<p>Here's a new Part to this ongoing discussion with links to the old ones. Maybe the powers that be could paste this one to the top of the forum and close out Part 9? Best of luck to all who are waiting for letters and calls and congrats to those who have already received good news! :)</p>
<p>I have been asking a lot of questions about a variety of programs. Perhaps we could begin a discussion for HS Juniors/parents (me) who have just started the search and winnowing process. First, a broad question. I was just looking at a 1998 book by Everett(sp.) outlining acting programs. The information is outdated (especially the rankings), but some interesting information was provided RE: the number of undergrad students in various BFA/BA programs. I noticed that some programs (of somewhat similarly sized institutions) admit very few (20-35), some admit in the range of 50-75 new students, and some admit 150 plus. I am aware that the Guthrie (U. of MN) admits a small BFA class in their unique cooperative program. I also saw that the Univ. of Utah has a similarly small program - also, one of the few to have significantly more men than women. What other programs resemble Guthrie and Utah?
I know that Guthrie has a real low selection ratio (accepted/applied). I assume that Utah's selection ratio is also small. Anybody know of other BFA actig programs that are similarly small and therefore incredibly selective? We would not want our list to consist of too many of these programs.
And, if you would like to share, any 'rankings' (unofficial, of course) as to which programs have the lowest selection ratios, we would appreciate it. Alternatively stated, which programs are particularly difficult to get into, recognizing that it is tough overall? I assume that this list (excluding Ivy schools and places like Northwestern that are tough to get into unless one's grades and scores are stellar - not my son) would include Julliard, Guthrie, Utah, Michigan.</p>
<p>Anyone heard yet from CMU acting? My D has gotten into College Of Santa Fe (BFA), Manhattanville, Drew, all with partial scholarships, but we are still waiting for Emerson, Ithaca, CMU....</p>
<p>Brian,
If you look back at the beginning of Part 8, Thesbohemian took the time to put together a long, linked list of BFA schools and marked some of them as being very selective. I agree with most of those. Like you said, it is tough overall and most of the BFA programs you have to audition for are going to have small classes and low admit rates. Also, keep in mind that many of them "cast" their classes, so there's really no way of telling which might take you. It just depends on who else is out there and what they're looking for that particular year. I've seen it happen more than once where kids got in one or more of the "top" schools but were rejected from others that might generally be considered a ways down the list selectivity-wise. It could have been that they just tanked on those auditions, but I doubt it.</p>
<p>Brian
There is a book you can purchase(I was not able to locate any library copies of this book in our area) titled "Directory of Theatre Training Programs. It profiles college and conservatory programs in the USA. Gives information on degrees offered,admissions, faculties, facilities, productions and philosohy of training. I have the 10th edition 2005-2007. My D and I found it very helpful when researching schools. For purchase information go to <a href="http://www.theatredirectories.com%5B/url%5D">www.theatredirectories.com</a>. It contains info for both undergraduate and graduate programs and is about 300 pages.Excellent reference guide.</p>
<p>Travellinghopefully
Great user name. The waiting game has been the hardest part of this entire audition ordeal for me. My D has several friends that auditioned for Emerson, Ithaca and CMU. They have not heard anything as of yet. Oh, one did hear early decision from Emerson and was accepted. Now I not only hold out immense hope for my own D to receive an acceptance letter to at least one school(after all you can only go to one school at a time!) but I am holding on to hope for many of her friends that I have come to know through this journey. I have fear that the mailman may report me to authorities as a "stalker". Never have I been so interested in the mail!</p>
<p>Thanks Kip! I know from having been through this with my son (though not for acting) that there is a reason for everything. He got into his first choice, hated it and transferred overseas where he happily spent the next three years. So it all works out in the end but oh, the anxiety of the waiting! Good luck, I hope you hear soon!</p>
<p>Travelling:
Congrats on the acceptances. Can you tell us more about Drew??</p>
<p>Brian:
Sometimes the larger classes are because it's a large program. Other times, it means there's a significant cut system. The reasons for larger freshmen classes is certainly something to look into.</p>
<p>Drew is one of those unknown treasures, at least on the West Coast. It does not have a BFA program but the theater program is wonderful. The New Jersey Shakespeare Theater is located there and there apparently is quite a bit of interaction with the students (or so I have been told). They have great semesters abroad and a senior internship in NY with any number of theaters. The campus itself is absolutey beautiful and you sort of get the best of both worlds because it is a real campus in a great small town about 30 minutes from NYC by train. Our college counselor told us about it and when we looked at it we were very impressed. They have a really interesting philosophy about requirements too-it is worth looking at their site. My sense is that it is one of those LACs that is just starting to get national attention. My D is actually very excited about their program. When she received her acceptance, there was a lovely handwritten note from the head of admissions which made the whole process seem very personal. I think she is going to do an overnight there in April as well. Best of luck to you! Oh I keep meaning to ask, how did your s like CMU summer? my D had a blast!</p>
<p>My D interviewed at Ithaca College for the BA of Theatre. The day of the interview/auditions we were told last year there were about 1,250 applicants. I just talked with the School of Theatre office - the class they are looking for this year is 65, 70 max. and it includes all BAs and BFAs.</p>
<p>fishbowlfreshman:Thanks for your comments. I am familiar with the list in 'part 1' of this thread. I guess what I am asking is whether small programs like the University of Utah are tougher to get into because their entry class is about 35, in contrast to a a program that may be considered an 'acting Ivy', but admits in excess of 150. Obviously BU, Syracuse, etc. get tons of applicants, so the selection ratio may be equal or lower, so it is likely true that selection ratios are smaller at colleges that are perceived as top-tier.
I am trying to ascertain which programs are 'easier' to get into, perhaps because of the college's location, or perhaps because the program does not have brand status. I hesitate to ask this question so directly (and to use the word 'easier) because, as is often discussed on this thread and the MT threads, there are so many variables that are used in extending offers. Further, as someone in higher ed., I recognize that 'rankings' are just that; rankings - there are excellent programs that some may consider second or third tier, but someone else would rank high because the program is a good 'fit', etc.
Let me be more to the point. We have been looking at what seem to be very good BFA programs, but programs that are rarely mentioned on CC and directories; Wyoming, Montana, West Virginia, Drake, Tulane, and MSU - to name a few. We plan to apply to a couple of reach programs (Rutgers, Syracuse), as well as some non-audition programs, but what we are trying to guage is which programs fall within our 'good shot' list - decent probability of at least one offer. I am particularly anxious because my S has been acting for only a year. We know that he will be competing against kids from performance high schools with long resumes. It's hard for me to guage how good he is. He seems to outshine the other kids in his acting classes and he landed a leading role in his only audition, but other than that, my information is limited. I will soon have a better sense as to his talent, as he has applied to two summer programs that are audition-based.
I am assuming, perhaps incorrectly, that his gender and ECs (very good athlete) may help. I have noted that, with few exceptions, women outnumber men by a significant margin, not only in the number applied but also the the number enrolled. While sex should not influence selection, all else being equal, we want to leverage anything that we can.
Regarding 'cutting'. I have downloaded program catalogues and reviewed their cutting policies. I have also noted comments on CC regarding programs that cut (DePaul, Arizona, etc.). We are avoiding programs that cut for reasons other than grades/attendence/inappropriate behavior. I understand why programs have to cut, but I see no reason for aggressive and seemingly arbitrary cutting.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I guess what I am asking is whether small programs like the University of Utah are tougher to get into because their entry class is about 35, in contrast to a a program that may be considered an 'acting Ivy', but admits in excess of 150.
[/quote]
I suppose you could call the schools and get numbers who auditioned versus numbers accepted if those aren't in your books. If you really want to pursue things this way, one other thing to ask about is "yield" or how many of those accepted outright actually matriculate versus how many tend to come off whatever waitlist system they might have. To murk it up even more, some schools "overaccept" and have a waitlist plus consider MT applicants for acting so you would have to somehow figure all that into the equation. Even with all that, I'll hypothesize that you'll find yourself looking at only a few percentage points between the schools you've mentioned and there are just soooooo many subjective variables that I'm not so sure the numbers will be all that reliable of an indicator. But ... I am shooting from the hip and could indeed be wrong. :) Maybe some of the faculty people who read have some ideas? </p>
<p>I'm thinking that another thing your son should be looking into with these schools is what is actually taught versus his preferences. For instance, I notice that you listed Rutgers and Syracuse as reaches. As I recall, Rutgers emphasizes Meisner Technique and I believe Syracuse emphasizes Strasberg. (correct me if I'm wrong) Those approaches to acting are very different and different students are going to react to and grow with them well ... very differently. Then, considering that he only has one year of experience, he might not have any such preference at this point. In that case, my view is that he might do better looking at schools that don't prescribe any one technique but instead expose students to a variety of influences so they can in a sense develop their own techniques and use what works best for them. Nothing against Rutgers, Syracuse, Meisner, or Strasberg because they've obviously all produced some very good actors. Just something else to think about ... as if you didn't already have enough on your plate. :)</p>
<p>Thank you, Fishbowlfreshman, for creating a new Part 10 to this ongoing discussion regarding Theater/Drama Colleges, and for including the links to the old threads, Parts 1-9, for those who want to read the past posts on this topic. This thread is now featured at the top of the Arts Majors Forum so those looking for a discussion on colleges for theater can find it readily.
CollegeMom</p>
<p>I will put in my two cents to say that the Univ. of Wyoming has an amazing "under the radar" program. I have several students who have or are currently attending. My oldest D is a BA in Theatre and Dance graduate (2002). She started as a BFA acting major and then decided not to be an actor so they helped her switch to BA with a management emphasis and she loved it and is working as a production manager for Royal Caribbean. I have other students who are/were BFA acting majors and have done so well. </p>
<p>Their Irene Ryan successes speak for themselves. I recommend everyone should look at this school. It has so many great things, including great placement for grad school, acting for the camera classes, instructors who still work professionally, no grad program, the list goes on and on. Oh, UWyo is also the only university in Wyoming so it has a lot more money for great financial aid.<br>
Good-luck everyone. Glad I'm not doing this again. My youngest and last D went the Musical Theatre route last year. What a ride that was!</p>
<p>Just to let everyone know, I talked to the Emerson admissions people today. They told me acceptance would be MAILED-that's right, snail mail- on April 1.
Has anyone heard from Ithaca? And anyone going to College of Santa Fe or have info on it? Thanks and good luck to everyone!</p>
<p>Hey, I was just wondering if anyone has heard from Syracuse? It looks like all the MT kids found out but what about the ones who tried out for just drama?</p>
<p>Does anyone know much about this program? The school is rated fairly high academically and they have a new arts center. Just curious about any alumns from this program. It seems like a solid academic theatre program.</p>
<p>SouthernMDmom, I, too, have heard good things about UMd's drama program. I believe the department (they have graduate and undergraduate depts) has a partnership of sorts with Woolly Mammoth in DC, which is obviously a benefit. It would definitely be worth looking into.</p>
<p>I just looked at my D's letter from Emerson two years ago. I don't have the envelope with the postmark date, however. She had been accepted into Emerson in the EA round that December but deferred for the BFA in MT degree program until RD. The letter informing her that she did not get into the BFA is dated April 5! I can't recall when it actually arrived. By then she was in at her first choice school and so it doesn't leave a mark in my memory. It was one of the last letters she received, however.</p>