<p>Looking into the potential for D (grade 9) to attend a US MT school south of the 49th. Would prefer to be West Coast to be closer (and cheaper) to home on Vancouver Island. So much seems focused on Eastern Seaboard. Looking for suggestions/recommendations.</p>
<p>I’m not really familiar with any of the California offerings - but you could consider Oklahoma City University or the University of Northern Colorado. OCU also offers a high-school summer program that hosted a few Canadian students the summer my daughter was there. These 2 schools are also what I would consider not exceptionally expensive - although as a Canadian you may suffer some sticker shock! Good luck:-)</p>
<p>Central Washington University has an auditioned BFA in MT and is quite close to Vancouver Island. Also, University of Utah has an auditioned BFA in MT, and is fairly west.</p>
<p>There are many programs “out west”:</p>
<p>CALIFORNIA</p>
<p>~California Lutheran University (BA) (BA w/MT emphasis)
~California State University-Chico (BA)
~California State University-East Bay (BA) (BA w/MT option)
California State University-Fullerton (BFA) (BA; BFA, audition at end of 2nd yr)
~California State University-Northridge (BA) (BA Theatre, MT Minor)
~California State University-San Bernadino (BA) (BA w/MT emphasis)
~Notre Dame de Namur University (BFA)
~Santa Clara University (BA) (BA in Music w/MT Minor)
University of California-Irvine (BFA) (audition for MT after certain coursework complete)
University of California-Los Angeles (BA) (12-15)
University of Southern California (BFA) (BFA in Acting, Minor in MT)
Vanguard University of Southern California (BA) (BA w/MT Concentration)</p>
<p>IDAHO</p>
<p>University of Idaho (BFA)</p>
<p>NEVADA</p>
<p>~University of Nevada-Las Vegas (BA)</p>
<p>OREGON</p>
<p>Southern Oregon University (BFA Theater, Minor in MT)
~Western Oregon University (BM Contemporary Music w/MT Emphasis)</p>
<p>UTAH</p>
<p>Brigham Young University (BFA) (BFA in Music Dance Theatre)
Southern Utah University (BFA) (audition at end of 1st yr for BFA in Theatre w/MT Emphasis)
University of Utah (BFA)
Weber State University (BA or BS)</p>
<p>WASHINGTON</p>
<p>Central Washington University (BFA)
Cornish College of the Arts (BFA Performing Arts w/MT emphasis)</p>
<p>UCLA, UC Irvine, USC, and Cal State Fullerton all have their own forums listed at the top of the Musical Theatre page.</p>
<p>USC BFA is straight acting. BA students can minor in MT.</p>
<p>For what it’s worth, we’re from a similar area and after much research D didn’t apply to ANY west coast MT programs. One thing we’ve learned is that it is often much cheaper to fly to Chicago, where her school of choice is, than to many West Coast destinations as O’Hare is a bigger hub.</p>
<p>Whichever schools your D ends up considering, be sure to research actual airfares rather than assuming that nearer is cheaper. Also, don’t assume she/you will be able to drive back and forth if it’s over a days trip, as at least in our experience MT kids (and tuition-paying parents) are usually too busy to spare many days for travel.</p>
<p>D has also noticed a difference in growth among her friends who went a greater distance to school. Maybe there’s something significant about knowing your parents can’t easily drop in to bail you out if you get in trouble. ;-D</p>
<p>Have fun making “the list”, and realize things may change a lot (both with her and with the schools) over the coming few years.</p>
<p>^^ Well said, MomCares!! ^^ Agree with everything you said.</p>
<p>We miss do having our kids so far away, but it is worth it in so many ways. My kids have also noticed the differences between the kids who are away at school and those who are AWAY at school. When they are home for major breaks (no weekend trips), they tend to hang out with the latter as most of the former haven’t progressed to the same degree.</p>
<p>We are very lucky that they both attend OOS state schools that, with their scholarships, cost less than attending a state school in our own state, more than making up for travel expenses.</p>
<p>Also, we have been fortunate enough to be able to visit both kids for all their shows, so while they don’t make it home for random weekends, we have seen them in their element at least once every semester.</p>
<p>^^^Agreed!! My D did apply and was accepted to UCLA, but even though we are w/i 1 hour, it was still less expensive to fly across the country for school! She loved UCLA as a whole, but was concerned about the program, given budget cuts. They gave her almost nothing money-wise, while the school 3000 miles away gave her enough to make up for any travel expenses, and still be the least expensive alternative. California schools have little money right now, which limits the programs they can offer. Also, while it is hard to have her so far away, her personal growth over the 2 years she has been there is amazing!</p>
<p>We are also from CA - not one of the west coast schools met her needs/desires. We are also scared of the $ problems with both the UC and Cal State schools. One sort of western school we considered was University of Northern Colorado. We applied there initially but then when she got into some of her top eastern schools we canceled the audition.</p>
<p>Thanks for the info and advice. Even with our dollar being 25% stronger and at par with the greenback, it is still a huge cost for a US school. I know sports students get recruited and can get full ride scholarships (Hello Steve Nash @ Santa Clara), but does anyone know if Canadians are eligible for US entry Scholarships. </p>
<p>My alma mater (U Vic) is only 1 hr- 1:30 away, and about $5-6000 per year is hard to pass up. However the opportunity requires a good hard search and consideration.</p>
<p>The answer to your question about scholarships is no, unfortunately. Full ride scholarships, like those that athletes get, are non-existent in MT and theatre majors, for anyone let alone international students. Your D would not be eligible for any financial aid that is Federal Gov’t. based in the U.S. and many schools have limited merit $$ for internationals. She would be better off applying/auditioning for Sheridan or one of the few Canadian BFA programs where she would be eligible for generous financial aid and possibly merit money as well, and of course, the full pay cost is a fraction of what it would be at any U.S. school. Lots for you and you D to think about.</p>
<p>Tried to edit my post above but missed the time limit.</p>
<p>I have an actor friend who is amazingly successful and is an excellent example of the success of Canadians in the business. She wrote a beautiful post in her very popular blog today about the many young performers across the country who she has helped develop their talents, and talks about the way that many of them are forging their careers. Her blog is also an interesting read for young actors from the Canadian perspective who want to pursue his crazy business. I’m sure your D is probably familiar with her and the actors she often writes about. Her journey is an interesting one. If you search for Sharron Matthews blog, you’ll find it. We can’t link blogs here. :)</p>
<p>Thanks for the tip.</p>
<p>I have a number of former classmates from my BFA who are working successfully in the BIZ, (one this year at Cannes representing Canada) although none in the MT world. I am trying to rebuild my connections with them to get a better idea of where to go in 2015.</p>
<p>I just found out that the annual musical at my alma mater has been essentially eliminated there, and seats for First Year reduced from 95 in my entrance year (87) to 75 for this year. I know that things are tough all over, but at least that department brought in revenue to the school. The musicals were always were a highlight. In my 5 years we did West Side Story, Canterbury Tales, Edwin Drood and the Mikado. Their Summer Theatre program is gone too. </p>
<p>Sad really.</p>