<p>Imagine that! And we all thought that EVERYBODY accepted to CMU would certainly go!</p>
<p>I don't think it's any different at CMU than anywhere else. It may not matter how badly you want to attend if finances dictate that it would be a wiser choice to attend somewhere more manageable; you have to eventually look at it realistically. At least, some of us would have to...</p>
<p>I HEAR YOU! Plus, the CMU program is not for everyone.</p>
<p>On the other hand, the CMU folks TOLD us at the audition that their acceptance rate was very high, hence, they accept only the number of students they want and then go to a VERY SHORT wait list.</p>
<p>We know someone currently in the CMU program. The student is happy as a clam there, but the parents are more than a little disappointed at the lack of academics, especially given the cost of attendance. I'm guessing CMU either came through with some money for them or suggested some outside scholarship opportunities, because these parents were adamant that $$ needed to be found for the student to be allowed to remain in the program. It is a good idea, no matter what the program, to make sure any scholarship money you are counting on is renewable, or that you have a realistic idea of how you might handle the financial situation year to year.
One program my D was accepted to stated, when we asked about the availability of merit $$, that none was available; their available funds for the year went to upperclassmen. Perhaps that is a common practice?</p>
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Imagine that! And we all thought that EVERYBODY accepted to CMU would certainly go!
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<p>I don't think everyone accepted to CMU is going to pick to attend. For one thing, many who are accepted are also accepted at other top programs and can only attend one. Another thing is that not everyone chooses a college with the prestige factor in mind. While my kid was on the Priority Wait List at CMU, she preferred to attend Tisch. My other kid got in University of Pennsylvania, an Ivy League school, and preferred Smith and Tufts over it and eliminated Penn. Even Harvard has kids turn them down for other schools. </p>
<p>However, CMU DOES have a high yield rate (as does Harvard). Because of CMU's high yield rate, and because the program is rather small, they do not accept "extras" to get their eventual yield as they risk possibly getting too many students and so they accept the number they need and then use their wait list. I do not know why CMU did not utilize the wait list this year (I'm presuming that is true based on someone's post relating a phone call from the school). But it is not unusual at all that some kids turned them down. Also, as triplethreat mentions, some may turn them down once they weigh the final cost of their college options. I know that if my kid got off the wait list, she was going to turn them down as well (as she preferred another school). </p>
<p>So, while top colleges often have a high yield rate, not everyone takes them up on the offer for various reasons.</p>
<p>triplethreatx3's post is again a reminder for students and their parents to check out a program thoroughly before auditioning. No one should be surprised at the lack of academics for MT majors in CMU's BFA program. Information on the curriculum, etc. is easily available ahead of time to anyone who asks.
In addition, most schools will tell families whether any scholarships or grants are renewable year to year, provided that a certain GPA is maintained and the student takes a certain amount of credits. (The family's financial situation also must stay the same, usually. For example, if a family suddenly won the gazillion dollar lottery, chances are that some need-based aid <em>would</em> change.)</p>
<p>Re: post #44....as far as the lack of academics at CMU for those in the BFA program, that is a known fact if one researches the school's curriculum when applying. I'm not sure if you mean the parents didn't realize that until after the child was enrolled or went along anyway with it but were not happy with that choice.</p>
<p>Oops, cross posted with NMR!</p>
<p>I have no idea if these parents were aware of the lack of academics when the student applied. I know that they are thrilled that their child is in such a fine program, and the comment about being disappointed in the lack of academics is merely something mentioned when discussing the high cost of attendance. (If I knew how to edit these posts, that comment would disappear!) Their search for $$ had nothing to do with dissatisfaction over lack of academics. My post was merely meant to point out that it's wise to consider thoroughly the financial aspect when making a decision.</p>
<p>As a side note, we asked the admissions people at CMU why their academic requirements for MT were so low, since otherwise the university is a very rigorous engineering school. They told us that it goes back to the educational philosophy of Andrew Carnegie. He believed in a practical (rather than a general) education, and thought that if you're going to study the arts, concentrate on that, and don't waste time with unrelated academic courses. What we were told, at least.</p>
<p>We were told that there was simply NO TIME for academics. Acting majors do take some, but MT is essentially a "double major" and there is no time in the schedule for outside courses at CMU.</p>
<p>My daughter will be attending CMU this fall for dramaturgy. The academics are strong in that degree. We spoke to other students in the drama department (not MT) many other degrees within the drama department are tough academically such as play writing and directing. They fall under the arts but require more of a liberal arts focus in addition to various classes in the drama department. We also were told that the acting students have the option to take more electives than the MT students. I suspect this is merely a function of the number of hours in a day available for classes. They just can't fit everything in. As an aside we were also told that the dramaturgy group would not be accepting anyone from the waitlist this year even though they technically had spots available. They said they were being very selective in thier offers and were carefully considering everything including grades, test scores etc....</p>
<p>That's very exciting, kansas city! When my D was at the CMU Precollege program last summer, I spoke at length with the professor in charge of the dramaturgy program and it sounds terrific for the right student! They actually offered early admission to the dramaturgy program to two students (acting students) who were there at precollege last summer. One declined, and will be attending another BFA program in acting next fall. I think the other girl (who came from the West Coast) will be going to CMU. Doc mentioned that they are trying very hard to build up the program and I found myself wishing I could apply! :)</p>
<p>Just to clarify, the thing we thought was odd about the CMU waitlist deal was that we received a second financial aid offer that was better than the first. The first one came as expected and as soozievt said, so you're prepared if you get called. The second one was mailed after they knew they weren't going to the list and was more money--that was all. After reading the recent posts here, there seems to be someone who took a slot at Emerson, someone at NYU and actingmom's D who took USC (I think), so that looks like 3 openings. It may not be as it appears, but it is odd. I was told by someone who has a sophomore at CMU that they school was over enrolled schoolwide for its freshman class next year and that some majors had higher yields than expected so they weren't going to the waitlist wherever they could keep from doing so, perhaps Drama is one of those places. We weren't upset-we just thought some stuff was odd. Plus, one admissions person told me on the phone that they only call those they accept off the list, everyone else gets a letter. They did call, to say they weren't going to the list, and seeing CMU on the caller ID does get exciting. Fortunately, I had verified that they would be calling all priority wait students either way. Thanks for everyone's input. D is happy with her choice and it's giving her great options.</p>
<p>lauriemom, one student accepted to CMU's BFA in MT program is enrolling at CCM. It is odd that this year, CMU's drama/MT program is not using the wait list even though there are openings and that is why I was assuming there may be a reason to do with overall enrollment figures, but I honestly have no information and am guessing (though now you are saying you heard something similar). </p>
<p>Then you were told by one person that they only call those they accept off the list and then another told you that they would call all Priority Wait list students either way. It does get confusing!! In my D's year, they only called those who were taken off the Priority Wait List. </p>
<p>Over the years, both through personal experience and reading accounts on CC, there seem to be a lot of mix ups with CMU...be it applications, auditions, or this wait list stuff. I had a CMU applicant this year for another CMU program who got different messages depending who she spoke to. I realize this happens at all schools but it seems like more administrative snafus happen with CMU or else I hear about them more. Needless to say, it is still an amazing school!</p>
<p>Do the CMU MT kids have the same voice teachers as those in the music school?</p>
<p>I doubt it. Several singers from my D's arts high school are vocal music majors at CMU and they are all opera singers.</p>
<p>I am currently waitlisted at The Theatre School at DePaul University. (BFA acting) They told me that they go to their waitlist every year and they have said that those on the waitlist have an "excellent" chance of getting in. I am also a male which judging by the ratio on the audition date and from what I have heard, should work in my favor. I also know that a lot of people and their parents may be turned off by the cut system. But I am still literally freaking out about the whole thing. I am enrolled at Columbia College as a backup plan, and would be happy going there. But I really really want to go to DePaul. I am an older transfer student (22) and I feel like it is a really mature program that I would fit into perfectly. I am done messing around with my life and want to focus my whole body, mind, and spirit to school and acting...</p>
<p>I guess my question is does anyone have any info about the programs waitlist tendancies? Do you know anyone that has turned them down? Also they told me not to contact them or anything like that but everyone tells me to call and ask questions. What should I do? I really don't want to be a nuiscance. (Truth be told I called and asked about a week ago if they recieved my waitlist acceptance letter) Columbia is sending me a housing packet and they will want $500 shortly after and I just really want to know where I am going. Plus I have to secure some loans before the season gets too late. </p>
<p>Anyone from DePaul know anyone that was waitlisted, and when they got in? I found someone on Livejournal from a few years back that got in on the 24th of May according to his LJ. But anyway if anyone can help or reassure I would appreciate it.</p>
<p>NMR-My daughter was one of the ones offered admission after pre-college. She did not decide until April which program she wanted. She had many choices and we needed to weigh scholarship offers. EA doesn't allow for comparing possible offers. She is very happy about her decision.</p>
<p>I wondered if the turmoil in the voice faculty in the music school might be affecting the MT department - if they shared voice teachers. It's a plus if they don't at this point. Supposedly only 2 of the 5 there now are coming back in the fall and one of them plans to retire soon. They have a lot rebuilding to do.</p>
<p>idigapony--my son was also wait listed to DePaul (BFA stage management). He still has not heard anything. I am very curious to find out when he might get a reply. They only take 4 stage management students. I would think they would know by now! He has also wanted to call the program to inquire what are his chances. He is hesitant to do so because of the letter they sent telling him not to call. It's been a long 2 months of waiting. We sent in the deposit to another school on May 1. As the weeks go by my son is getting more emotionally attached to this other school.</p>