What are some colleges that are LESS competitive than CMU, Ithaca, NYU, Syracuse and Emerson? (thinking those would be my reach schools)
Also, how competitive is Marymount Manhattan and Pace? Does anyone know anything about CCPA or SUNY Fredonia? Thanks all!
I would say Marymount Manhattan would be considered “less” competitive than those on your list (while still a tough admit) but Pace would be similar (in terms of odds of admission, very low) to those on your list. What about Point Park in Pittsburgh? I know their program has been changing, but might be “easier” than CMU - after all, it could hardly be harder!
Thanks for your answer! What do you mean by changing?
@beccaW444, I know a little bit about CCPA if you have any specific questions. It is pretty far from Boston/NY or Pittsburgh, though. My S also applied and got into Pitt’s theater program with pretty good scholarship, but decided not to go because it was more a “teaching theater” than “doing theater” kind of program.
Lol. If we’re comparing to CMU than most schools in the country are easier. Point Park said they’re auditioning 1000 kids for 28 MT spots this year. (ie not easy). ‘Less competitive’ in Western PA would be Seton Hill, Clarion, IUP. Kent State is nearby. I think Youngstown state has something. Temple might be a lil higher competition, but not ridiculous, if your ok with Philly.
@BeccaW444 - as I understand it (and I don’t know much, was not on D’s list, though she has friends there) the program used to admit students, and then you auditioned into the BFA (at end of freshman year?) So it was easier to “get in” to the school, but then you might/might not make it into BFA. And now they are being more traditional and doing BFA at the beginning. I could be totally wrong- someone please correct me if I am.
Before this year at Point Park, you still had to audition for the MT BA. However, they took 40 students or so that could then audition into the BFA program. As I understood it the BFA was/is more concentrated but the training was so good for both the BA and BFA that many students decided not to audition for the BFA. Now they are choosing 28 people for the BFA off the bat. So I don’t think it was easier to get in per se, but the odds were a little better.
You’re correct. This is the first year of direct to BFA for MT and for Acting. They still have the BA for Theatre that doesn’t require an audition.
What was that one called? Pitt?
University of Pittsburgh
@GSOMTMOM thank you for the information on Point Park. We had not looked into that change yet!
Could you tell me about CCPA? Is the campus safe? How hard is it to get into? Is there no opportunity to learn any thing in a minor?
Ccpa is right downtown and reasonably safe. It is probably less difficult to get into than some of the schools we talk about in this board but not exactly easy. It’s a straight conservatory so tou can’t minor in other aubjects.
Just a small correction— Point Park’s COPA requires an audition for both the BFA and the BA. The Point Park page shows that two girls, who auditioned for the program have been accepted. One into the BFA in Musical Theatre, another into the BA in Theatre. From how I understand it and this came from a student who works the auditions and not from the administration, Theatre Majors will choose a minor in MT and will take their COPA classes with the MT and Acting majors. This is exactly how they do it now. BA’s will have more required gen eds and less MT requirements. They will still have dance and voice and will still audition for all shows. Currently, there is no hierarchy among the students about the two degrees. I’m hoping that that remains the same. The BA allows for graduating in three years. This year three BFA MT juniors have chosen to graduate early with a BA degree.
@BeccaW444 some schools that you may want to consider include:
LIU Post (NYC Area)
Molloy/CAP21 (NYC Area)
Fairleigh Dickinson (NYC Area)
Montclair State (NYC Area)
Rider (NYC Area)
U Arts (Philadelphia)
I do not mean to make any implication about the relative competitiveness of these schools, except to note that many/most of them offer walk-in slots at Unifieds and/or attend Thespian Festivals to recruit students, unlike most of the schools named in the initial list in the OP. All auditioned-based programs are competitive for admission.