aprents about my experience at all my auditions, and all the good things the auditors told me after my auditions, i told them about gary's response and how each school gave me positive feedback..my mom was thrilled...and siad 'you can do this' and my dad said ' well i still don't believe she's talented because I wasnt there to see her perform...and i didnt see them tell her that'..i took that in..but let it go...then for the next few weeks i got rejections CCM,UMich...and my dad seemed satisifed that he was right..and then alot of personal letters from Universities i received urging me that although i wasnt trained i needed to go on... and they described my audition and said i had a very strong talent in all three areas and to continue to pursue...i was really glad for those...even those are some of the school that i received rejections from, i was really glad for the encouragement to continue and that this wasnt the end. My dad saw the letters and was surprised....now more weeks have past (about 2 months actually) and ive just been telling my mom about all my applications and word i have received..the only things i had told my dad were that Michigan had called and said they were considering me (which was around the beginning of march..then they ahd also told me to wait until March 9th to see more auditions etc. to then make their decision...then i got rejected)..and also my waitlist at Otterbein...and actually both times when i told him..all i wanted was a 'congrats, im proud of you' but i never got it.</p>
<p>So all this time has passed...and i have decided ona BA in Theatre major, at Indiana (if i get in) and Baldwin-Wallace....so this morning im telling him about all my schools and my decisions about doing a BA in Theatre major, and the schools i got accepted/waitlisted/rejected from..and like all the news that ive missed out on telling him for a while...and he says 'I cant believe that you still want to do this theatre foolishness...i dont even know these schools!'.. and i was just silent..i didnt really say anything, nows he's getting ready for work and all i can think is...after ive worked so hard, after he has heard so many good things, after i have busted myself to go through this all alone and i wanted to make them proud...hes saying after this two months of both stress and excitement, and hes not even going to say im proud of you..or you can do it...and it just broke me, right now im here and im trying not to cry, cause im stronger than that ive gone through 6 weeks at CMU with first being told i should go back home, to then beign asked to come back so that they could tain me for free..i flew away by myself, with no support or encouragement that i was going to get anywhere, and got so much approval from everybody there, so much compliments..and he cant even say im proud of you..he has to go back to hating the one thing i have truly grown to love....and it just hurts...because if there is one thing i wanted ot get out of these auditions..it was to make him proud.... I really just wanted to make him proud and i hope sometime i can do that..im sorry i posted all this, i just really feel like venting, its becoming so hard to hold things in. I just wanted you guys to realise why im so glad for your support, its keeps me going. I was so glad when i went away, while i was there, for the support from tashmu and evasmom...the hugs of warmth and 'you can go this', from Gary, and from the moment i walked into his audition room Dr. John, who made me feel like anything was possible I was so grateful for it..and i just wanted to thank you guys..so thank you :) very much..for everything :) I really really appreciate it :)</p>
<p>My dad isnt a bad person..i dont want to make him sound like he is..hes amazing, hes an amazing father and i love him so much. But i guess being from the caribbean it has been rooted into him all his life..that this is a wasteful career and i was just hoping that i could change his mind about him..and get him to believe in me....i guess i need more time :(</p>
<p>but thank you guys..thank you for everything :)</p>
<p>and thank you 2BRN2B :)</p>
<p>Kayla-</p>
<p><strong>hugs</strong> from all your US based friends......keep the faith! Perserverance is a needed quality in the world of theater....and no matter what others may say, follow your heart. Be respectful as you appear to have been (they are your parents after all) but stay the course.</p>
<p>MikksMom</p>
<p>kaylagurl...hang tough kiddo!!!</p>
<p>One of the worst things about being a parent is that there just isn't an owner's manual that comes with the kids...and each one is different. There are always exceptions but Dad's often find it very hard to appreciate the arts and artists. We're just built that way and don't even always realize it. Parents are also a product of their parents and environment. His actions don't mean he doesn't love you or wants to hurt you. Take a moment at some oint when you calm down a little and make sure he understands that he may have hurt you without realizing it. No matter what the outcome of this case, you need to keep that relationship open.</p>
<p>Things will work out. It may take longer than you want. It may be that first you have to go to nursing school and content yourself with some acting classes and voice lessons. It may be that you have to go to school a year in nursing and prove yourself to your Dad. It may be that you have to wait until you are on your own. No matter what, just realize that ultimately you are in control of your fate and can find a path to fulfill your passion.</p>
<p>Best wishes!!!</p>
<p>Kayla, my heart goes out to you.
Sending {{{HUGS}}} your way.</p>
<p>Hi Kayla honey, I am sorry you've been hurt. I remember meeting your father on his birthday last summer and yes he is a good man and it was clear to me that he loves you very much and he is proud of you already. I too had a dad who thoughts the arts were not a suitable career and it took many years for him to be able to say the words "I'm proud of you". My guess is that your Dad is worried and anxious about your future and for all of us parents it is very hard to let our babies go into the vast unknown!
You have been doing a terrific job of considering your options and taking things one step at a time. Has Otterbein been able to give you any indication of the chances of getting off the waitlist at this point in time? Why not consider the BA there since you received such great support from Dr. John?
What you have that the schools all recognized is an amazing spirit and personality. I am grateful that you came into Eva's life last summer. We are here for you.</p>
<p>thank you guys :)..im goin to talk to my dad later..i know that he is going to pay for the school i want to go to..but its not all about money...i just want his emotional supprt..and i know it will take him time to get there :)</p>
<p>evasmom...im really glad eva came into my life..she is a really great girl :) and thank you :)...and i did not even think about the BA at Otterbein...i kind fo feel like slapping myself in the head for not thinking about it..lol..does anybody know much about it? I should really -email Dr. John and ask him about it...but i dont want to disturb him</p>
<p>thanks again you guys :)</p>
<p>Kayla,</p>
<p>I think the BA at Otterbein is non-performance. the best thing to do is to call or email the school and see what your options would be with them.</p>
<p>good luck to you. I sent you a PM this morning. hang in there! it will all work out!</p>
<p>the above posters have given you very good advice.</p>
<p>Kayla
I have followed your journey closely because you share a name and sounds like spirit with my D. I am so sorry that your father has dissappointed and hurt you at this time, it is very painful. I don't know you or your family but I thought I might share this with you. There are many, many times I wish my D would do something other than theatre and although proud of her, sometimes that is not the message I send to her. But I so want to protect her from the slings and arrows of the profession. The toll it takes at every audition, success or rejection, the painful hurt this plays on self-esteem. My D seems much better at defraying these than I am, but with my whole body I want to protect her from this even while knowing I can't. I don't know your father at all, but is it possible that his not showing you how proud he is of you is his way of dealing with his fears for you.
As someone above said, there is no manual for parenting and being a parent can be so scary.
You sound like an amazing person, who also has these MT talents, but the amazing person in you will help you succeed and hold strong to who you are.</p>
<p>Kayla, </p>
<p>I would just like to echo what many other caring posters have already written to you this morning.</p>
<p>It is very clear to me that your father loves you very much and you feel the same. Your dad is supporting you by sending you to college. While I personally never thought twice about my child pursuing a life in the arts, I have met or spoken with MANY parents who are NOT keen on their children opting to major in theater in college and try to either persuade their child to choose something else or in some cases, will not support such a quest. While I don't personally feel that way at all as a parent, I observe this to be very common. I think in your dad's case, although I don't know him, his reasons have to do with fear because he wants the BEST for you. He can't see this as a viable option because few make it in the field. While I believe a college education, no matter the major, will benefit you in the long run, and even theater majors are attractive job candidates in many fields, your dad and others don't see it that way. They see it as your trying to make it as a performer and the chances may be slim of that but that is not ALL you can do with your degree. Your dad truly has YOUR BEST interests at heart. It sure would FEEL better if he just said, "I support you in whatever you choose." or as you would like to hear, "I'm proud of you." I do think your dad is proud of you and I do think he supports you and wants the best for you. He just is not sold on the theater major bit. It appears your mom goes along with that more. Actually if you have one parent who supports this idea, it helps as she can also work on Dad :). </p>
<p>Meanwhile....what to do? I would try to calm down and at a less emotional time, tell your dad that you would like to have a "meeting" with him. Part of your meeting can be about explaining the theater major degree and how you fully understand the tough odds at making it as a performer, it is a deep passion for you and you'd like to study in this field. Meanwhile, explain how such a degree will equip you for many things and all sorts of work related to the arts but also you'll have a college degree and many jobs employ people without having to have a major that "matches". Millions of people work in jobs that are not a match with their college major. But their education has been a ticket to a bright future. Explain how you'd like to give this a try but also will be getting an education and the rest remains to be seen. The choice of major is not going to make or break your future. </p>
<p>The second part of the conversation would be to discuss the options you DO have for next year and to articulate very specific reasons why X or Y college appeal to you and what you believe you could do there. Say you get into Indiana and want to go there or to BW (I'm not suggesting these two but YOU mentioned liking these), shower him with tons of information about each school. It is understandable that these schools are unknown to him and so he can't embrace them as much. Make a case for these schools and what you want to do, in an unemotional way but more of an informational way that has a rationale. Put all your options out there and the pros and cons of each.</p>
<p>Put aside waiting to hear your dad say, "I'm proud of you." He is, but just isn't saying that aloud to you right now. Tell him you want to make him proud and that you need to be the one to decide the path of which college and program you wish to study, in order for you to be motivated to pursue it. This is YOUR life and YOUR education. Your parents are paying for it and so they have input but you need to be the driver of this and articulate what you wish to do in college and where you see that as your best option. YOU have to be invested in it. I think your dad supports you in that you say he is willing to pay for you to get a college education. You may not win him over to where you want to go and what you wish to study but you can articulate that you are the one invested in this and you need to pursue your own interests in order to stay motivated to even undertake the education itself. It is OK if he doesn't love where you want to go and what you want to study, because it is YOUR life. For now, you just need to make the case of why certain schools are your best option and also explain that your major will not dictate your future success and that you will explore in college and be equipped to do many things besides be a performer.</p>
<p>Beyond this topic of the moment, I want to just go back to one thing I told you in an earlier post....a BFA is not the end all and be all for you or anyone. There are many ways to pursue your interest in theater. You can earn a BA in theater. You can take courses in it. You can go to a school with many theater opportunities on campus for students. You can get lessons on the side. You can do some training in summers. It is not like either/or....it is not like "I have no BFA program so I must give up training and my pursuits in MT." You can still go on and pursue this interest. You applied to some of the most competitive programs, Kayla, for anyone. Even those who have stronger backgrounds had difficulty getting in. Right now, you have to look at all the options before you for the coming year and pick one. Each stage of your life will be a new learning opportunity and you can take many paths and twists and turns. It is not a black and white situation. There are even those who study something else and also do theater. So, for now, forge ahead, explore your options and make a case, even in writing, to your parents about why certain options are the best match for you at this time. Your parents care about your happiness. Trust me on that.</p>
<p>Kayla - Hang in there. WMonMTDad was right, I think. My father never could support my brother, wholly, even though he has had a very successful career in writing. What I mean by successful is being able to support a family, own a house, etc. He has won awards and had several plays produced off-Broadway, and I'm not even talking about that. Anyway, all my father does is ask my brother, to this day, "are you working right now? I hear it gets even harder to find work at your age." He just doesn't get it and (at 83) never will. Follow your heart, Kayla. You can love and respect your father, but you only need to get the true approval from yourself.</p>
<p>I agree with Lynn. You are becoming an adult and it is your life. While it would feel really great if your parent supported your endeavors, the most important thing is that you make your own choices now for your life as an adult. Your dad may not be behind those choices, but overall, he is behind you.</p>
<p>A lot of times background and life experience also shapes a parent's view of their child's educational decisions.</p>
<p>My father is the oldest of 10 and grew up extremely poor in the rural south at the end of the Depression. He was the first in his family to go to college and through dint of hard labor has become very successful by many standards. Back when I made my college decisions I chose a field and school on my own that worked well and met with his approval, which was helpful (!). But he didn't always agree with future choices. Now, as S is deciding to pursue MT, my wife and I came to grips with it, not easily, but privately and are supportive. My father has concerns about his grandson's choice. Same story...get a way to make a living, something to fall back on. And it has nothing at all to do with a percieved lack of talent. It's all about security and fear, largely based on where HE came from. We've had to assure him that we are all well aware of the issues and that it is not only an informed decision but also OUR decision.</p>
<p>Obviously, there is a difference between how you can handle a parent vs a grandparent. It is essential you be respectful and honor your parents; none of us would have it any other way. But do try to understand where he may be coming from and it may help you understand how you need to approach this whole issue in discussing it with him.</p>
<p>Kayla
I echo everything everyone has said. You have done an amazing job and taking time to share your feelings with your dad might help. I know my Ds dad hard a hard time too.<br>
If you are interested in Otterbein you should call Debbie B. and ask about the wait list. You should also email Dr. John about the BA program. There are no two nicer people in the world and I know you would not be disturbing him. I know the BA students perform or at least that is what was said on the day my D auditioned. There was a BA student that talked at our presentation. You just get to take more of a variety of courses (like nursing maybe).<br>
Hang in there and just keep moving toward you goal even if it takes a curve in the road. You can do it! :)</p>