<p>I would like to go to a really good MT school like Michigan, NYU, Carnigie Mellon, SYRC, etc., but I am a little worried about auditions and admissions.
I have taken every theatre class possible at my school and have been in every play as either a lead or supporting role and I have teched for middle school shows and done everything possible for theatre.
The problem is, my schools arts program sucks. You think I'm kidding, but we don't even have boys to auditions (all girls) and NO ONE CARES ABOUT THE ARTS except me and about 10 other people. The dance program is a joke and so are our shows. It's really hard...I feel so depressed all the time because I work my tail off as the lead or just a small role in the show and not a lot of people come because they think its going to suck (the theatre earned its rep for this before I came...its never been strong ever. There are actually 5 amazing singers that just came in and that didn't even help).
However, at the field hockey games, the entire school is there. :( My school is ALL about sports. I have been going to this school for 3 years, I moved up from Florida (where I had a phenomenal theatre program to go to and dance classes every day and a vocal coach) to go here for academics. My brother and sister both got into Duke so naturally my parents want me to go there. Their theater program is terrible.
My parents don't like the fact that I want to be a MT major and constantly tell me that they don't think I'm good enough and question my chances of getting in.
I have no doubt about my talent (I know this sounds really cocky but I am trying to paint a picture here). I love to sing and a live to act and I feel like every second that I am at this school I am losing a chance to grow as an actress. I know that I will do that in college but I want to go to a place to prepare me so i can nail my audition (I don't have time to get a coach after school because of the homework load (all AP classes and honors...even if I didn't take them I would have too much homework) and the fact they make me do a sport which is every day after school all year.</p>
<p>My parents have finally given me the option to apply to an arts school senior year. I am looking at Interlochen, Walnut Hill, and Idyllwild. I don't mind leaving my school behind because this is my dream and I want to get as good as I can before I get to college and for auditions. Should I go? </p>
<p>Just to sum up everything, here are my reasons for going:
1. Crap theatre program at school and I don't think I can stand it anymore
2. I feel like a bad actress because no one cares about the arts program. I would rather be in a good show as a small part than a bad show as the lead. Always.
3. I get so depressed because I feel like I am in the wrong place and that I'm letting everything go.
4. College preparation
5. Dance preparation (I haven't been able to go to any dance because out program sucks and my school REFUSES to allow me to go to classes outside.
6. Growing as an actress</p>
<p>Reasons I might stay:
1. Friends
2. I might as well finish out here? (even if it means I will be miserable)
3. ...the ability to graduate in that white dress?</p>
<p>It can't hurt to apply to a few schools with strong performing art programs like Walnut Hill, Interlochen, Idyllwild.. Even if you get in and decide not to attend because you would rather finish off where you are, you will have had the opportunity to make that decision. </p>
<p>It sounds as if you are at a boarding school? I was a day student at a boarding school, and it took some work, but (with parent permission) I was able to take an acting class at the local college, voice lessons, and take dance off campus. I went to Syracuse as a MT major, and was accepted at other MT and acting programs, so it is not impossible to get into theatre programs from a HS that may not have the strongest arts programing available. You will probably want to find a way to supplement, though. </p>
<p>You say that the school refuses to let you take dance off campus, is this because it would interfere with a sports requirement, a transportation issue? Have your parents tried to intervene on your behalf? It sounds like you are a junior in HS... have you considered doing a summer intensive like CMU Pre-College, Northwestern Cherubs, MPULSE, NYU, BU, etc... This might help you to feel much more prepared for college auditions.</p>
<p>If your parents are offering the chance, jump at it! I went to Interlochen and it was one of the best decisions I've made for my life thus far.
PM me if you have any questions!</p>
<p>Thanks so much for your replies!
To clarify, I do go to an all girls boarding school and it has a strict PE req policy: all four years you must play a sport. My parents have begged the dean and head of school to make an exception for me but they refuse. And I am doing a summer intensive (I am applying to CMU's pre college).</p>
<p>But is one year enough? Should I try to repeat my junior year or something so I have enough time?</p>
<p>Would you be allowed to repeat your junior year? It seems as if you are doing well academically. A better solution than that, I think, would be to apply to BFA programs and if you do not get into any, go to a regular college for a year and try to transfer.</p>
<p>I have no idea if they would let me...I am already one of the oldest in my class (in FLA august is the cutoff and I am an october kid). I am just trying to find a way to buy time I guess...I feel like I have missed out on a lot, not being able to fully pursue my art. :/
I feel like this puts me at a disadvantage.</p>
<p>And just to clarify, I don't want to go just because I think it will look good on college apps.</p>
<p>Don't repeat a year of high school to get more theatre training - that's why you go to a BFA program - to train. Should you decide to transfer to Interlochen/Idyllwild/etc, you will be challenged and pushed harder than you have ever been before (as any student there should be, I would hope). Schools are not necessarily looking for training in those who audition for them as they are for trainability (the ability and willingness to learn and apply concepts) and raw talent. I'm a freshman at UMich and in our class of 23 there are 3 students who came from arts schools (and one of those was only part time at the arts school) - the rest came from "regular" schools.</p>
<p>Right now, it seems as though you are making this decision largely based on how it will affect your admissions outcome. I hope this doesn't come off the wrong way (I was this way in high school too), but it seems as though you are almost too concentrated on "the goal" of getting into a MT program. You don't have to (and shouldn't) give up social/non-MT related interests and connections especially in your senior year in order to get into a good school. Keep in mind that this is your senior year and that, besides getting ready for college, you will be celebrating the culmination of 18 years of hard work and the memories and experiences that have shaped you as a person. Should you transfer to another school, you won't be able to spend that time with your best friends or in the school that has been "home" for you. Granted, it seems as though you really want to be somewhere with a better theater program and it would be impossible via internet to fully understand exactly how important that is to you, but you really should consider what starting out senior year in a new school would mean for the experience beyond the training. It might be easy now to say you would give it up in a heartbeat to go to an arts boarding school, but try to put aside the fact that you want more intense training and consider how starting anew would impact your life and your "senior year experience." There is plenty of time for you to train in a BFA program and colleges don't expect you to come in with extensive training because otherwise you wouldn't need the education they have to offer.</p>
<p>Best of luck in this difficult decision. If you are still having trouble deciding, I'd say do as you would if auditioning for a college - visit, audition, see where you get in, and make your decision based on your connection to the individual schools that offer you admission.</p>
<p>actormcfamous, how'd you get so smart and wise at such a young age? Great advice. It may be a cliche, but it's true: it's not only about the destination; it's also about the journey.</p>
<p>Let me start by sayng that don't think you NEED to go to an arts boarding school, though I can see how you may want to and that itself is valid. When I first was reading your post, I was thinking that it was NOT unusual to not be able to get what you needed in terms of arts training at your school. My kid did a lot of her training and theater experiences outside of school and so I was thinking you needed to supplement what is offered at your school (which may be minimal) outside the school setting, as many do. BUT.....I did not realize until a later post that you attend a boarding school. I work with a student in a boarding school and I see how difficult it is to take any classes or do any theater outside the school and so it really is about only what the school has to offer. So, your situation is not quite like some kids, like mine, who attend ordinary schools that don't have what you need to do MT right AT school, but can supplement outside of school. So, I understand your dilemma and not being able to take lessons, classes, be involved in productions, etc. in your field of interest. You certainly don't HAVE to go to an arts school in order to be ready to apply to a BFA in MT program, however. But if you want the experience of doing more in your field where you can't do much of it now, I truly get it. </p>
<p>I just want to mention that it is possible to do TWO years of an arts boarding school if you want to go down that path. I'm not sure one year is that viable as you would be applying to college only half way through a year of it. And spending just one year in a school setting is not so great socially and everything. Just so you know, my D's friend from our region decided after 11th grade to go to Walnut Hill and he did TWO years there and then applied to BFA programs. He is currently a senior in the BFA at Ithaca. He really enjoyed Walnut Hill. I imagine other boarding arts schools may let you do two years. I also know that Interlochen offers a post graduate year. Again, you don't need to do this in order to go to a BFA in MT program. But if you are this unhappy at your current school and also don't feel like you get to do much with your field of interest given the limitations of a boarding school that doesn't allow you to do any training or shows outside of school, perhaps an arts school would make you happier. I just don't think it would be THAT worth it for just ONE year. I think it is great if you do a pre-college program this coming summer and perhaps that will be enough to sustain you and you just finish out your current high school. If you apply to an arts boarding school, you can wait a few months to decide what you want to do. You could do that for two years if you don't mind delaying high school graduation. I would go with whatever experience you prefer to have this coming year (and weigh pros/cons of each choice) and again, it doesn't matter so much in terms of BFA admissions.</p>
<p>If you stay at your current school, perhaps your parents can meet with the school director about how you can best prepare this coming year to enter colleges for MT and how you might get vocal or dance or acting lessons, even if outside of the school (and still do your sport). Perhaps there is independent study or some other way to pursue your interest in your current school setting. You mention not having time to get a coach after school due to homework and your sport. But here is a way that I think you could readjust that thinking. My kids had demanding homework and so do many others who also have extracurriculars after school. They had lessons at night and on weekends and did all their homework as well. It is not easy juggling it all but it can be done. Also, while you don't like the program at your current school, it sounds like they offer theater and dance classes which many schools like ours do not. So, it is not like you can't do ANYTHING in your field at your current school, but simply that you don't like that much what they have to offer. I would see what you can do to be challenged more by meeting with school personnel and adding coaching outside the school day, homework and all.</p>
<p>Just remember, though: doing an extra year at a boarding school means a whole extra year of tuition and fees. Of course, perhaps the OP's parents can afford that. But it is worth considering that when making a decision, for sure.</p>
<p>NMR...I agree. I personally would not spend an extra year of high school or money for that, though it is a moot point as I could never afford it anyway. But it definitely means more money to do that. I just wanted to point out that you can do two years at an arts boarding school as our friend did it after junior year. Also, Interlochen has a post graduate year. It might suit the OP's needs but I am not convinced this is necessary to do and that there are other solutions to try to get what she needs even in her current setting and then prepare for college auditions and move on.Her current boarding school may be a poor fit but she only has a year to go. (hey, my kid chose to graduate a year early and solved it that way and I have a student who is also graduating a year early this year and applying to BFA programs).</p>
<p>If you transfer to a PA school at this point, you will only have a few months of training before you start your auditions. I understand your desire to improve your skills, but believe me, many students are accepted into excellent programs every year without the benefit of a PA school background. You will undoubtedly get a lot out of the summer program you plan to take. Discuss your college plans with the instructors there, and I'm sure they will help you prepare for your auditions. And keep this in mind: colleges are looking for students who show talent, desire and potential. It sounds like you already have those qualities.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for the replies!!! :D I appreciate it a lot.</p>
<p>I know that people are accepted based on their potential, desire/drive and talent. And I know where you go to school doesn't matter because you still could get accepted to a great school like UMich from a regular school...</p>
<p>I just feel like if I were to go to a PA school I would be so much happier because (even though I would only get to use half a year's acting training towards the auditions) I would still be able to go to serious acting classes after auditions. I mean, just because I've applied to colleges and done the auditions doesn't mean I need to stop learning until I get to college right? I just want to learn as much as I can before college and then continue to build upon that knowledge.
I don't want to have to wait until I get to college to learn more...know what I mean?</p>
<p>Sooz - my tuition is donated to me by "anonymous persons" so I don't need to worry about paying for school (I am also on financial aid at my school so it is not that much anyway).</p>
<p>BwayRO2012 - As I have posted in other threads I am a big believer of "whatever is meant to be, will happen". After reading your post, and the helpful suggestions of all the very knowledgeable people on this forum, I would suggest that you go ahead and look into applying to some of the PA programs as per KatMT's post #2. You may find that for example Walnut Hill has a minimum PA class credit requirement for graduation and you may not be able to fulfill that requirement in only one year. Other programs may or may not present similar "obstacles". </p>
<p>However, I definitely get busy, and send in that application to CMU's summer program, and perhaps research and apply to a few more, because a summer intensive will not only provide you with the training you are anxious to get, but it will also give you a feel for what the competition is like out there, how your natural drive and ability stack up, and also what a Performing Arts program is like. </p>
<p>The "informed pieces of the puzzle" then will have an opportunity to all fall into place. </p>
<p>Keep us posted on what you decide to do :). Here's to a very exciting 2009 for you!</p>
<p>I agree with everyone that the summer program is an important opportunity for you and you will get a lot of what you are looking for out of it.</p>
<p>I had a thought if you decide that you want to stay at your current school and finish out your senior year there. Is there a way you could talk to the show and/or music directors and maybe even the headmaster or principal to see if they would be willing to bring in some assistance in the form of either current college students who might be majoring in theatre (from your local community college) or community theatre people in your area who would be willing to help out with the school shows either for "internship" experience or a very small stipend? Or, is there a nearby high school with a good theatre program that might be able to partner with your school and offer some assistance (sets, costumes, et al) in exchange for something that you and your friends might be able to offer?</p>
<p>If you can be resourceful about bringing some people in to help your school -- as well as trying to engage one of your high school teachers who might know something about publicity and/or marketing a show, you could learn a lot in many different aspects of theatre plus gain a lot of leadership skills to boot.</p>
<p>Just another path you might take if you want to graduate with your friends and gain some great experience.</p>
<p>I'm basically in the same position as you, except my parents aren't as supportive in my choice of career...</p>
<p>What I'm doing is that I'm getting my dad to fill in the application forms or what not, and if I get in then I'm going to convince my mom (somehow...) to let me go.
Btw, I'm applying for Senior year too.. Some of my friends in Senior year told me that it's a bad idea to change in the last year of school, and that auditions start about 5 months after the commencement of school, but hey, thats 5 months. Everything counts for me (because I don't get that much intensive dance training)</p>
<p>And might I add that my song is focused on academics.. we have a school play every.. TWO years (and this year.. it was postponed till..... NEXT YEAR). No one in my school is interested in what I am interested in. And I feel that if I was in an environment full of people like moii and many other artists, I will thrive in that society.</p>
<p>Oh. And the music and drama departments at my school are a joke. I am in NEED of change.</p>
<p>I agree with what everyone says: apply to a summer program as well.
I'm applying to MPulse Interlochen NYU etc etc.</p>
<p>Best of luck! Just apply and see what happens :D Keep us posted on your decision! I will too. Hahahah.</p>