<p>I’ve heard that Boston Conservatory tends to be rather stingy when it comes to giving out scholarships…is this true?</p>
<p>I have a child who attends BoCo and they were VERY VERY generous. I know these may vary from year to year and I know that boys tend to get significantly larger scholarships than girls since there is more competition among the schools to get them.</p>
<p>My daughter is a 2011 graduate and the "total cost"of attending is generally more costly the most of the MT schools out there. The tuition, fees, private lessons, and incidentals are about 40K. The real kicker is 17K for room and board. Even with a 20K scholarship (which are rare) you are still looking at about 37K. That being said, it is still worth it if you and your parents can figure a way to pay for it.</p>
<p>@BeenthereMTDad - Did the room and board costs decrease when your daughter moved off campus?</p>
<p>Yes and no. We opted for a 2 bedroom apartment 1/2 a block away from the school. She had a roommate and they each paid $925.00 each. The savings came more from cooking and eating at home. There are less expensive apartments the further away you go. I have heard some of the kids went a mile or two away for $600.00 per month. </p>
<p>The best thing you can do to offset the cost there is to become an RA.</p>
<p>So, how do students go about being considered for scholarships? Are they automatically considered by just applying? Tried to find information on their website, but could not locate anything specific. Cost is really high for BOCO, so interested in any help in the way of scholarships, aid etc. We have completed the FAFSA, so that’s done. Thoughts?</p>
<p>You are automatically considered for scholarships.</p>
<p>Question for anyone who might know the answer: How do you go about “negotiating” the final package? For example - if we have scholarships from other schools, can we use them as negotiating tools to secure additional scholarships from the #1 choice school? Just wondering about the best way to approach this???</p>
<p>Go in person and ask for more. I did and received an extra 5K/yr.</p>
<p>At most schools, the financial aid officers hate to hear the word ‘negotiate’–makes us feel like used car salesmen!–and I don’t imagine BoCo is any different. Try asking for a review of your file for possible reconsideration in view of offers from other colleges.</p>
<p>Choryphee - thanks - good suggestion. We are visiting BOCO soon and will definitely discuss finances with them then. Appreciate the advise and insights.</p>
<p>BeenThereMT Dad,
You said your daughter graduated in 2011 from BOCO - congratulations! How did the training at BOCO prepare her for real life? Do you feel like she was well - prepared? Did she get an agent after the showcase? What work opportunities has she had since graduation? As we consider spending that kind of money on a college education for musical theatre - would be helpful to know what kind of work she has been getting since graduation. Thanks!!</p>
<p>@Jones1942 - we are on the same boat. No scholarship in the letter and still awaiting for the financial aid package. Unfortunately for us, we won’t be able to fly to Boston to discuss finances but D is so determined to go to BoCo despite scholarships and aids from two other great schools. For me, the FA is a make or break deal for BoCo.</p>
<p>@chryphee - really appreciate the suggestion. Will call once we receive the FA letter. I suppose, it should be the student making the call and not the parents? I think I saw this somwhere.</p>
<p>Paradise MT,
Was hoping to get the FA package in the mail today - nothing. Hopefully tomorrow or the next day. I am going to call the school tomorrow to find out when we should expect it as we need to finalize all of the options and make some big decisions soon. </p>
<p>As for having your student make the call to the financial aid office to discuss scholarship money, that’s an interesting thought. Not sure my daughter would be comfortable making that call (just has not experienced that kind of conversation at her young age), but I can imagine that it might be impactful. I was planning on having the conversation myself with them and provide the scholarship offers from other schools as we review her overall package together. </p>
<p>What do others think?</p>
<p>You can make the call about additional scholarship money. I sat with the admissions director while my daughter went to take some classes. I’ll answer your other question in a few minutes.</p>
<p>I see nothing wrong with the parent making calls related to financial aid since they are often the ones who are paying for the education. It is all the other calls, particularly with faculty and students that the applicant should make him/herself.</p>
<p>How did the training at BOCO prepare her for real life?
The training was world class. Our situation though was different from most people. My daughter was already a professional actress and a member of SAG/AFTRA/AEA. She was in radio and TV commercials, TV shows and even a movie. Her agent wanted her to stay in NY and audition but we wanted her to have a formal education. The compromise was if she was going to be out of the market for 4 years, it needed to count, and the agents and casting directors we spoke to felt Boco was the place for her to go. She still was able to travel to NY to audition for big projects and record several radio commercials while at school.</p>
<p>Do you feel like she was well - prepared? Absolutely. Bocos reputation for producing triple threats is well earned.</p>
<p>Did she get an agent after the showcase? See above. On a side note you really have to be careful here. I would say about 20 of her classmates were able to sign with someone. But having representation will not last long if the feedback from the casting people is not favorable. Many Boco graduates and students have booked work at open calls without representation. The whole representation thing is overrated and in many cases meaningless when it comes to actual work.</p>
<p>What work opportunities has she had since graduation? Besides being a triple threat MT performer she is also legit which means she also auditions for movies, TV shows and both radio and TV commercials. The year started out very slow but recently she has been on fire. Shes had a screen test for a starring role in a major motion picture, a taped demo recording for a staring role in a new Disney animation and a final, final producers/directors call for a starring role on Broadway. We are still waiting to hear on 2 of them. All this means is that she is working her craft. This type of activity means she is on the right track but little else unless she converts these opportunities to jobs. </p>
<p>As we consider spending that kind of money on a college education for musical theatre - would be helpful to know what kind of work she has been getting since graduation. She has been fairly active auditioning and recorded two radio commercials since graduating. One for Pepsi and one for Public service dont text and drive. She is also able to support herself by teaching voice, dance and musical theater classes. Because she is a graduate of the Boston Conservatory she is able command between $40 - $50 per hour. </p>
<p>I hope this answers some of the many questions that are running through your mind. But remember, no MT school guarantees professional success. All I ever wanted for my daughter was to wake up every day and be happy going to work. Going to college and getting a BFA is just the lunch pale. What she builds is up to her.</p>
<p>I really liked your response to the ^^^^question. I wonder, for those of us who have an incoming MT who are trying to justify huge college expenses and our own abhorrence at having to saddle our children OR ourselves with debt that can never be forgiven (unlike all other debt)…IF your D had not been established and successful prior to college, would your decision to send her to BoCo or any other high price tag school have been the same? I think your D’s situation is such an anomaly compared to the majority of us. Just curious.</p>
<p>^^^^^ Difficult question. I would have to say no I would not have gone the expensive MT route if she had not had the early professional success. The early success validated my belief in my daughter that she could make it somehow, some way. Success is funny, it is what YOU define it to be. To some it is broadway or bust. Others it is just being paid to perform or earn enough income to stay in the profession by other methods.</p>
<p>Great feedback and insights. So much for us to think about wtih this huge decision. We are visiting BOCO and a few other east coast schools later this month, so will get a better sense of the overall programs. </p>
<p>Question for beenthereMTdad: Did you get any feedback from the NYC agent around other MT programs and their perceived strength / prestige? Specifcally - U Arts and Oklahoma City University. Both have strong programs, but not as strong as BOCO. Just wondering how those two programs are percevied in the professional casting and agency world in NYC. Thoughts?</p>