<p>After paying the deposit to Point Park at the end of March, my D got a call a few days later saying that COPA was filled and that she was put on the wait list to get in. So now instead of relaxing and enjoying our Spring Break trip to Florida with the college decision made, I am stressing out, losing sleep, making calls, researching, planning a college visit, making plane, hotel and car reservations.. etc.. you get the idea.
The next two options for her are Muhlenberg (which we know everything about) and SUNY Buffalo BFA Acting (which we know little about). I have done as much research on Buffalo as I can and while we have some idea of the program, I am turning to you to see if anyone has any thoughts or insights on the SUNY Buffalo program.
She is going to visit SUNY Buffalo after we get home from vacation, but we will only have about 5 days to make the final selection.
We have to move forward as if PP is a no and find the next best fit for her. The good thing is that she loved Muhlenberg and after her visit she told me that Muhlenberg has everything that she is looking for in a college. The reason she chose PP over Muhlenberg is because the cost would be about the same for us and she thought that she would get better training at PP (just her opinion).
SUNY Buffalo came into the picture late in the game as we initially thought she was rejected from the BFA program. However, 3 weeks after the rejection letter came she got another letter informing her that she was accepted to the BFA Acting program. She was rejected from MT, but accepted for acting.
The nice thing about Buffalo for us is the price. She will be able to graduate with little or no debt. It is half the price of both PP and Muhlenberg, but we don't know alot about the program. I would not send her there on price alone if the training was horrible.
I really believe that everything happens for a reason and she will end up where she belongs, but this added stress is taking it's toll on me.
Sorry for the long post, but what I am looking for is any insights or thoughts on the SUNY Buffalo BFA Acting program. Thanks
<em>Please let it be May 2nd..Please let it be May 2nd..Please let it be May 2nd :)</em></p>
<p>I have no advice…but boy do I have sympathy. I really think this is unspeakable. D has a bright, talented friend who is extremely happy at Muhlenberg, for what its worth.</p>
<p>No advice either, but sending positive vibes to you and your daughter! :)</p>
<p>Wait…I am confused. They accepted your daughter to the MT program and you sent in your deposit. THEN they told you the program is “full” and there is now no room for her and she will be on a wait list? If so, I think that is awful. REALLY bad form.</p>
<p>Wow! I feel awful for for your daughter. Are they allowed to do that? Anyway, I have heard wonderful things about Muhlenberg. Great school and great program</p>
<p>Good luck to you.</p>
<p>@gpmom48230 - yes, that is exactly what happened to us. I am very thankful that we have other choices my D will be happy with and that we did not turn down any offers as of yet, but I am stressed to the max.
Muhlenberg is a great program - thanks for the confirmations and all the good thoughts and wishes…anybody know anything about SUNY Buffalo?</p>
<p>Call NASM (Telephone: 703-437-0700) and ask about this:<br>
“…allow students to choose without penalty among offers of admission…until May 1”</p>
<p>ARTICLE III: FINANCIAL AID
Section 3
D. Institutions shall allow students to choose without penalty among offers of admission and financial aid until May 1 of the calendar year of matriculation for undergraduate-level programs and until April 15 of the calendar year of matriculation for graduate-level programs. Written declarations of intent become binding on these dates.</p>
<p>I’ve heard conflicting info, but NAST (theatre) and NASM (music) should have similar rules. It may also be that if music department classes are included in the BFA-MT, that the degree is bound by NASM regulations as well. </p>
<p>Also read this thread:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/875533-school-not-abiding-may-1st-deadline.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/875533-school-not-abiding-may-1st-deadline.html</a></p>
<p>This happened to me and quite a few others as well. There is a thread titled Waitlist Process under PP and another below this thread titled Another PP Controversy.</p>
<p>I received my acceptance letter along with a nice talent award to PP back at the very beginning of March and was so excited as this has been one of my top choices since the very beginning the audition process. My parents and I drove to Pittsburgh all the way from Texas over my Spring Break a couple weeks ago to visit the school and sit in on a class. We found it to be an amazing program. Jack Allison and Michael McKelvey were so welcoming and insightful. We knew after we left that PP was definitely at the top of the list.</p>
<p>After turning down several acceptances to other schools and narrowing my decision down to just two schools this past week, my parents went online this week to make our $350 tuition deposit to PP. Yesterday we received a very apologetic call from the Director of Artistic Recruitment informing us that they had already filled all available slots and unfortunately would not be able to admit us at this time and would place us pretty far down on a waitlist. His explanation was that they auditioned and made offers to quite a few kids that accepted early and made their deposit quickly. He was quick to point out that in the acceptance letter they encouraged kids to secure their place in the 2012 class by making a deposit as soon as possible as they often reach their limit prior to May 1st. He stated that they generally don’t have that many kids accept so early and while they usually have a pretty good idea of what percentage will accept, this year has been unusually different and they did not have room to take in any more. </p>
<p>Apparently based on other threads PP was full as of February 12th long before I even got my acceptance. It wouldn’t have made any difference if I had my deposit that day or two weeks later. Needless to say I am devastated and heartbroken after a long journey of auditions beginning last Fall.</p>
<p>Speechless. Other schools, when finding themselves with too many acceptances, bite the bullet and hire more staff and just make room somehow. This school tells accepted students there is no room? Sputtering.</p>
<p>I don’t know about the actual theater program at SUNY Buffalo but I did grow up in Buffalo and went to that college. Buffalo is a wonderful town to live in, the school gives a great education, and I think your daughter would enjoy her time there. As for the program not playing by the rules, while I am not one who believes a lot in the lawsuit happy culture we have, I think in this case you may have some legal recourse.</p>
<p>I know that there’s a member here who has commented on Buffalo in previous discussions but I’m not positive who it was. Maybe mtdog71? Might be worth sending him a PM.</p>
<p>NYMom94,
I am so, so sorry this happened to you, and I can’t believe how unethical this is! Please make copies of your post and Future Reno’s and post them on the Point Park thread. Students next year need to know about this so they don’t end up in the same situation!</p>
<p>Also, have you looked on the Drama majors forum on CC majors? You might find more Info on Buffalo there. Best of luck!</p>
<p>How shocking and unfair!</p>
<p>Hopefully your D will love wherever she ends up so much she won’t at all regret it. What a bummer but perhaps it will end up being for the best.</p>
<p>futurereno ~was this something McKelvey did or is this policy something over his head that he can’t change?
(you can message me if you are uncomfortable discussing it publicly)</p>
<p>NYMom94 and futurerno, So, so sorry to hear about that. My Twin S #2 auditioned at PP early, was accepted in November and we sent in deposit by early January. I called them in november to talk to them and was surprised at their process. He just decided against PP for MT and requested our deposit back. Hope it provides a spot for someone who needs it! </p>
<p>Futurereno, Is your Dad an IU fan? If so, I met him at OU auditions in March!</p>
<p>nymom94, I’m so sorry that you’ve been forced into this situation; it’s unconscionable that PP would do this. While I can’t give you advice re: SUNY Buffalo based on first-hand experience, perhaps I can provide a little bit of info? My family lives in the Buffalo area, my husband and I graduated from UB (not in theatre); and my S was accepted to UB’s MT program last year (but chose to attend a school further from home). We are very familiar with the program, since quite a few of the friends my son trained with/performed with over the years are currently attending UB for acting/MT/dance or have graduated, and a few of his former instructors are members of the theatre faculty there. Anyway, I would wholeheartedly encourage you and your daughter to visit the school and the department and ask lots of questions when you get there! All of the students we’ve known who are currently attending UB or have graduated from there are/were quite happy in the program and are very involved in the theatre industry, whether as summer stock or employed after graduation (including kids who have worked in NYC and so many other major cities, Disney, Bush Gardens, various cruise lines and many regional theatres). UB’s facilities are first-rate, and UB’s Center for the Arts is absolutely beautiful! Faculty is incredibly talented and well-connected throughout the industry. Most of them are currently working in the business, whether locally or throughout the country. They really, really look out for their students, often employing them outside of school and for summer stock (not to mention the many opportunities to perform on campus). The North campus, where the theatre program is located, is very nice (BIG!), although it is situated in a suburb of Buffalo, not in the city. However, transportation to UB’s city campus is just a matter of picking up one of the shuttles that runs regularly between both campuses – affording students easy access to a tremendously vibrant and surprisingly sophisticated arts/entertainment community in the city. Honestly, I think your daughter couldn’t go wrong in UB’s acting program! The department and faculty are really well-respected and distinguished in their fields. Congratulations to her on her acceptance to the program, admission is certainly competitive! And trust that although the cost for her to attend there is relatively low for in-state students, the quality of the education she would get there would not be compromised. BTW, if your daughter would like to communicate with a current student, let me know and I’ll ask my S for contact info. Good luck to you and your daughter and try not to stress too much (I know, easy for me to say). She still has a GREAT option in UB! P.S., winters in Buffalo are not nearly as bad as they’re reputed to be…</p>
<p>I know 2 students in the BFA MT program at Buffalo. Maybe I could hook you up with one of them. One is a Jr and the other a Freshman. Both girls and they love it! I attended University of Buffalo and loved it! But that was ages ago. So sorry that you are having to deal with this! Good luck!</p>
<p>SoozieVT has posted how students can appeal to the Ntl Assoc. of College Counselors:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/14244580-post4.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/14244580-post4.html</a></p>