<p>I have learned a tremendous amount on these boards, and I am interested in hearing opinions on "second tier" schools offering the BFA and/or a BA in theatre. I have serious doubts that my D is as accomplished as many of the students described here. Given the small numbers that are admitted to the highly regarded programs discussed on CC, I know if she wants to pursue her passion in theatre she will have to find a good second tier program to find her path. I have a list I've developed from the general college information site, but I'd love to hear the CCer's take on this subject assuming that many of the students here had second tier schools for backup. Any suggestions?
Sincerely,
E's Mom, Buggie</p>
<p>I understand what you are trying to accomplish, but ANY school that requires an audition can’t be considered a “safety” or second tier. I would suggest that you look at some good non-auditioned BA programs. If you find one or two that are an academic match, and that your D would be happy to attend, add them to your list and that will serve your purpose. I know of students who have been accepted at schools like CMU (generally considered a top school) and rejected at schools which might be considered “second tier”. You just never know how things are going to turn out!</p>
<p>Just curious – what schools do you have on your list?</p>
<p>Totally agree with onstage. Research your list of possibilities and have a good mix of audition schools and a few non-audition safety schools where you would be very happy to attend (seriously happy – not just willing to go if everything else fails). Safety schools should not require an audition and have grade/test score levels where you would be in the top percentiles (that is, pretty much a slam dunk acceptance). If money is an issue, also include the likelihood of decent scholarships and/or financial aid. Don’t want to bet on a safety school that is too expensive to attend if you don’t get substantial money.</p>
<p>I am also curious to hear what schools you would consider “second tier”.</p>
<p>You could look at any school outside of those few that people consider elite as “second tier” – Juilliard, CMU, Purchase, NCSA, for example – I would put MN Guthrie there as well. All of the programs I am familiar with outside of this group audition far more students than they can accept – and many programs are very small as well. (See thread on freshman class sizes). And as onstage said, different schools may be looking for different types of students – so you could get accepted at one of the elites but not at others.</p>
<p>Oh, and by the way – my attempt at listing some schools was to give examples of “elites” not give examples of “second tier” haha I realized you could read it either way.</p>
<p>Some of the other schools that a lot of people would consider among the elites are NYU, Boston University, Rutgers/Mason Gross, UCLA…</p>
<p>Just about any audition program has very large numbers of applicants. Low-tuition schools with top programs like Purchase and Rutgers were totally inundated with applications this past year.</p>
<p>Totally agree with your add-ons – there are so many strong schools. Clearly I was responding too early in the morning cuz I didn’t want to imply that it was only the non-elite schools that had a ton of kids audition. It is even more the case with these top tier programs – and especially as you mentioned, those schools with somewhat lower tuition. I think all I was trying to say is that even those programs outside of these very recognized ones are often very selective as well.</p>
<p>It’s a fair question though-- what schools do make good backups for BFA applicants? And/or, who has a couple of great teachers in a BA program that might really make a difference for a young actor? I’ve just read about U Minn Duluth-- a program I had no idea of that’s had some high praise. And, when the time comes for my D (a couple of years away yet), I will think about having her apply for a post grad year at Interlochen as a backup plan. You might look at the Unified auditions website—some of the programs listed there are less well known, to me at least.</p>
<p>It is a fair question – but hard to answer. We had schools that were bucketed in four groups – the high end elite BFA programs (which D didn’t think she had a prayer at, but thought “what the heck” – she auditioned for 4 according to our criteria but didn’t get into any), the “second tier” but very good and selective BFA and BA programs (she auditioned for 8 and was accepted to 2 BFA and 2 BA programs), high end academic schools (e.g., Ivy) with good BA programs (applied to 5 - got accepted to 1), and 2 non-audition “safeties” (got into both). She ended up choosing one of the BFAs. Maybe as I look at what I just said the “second tier” were less selective, given that she ran a 50% acceptance, but I have to say that we were sweating it as the rejections were coming in thinking that it wasn’t going to work out for her.</p>
<p>All these replies have given me a lot to give my D to think about. I think my way of thinking of tiers during the college search of my non-theatre D isn’t comparable to those on a theatre degree search. The theatre tiers can be based on strength of the theatre program vs. academic strength of the school; the rigors of the auditons vs. non-audition programs; and the whole debate, which really very individual, regarding BFA vs. BA and the nuances of each of these programs depending on the school. It’s all enough to make my head spin, and I am not the one that in the end has to decide which path and the best way to prepare. My hats are off to the students on these boards and their passion :)</p>
<p>As soon as she finishes the art project she has going, I am putting her in charge of checking out these boards and she can do the specific research. I am just jumping the gun a bit to help her focus in the next year or so to be better prepared for making some choices.</p>
<p>I think she’ll have a more realistic idea about safety, non-audition BA Theatre programs after she takes the PSATs this fall and sees how her GPA is this year. Her GPA is just average, hovering around at 3.0 with few honors and no APs at a private Catholic HS. So far her Plan A Dream scenario is to have a selected group of auditions for the BFA in Acting. The more realistic plan B is to have a list of audition and non audition BA in Theatre that offer tracks, one of which must be acting, for more general exposure. Of course some will be safeties and some not, as she understands the audition process is a huge variable. She definitely likes the sound of the BA programs that offer a semester abroad; London in particular. </p>
<p>All that said, we had a conversation yesterday about this whole process, and she said her ultimate dream is to be on the stage, but she doesn’t care if that’s not possible. She just loves the theatre and wants to be part of it on some level. So it may be the more general BA programs will help her find the best track, to follow with an MFA later when she has more life and work experience. She can draw, write and has designed costumes for her HS drama festival entry, so who knows?</p>
<p>I’ll let you know, or better, she’ll let you know when a list starts coming together.<br>
Thanks again
E’s Mom, Buggie</p>
<p>PS: Just a thought to be taken with a grain of salt: As a non-theatre person, I think the BA in Theatre/Drama was invented, among many very good reasons, to also placate parents who can’t understand spending money on a degree they think is impractical; voila…a program that allows the double major of theatre and accounting!</p>
<p>haha - thanks! You made me smile because your last comment sounded a lot like my husband – I remember his comment the night before we left for Unifieds . . . “is it only me who wonders why we would spend all this money to send her to college so she can get an acting degree and be unemployed?”</p>
<p>Yes IM…I orginally wrote that line using “Dads” instead of “parents,” but changed out of respect for the many supportive Dads here! Out of curiousity, what college ended up being the one, and did your husband come around?</p>
<p>She will be leaving in 8 days (gasp!) for Illinois Wesleyan and will be in their BFA Acting program. And dad did come around – still can’t relate to it, not being an artsy person at all – but supporting her decision and passion.</p>