<p>You’ve made alot of great points Margo33. Thank-you for sharing and let us know how you do!</p>
<p>I think the charge of “snob” is a result of characterizing some schools at “elite” and others as “much less competitive” – no one wants to see the school his kid attends (or may attend) described like that (even if it’s true). Even if it’s not intentional, it’s clear that some posters’ bias tends to show through (i.e. my D attends X and her professors are all blah, blah, blah)… I think the concept of “fit” doesn’t get enough emphasis in these discussions – one’s choice should be based on a number of factors but “fit” should trump “status” in my view. If a student doesn’t feel comfortable then the chances of thriving (and surviving) are reduced. And don’t we want our kids to be happy and successful? Or do we just want the sticker for the rear window of our cars?</p>
<p>WellMeaningDad…I entirely agree and believe that fit should trump prestige. </p>
<p>Gonabeastar’s Mom…
I’m sorry it has taken me several days to respond to your post directed at me on this thead. I try to help people as a volunteer on the forum when I can, but it is hard to address every post and the many PMs and emails sent to me as I would be volunteering as a full time job and already put in a lot of time doing it on top of my real job. Since your post is directed toward me, I don’t feel right in ignoring it. However, it is really a very individual situation that is pretty involved and would take me a lot of time to advise you properly and I can’t do that here on the forum. I mostly try to answer questions that help many at one time. </p>
<p>Your D only applied to three colleges: USC (where you say her academics were not well within range and I see she was denied…it is indeed a very academically selective university and so this is not a shock), CalArts (highly selective BFA program), and AMDA. While this is too late to be useful advice, I do think your D’s odds were VERY low to have a successful outcome as she did not have enough schools and in fact, one was not really in her range academically. I can’t say if CalArts was in range as I don’t know your D’s talent but it may have been but it is so selective that they turn away many very talented kids. </p>
<p>Also, what strikes me is that your D appears interested in MT and in fact, sounds like a talented singer who has received some accolades for her MT talent and has been cast well in MT. So, it surprises me a bit that she applied to CalArts which is not a MT program. If one of her strengths is singing, she may have done better at a MT school in terms of admissions. </p>
<p>By the way, you and your husband sound like very supportive parents and that will be a big plus as your D pursues this area of passion. Not all kids have that. Unfortunately, you and your D were not that well informed going into her college admissions process and unfortunately had not read CC’s MT Forum either, which is a wealth of information and I encourage you to take some time and read many threads here. It will help as you plan her next steps.</p>
<p>Your D could go to AMDA in LA. However, you said that the fit is not quite right and if that is the case, go with your gut, because you are spending time and money and the school should be one that you can fully embrace as being a good fit for your D. </p>
<p>You asked me about Santa Monica Junior College. I have to honestly tell you that I know very little about that school or any of the junior colleges. Your guidance counselor, however, is advising your D more like one would advise any “regular” college student and not someone who is looking to pursue a possible BFA in MT path. Your D could do junior college first…but IF (and I don’t know this IF in her case) she wants a BFA in MT program…it is much harder to get in as a transfer applicant, though not impossible. It MAY be that a gap year to do some serious training and to develop a much more balanced college list that is longer that will yield results where she can apply for the following year to BFA programs may be her best option…again, if she wants a BFA. However, if she is not so locked into getting a BFA (and she need not be), then perhaps a junior college where she can study theater and then transfer into a BA four year college to major in theater may be a very viable path for her. I would have to know a LOT more about her college selection criteria and preferences and a LOT more about your D to advise her appropriately. I cannot do that ON the forum or as a volunteer, however. </p>
<p>I hope this helps or in any case, I wanted to respond to you since you addressed me directly. </p>
<p>Best of luck to your daughter as she navigates the next step in her journey.</p>
<p>I find it odd that in this economic climate very expensive schools are still considered so diserable. It seems to me that going to a school that provides very good traning that is more affordable and thus allows for smaller loan amounts for students should be more competitive! Correct me please if I’m wrong but it is my understanding that college loans are the only loan that cannot be dispensed with in bankruptcy. And that late payments accrue and are carried forward just as with any commericial loan even if provided by the federal government. The law is harsh but without it money would not be available to next years students. I’m preparing this arguement for my daughter!</p>
<p>I think that public schools will see a rise in applications for the reasons thecheckbook sites. However, I think the expensive private schools will still get plenty of applicants – some who will view it as a lottery ticket (i.e. “someone has to get admitted – why not me”). I don’t consider my mortgage to be “financial aid” – so I have a dim view of taking out massive loans to pay for college. I think talented and high achieving students should get rewarded for their accomplishments (i.e. merit aid). Just to illustrate, 4% interest on a $500 million dollar endowment will fund 1000 $20,000 scholarships without touching the principal. Play with the numbers if you’d like but the point is that many schools are in a position to award merit (and need-based) aid without saddling their students (and their parents) with mountains of debt.</p>
<p>Hi soozievt,</p>
<p>Gonabastar’s Mom Here. </p>
<p>I can’t thank you enough for taking the time for some very good advice and am very thankful for someone like you, that is willing to give others of there time. I can bet you are the type of person that has much to be thankful in your own life, it always seems you get back what you give. </p>
<p>I have definitely learned so much more within these threads about colleges and musical theatre and will continue re-searching thru as we continue forward to help our daughter make the best decision. We also truly believe everything happens for a reason and that our daughter will find her way. I read a thread from a mom here named CMUjohanna’s mom. It was an amazing and inspiring story about her daughter who had gone thru a very similiar situation as my daughter has been. It had an amazing ending. I copied it and gave it the title “Determined Daughter” and put it on my daughter’s desk the day we found out she didn’t get into USC. I know my daughter has the passion to do the same thing and we have the passion for her to keep supporting her till we get it done! Again BIG THANKS TO YOU!</p>
<p>Sincerely,</p>
<p>Gonobastar’s Mom</p>
<p>gonabastar’s Mom…</p>
<p>Glad to have helped. CMUJohanna’s story is a good example and I am glad you found it. Your D can also regroup, train for a year and really put together a well balanced and realistic college list that is well researched and keep reading CC and just try again and she will succeed in reaching her goals. Best of luck to her.</p>
<p>Hi Soozievt,</p>
<p>Just one last question. Do you think it’s possible to do 1 year in jr. college mainly to get the gpa up and then try for a BFA program knowing it will be another 4 years to complete it and to just start out as a freshman for the program.</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>As I wrote earlier, IF your D is seeking BFA programs, they are much harder to get into as a transfer, and so the odds are better to apply with no college and as a freshman applicant. If you think she is seeking a BA school, then a year of junior college to improve her grades may be worth it and she can transfer into a BA school likely as a sophomore. If she goes to junior college and successfully transfers into a BFA school as a freshman, it will mean five years of college and more tuition too as another consideration. </p>
<p>But if your D attends ANY college after HS graduation, she will be considered a transfer applicant to any college even if she starts over as a freshman. She will not be considered as a freshman APPLICANT. Again, it is very slim odds for BFA transfer applicants and some programs do not even take them. </p>
<p>I don’t know anything about your D’s grades and test scores enough to advise you further. There are some BFA programs that are located within universities where the academic bar is not that high (though I don’t know your D at all if she would easily jump over it or not) such as Roosevelt, Hartt, UArts, Boston Conservatory, Point Park, Marymount Manhattan, and quite a number of others.</p>
<p>Okay I will start looking at all the schools you listed and others to and see what there minimum GPA’s requirements are and test score limits. Her gpa is only 2.70 and her SAT scores were only 1210. But her talent is a 10,000! HAHA It seems like a BFA would be better for her with less general ed. </p>
<p>Thank you Again!</p>
<p>I am sorry that you were ill informed or ill advised this year but applying to USC with those stats would have been a guarantee of a denial and so your D needs schools where her stats may be considered and it will be a challenge. I suggest that she do serious SAT or ACT prep to pull up that score. I am assuming you mean 1210 out of 2400. If you meant 1210 out of 1400 on the CR/M, that is different.</p>
<p>She may wish to also consider two year training programs such as Circle in the Square Theater School where academics do not matter in admissions and there are not gen. ed. classes, inorder to round out her college list.</p>
<p>You may also wish to look at:
Cornish College of the Arts
New World School of the Arts
Shenandoah Conservatory
Belmont University
Westminster College of the Arts at Rider University
Wagner College
Temple University
Coastal Carolina University
Manhattanville College
University of Southern Maine
Oklahoma City University
Columbia College
Cal State-Chico
Cal State-Fullerton
West Chester University</p>
<p>Another two year program would be CAP21 Professional Musical Theater Training Program (new program, though CAP21 itself is not new)</p>
<p>In addition to the ones I mentioned in a previous post.</p>
<p>I know very little about your daughter. Some of the schools I just mentioned will still be reachy academically based on what you shared.</p>
<p>Hi Soozievt, </p>
<p>The interesting thing is after my daughter’s audition in Las Vegas and USC invited her, I called them before we ever applied and gave them her exact stats. They told me if she was “called back” she should still apply as they were looking for well roundedness and that the grades were just a portion of the decision. I wish they would of told me there is no way with that GPA. I guess though I am still thankful for what we learned in going through the whole application process with USC. And it was only 1210 out of 2400!</p>
<p>You again are so helpful and a walking musical theatre guide! Thanks Again.</p>
<p>hey guys, i got into AMDA! just thought I’d let you know.:)</p>
<p>My daughter recently auditioned for AMDA and is excited about their program. I would like to hear from anyone who is currently attending, or know someone who is attending, the BFA program. I am a little worried after reading all the posts for AMDA, but notice most are from a couple of years ago, before the BFA program. What do people think of it now?</p>
<p>My D is at AMDA and for her it is a really good fit. If you have specific questions, just PM me.</p>
<p>My mother and I just found out about AMDA and I was trying to find out about it too. In response to those who continually are getting flyers from AMDA, it is not unusual to get flyers for a long period of time. I still get summer program stuff from Berkley in NY! Tank you for all the info you’ve posted!</p>
<p>I was wondering— how do i make a new thread??? I cannot find how to do this!!!</p>
<p>Go to the top of the page you are on and click on the words “Musical Theater Major.” When the new page comes up, you will see a button that says, “CC New thread.”</p>
<p>My Ds at AMDA. If you have any questions, I would be happy to help you. Just PM me. Although I would love to hear what other folk have to say about AMDA as well!</p>