<p>early_college.....I don't send my kids to college just for "job traiing." They are in college to get an education. And in the greater world, a person who has a college degree is often better off with more opportunities available to them in ANYTHING. Perhaps they won't make it as an actor. They will have a college degree. A college degree prepares you for anything and not just what your major is in. </p>
<p>As far as acting goes, a very good training program, such as one that is a BFA program, is a great way to become more employable due to being trained well. You do not need the degree to be cast, that's true, but someone who has been through a rigorous training program may be better equipped to do well in the casting world. </p>
<p>If you don't want to go to college, don't. If you want to major in something else, go ahead. If you want to do all you can to be well trained for a career in acting, a professional degree program at a college is a fine stepping stone. If you are in college, you are not going to have the time to take a lot of acting outside of school, not nearly what you can get in an intensive college program. </p>
<p>NYU is an expensive school. Some students, like NotMamaRose's D and my own D, have garnered significant scholarships and loans that has brought the cost down a lot. I don't think either of us are sending our kids there just to become actors. They are going to be educated. As well, they will have a very solid foundation should they become professional actors. But they will also be employable in the work world with their degree. A college major doesn't mean that is hte ONLY kind of job you can get.</p>
<p>Yes I have strong opinions, sorry if I come out as rude NotMammaRose. My whole point was that you don't need to pay 50k a year to become an actor. If you get a scholarship it may be worth it. You don't have to be rich to be a good actor. I personally would love to go to NYU if I got a scholarship. I'm not going to go there and be in debt at 22. It's not worth it in the long run. NYU will help them become a better actor, but it won't get them on Ugly Betty. You need to be a good actor, but you also need to have the look the casting director is looking for. You can be great, but may not have that look. It's all about time and place. You know how many people graduated from Tisch, and how little have made it in this industry. It takes more than good looks and talent. Every actor can improve in something though. I want to do some acting programs, but I have to afford them. Also, did you know students voted NYU the worst for financial aid? </p>
<p>I have nothing against NYU, so please don't think. I may even apply there, but to me it's about the financial aid deal I get. I will apply to the top schools, so I won't be missing out. Any school will help me become a better actor. I may not even go to college for acting, because I can get it elsewhere. Also, I may not see it the same way as you. I don't know much about the MT world at all. But I do know a lot about the film acting side of it. Maybe MT is not about time and place, am I right? NYU may be better for people in MT than screen actors. I also love to learn new things about every program. If I could I would go to all the college's in the world, because there is so much to learn. Thanks, and good luck with your daughter.</p>
<p>You are right that you don't need to attend a school for 50K to become a great actor. But I'm not just sending my kid to NYU to become a great actor. I think it has certainly trained her to become a very good actor. But she has learned a lot by attending and not just about acting. She has become educated. She can go out into the world and do many things, not just act. As far as acting goes, it surely has helped her with that. But NYU has had a significant impact on her beyond just making her a good actor. In other words, some acting classes outside of a college setting could prep you to be a good actor and a college program can do that as well. Ok, equal perhaps on that front. But going to college, or in this case, NYU, has many other benefits beyond what one gets in the acting classes at some place that is not a college. On top of that, her employability in the greater world is increased by the college education compared to taking acting classes some place. It all depends what you are looking for. Attending NYU is not just learning to be an actor. However, in that regard, it is very good at that TOO.</p>
<p>soozievt: I just feel people think you have to go to a school like NYU to become an actor. Any college degree helps you out in life, but it does not have to be as prestigious as NYU. I do agree with lots of the things you are saying, too. The training will help, but you need to build up your resume. You have to learn from past auditions and past mistakes. NYU will help you, but it may take many years until you have your big break.</p>
<p>It will give you an education, but so will all the other 4,000 college's in the USA. You don't have to spend lots of money for it or take out loans. A state school can be just as good. College will help you though!</p>
<p>So my main point is everyone. Your child will get educated where ever they go. I do agree 100% with you sooz. You just don't have to go to a top school to get a good education. I feel some people think that's the only way to get a good education. This has nothing to do with acting, God Bless!</p>
<p>I completely agree that you can get a good education anywhere! The person you are will make you a success and not the name of your college. </p>
<p>Howver, the experiences at each school are different. There are some experiences that my D has had at NYU that she would not be able to have elsewhere. That doesn't make them BETTER but they are different. In terms of just the acting training, she has gotten really solid professional training. She has just gained so much and had so many really great experiences there that may not have happened some place else. For that, it is worth it to us (the paying parents).</p>
<p>Just for an example...our state U costs a lot less. It is a really great university where you can get a fine education. The type of education and the experiences there would be VERY VErY different than the ones she is having at NYU. She wanted to have the sorts of experiences she is having there and that is why it is worth the money.</p>
<p>This thread is way off track - There are plenty of other threads about the topic immediately above. I would like IMHopeful to know that we here at CC are delighted for the good news about Point Park - Hugs all around.</p>
<p>I agree with you sooz. If it's worth it for you and your daughter, congrats. Babar lets change the subject. What do you think of PP? Is the program like CM's?</p>
<p>Oh the irony of it all . . . the day after getting the rejection from Evansville's acting program, she got her acceptance into their honors program and an incredible academic scholarship offer for the school. The letter made a point of saying . . . "while you can't major in theatre . . . ." She really liked the school alot, but obviously wants to pursue theatre. It is going to make for some interesting decision-making in a month.</p>
<p>Which then precipitated the "dad discussion" (luckily only with me) . . . "Is it only me that is worried about her going into a BFA acting program and then being out on the streets homeless when she graduates? Why would you not to a school that is nearly free and get a good education that should lead you to a productive career (whatever that means) instead of paying more to pursue your passion and likely end up unemployed?????"</p>
<p>Ah - that discussion! We've had it with a bit of a twist, you see my daughter was accepted into Yale Early Action, and my husband is beside himself that she's not interested. She applied there because it's where she's wanted to go since she was 10 years old but, in reality, their theatre department just isn't what she's looking for. We live in a small town and everyone is so flabbergasted! My husbands mantra (to me only) is "A mind is a terrible thing to waste." from the old ads. But you know, if your child wants to act there's not much you can do except accept it, it's in their soul and who they are.</p>
<p>IMHopeful, congrats on the offer for Evansville, even if it wasn't for acting! Would your D actually consider going for a different major? I remember this happening last year to a few kids who had auditioned at/applied to Penn State for musical theater. They got the big envelope and excitedly tore into it, only to find that they were offered admission to, say, nursing.</p>
<p>amtc, congrats to your daughter on her acceptance to Yale which is a big accomplishment. I know a lot of kids who got into BFA programs who are extremely talented in theater and/or musical theater who chose to attend Yale and they are having great theater experiences there. It is very strong for a kid who loves theater and wishes to pursue it, even if it is not a BFA.</p>
<p>Her second "love" is music, so she considered that as her backup if she wasn't accepted into any acting programs. She also would consider her BA-non audition schools if she got in there (Northwestern, Yale, Brown, for example), but those are also long shots in a different way! AMTC - I think my husband would also completely lose it if she got into Yale and didn't go -- but she probably would because she was willing to consider their theatre program (maybe along with music). But, I am certainly not expecting that! Congrats to your daughter on an incredible accomplishment!</p>
<p>"What I was going to say is how wonderful I think it is that our kids are putting themselves out there. I marvel at how brave they are. They are learning such valuable life lessons about success, failure, picking yourself back up and keeping at it. All we can do is support and hug them, console them, and celebrate with them. They are amazing!"</p>
<p>IMHOPEFUL - Your daughter is very lucky to have such a supportive parent. What lovely words!</p>
<p>We are having the "this is going to be very expensive, you should major in something else speech" at my house also. It is very hard when Dad is not on board. Does anyone know what is going on with the Pace acting/MT BA notices? I read that the BFA MT acceptances got emails or phone calls. Anything about the other areas? This is torture. My d and other s also went through this waiting for audition results and it is horrible.
On the other hand, my daughter didn't get into her first or second choice and couldn't be happier at her third choice, now a sophomore.
Any news on Pace or NYU?</p>
<p>D got a rejection from purchase and acceptance from USC on the same day. USC acceptance is for the BA program, but the letter said that they hadn't finished decisions/recommendations on BFA and that we would be notified of that separately. Dad is much more supportive of the USC option (even though it costs a small fortune) vs a conservatory with "little else to offer" -- his words, not mine!</p>
<p>kgtaylor, NYU's decisions come out for April 1. The only kids who will hear prior to that for NYU will be the students who have been invited to the Saturday at the Square event on April 4, and those letters have been arriving for the past week or so. This is an event for the group of students who NYU wants to convince to attend Tisch when the official notices are out April 1. The majority of kids will get their letters sometime around April 1. Don't give up hope yet.</p>