Does anyone have any info on the BA program at UT? I have read their site just wondering if anyone visited or auditioned for the MT program. Thanks
D auditioned on campus and was accepted last fall (she was also accepted at a regional audition, they were nice enough to send her a letter to let her know that she did well enough at her Regional audition to be accepted, even through she was already in). D thought the campus was nice, located right next to downtown Tampa (you can easily walk across the river to downtown). She received a Presidential Scholarship and a talent scholarship which reduced the total cost by about 50%.
D really liked the head of the Theatre department, Michael Staczar, and all of the faculty that we met were very welcoming (including the head of the Music Department and the head of the Dance Department). They said at the audition that the program will be a BFA starting this fall (used to be a BA - they didn’t really change anything, but their accreditation audit suggested that their requirements really make them a BFA). They seemed very flexible with regard to minors and double majors, and relatively relaxed in general compared to some of the more well-known programs (no stern faces, no warnings about impossible odds, no recommendations against even considering double majors, etc.). According to Mr. Staczar, many of their students land jobs at the amusement parks in the Tampa-Orlando area - the school is very big on internships. Dance did not seem as strong at Tampa as some of the more well-known MT schools.
No dance call for the audition. The students at her audition came from all over the Northeast and Midwest. From what I could gather, the school is somewhat of a haven for northern students looking to escape the winter.
They do two musicals and a cabaret each year. They also have an auditioned Musical Theatre choral ensemble (OPUS).
Driving around Tampa was very easy (just don’t miss the last exit before the causeway or you will enjoy a scenic 20 mile detour across Tampa Bay). Students would probably need a car to get the most out the city (and be able to run down to the beach).
It seemed like the kind of school where you could pursue lots of different skills and interests.
@EmsDad Thank you for this detailed response,it really helps. It makes sense that it will be a BFA, I was confused reading through the curriculum bc most classes were in the major. I am happy to hear that minoring or double majoring might be doable. The no dance at audition is concerning though, especially since D is a dancer, it would be nice to show those skills. Thank you for sharing the scholarship info too, cut in half would be amazing. I love JMU’s program but keep hearing that they do not give money to those out of state, that could be a deal breaker.
I like that they do two musicals too…
@Joyfulmama – Not to hijack the Tampa thread… JMU, unfortunately, does not have a ton of scholarship money to give, and the scholarships are the same for in state and out of state. I suggest that students who meet the criteria apply EA (non-binding) to the university, and apply for the Dingeldine Scholarship http://www.jmu.edu/admissions/apply/scholarships-ding.shtml … it is a separate application, but one of the largest scholarships that JMU offers.
The School of Theatre and Dance and the College of Visual and Performing Arts has some academic merit/ talent awards to offer, but nothing as large as the Dingledine. The largest departmental/ college scholarships end up being about 1/2 instate tuition… 1/4 OOS tuition. Sometimes we also are granted room awards to offer to students for two year of on-campus housing.
@KatMT Thank you for the info and link! That scholarship sounds great! Her GPA is 3.8 awaiting test scores, and many many leadership activities so just might meet qualifications. Every little bit would help! Looking forward to meeting you this fall 
@EmsDad we are headed to Tampa this weekend for D’s audition. She has already been accepted academically & with their top scholarship! She was also accepted into their honors program. The admission rep called personally a month ago to give her the good news, I thought that was so nice! Just re-reading your response here and feeling good that this should be a good experience for her. We havent visited yet so hoping she likes it.
Tampa is in the top 25 percent of US News Rankings of Regional Universities - South and compares favorably when ranked with other MT program schools:
1 Elon
4 Samford
5 Belmont
7 James Madison
14 Christopher Newport
#22 Tampa
31 Western Kentucky
32 Western Carolina
41 Shenandoah
63 Coastal Carolina
80 Northern Kentucky
@EmsDad thats great to hear! And JMU & CNU are top of her wish list! Those auditions are not till mid-January though so we muster patience!
Do you recall how soon after the campus audition your D found out about acceptance to the program?Also where is Florida Southern College on that list you saw?
Florida Southern is in Lakeland, about 45min from Tampa. I have family there and would love to know if you visit the campus. There program is new, but looks very active and exciting. Best of luck to your D on her audition!
Thanks @brightstaral ! She has already been academically accepted there too and received their top scholarship. We are seeing FSC’s show this Saturday night (it is a musical) and touring campus on Monday, she already did an academic interview when the rep was in NY. I will let you know how it goes!
@EmsDad I just looked and Florida Southern is ranked US News #4 Regional South
@Joyfulmama - D heard back from Tampa in about 3 weeks with her artistic acceptance.
@EmsDad so could be good or bad news right in time for Christmas!! Oh boy!!
@joyfulmama - note that Florida Southern is ranked by US News as a “Regional College” vs. a “Regional University” (Tampa, Elon, Belmont, etc.). Here are some other MT programs on the “Regional Colleges - South” list:
15 Catawba
16 Anderson U
24 U Charleston
60 Lees-McRae
@EmsDad Thank you for that clarification. Being #4 is pretty good!
Cross-link for future reference - an audition experience:
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/19037250#Comment_19037250
Thank you @EmsDad I had no idea how to do that!
@brightstaral I know this is the Tampa thread but you asked about FSC. We visited Florida Southern and saw their musical, Chess. We were really pleasantly surprised, I was very impressed with the show. The vocals were insane and because ti is a rock opera, most of it was sung and they did an amazing job. There was a cirque de soleil type of scene with red drapes dropping down and three students doing acrobatics on the ropes. We were very impressed. The campus is famous for Frank Lloyd Wright buildings so it is very modern. this is not really our style but as we walked the campus we changed our mind, the campus is very nice.it is right on lake Hollingsworth so all water views. My D said at first she was eh but she liked everything the 3 student tour guides had to say. She wants to keep it on the list and still audition. I think the fact that she has already been accepted with large scholarship might have made a difference in her perception. Hope this helps.
Did anyone send in a video audition for Tampa? and how long did it take to get a response?