<p>Emory is actually one of the BA schools that is strong in theater.</p>
<p>Bard IDP is the Immediate Decision Plan. The school offers a few Saturdays in the fall where the students attend a sample class (run by a professor with prospective students), have an interview afterwards, and the admissions committee meets that night and mails out the decisions the next day! Applications are due a week before the IDP date. Interestingly, although the admissions committee makes its decision more quickly, they say that the students get a very thorough look because there are so few they are looking at at one time. The decision is non-binding on the part of the applicant! </p>
<p>If this is of interest, check the website frequently this summer to see when they post the dates for the IDP because space is limited and fills quickly. </p>
<p>Bard also has an Early Action, which has a different deadline, and is more typical of other school’s.</p>
<p>Does anyone know anything about the theatre program at Northeastern? They just split off a bunch of majors into a new school there. Would it be a good safety?</p>
<p>niftydesign, nobody can tell you if it is a safety because a safety school is relative to each applicant’s qualifications. For some kids, Northeastern is a reach, for some it is a match, and for some it is a safety. I had a student use it as a safety this year but she was a top student who got into Ivy League caliber schools. We would have to have you complete profile to determine if it was a safety or not for you.</p>
<p>Yes, I agree with you Soozie about the safety thing. </p>
<p>Actually, I am more interested in knowing what people think of the theater program there.</p>
<p>Regarding Emory, showing interest is REALLY important. On the application, there is a question for all the ways you’ve been in contact with the school.</p>
<p>Goucher is commonly referred to as “artsy” and my D enjoyed talking to the Goucher rep at a Colleges That Change Lives Fair. It’s also one of the only LACs that is very close to a major city (Baltimore) and easier to get into than, say, Macalester (Twin Cities) or Brandeis, Boston College, etc.</p>
<p>Any info from anyone on theater at Goucher?</p>
<p>Tenyearplan, </p>
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Now THATs the spirit Id like to see more from the kids on here! Damn right you are and dont let anybody ever tell you different! Just so youll know, the terminology that is actually proper is tippy top of the top of the popper. 
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<p>I see youve closely read the twelve part thread and thats great. Theres a lot of good information there. However, youve managed to step on a couple of points of contention about which most of the old discussions actually took place on the MT forum before we had the luxury of independent threads for Theatre/Drama. </p>
<p>For some reason, some of the CC old timers are able to differentiate between MT schools that offer true triple threat training or are generally considered stronger in acting, music or dance without conflict; but, bristle at the suggestion that some BFA Acting programs offer a stronger emphasis on classical training than others and a few - very few - are considered MFA equivalents in some circles. I think some of it comes from the fact that most of the schools that offer that do not have MT majors and some of the MT parents feel saying it is somehow slighting their kids. I see it as sort of a CC PC thing … Id suggest looking at where the young actors with BFAs who regularly play the classics in the top tier repertory companies studied for the proof in the pudding. I think youll see a trend. Obviously, I think your coach has you on the right path in seeking those schools if thats what you really want and its all youre willing to settle for.</p>
<p>Heres a link to a post on a very old thread that was starting to get very contentious when Doctorjohn finally chimed in with the characteristic intellectual honesty that has made him so valuable around these parts for so many years <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/2937850-post44.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/2937850-post44.html</a></p>
<p>I believe the advice youve been given about diversifying your choices to include some less selective programs is generally very good IF youre dead set on getting BFA style training in college and wouldnt be happy studying anything else. However, that doesnt seem to be the case with you. You did say you knew this was risky and that youd as soon get a degree in something else with plans to study acting at non-scholastic studios if you cant get in one of the tippy top classically-based BFAs. </p>
<p>My only real criticism of the conventional wisdom in this area is that ALL audition-based BFA admissions are selective - a total crap shoot, really. I say that from knowing people who were accepted to places like Juilliard, NCSA, CMU etc. but were also rejected from schools generally considered a good ways down the food chain selectivity-wise. I dont think theres really any formula for projecting outcomes in this realm.</p>
<p>One thing Id suggest is that you look into some colleges in New York, LA and Chicago where you can major in Whatever and train in the non-scholastic studios at night. If your grandparents can afford to send you to Tisch, they should also be able to afford to send you to places like Occidental, the CUNY schools, etc. Theres nothing wrong with that path and it is, in fact, one which has been frequently taken by successful screen actors most of whom did not study theatre in college. I have no idea which ones would accept your community college credits towards early graduation, but its worth a look at least. If youre SURE youd be satisfied with that path, why not just get on with it? You could actually get started with it and try again as a transfer to the tippy toppers freshman year although I guess it could inhibit travel to London to audition for UK schools without incurring excessive absences. </p>
<p>Re Juilliard: Look up old posts by Annabelera on the MT forum from around five years ago. Of course, Kahn was still in charge at the time, but the only major change Ive heard since Houghton took over is that steps have been taken to establish a kinder, gentler Juilliard. I think I agree with cg03 in that they dont really know what they want until they see it, admissions-wise. They just consider older students equally in the mix unlike most programs.</p>
<p>Re Rutgers: I dont think Ive ever heard anybody say that any of their faculty members are verbally abusive. Tough, yes, and Ive heard reports that they practice a bit of shock and awe with freshmen at first, but not abusive. Are you sure its the BFAs? I know there was a guy who was cut from the MFA program who raised a major stink about it all over the internet, but the other side of that story has never been publicly offered other than in the replies to his blog that were apparently deleted. </p>
<p>Re CalArts: Id suggest you go back and look at your numbers again on those contact hours. Ive never heard anybody who went there complain about a lack of class time. Also know that while contact hours are a good place to start, just looking at whats on the official schedule doesnt always tell the whole story.</p>
<p>Re UNCSA: High school dorms or not, I dont think thats a program you should write off for any reason if what youre looking for is full out classical training.</p>
<p>RE Schools with MT programs: I kind of feel ya there, really, although its traditionally been another one of those points of contention around here. I believe its a legitimate personal choice depending on who you are as long as you have enough other schools on your list. People sometimes forget that there are those of us in the world who are reported to have first banged our heads when our mothers introduced us to Van Halen and AC/DC via 80s style headphones when we were still in the womb and would rather hear nails on a chalkboard than listen to somebodys Sondheim collection. Its something youll to an extent run into no matter where you go, though. Remember that most youth theatre in the U.S. is MT. Most kids youll find in college programs did initially come from that background and are still into the music even if its not what theyre pursuing. I dont think Ive ever felt like a second class citizen, but Id be lying if I said I didnt feel a bit alienated from time to time
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<p>Hope this helps!</p>
<p>Although I have been quiet I have been reading along with great interest. My rising Senior finished up with school, testing (for now), watching her friends graduate and Senior Prom. We are all happy to say goodbye to Junior year.</p>
<p>She just took off for two weeks at University of Minnesota and is VERY excited. When she gets back she has a full to do list with working on monologues and essays and taking a math class at the community college. She’ll finish her summer with another program at a local theater and then launch into Senior year and all that entails. I definitely feel like this is a momentary lull!</p>
<p>Thanks for writing, fishbowl! It’s a great honor to have you visit us. Your comments are very thoughtful and helpful. I’m curious - where would you say are BFAs, classically-based, that are a bit less selective? There must be some that have that focus that aren’t quite as hard to get into as Julliard, etc. (although I know what you mean about the unpredictable nature of these admissions).</p>
<p>LoP: Tell us about Minn when she gets back. Sounds great.</p>
<p>My D has started summer rehearsals. She’s having a ball. Sure beats 12 hours a day of marching band the last 3 summers …</p>
<p>I’m going to keep bumping this thread fairly close to the top, so we all can keep in touch. </p>
<p>Anyone looking at monologues? How’s that going?</p>
<p>Wow. A visitation by little ol’ me an “honor?” Some of the old timers are probably thinking, “Oh, no! Here she comes again!” LOL</p>
<p>Ummm … Well, really, in-depth classical training most typically takes place on the graduate level in the US and, like I said, there really aren’t that many undergraduate programs that dig into it to that extent to my knowledge. Just off the top of my head, a couple of other programs typically considered a little less “reachy” that I’ve heard make claims to it are the acting programs at Hartt and U Arizona. Just know that there was a guy in my h/s class who was rejected by Hartt, but got in some schools generally considered up the food chain. There was also a guy on CC a few years ago who was actually cut by Arizona and turned around and got accepted to CMU the next year, so you never know …</p>
<p>The University of Utah’s BFA program is classically-based (to the best of my knowledge) and might be considered less of a “reach” school, though (as we know) acceptance to any by-audition program is extremely unpredictable. I can’t speak to the overall quality of the program, though their faculty seems to come from strong training backgrounds themselves (particularly in voice and speech). Historically it has been known as a prominent “feed” program into the major graduate schools, but that era may have passed. I’m not sure.</p>
<p>My D and I have been talking a lot this weekend, and she’s starting to refine her list more. Her summer of theater experience is helping immensely - she’s learning more of what matters to her and what doesn’t. She’s finding herself even more intensely drawn to acting and theater arts training, so we may expand our search a bit more.</p>
<p>fishbowl, your comments are really helpful, and give us excellent perspective. I agree, too, that it is helpful to keep the MFA in mind as we go through this process. My D knows that it may be where she does the intense work she wants, in the long run. But we’ll see what she can come up with this year, in the meantime.</p>
<p>My child is on a different wavelength than the others I’m reading about here. Poor to mediocre grades (some real improvement this spring, but still…), mediocre SAT’s, but passion and then some in theatre. Attending a first-class, audition based conservatory this summer. Years of theatre camp, theatre coaching, performance, etc. Now my child wants a BFA in actor training. Not easy to get into college with bad academics, so we’re looking at a range of schools (tough to find safeties with such a rough GPA and SAT). Shuddering at the odds while braving the elements at the prospect of mostly audition-based programs. Trying to be realistic and still stay positive and focussed in this morass of postings from high academic achievers!!! :</</p>
<p>Four kids from my theatre conservatory did BFA auditions this year and said that while it’s more difficult to be accepted with academic concerns, the auditioners can occasionally pull a few strings. Don’t give up hope. That said, what grade will your child be in next year? If a junior, I think some real elbow grease could improve chances.</p>
<p>nalajen - I’m sorry if this thread worried you! Actually there are two reasons you shouldn’t be discouraged: First, many, many of the schools, even the top schools, will overlook academic stats over what they see at the audition. It can be done. Second, and more important, there are wonderful BFA programs at schools that are not very academically selective. </p>
<p>If you haven’t read the long archived thread, I suggest that you do. It takes a couple of days, but it is loaded with info and has great stories. On page 8 there is a list of BFA programs. A few things may have changed because it’s a few years old, but it is a very useful place to start. You’ll see that many programs are in state schools which have very clear academic thresholds, and also many programs are in schools that otherwise mostly cater to a non-intellectual, kind of “pre-professional” student (like business, nursing, education) and don’t expect high academics. Conservatories, too, are an option. Some expect high stats, and others don’t. There are also training programs, even at least one BFA, that are not academically based at all.</p>
<p>Keep talking to us, and ask all you want. Good luck!</p>
<p>One thing that could help us all would be if someone wants to take the page 8 list and update it for 2011 … any takers?</p>
<p>Wow, Nalajen, it sounds like your child has some pretty awesome credentials. I think all our kids bring something unique to this process and will have all kinds of different (positive!) outcomes. I just think its cool that they are pursuing their passions and are so willing to put themselves out there.</p>
<p>ETA: And on the subject of monologues, I thought monologues were all wrapped up. D took a course this past year that focused on monologue prep. And I was feeling pretty happy that a major to-do could be crossed off the list. But just recently D told me that she had decided several of her monologues weren’t working, and no, there are no suitable monologues in any of the plays she will be performing in next year. But not to worry because she has it under control and already met with her teacher to talk about it. Y’know, she probably does, but that won’t stop me from worrying.</p>
<p>LeftofPisa, I am impressed that your daughter is being so careful about her monologue list. Kids this age are still growing and changing, and she may have learned things that have shown her that her monologues are not the best.</p>
<p>Choosing monologues is perhaps the single most challenging thing about the whole process of college auditions. They need to be so uniquely tailored to showcasing one’s abilities…to be monologues that the student can really connect to…and they should not be on the “overdone” lists.</p>
<p>The fact that you need 5 or 6, to meet the auditioning requirements of various programs and have backups, makes it even harder.</p>
<p>In our case (my son just finished his freshman year in the BFA program at Boston University), we were lucky to find a monologue coach with high-level professional acting credentials who had helped other students prepare for college auditions. </p>
<p>My son hadn’t been having very good luck with choosing monologues on his own. The very first thing the coach did was give him piles of plays to read, every one of which contained appropriate material.</p>