<p>Here's a new part to this ongoing discussion with links to the old ones. Happy Holidays and best of luck to those about to go through "the process." :) </p>
<p>Theater/Drama</a> Colleges Part 1</p>
<p>Theater/Drama</a> Colleges Part 2</p>
<p>Theater/Drama</a> Colleges Part 3</p>
<p>Theater/Drama</a> Colleges Part 4</p>
<p>Theater/Drama</a> Colleges Part 5</p>
<p>Theater/Drama</a> Colleges Part 6</p>
<p>Theater/Drama</a> Colleges Part 7</p>
<p>Theater/Drama</a> Colleges Part 8</p>
<p>Am I the only one? When I try to go to parts 1-6, it comes up in some kind of unreadable Java Script format.</p>
<p>
[quote]
There is too much theatre in my life!
[/quote]
[quote]
I'm an Acting major. I have no time.
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[quote]
There are twenty-four hours in a day. It's not enough!
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I noticed on the last few pages of Part 10 of this thread that there was some concern about the dropout rates at a couple of conservatory programs and those are actual quotes from some people at both. I think that's a big contributor. In considering the more intensive programs, you should realize that what is being done is fairly unnatural. Basically, a student is expected to graduate with all the tools necessary to play virtually any role in any genre and acquire all that in four years. It should take a lifetime! </p>
<p>Multiple family members just came through the door so I might continue this missive at a later time. :)</p>
<p>HSN - The links work fine on both my computer and my mom's.</p>
<p>Just wondering FF if you are happier in your program now. Seems awhile back you were thinking of switching?</p>
<p>I liked one of your comments about going with your gut feel when choosing a program. I told my daughter that is what she will need to do in the end (assuming she has choices!!!). Any other words of wisdom for the high school seniors embarking on the journey??</p>
<p>I am new to this forum, so if I am not in the right thread, just tell me. I have just found this thread and wish I had found it months ago. But, better late than never. I would like to know how you register for the Unifieds, or do you just go? So far, I have only scheduled school-specific auditions, but one of mine is in New York on 2/3/2008. Since the Unifieds are there 2/2-3 as well, I wondered if it might be good to go there, too.</p>
<p>You have to schedule auditions for the Unifieds with each individual school. In other words, if you want to audition for (for instance) Boston Conservatory, you need to apply to the school and then schedule your audition (in this case, at Unifieds) via their online scheduler. Other schools ask that you call or email them to schedule. I wouldn't advise just showing up. Best of luck!</p>
<p>stlouismom,
I'm much happier. I transferred and am now in the second year of my second program. I guess that makes me a dropoout statistic at my first school although it had little to do with the intensity or quality of the program. It was a more a personal thing. But yeah ... Gotta go with the gut. You can dissect all these programs til the cows come in, but intellectual analysis falls short. I think a lot of h/s seniors don't really know what they want in a program outside just some basic ballpark ideas ... and even those can change. They sure did for me. </p>
<p>/actor,
You don't register for the Unifieds as such. You schedule your auditions through the schools like NotMomaRose said. Here's a link to the Unifieds</a> Site. Also, there are a lot more schools that audition on the same days in the same cities than those that are an official part of the Unifieds. The thing to do is look at the available audition dates and locations for the schools you are interested in and see if they correspond. You can save a lot of travel money that way. There is also the possibility of doing unscheduled walk-in auditions for some schools.</p>
<p>Same problem...cannot access the previous threads!!!!</p>
<p>They worked for me. I tried them, just to see. It takes a moment for them to pop up. Thanks to fishbowlfreshman for the new organization! :)</p>
<p>Reflecting back on the NotMamaRose post above: is there anyone out there capable of guesstimating the number of first year students who leave DePaul's program voluntarily because of its INTENSITY - i.e., this proportion in comparison to the proportion that are cut involuntarily.</p>
<p>Great question, Brian! I will be interested in hearing if anyone knows anything about this.</p>
<p>Brian, I don't know how many leave DePaul voluntarily (not due to cuts) but I can tell you that at almost all of the BFA programs, students leave voluntarily and the classes dwindle. Many just did not realize what they were getting into in terms of the intensity of a BFA program and some leave for other reasons. This is common in my observations at all schools, not just DePaul. DePaul, however, has the cuts that are drastic (50% of the class), and many schools have no cut policies at all. Kids still leave though, of their own accord.</p>
<p>A friend is taking her child to auditions at DePaul NEXT weekend. I will ask her to listen carefully to what they say about how many students leave the program and what they attribute that to. If I get info, I'll be sure to post it here!</p>
<p>soozie, you just broached a subject that I have been wondering about, and others probably have been, too. To wit:</p>
<ul>
<li>Does anyone have any figures for individual schools as to what percentage of students in freshmen year BFA programs (for acting and/or MT) leave/drop out either before the end of that first year or don't return for sophomore year? </li>
</ul>
<p>As you noted, kids leave all kinds of majors and programs for a variety of reasons. But I am wondering about various schools' BFA programs in particular. Anyone know?</p>
<p>The discussion about load and retention is interesting. This is one reason we wanted my S to go to a summer pre-college program. He went 9-9 (and later) for a stretch and got some sense of what it was like to take theater classes all day and work on a production in the PM. I suggested to him, OK, now take that load up a few notches and imagine sustaining it for 4 years.</p>
<p>letsfigureitout: Thanks. My S reserved a 4 hour slot at Unifieds for DePaul, but has not yet submitted the application.</p>
<p>NMR...I don't know the numbers that melt each year from particular BFA programs but simply know that a significant number of kids leave most of the programs and the senior class size is smaller than when they were freshmen. Like you say, it happens in other majors or colleges too. And so some of the typical reasons to leave a school exist for any college freshmen. </p>
<p>But I believe SOME who leave BFA programs (not all who leave) do so as it is not right for them and they are not right for the program either. Some truly don't understand what they are getting into. The programs are not like regular college. They are booked solid morning, noon, night, weekends. My own kid understood it and already led a life a lot like that (though college is even more so). It takes a level of passion. It takes a level of work ethic. It takes a level of time management. You know, a lot of folks dismiss having academic qualifications for BFA programs but I disagree. Students who get good grades in demanding classes in high school while juggling artistic training and productions have a certain work ethic and time management skill and general abiilties to endure and thrive in a BFA program. Even in my line of work as a college counselor, I see a DIRECT correlation in students' work ethic and time management skills in doing the applications for college admissions. Time and time again, my students with the better grades, harder high school courses, who are busier in terms of extracurriculars as well, are the ones who are good at time management with applications, put full effort into them, etc. etc. The kids whom I have to nag to do the work, who put off to the last minute, who put low effort into the products they put out and are satisfied with simply meeting requirements (no more beyond that to put out something beyond "good enough") are ones that I worry about being able to make it in a BFA program. I know as a parent of a child IN a very demanding BFA program, what it entails. I see some high school kids who can't handle applications and school or a show and applications or can't get anything done until the last moment, and I wonder how they will be able to handle what I know my D's life is like in a BFA program. My kid has school all day, rehearsals every night and weekend, other committments too numerous to mention, and still has to do the homework for academic classes (write papers), prepare for scenes and songs for the studio classes, and so on and so forth, usually getting home no earlier than 11 PM every night and being booked solid, including weekends. I've heard people say that going to college in NYC would be a "distraction" and they have no idea that there is no time for such "distractions" as the program is all consuming. In fact, my D and her BFA pals stay in the city for several days at the end of each semester just to enjoy things in the city that they don't have time for in their intense schedules! Many, including herself, chose theater jobs in the city over the summer just to be able to do some things there is no time for during the school year due to the intensity of their schedules. </p>
<p>I know in my D's program, after the first year, some kids left. I'd say about 1/8 of them left. They were not failing. There are no cuts in her program. I think for many, it was not what they thought and realized after doing it that it was not for them. This happens at many programs. Then, there are kids who leave programs for other reasons, just like at any college. Some also leave who are cast outside of school, by the way (D has such friends). She has a close friend who left one of the MT "Ivies" who was thriving in the program, exceling, well liked by the head of the program and never was cut, but left for personal reasons. It happens. Not all who leave do so as a BFA isn't right for them and some leave for reasons like at any college. But SOME DO leave BFA programs as they had no clue what it would be like and are not cut out for it. It would be VERY hard to be in a BFA program and all it entails unless you thrived on that sort of life. It is just too much work if you are not really into it. And as I said, at schools particularly where most of the decision to admit is based on artistic talent, they are admitting SOME kids who won't be able to cut it and they can't tell that from an audition. Kids who tend not to have the work ethic (which a school record at least can give some indication of) often can't deal with the high demands of a BFA program. It takes a certain kind of kid who has the work ethic and time management skills to deal with and thrive in such a heavy duty program that a BFA is. It is not for everyone. It is not an easy major. It is not just about being talented. One has to be a very good student to do well in such a program, in my opinion. When I see the work ethic of some students even in the college admissions process itself, it causes me concern on how they will ever make it through a BFA program if they can't juggle some application essays with high school endeavors. If they think that is tough, they won't manage when there is a LOT more on their plate in a BFA program. Students like yours or Brian's (or my own) who have sampled a summer intensive or have an intense year round schedule, and who still do well likely have what it takes to make it through a BFA program. Talent is not all that is needed. I think some think talent is all but it is not, in my view.</p>
<p>If I were an adcom for a BFA program, I would look positively on a student who did well in school while juggling artistic endeavors. A student who was talented but was unable to do well in school would concern me if they had the time management and work ethic needed to make it through a demanding BFA program. I don't know other BFA programs first hand but I know what my D's life is like at Tisch and only the strong survive, LOL. It is not for the type who likes theater but can't handle this demanding schedule. Some don't realize that until they get to a program. And thus, some leave. Hopefully, those who are considering a BFA get a deep look and understanding of what the schedule is like and what the demands are. It is not for the weak at heart. And on top of that, you might be a star back at home but be prepared to be critiqued and pushed at a BFA program and not to rest on your laurels. It is very demanding. They push you past where you are at. You are also among many other talented kids and no longer stand out like before college. Casting is real tough too. Not like home. The standards are high. The schedule is insane. Some love that and thrive. It is not for all people.</p>
<p>Nicely said and obviously very true, soozie! I have a very hectic schedule myself as a full time working parent of two kids, and I still marvel when I see the schedules that my D and her student MT and actor friends keep! (I do remind myself that they are a lot younger than I am, but still! :)) I get exhausted just watching them. But, as you say, it's good prep for the realities of a BFA program, and even with that prep, I am sure it is still a big adjustment for kids to go from high school and that level of training and practice to living the life of a BFA MT or acting major. I admire these kids a lot.</p>
<p>Brian: I think I either e-mailed and/or pm'd you regarding Depaul - I couldn't tell if it went through! Let me know if you don't get it.</p>
<p>I was just talking with a last year student in Pharmacy (6 year program). He started with 750 kids. His cohort has narrowed to 250 and only 125 of those entered with him. The others are students who transferred in with BA's in Chem. - lots of these students also could not make the grade. Of course, he is going to have no problem getting work and his first year's salary will exceed that of many established General Practitioners.</p>