<p>You have all already been so helpful to me in my search for BFA - MT schools, and i'm hoping that you can offer any advice as to my current situation.</p>
<p>When i auditioned for schools last year, i didn't get in anywhere for MT. I was waitlisted for CAP21 but didn't get in, and so i decided to attend my current college as an undeclared major and re-audition for schools this year. i narrowed my search incredibly, and chose two schools that i really wanted to audition for - boston conservatory and emerson. because of the near-impossibility of taking time off off classes to audition and lack of funds to travel much more, it was necessary for the list to be this small.</p>
<p>that said, i just recieved an email from emerson saying that i am not eligible to apply as a freshman since i have attended another college (though an admissions representative gave me this idea in the first place) and that since they don't accept transfers into the BFA- MT program, i am ineligible for MT at all.</p>
<p>that leaves me with only ONE audition and no fallback option.</p>
<p>this would have been nice to know BEFORE the deadlines for many schools' applications have passed. i have really good academics - a high GPA from first semester and good SAT/ACT scores - so many are trying to get me to "just choose another major" and give up on "that theatre thing", but i just can't. as fellow MT folks, you know that it's not just "that theatre thing"; it's my life, it's what i breathe, and it's my passion. </p>
<p>does anyone have any ideas as to a possible solution?? i can't see myself doing anything else but MT, and BA Theatre programs seem to be too broad and unfocused when i want studio training and intensity. </p>
<p>please help.</p>
<p>thanks all, i appreciate any suggestions you can give me.
maggie</p>
<p>Maggie, I'm sorry about the misinformation you had from Emerson :(. </p>
<p>Overall, you are applying as a transfer, yes? I would look up every MT program you are remotely interested in and check on the transfer deadlines. I know freshman app deadline for NYU is passed though I would have thought you'd have applied to transfer there considering you were waitlisted last year. Check on the transfer deadline for applications. </p>
<p>Considering the difficulty time wise and the expense, can you see which schools attend Unifieds in NYC that still have slots and also deadlines have not passed for transfers? Since you are in Ithaca, going one weekend to NYC might work fine and you can do several auditions in one weekend...one expense, one weekend of the semester. Does Syracuse take transfers? I have to look it up...that is nearby enough as well. While BOCO and Emerson may have been faves, I think if you truly want a BFA (and I know you do), there are several programs where you could be happy and thrive as well. Other schools to look at in NYC...Marymount, Pace, Fordham, Wagner.....also you might be able to get to Hartt. These don't involve flights and you might be able to minimize trips and time. Follow your path and don't let others discourage you. While not a BFA, could you audition for Muhlenberg or UNH...they both have a lot to offer in MT and that is more than you can get now. See if you can make a trip to NYC for one set and maybe one other trip. Could a parent drive you?</p>
<p>You are smart to seek help here as I'm sure there are many who will have some great ideas. I remember that there were a few programs open to later applications/auditions during the time my D applied two years ago. If I remember correctly, Peggy's D who is now at Millikin, didn't apply there until quite late in the process and they made the entire process happen very quickly for her. She is so happy now! There may be other such programs.</p>
<p>I have a few thoughts.</p>
<p>Are you sure that Emerson is aware that you are willing to begin all over as a freshman in MT as opposed to trying to really transfer in as an MT? If their admissions counselor is the one who gave you the idea that your plan was possible, you should contact that person and get them to go to bat for you.</p>
<p>Also, given your limited resources, it might seem that heading for the closest Unified Audition site might be the most cost effective plan for you. Even if you can't get in any or many apps, maybe you could get a walk-in audition or two there. Worth a try.</p>
<p>Hang in and I just know that others are going to chime in with some reasonable alternatives. </p>
<p>If this is truly your "life" I just know that you will find a way to make it happen.</p>
<p>i'm waiting on an email back from syracuse. they do take transfers. hopefully that will work out.</p>
<p>thank you for the suggestions for schools in NYC/unifieds, i'll see what i can do about those. hopefully, something with either work out there or i'll get into BoCo!</p>
<p>also, the reason i didn't re-apply to NYU was that, after talking with my mom, i realized that financially, even if i got into NYU, it would be impossibly for me to attend. :-(</p>
<p>Maggie...I just looked up University of the Arts. It is in Philadelphia. Since you were considering BOCO, a conservatory, this is similar to that type of school, same with the setting. They DO accept transfers. The deadlines for applications are rolling. Academically you'd be in, no sweat. They accept 51% of transfers but that figure is NOT regarding MT but overall but obviously they take transfers. I bet you could line this up for a weekend audition date and take a bus from Ithaca to Phildelphia. Think about that option, ok?
Susan</p>
<p>Hedge your bets and have more schools. If you can apply to transfer into Syracuse, it is close enough to you to be doable. Then if you can either do Unifieds, or do some NYC schools, that might be one trip. UArts...look into that...same with Hartt....distance, time, etc. might work. </p>
<p>I don't know if you'd consider it as it is not a four year college, but just putting it out there as a back up if you truly no longer wish to stay at your college and want conservatory style training.....look into Circle in the Square Theater Program in NYC. I'm more apt to say four year college for you but still that is a back up alternative if you truly are unhappy in a BA program. </p>
<p>Would you consider looking into Muhlenberg or UNH?</p>
<p>I just looked up transfers for Muhlenberg.....it's rolling. They have a BA in Theater including in Performance where you can minor in dance or in vocal performance and they have lots of musical theater opportunities....they put on one musical each semester and they also have a summer musical theater program that is a mix of Equity Actors and students that put on musicals. There is a London semester too. The audition is optional but an asset in your case. Might you apply just in case you don't get into a BFA program but at least this is a BA where you can do lots of musical theater and training, more than you can where you are at now?</p>
<p>If I remember correctly Pace and Marymount had late auditions and possible February/March application deadlines (common app as well). They are worth checking out.</p>
<p>Maggie - U of Arts goes to the Unifieds in NY, so maybe you could fit that one in if you went to the Unifieds? I believe Marymount is a different weekend than the Unifieds...I would definitely check out Hartt, your stats would be fine and they may go to Unifieds, but I'm not positive.</p>
<p>thank you all so much for all of your suggestions - this is amazing!! i just got out of the shower, and already there were 6 more replies!! you are all wonderful!!</p>
<p>i will honestly look into all of these suggestions. i hadn't remembered UofArts, thanks!!</p>
<p>susan - you are incredible. thank you for putting in the time and effort to help.</p>
<p>Maggie, no problem...I've barely done a thing for you. What I want you to do is to hedge your bets/options so that you don't repeat last year because I know how much you want to make this change. I think between the Unifieds plus schools mentioned here....UArts, Hartt, Marymount, Pace, Wagner.....PLUS looking into a BA option with MT....like Muhlenberg or UNH (I'd have added American but you may not be able to get there)....and even consider tacking on Circle in the Square...you have options....plus Syracuse nearby that you can get to. These are not commitments but you can see what develops. This might be doable at this date in terms of apps and also the time and financial constraints in terms of auditions. AND there's BOCO...rooting for you there as well.
Susan</p>
<p>I would double check with Emerson. I know a student that attended another university as a freshman and did transfer as a MT major. It seems that she was required to attend summer school there to get on track. It is possible that they have changed their policy since then. I also agree with other posters to audition at as many places as possible as it is much harder to get accepted as a transfer student. I don't think this is too unusual to be starting to look at other schools now. Many students make their decision to transfer around winter break.</p>
<p>Watching this thread populate has been amazing. I already knew how much info all of the CC posters have been willing to share, but to provide this much info in an "emergency" situation is outstanding. I wish I had more to add, but my thoughts (about unifieds, etc.) were posted before I even got a look. You folks are unbelieveble. </p>
<p>To the extent I am able (after more knowledge with auditions next year for my S), I will try to contribute, but you all make it hard when you answer questions so quickly with such great information. I will continue to post about summer programs (where I have some knowledge), and will add info next fall/winter on auditions (as permitted by my S, who is shy about my posting what is going in his MT life).</p>
<p>Since MT is your ultimate goal, perhaps certain programs which are younger or more in the development stage might be considered. They might be less restrictive w/ their requirements. Montclair State University has been mentioned here only a bit; it's in NJ w/ one stop train access to Manhattan. We've found their department to be very helpful. Also in NY, but further upstate is Susquehanna University. Don't know much about their program, but it could be another option. I guess you could also do a search within the forum here for posters who mentioned transferring, transfer, etc. in the past and try private emailing them for possible guidance - - just in case they're not regularly checking in any longer. Good luck in your search!</p>
<p>Maggie - It is great that you asked for help here and I want you to know that the experience that you share is helpful to all of us. It is important to know that there are many different avenues and paths out there. it gives hope to those of us (parents and students) who are entering the vast unknown. So thank you for sharing what is going on for you. Although I have no expertise to offer I will say that where ever you end up will be lucky to have a student who knows what she wants and is willing to go after it.
Harriet</p>
<p>Go to the Unifieds and do as many walk-ins as you possibly can. If you go to the ones in NYC which take place the weekend of February 4 and 5, ask around and find out where all the various schools that "piggyback" with the Unifieds are doing theirs. You might even be able to find out the addresses off their websites or you could certainly call to find out. If you can take the absences from school, Chicago is supposedly easier because they're all in the same hotel. When you do walk-ins and they like you, they'll ask you to go ahead and apply even if it's after the deadline though I think you'll find the transfer application deadlines at a lot of schools haven't passed yet.</p>
<p>One other thing ... Do bring some money because most schools will charge an audition fee of between $30 and $50. You can cut your costs by staying with a friend if you have any in NYC. Just make sure they know you're not there to party and need your sleep. ;)</p>
<p>Emerson will not allow you to start as a freshman if you have attended college elsewhere. The only way to attend Emerson is right out of high school, for MT. Could be different for other majors. There are several schools who still have deadlines pending for application. As to walk-ins at unifieds, many of the schools' general admission deadlines will be past. So, any school you plan to walk-in to, you should have already met their general admission deadline. I do wish you well. I'll look at my notes and see if i have any info that might help</p>