Barsov

Just to let folks know....there is now a general class of 2012 Facebook group.

lindyloohoo

Have been too stressed making decisions to post,
my D was accepted with small scholarship....

MangoLover

does anyone know how many people have accepted boco mt?

RaleighRashell

we were told during the 'chat with admissions' chat online that they accepted 57 for mt.

NotMamaRose

Seems like more than that.

MangoLover

I'm in =) I'll know if I'm actually going very soon.

beenthereMTdad

Money aside, the best of the best go to BOCO. BOCO is the major leagues of musical theatre. There is only one other school in the country on a par with BOCO. The drop off from these two schools is big. So if you are considering a career in MT and want the best chance to suceed, find a way to afford the tuition.

NotMamaRose

beenthereMTdad, wow! That's quite a statement, to say that there is only one other school on par with BoCo. Can you elaborate on why you say that? One thing that most people accept is that there is really no way to rank these MT programs.

beenthereMTdad

Research.Research.Research.

In no order:

School Reputation

Quality of Faculty - read bios

Sucess after graduation (percentage who have careers in the arts)

Going to most of the schools, staying overnight and observe how deep the talent pool is. Training is always better if you are not the big fish in the small pond. Student realize how hard they have to work just to keep up.

Cut systems

See how many of the big talent agents and big casting agents show up at the senior showcases.

Spoke directly with agents and casting directors

NotMamaRose

I certainly am not disagreeing that Boston Conservatory's program is a fine one. In fact, my own kid auditioned there and was offered admission. Had we not held the program in esteem, she wouldn't have made that trip to Boston to do so! (She did try to schedule her BoCo audition at Unifieds in New York City, but she ultimately couldn't make the schedule work with the required dance audition, so we schlepped to Boston!)
I just think it is an exaggeration to say that there is only one other program in the country on par with it. That's unprovable, no matter how much research you do. Students in MT programs at all of the top schools have to work hard to keep up and to continually improve, and a number of schools have senior showcases to which industry people show up.
Again, I am not in the least disputing that Boston Conservatory offers a fine program. I just don't believe that one can realistically quantify the quality of a program that trains musical theater performers.

beenthereMTdad

I'm not looking to argue but will leave everyone with this thought. Do you believe you are judged by the company you keep? Do you think it matters if you went to Harvard or Yale instead of Penn State? I'm not saying you can't be a brilliant and talented and attend Penn State. I'm saying that copming out of school you will be hired a lot quicker or given a chance. I also had/have the ability to contact the top casting directors and agents in New York and get THEIR opinion. Which is the only one I think counts.

NotMamaRose

Penn State is not a good example for this argument/debate, as it's MT program is one of the most selective out there, with about a 3.6% acceptance rate. That's even more selective than Boston Conservatory's acceptance rate!
That said, I don't believe that even those percentages tell us that much about the quality of a BFA program. The only thing that counts is that young performers with talent and drive get the very best training they can, which I happen to believe is available at a number of college/university/programs, including Boston Conservatory. Lucky for the young people that there are so many great programs out there.

Mary C

Just curious, beenthereMTdad - Have you had a child go through the audition process yet?

soozievt

beenthereMTdad,

I happen to agree with NotMamaRose. I think your statement that BOCO is the "best" and that there is only one other program in the country that can match it is an OPINION and is best not to be stated as factual. Indeed, BOCO is ONE of the more well regarded and well known programs. I have NOTHING against it as my D chose to apply, liked it a lot, and was admitted. I think there are several "top programs" and BOCO is among them but I have never heard it as being the best in the country tied with one other. I think most would agree that it is in a "top tier" of several MT programs. Many of your other points about the program are true. I think the issue is more the one I just mentioned ("the best of the best" and "only one other school on par" and "the drop from these TWO schools is big") than anything else.

With regard to what you said about paying for BOCO...."if you are considering a career in MT and want the best chance to suceed, find a way to afford the tuition.".....My thoughts are twofold.....One is that a MT performer has a chance to succeed no matter the program they attend as the student is the one who succeeds, not the program they came from and the fact is, there are many successful MT performers from a great many of the fine MT programs and not just BOCO and one other MT program. Two, while we did not limit our children to where they could attend based on price and we did do as you believe....and are "finding a way to afford the tuition" and our kids are on financial aid.....I do not question the many families who do make decisions about which college to attend based on finances. While that is not my choice to do, I respect others who have to do that or choose to do that. We each do what we can and what we value and make choices.

beenthereMTdad

Hi Mary C. Yes I have. My D just finished up her first year. My wife and I looked at about 40 programs, narrowed to 30, visited 20 and applied to 15. My D was accepted to 10 with varying scholarships offers. My D already has professional representation, is a working actress and a member of SAG and AFTRA. We re-visited 5 and my D spent a few days observing classes at these schools. When the final decision had to be made I was able to speak with NY agents and casting directors who almost unanimously felt "BOCO and CCM were head and shoulders above the rest". This is easily confirmed by the numbers on Broadway, the shear number of agents and casting people that show up a senior showcases and the number of kids that get representation.

My point from the very beginning (finances aside) is if there is any way to afford BOCO (which is the most expensive) you should.

I know there are other GOOD programs and MANY talented people who will suceed at these other places and I know how hard it is to afford and everyone has an opinion and blah, blah, blah. I just felt that I could offer more than an opinion because our experiences. People should take what I say with a grain a salt. This is all behind me now. Good luck to you.