<p>Now seems to be the time when a lot of students find out that they can't attend the programs of their dreams because of rejection, money issues, etc.
I know for me, I decided early in the year to take a gap year rather than audition for programs though I thought I had it planned out. I ended up spending a very large amount of money on sending SAT scores and filling out applications to schools that I later could not schedule an audition for or could not attend auditions for. Overall, this year has been very stressful and seems to be an overall bust for me.</p>
<p>Does anyone have any stories of people who have had to take a gap year, attend college for a major other than theater, etc when it eventually worked out for the better?</p>
<p>I know exactly how you feel. I auditioned this year and was accepted to most of the schools academically and a few artistically, but I can only afford to attend my “safety” school. I put that in quotes because I never actually wanted to go there, my dad just told me that I had to apply to two in-state options, an that was one of them. Turns out their dance program is pretty good and their theatre program sounds pretty good (I’m shadowing classes this week), but its just in a terrible location.</p>
<p>I don’t have any success stories, but I am interested to hear some. As for me, I decided that since I’m basically being payed to go to college now, I can save up my income and audition for companies and summer intensives in the Midwest/East Coast/West Coast. Who knows, maybe I’ll be “discovered” and become Hollywood’s “Next Big Thing” (; hahaha, kidding.</p>
<p>I know my friend, who is an amazing actor and singer, is taking a gap year this year to train and build his resume. I think that’s a great idea for someone who has access to top-notch training and regional theatre. He lives in the Denver area, so he has plenty of opportunities, as opposed to someone living in Lower Alabama (known to locals as LA lol).</p>
<p>I auditioned for many programs last year and only got into my “safety” school. I felt that I wasn’t going to be happy there so I decided to take a gap year. Best decision ever. I took many dance classes as well as SAT classes to improve my scores and also got audition coaching via skype. I was cast in my first professional musical in December and got to work with amazing actors and dancers from the UK, many with West End credits. I auditioned for a bunch of schools in February and so far I’ve gotten in to 5 MT programs and I’m waiting for my studio placement for Tisch.</p>
<p>Most of the people I know who did a “gap year” did it to establish residency and make a school affordable with in-state tuition. That’s a perfectly good reason.</p>
<p>That’s a great idea, prodesse. I may have to consider that…</p>
<p>Congrats, MTcurly! Looks like the gap year has been pretty successful. Does anyone know anything about transferring into a MT program? Maybe transferring vs. gap year?</p>
<p>Thansferring is certainly an option. The problem with many BFA tracks are that they are highly sequenced. You may get credit with the universtiy for your classes, but that doesn’t mean the department won’t require you to take all of their required classes, which would normally take you 4 years. I know my D’s school does accept some transfers into the BFA and offers them sophomore status. But that is a very individual process, as it is going to be with almost every school. If you have particular schools you are very interested in, contact them and ask them directly.</p>
<p>I don’t know if you considered schools where you go in as a BA and then audition into the BFA at a later date. That could possibly still be an option for you if you didn’t want to take a gap year. I am not downplaying taking a gap year at all! I discussed every option with my D when she was going through the process, including a gap year if she wanted a school that it turned out we couldn’t afford. She was accepted into a 2 year conservatory program in NYC very early on in the process, so that was always her option if she hadn’t gotten into a program that she really wanted. Many paths to get you where you want to be.</p>
<p>Yay for MT Curly!! You go! I have seen several stories here over the years, of people who didn’t get into any auditioned programs, took a gap year, reauditioned, and had tons of choices the next time. A year of maturity would help no matter what. Several in D’s program took a gap year. Sara Jean Ford is someone my D looks up to and I noticed on her website that she graduated from Community college before applying to CMU. You’re 18, you have LOTS AND LOTS of time! And lots of good things ahead!!</p>
<p>@MTCurley, I’ve thought about you OFTEN this past year and wondered what you had ended up doing. I am so happy for you that things worked out. Please keep us posted as to where you decide to attend. I LOVE a great Cinderella story!!</p>
<p>Thank you so much! I find it pretty funny how much I was stressing over this time last year. One advice I can give to anyone thinking of taking a gap year, is to have a clear goal and plan for the year. I kept myself busy with classes, college apps, and part-time job/internship and I rarely met up with my friends throughout the year and I think it helped me stay on track.</p>
<p>It is my understanding that taking a gap year is a better option than attending another college and applying/auditioning as a transfers student. Spend that gap year building your resume, working with a coach and doing applications. (and also working so you have some $$ to pay for all of the above) As others have said BFA programs are very sequenced, and even if you are accepted as a transfer student, you will be starting their program as a Freshman. Hopefully any liberal arts you take will be transferable and you can start with some credits.</p>
<p>Woo hoo, MTcurly!!! What a difference a year makes!!! Congratulations!!!</p>
<p>Thank you for sharing your story - I know so many of us were rooting for you last year! Keep us posted so we can keep cheering for you!!!</p>
<p>Don’t give up. You’re young, and if this is something you really want, begin the process next year. Here is our story: When applying to colleges as a senior in high school, my wife and I, with his college admissions counselor, tracked our son into a more “practical” degree, so he ended up starting as a freshman as an honors business student in a highly ranked business school. After one semester, he told us he wanted to withdraw and transfer to a different school to pursue musical theater. He was miserable. After some difficult discussions, we agreed to support him in his passion. He ended up having a gap year by default, since he missed the deadlines to transfer without interruption. During this time, he took classes at the junior college, worked with his vocal and acting coaches, performed in community theater, and focused on the application process. The result: he will be attending BoCo next year, and he had a number of acceptances from top programs. He’ll start as a freshman (with a lot of credits), and while he’ll be older than many of his peers, from my perspective, at 19 or 20, you’re not too old to change your plans and pursue your dreams. There is no better time to do it than when you are young. As parents, we learned to let them pick their direction. We were too engaged, and ended up sending our son in a direction that wasn’t for him. Having gone through this with our son, our 2nd child, now a junior, has our complete support in whatever direction she wants to go.</p>
<p>Wow, Saratoga, that must have been hard to admit, and I give you and the wife big KUDOS for supporting your son!</p>
<p>There are actually an amazing number of programs that have “older” freshmen classes. Julliard, CalArts are 2 that come to mind quickly. But there are many others. There is quite a bit of “shuffle” that goes on. </p>
<p>I am curious how scholarship offers play out for transfer students in performance arts majors because in main stream studies, transfer students miss the best scholarship opportunities that are only offered to new college students who are Freshmen. This would be another reason to take a gap year.</p>
<p>All of the programs our son applied to required him to apply as a freshman, regardless of the number of credits he had. While he did not apply for any financial aid and we don 't know yet if BoCo is giving him any merit awards, he received merit awards from the other schools he was accepted to. This is similar to what happened when he was first accepted to business school. Schools tend to give merit to all of the students they want to attend. As an aside, my alma mater, that I donate to every year and that this year named a scholarship after my wife and I, actually offered our son merit awards when he was accepted to their business school. Makes no sense - we give them money and then they offer our kids money.</p>
<p>Go, SaratogaParent!! So glad he’s on his way to a great school! I wanted D to take a gap year to prepare but she couldn’t stand to wait-- a number of her classmates are a year or two or even 3 older than she is. Time is on your side when you’re this age!!</p>
<p>I think your son will find that age gaps are more common in conservatory programs then you think.</p>
<p>SaratogaParent - I love your story!!! Congratulations all the way around!!! Your son should write a musical about it!!!</p>
<p>Thanks for this thread. As the parent of a young HS junior who won’t be 18 till after graduation, knowing the gap year is working out for so many allows me to take a deep breath and relax a bit. I can’t help but think a little more maturity when not only entering, but graduation from college can never be a bad thing!</p>
<p>But don’t confuse age with maturity… My daughter didn’t turn 18 until the end of her first semester and she did fine… but then again, I’m always saying I hope I can be like her when I grow up!</p>
<p>Do breathe and relax!!! And enjoy the journey!!!</p>