<p>Okay folks I think I am going to have to agree to disagreewith several of you. My S and I visited the Purchase campus about a year ago and no it isn’t easy on the eyes. It was raining, they were finsihing some type of construction and we even got to visit the little cell blocks they called dorms. He loved it - he said there was a particular “vibe” to it. He said that only about two other schools, Cal Arts and NCUSA. We visited Rutgers, definately more beautiful, nope didn’t like the feel (of course me being lost 40 minutes on the wrong campus and 30 minutes on the right campus didn’t help either). Walked SC’s campus we both thought the same thing, “it’s really big.”
I tried everything, almost, to enable my son to shadow a student in the BFA program. SC which was recruiting him after meeting him advised it, Cal Arts said give them a week and a half notice, NCUSA said we will work something out. Purchase - No, how about - no -can we - no. Why? - It would not be fair to the actors. This is the thing with Purchase as I see it from the outside looking in - they are going to take care of our kids once and if they get into the program.
My S auditioned with, I believe, Ronni Stewart and Dean Irby in LA. They did take out the video camera after the second monologue. They didn’t say much anything to me when they went in the room, he seemed to like them. There was no info session, but truthfully the only info seesion that was worth a dollar fifty was NCUSA with Robert and Robert and part of the reason I enjoyed that was because it was so funny. Also, the counselor from NYU was particular helpful, other than that… I mean talking about bad locations for waiting for an audition me and my S were sitting in a jacked up looking basement outside the men’s bathroom in SF waiting for Juilliard audition, in which no one in his group got a call back.
What I guess I am saying that this is a selective BUSINESS and I wouldn’t take it to heart. As a former, still, and sometime artist, and after speaking to people in the “Biz” that is how I have my S approach it. Choose the schools that will best help you obtain were you want to be, what you want to learn and that fits your personality. For example, NCUSA warns you with a smile that they are going to work you like your in book camp - well my S has been taking Tae-Kwon-Do since he was seven and has fought on a national and international level so What NCUSA says intrigues rather than frightens him (for the most part). Most of all I told him don’t fall in love with anyplace, (the best advice I got from actingmom) visit after where you get in then make a decision.
My S might not get into anyplace, will it hurt? - of course. However, I do not think he was treated unfairly - I do believe some people are cattle calls b/c the number of young people applying and truthfully, our son’s and daughter’s who are applying to conservatories are closer to Ball-players who are students (just with fewer spots on the team) rather than just students.</p>
<p>nalajen,
Just curious about your NYU experience. My D auditioned for NYU at the Chicago Unifieds. It was her first audition. The staff running the info session were just fantastic - very, very funny, upbeat, relaxed and down-to-earth. The tension in the room dissipated and my daughter immediately relaxed and got comfortable. Definitely a different experience from yours; it was really the ideal start to the Chicago auditions for my daughter. I’m sorry to hear how it was for you and yours.</p>
<p>Wineguy, my son liked the Purchase vibe and did not really care for the Rutgers vibe, just like your son. </p>
<p>Nalajen…allow plenty of time so you don’t get lost at Rutgers New Brunswick. It is a confusing place.</p>
<p>Oldviola…my son’s NYU info session was similar to the one you describe – the speaker was so youthfully bouncy and relaxed that it put everyone at ease, or as much so as possible under the circumstances.</p>
<p>Both Purchase and NCSA apparently describe themselves as acting boot camp. I guess they differ in how much of a taste of this the auditioners are given!</p>
<p>Best of luck to everybody with upcoming auditions.</p>
<p>I don’t disagree with you, Wineguy, only saying that my business acumen tells me that it’s bad practice for any of these schools to not be friendly and accomodating during what can be a very stressful audition process. The good folks at Purchase may indeed provide the best actor training around, but our experience made us feel that they are not prospect friendly.</p>
<p>It’s just my opinion that this type of attitude can come back and bite you. For example, what came through loud and clear during my D’s Emerson audition was: we’re here to perform for you today too, hoping that you’ll like us enough to give us $45K a year to attend. Emerson were caring and gracious hosts.</p>
<p>Another interesting experience we had with Purchase: at a college fair for performing arts schools a year ago. We walk up to the Purchase booth to get some info, and the FIRST thing the person at the booth says to us is “well, you know we only accept 8% of those who audition.” No disrespect toward what they provide for training (it’s obviously awesome), Just saying that they might want to think about their approach before 1,000 auditions turns into 500 because people start thinking it’s not worth the aggravation.</p>
<p>Wineguy, what you write about Purchase and its “boot camp” approach to actor training is precisely why my d had Purchase as a top choice. Sounds like she and your s are like-minded…</p>
<p>I still don’t think, as raroce writes, that this means they need to treat the auditioners like they’re in a meat market. Cripes, it’s a for-profit institution, after all. Just like Juilliard, which treats the auditioners with a lot more respect and actually sends thank you notes to them for auditioning! (BTW, we live close to Purchase and its appearance is, well, it is what it is…the construction slugs along, as it has for years and years, with no visible results…). </p>
<p>Yes, of course we all know acting is a selective business, that’s a no-brainer to the theatre kids, as well as to us parents who are footing the bill for our kids’ passion (and may be doing so for a lot more years than we’d like…)</p>
<p>Like I said, everyone’s experiences vary wildly, and as with anything so subjective, luck often plays an overly large role. Not saying people are treated “unfairly” - never said that because duh, life is unfair. It’s just the luck of the draw, more often than not, and theatre kids are all too aware of that fact.</p>
<p>Whew. Now, next, oldviola, the NYU audition was on campus. I’d say there were about 150 kids there, maybe, divided into 12 groups. My d’s auditor was elderly, a stroke victim (she thinks) whose speech was so impaired she could barely understand him. Again, just one of those things. We had gone to the info session at Tisch in October and even my husband, usually a modicum of sanity and moderation (vs me, obviously!) was turned off by the crowds and the pretentiousness of the faculty. I personally love NYU as an academic institution, I love the location, too. Not fond of the huge theatre program and the overweight adjunct faculty, though…I’d rather see my other d (not a theatre kid, but an academic performer) apply there, as she undoubtedly will…</p>
<p>Finally : <) NJTheatreMOM, we visited Rutgers last June. I got lost then. Now, with my husband driving on Saturday, I fully expect to get lost again…so I’ve told him the audition starts an hour earlier than it really does!!! :<). :<)</p>
<p>My daughter auditioned at the end of January at AUNY Purchase and had a wonderful experience. The students helping everyone were more than happy to answer questions about the program while we were waiting. My observation was that some of the parents were out of control. They were insistent on finding out if not being called back was the same as a rejection even though we were all clearly told that this was not the case (whether this is actually true is open for debate). Some parents went around asking every student they could find if they were called back when they auditioned. The result was that instead of finding out more about the program most of us had to listen to complaining parents.</p>
<p>Anyway, my daughter loved the school and she thought the campus was beautiful. While the buildings seem cold and industrial at first there is a lot to like. The dance building makes good use of natural light and there are warm seating areas built into the outside walls at regular intervals. My daughter did the morning session along with about 70 others. She was one of three called back and got to perform for six people from the department. They made some suggestions, worked with her for awhile, answered all her questions and were very encouraging. She left feeling very positive about the whole experience and even used some of their suggestions for future auditions.</p>
<p>It’s fascinating to read so many different points of view!</p>
<p>It is interesting. I worked the auditions at Purchase at both campus audition weekends, and most kids came out of their audition all smiles and literally beaming about the auditors “THEY WERE SO NICE!” In fact, most of the kids were saying that their biggest fear was that it would be intimidating, and they were so happily surprised at how relaxed and chill the faculty was. Kids were always allowed to start over, and always asked questions. I can say this with confidence after literally working 7AM to 6PM weekends on campus at the auditions, and speaking to the students auditioning before and afterwards.</p>
<p>I was one of the “ushers” and as I left the room would hear my faculty saying to every kid auditioning “come and take a seat, (insert name, or sweetie). we would love to talk to you and get to know you/where are you from/etc” Although I wasn’t in the room for the auditions, I would always hear the first 20 seconds of conversation, and the faculty was SO positive to everyone. Perhaps the person with the negative experience just happened to catch a bad break, and I’m so sorry that you didn’t have the experience that you wanted:( Nobody, and no school, is perfect.</p>
<p>And, I just wanted to touch on how the students are treated here at Purchase, since some were wondering based on their cattle call like audition experience at Unifieds.</p>
<p>To give a few examples: My speech teacher, Leigh Dillon, who studied directly under Edith Skinner, got the entire Purchase Loop (the bus system) schedule changed so that a student who was living in off campus housing would be able to make her early class, as well as get home after a late rehearsal. I have seen several instances in this year alone where acting students who were having financial hardships were literally given money for lunch by faculty. A student in my company’s education was funded through a private grant by a friend of a faculty member. Not to mention that they are consistently available for meetings and tutorials, and always are open with us. There are no “secrets,” and everything is out on the table. The faculty is incredibly dedicated, and knows each of the students intimately, and are always adjusting to each student’s specific needs. With the small companies, mine has 17, everyone receives individual attention and no one’s acting issues/personal issues are ever shoved under the rug.</p>
<p>I can guarantee, from my own experience, that Purchase is an incredible place for acting training, that is both loving and demanding. Sure, I’m biased because I am a student here. BUT, because I am a student here, I do know how the conservatory is, day in and day out, not by rumor. </p>
<p>Again, feel free to read my previous posts in this forum about the program, and I am MORE than happy to answer any other questions or clarify anything.</p>
<p>Has anyone’s S or D heard from Purchase yet? At the auditions they said letters could be sent out in late Feb. Has anyone gotten news either way?</p>
<p>My son checked his MyPurchase account online on Friday
"a decision has been made on your application. You should hear from the admissions office in 5 to7 business "</p>
<p>Got the no in the mail. My D felt pretty bad (Purchase was a top choice for her), but she knew she hadn’t been at her best at the audition. </p>
<p>We were told the no’s would come by mail in Feb, the yesses by tel call the first week in March, the wait lists by letter later in March.</p>
<p>Good luck!!</p>
<p>My daughter also auditioned at the first session at Purchase, the end of Jan (perhaps the same day?). Most of the kids there were high school seniors, my daughter is a sophomore looking to transfer from SUNY Fredonia. She had a very good experience in her audition, similar to the one yours had, dseader. The group of kids we were waiting with all talked amongst themselves about what other schools they applied to, where they were from, fav musicals/shows etc AND they helped each other practice monologues. I also had great conversations with parents, comparing stories etc. I personally think that engaging with each other helped to calm some nerves. The kids also spoke freely with the Purchase studentss assigned to their group asking questions and just making conversation. The particular students assigned to this bunch were really friendly, forthcoming and just all around nice. My d actually received a call back that morning and she was pretty happy about that, but she also clearly knows that just because you had a call back doesn’t mean you’re in.
I really didnt pay too much attention to “ugliness” of the campus as most colleges I have ever seen usually consist of brick buildings and grassy spaces…</p>
<p>As of today my daughter hasn’t heard any news whatsoever and her MYPurchase acct has no additional messages. She is VERY ready to know the answer asap, as am I.</p>
<p>nalajen - so sorry about the Purchase news for your D. </p>
<p>I’m sure my D will be receiving the same news in the next couple of days.
She went into this audition not expecting too much knowing they only
accept 20 kids in their company. </p>
<p>It’s nice to know we are not alone with CC</p>
<p>Thanks Maggie3, she was more bummed by the no than by the lousy experience. Obviously we weren’t in the same group as the others who’ve posted in this thread.<br>
(Parents were very quiet and inoffensive in our group, btw, dseader.)</p>
<p>If you haven’t heard yet, your d may still be in the running!</p>
<p>I’m still waiting to hear from them, too! I know they accept twenty people, but does anyone know how many people are waitlisted? I’m just curious.
Good luck everyone!</p>
<p>AccioSanity, I believe they accept 35 all together, but admissions says it’s usually about 20 that accept as others may have accepted elsewhere or circs has changed. I assumedthat the waitlist probably consists of that leftover 15…
good luck to you also</p>
<p>Over the past several years, the freshman Acting company is around 18-20. That includes students admitted from the waitlist. The company size remains small as the graduating company last year was 12 students.</p>
<p>Oh ok thank you ProudDadFL.
My D is STILL impatiently, anxiously waiting for any response,its hard because she is 2 1?2 hours away at school, I wish I could be there with her if/when she receives a call or letter, whether good or bad.</p>
<p>My S got the call today. They are offering him admittance into the program! He is overjoyed to say the least. Suny Purchase is one of the programs he really loves now we are waiting to here from everyone else.</p>