<p>Very helpful info curmudgeon and congrats to your niece!</p>
<p>curmudgeon - how did your niece hear about her FA? We did not have anything in our packet. Part of the reason that we were not as excited about BU was the $$</p>
<p>I want to say it was on-line. I was on the phone with sis when Ms. Artsypants "opened" the FA offer in the background. "Mo-MMMM . Can this be RIGHT?" It was a very generous offer and took into consideration factors that needed to be taken into consideration. Single mom, fairly recent breast cancer survivor facing serious financial hurdles. It was a happy day.</p>
<p>She sent me an e-mail including the offer, so I'm sure it came to her electronically. I'll see if I still have it. Check your FA status at their website if they provided a log-in.</p>
<p>Edit: Yep. I'm right. It was on-line.</p>
<p>curmudgeon: thanks for the info. We will go on-line to check.</p>
<p>I am going to try this again - since I only received information about BU. Any thoughts about the Technical Theater programs at BU, UNCSA or Suny - Purchase. Anything at all would be helpful!</p>
<p>Hi theater mom. My D also was accepted to the program and will be attending this summer. She is HS junior struggling between CMU and SUNY Purchase, she ruled out BU and Emerson after visiting both.</p>
<p>Final decision: CCM - BFA in Technical Design/Production 'Class of 13</p>
<p>It must be such a relief to finally make the decision after all the research, preparation, applications, interviews, acceptances/rejections, visits, and all. Now, you can just let it all go.</p>
<p>T-Daddy: My daughter would like to write to yours. PM me if she is interested.</p>
<p>CalArts or UCLA for Technical Theater/Design?</p>
<p>I know, they are on completely opposite sides of the spectrum. I love them both, but for different reasons. I’ve visited both numerous times, including the recent accepted student events. With scholarships, CalArts is $10K more per year.</p>
<p>What have you seen at CalArts that is worth $40K?</p>
<p>Let me explain a little further.</p>
<p>If my D were trying to make this decision (and the difference were within my budget) I’d need to see $40K worth of difference. This difference could be qualitative; for example, the more expensive school could be a better fit. My point is, though, that it would have to be a much better fit, a much better education, much better contacts. It would have to be something really noticeable.</p>
<p>Do you see this kind of difference at CalArts?</p>
<p>^^</p>
<p>Abounding creativity, encouragement, talent!, one-on-one mentoring, a true artists’ community, award-winning faculty that are truly working in the tops of their fields, strong school support from powerful professional artists and arts organizations, opportunity, limited bureaucracy, great facilities and equipment, individual studio space, bigger dorm suites with private baths, etc.</p>
<p>Also, It’s $51K+, not $40K.</p>
<p>Both schools have long lists of pros and small lists of cons, yet they are not mutually exclusive. I’m comparing these two colleges out of my 8 acceptances because of their locations.</p>
<p>fillyflurel–</p>
<p>8 acceptances is pretty impressive – and I noticed you list from an earlier post – have you narrowed it done to UCLA and CalArts or are you still considering your other options?</p>
<p>That is the best defense of CalArts I think I’ve ever read. Could you write anything similar for UCLA? Or is it just about the money, at this point?</p>
<p>Yes, I can write an equally compelling argument for UCLA! That’s just it. They are both wonderful, but in very different ways. I have the same problem with their few flaws. They both have them, they are just different. From something as “silly” as free parking at CalArts vs. $700/annually at UCLA, or, 35 miles to LA from CalArts vs. in LA/Westwood for UCLA. I don’t/won’t have a car, but CalArts strongly recommends one; to more important things like the quantity and quality of academic opportunities between the two schools, as well as the BA vs. BFA degree conundrum. Mostly, I want unending opportunities to continue to learn, intern, and work professionally (even unpaid) a lot so that I have very real job opportunities when I graduate. Even if the costs were the same, I would have this dilemma.</p>
<p>I want a hybrid! Like a conservatory program at a place like Stanford. Doesn’t exist! Yes, I’m still considering 2 others but have ruled out the remaining 4. And, if I stay in California, I keep a small scholarship.</p>
<p>It seems to me you have a clear choice here between an art school that cares most about the “non-mainstream voice” and a university aiming to train students "to be able to find what works best for a particular production.” As near as I can tell, CalArts is training artists and UCLA is training “scholar/artist[s]” to be designers.</p>
<p>Can you really see yourself equally in both mission statements?</p>
<p>We pulled the trigger and Son accepted at CCM / Theatre Tech for Lighting Design gulp! Not cheap as out of state but he fell in love with CCM on tour. FA is ok, not great but ok.</p>
<p>Long, deep exhale, greybiscuit. You did it!</p>
<p>I’m a brand new CalArtian! (Turned down Emerson, BU, UCLA, USC)</p>
<p>Why? This is from their website…
EMPHASIS ON INDEPENDENT VISION
The CalArts School of Theater supports and extends the work of emerging theater artists from multiple disciplines. The school cultivates independent artistic and intellectual vision, preparing artists to enter and transform a rapidly evolving field.</p>
<p>A FACULTY OF ACCOMPLISHED WORKING ARTISTS
The school’s faculty features leading professional theater artists in every area of practice. Each member of the faculty is committed to fostering the development of the next generation of theater artists.</p>
<p>PERSONAL ATTENTION, MENTORING
The school’s relatively small size allows for a low student-faculty ratio (8:1), small classes and one-to-one mentoring. Every student works closely with his or her mentor, a faculty member who serves as that student’s artistic advisor.</p>
<p>EXCEPTIONAL PEER GROUP
CalArts attracts some of the most talented, daring and motivated young artists and designers at work today—a collection of fresh voices who, as a group, represent one of the most creative student populations in American arts education.</p>
<p>PRODUCTION EXPERIENCE
Production is at the heart of learning at CalArts. The school is a vibrant and prolific producing entity, presenting an extensive array of curricular projects, innovative collaborations with noted artists and institutions, and student-organized productions—including the annual New Works Festival.</p>
<p>COLLABORATIVE AND INTERDISCIPLINARY PROJECTS
CalArts encourages cross-pollination in the arts. In addition to collaborations within the School of Theater, students may work with a wide spectrum of artists—writers, musicians, composers, choreographers, filmmakers, video artists, animators, graphic designers and painters—from other CalArts schools.</p>
<p>PROFESSIONAL CONNECTIONS
As active professionals, the members of the faculty are in close contact with a diverse mix of noted practitioners at theater companies and stage, film and television productions—nationally and internationally. As a result, faculty members are in a unique position to connect students with observerships and internships to enhance their educational experience.</p>
<p>INTERNATIONAL REACH
As a reflection of CalArts’ longtime commitment to aesthetic and cultural diversity and global understanding in the arts, the School of Theater maintains a series of international exchange programs and affiliations. CalArts companies tour shows at prestigious international venues—including the Edinburgh Fringe Festival each year—and regularly collaborate with colleagues abroad. The school also hosts the annual Arts in the One World conference, an international gathering of artists, schools and institutions.</p>
<p>CENTER FOR NEW PERFORMANCE (CNP)
The Institute-wide professional producing arm of CalArts provides a framework for the creation of adventurous new theater, music, dance and interdisciplinary works—projects that challenge and redefine the boundaries of contemporary performance. The CNP links CalArts with the broader professional community, and allows students to work collegially with top artists from around the world. CNP productions are staged at REDCAT and other national and international venues.</p>
<p>ROY AND EDNA DISNEY/CALARTS THEATER (REDCAT)
REDCAT is CalArts’ downtown Los Angeles center for the presentation of innovative performing, visual and media arts. REDCAT offers special opportunities for select School of Theater students, both as a performance venue for selected productions and as a forum for acquiring professional experience in design, production and management. In addition to theater productions, REDCAT’s eclectic programming allows all CalArts students to experience a wide range of experimental work by a mix of emerging artists and internationally renowned practitioners.</p>
<p>No snow! No waiting in lines! Free parking! Cool people at the Accepted Students’ event! My own studio space! A fair scholarship helps, too!</p>