Girls and UNCSA & Other Questions

ohhaybfa · 06-01-2012, 12:01 AM

So I'm going into a college next year that I'm not necessarily all that thrilled about, and I'm looking to transfer. I know it's not typically a great mindset to have, but this is CC after all! So let's do this.

After researching online and reading like EVERY post on CC, I've concluded that UNCSA is my first choice for BFA Acting. However, I'm a girl... and I know that they accept fewer girls than boys... but... why?! This makes it like IMPOSSIBLE considering they only take 26 combined... only 10 spots for girls....ughhhhh. And I feel like transfers aren't initially that appealing to auditors or admissions in general. Just my opinion.

Also these programs are on my list as well:
BU
Emerson
CCM
CalArts
SUNY Purchase
Juilliard
UArts
Marymount Manhattan
UM Guthrie
Fordham
Pace

If any UNCSA students could answer that would be great! Should I add any other schools? Take any off? Thank you!

Davidabb84 · 06-01-2012, 01:14 AM

For additions, check out Northwestern, I know 3 people in acting there that LOVE it and I've never known any school to put on so many productions, between main stage shows and the multiple student groups there are over 20 a year!

And, if you don't get into UNCSA but decide you LOVE Winston-Salem (I'm not sure why you'd decide that, but anyways...) Wake Forest has a very good theatre program as well. One thing that's cool about their set-up is that every student has to be involved in some level on every mainstage production, so you'll get backstage experience if you don't get a part. And unlike UNCSA, they do a musical every year.

UNCSA does transfers a little different, which for your situation is good and bad. They use your college transcript when considering your admission, but they accept little to no transfer credits and absolutely NO major credits. You will be starting over as a freshman. The upside, however, is that you're considered with the regular non-transfer applicants when auditioning and (insider knowledge, I know a UNCSA senior who helps with auditions) you're treated by the auditioners as equal, because they know you'll start out in the same intro classes anyways. I can't speak for how general admissions sees transfer students, however.

I hope I helped, break a leg!

NJTheatreMOM · 06-01-2012, 06:34 AM

The reason why many BFA programs admit more boys than girls is that there are more roles available professionally for men. Boston University is an exception. They admit a bigger class each year than just about any other BFA program except for NYU, and there are always more girls than boys in their classes.

BU also has guaranteed casting starting sophomore year. Each QUARTER, every single School of Theatre student is cast in a production, so there are many productions during the course of a year. A couple of years ago, they started doing an all-female Shakespeare play each year.

abtsmom · 06-01-2012, 08:08 AM

You don't mention whether you auditioned this year or not; if you did, take a look at your audition experience this year and the programs you auditioned for and evaluate how it went and what you could do different auditioning again.

Decide what it is that you don't like about your current school--you may be surprised when you actually get there---and what is appealing about those other schools that you don't think you will get this year?

Your list does not include any non-audition safeties so I have to assume you will just stay where you are if you don't get in as a transfer?

TheRealKEVP · 06-01-2012, 09:58 AM

Have you really thought about why you are going to a college you don't want to next year? Have you considered taking a year off, (or even just a semester or term off) so that you can re-apply to the schools you would prefer? I tell many people here there really is no reason you HAVE to go to college RIGHT NOW, it will still be there later.

Yes, some of these schools take fewer girls, but they have to take some girls, so why not you?

KEVP

ohhaybfa · 06-01-2012, 01:48 PM

Abtsmom, yes, I'm giving the BFA track a chance. The college I am going to this fall does not offer a conservatory style training, but there are many student productions and options. So if I don't get into to any on these list, I will probably just stay there. I don't know, wherever fate may take me!

KEVP, yes I have thought about that, but honestly, in comparing all of my options for college the one I will be attending in the fall was my best option. I don't want to reveal the college out of respect, but I received and academic scholarship there and it's like basically free for me to go there. I can't take a gap year. I just can't.

. And yes... my thoughts exactly.. why not me?! hahah..

NJTheaterMom, I will note that. BU is awesome and shall remain on the list. Thank you!

DavidSSabb94, thank you! Yes, I obviously have heard of Northwestern, it's a phenomenal school. I will add it to the list! And the thing that's really drawing me to UNCSA is the training and facutly, not Winston, lol. Good to know about how they view transfers.. I'm not that worried about my college transcript being a problem, so that means more pressure on the audition!!

I gave auditioning a chance (this past year) but didn't really explore a lot of the options that I am now. Call my crazy, but I only auditioned for CMU and UMich last year. I wasn't sure if I realllllllly wanted the BFA track, but after giving it major consideration, I am confident now that this is the training and college experience I want. I just feel like there is something about this type of intense training that put certain actors on a higher level. I don't know. It seems PRETTY awesome

Thanks for getting back to me!

TheatreFish · 06-02-2012, 01:09 PM

The Hartt School was founded by an old dean from UNCSA and I hear both programs are comparable! Try checking it out! I know of some students that have trasnfered in!

austinmtmom · 06-02-2012, 02:05 PM

Coastal Carolina has a fantastic program with BFAs in Acting and in Physical Theatre. They do accept transfers and have had at least a few cases where they accepted transfers in as sophomores.

Son of Tranquil · 06-04-2012, 10:35 PM

As someone who transferred into UNCSA, I can tell you that they look upon transfers fondly. In my class alone we have 4 transfers and one student who took a gap year. There are many older students/transfers within every studio at UNCSA. However, we did choose to start over and do a 4 full years of college. Academic credits do transfer however, so if you get some GE requirements done before you decide to transfer and if you get in, that can help. Many times being a transfer while auditioning can actually be a major plus. I don't believe it's ever a minus. Many schools generally like transfers because they feel they have really taken the time to pinpoint exactly what they want to do. And that's not to say that non-transfer students aren't like this, I'm just explaining how being a transfer student is not something you should worry about.

And yes the main reason is because in theater there are more roles for me.

Also, UNCSA does put on a musical every year.

shirlee · 06-05-2012, 06:57 AM

Son of Tranquil mentioned a student that took a gap year. Is this typically acceptable in auditioned BA/BFA programs? My D is considering the possibility of deferring to pursue a non-acting related program for a year. I'd appreciate any feedback. Thanks.

TheRealKEVP · 06-05-2012, 08:46 AM

I end up saying this A LOT on this forum:

There is absolutely NO reason why ANYONE has to go to college RIGHT NOW! Feel free to take a "Gap Year" or even a few "Gap Years". No college or university discriminates against people for being older. Colleges do NOT demand that you go right to college right after high school. In the U.S., once you graduate from high school you are basically considered an adult, and you are no longer required to go to school.

In fact, some colleges and universities may be MORE interested in an applicant who has gone out and gotten some "real world" life experience that they can bring to college. They know that older students are actually going to college because they want to, not because their family is making them. And so older students are more interested and more disciplined to do the work (especially if the student is paying their own way).

In theatre, there is the added bonus that taking a few older students will give the theatre program some students who can play the older characters in the plays.

KEVP

ActingDad · 06-07-2012, 02:27 PM

Excellent Post -- KEVP.

I realize this isn't exactly and apples to apples comparison but it made all the difference in the world to my law school experience that I was out 4 years from undergraduate before I went. Those of us who had been out a while brought a different mindset than those who went straight from undergrad to law school.

alwaysamom · 06-07-2012, 04:29 PM

Shirlee, taking a gap year and deferring a year after receiving an acceptance are two different situations, and will involve different decisions and conditions. Being able to defer an acceptance will likely depend on the reasons, as well as on the particular school. Some may be more willing than others to grant a deferral. The other consideration is that some may not allow you to be enrolled in another educational program, even if not theatre-related. Yet another thing that you'd have to investigate for a student taking a gap year prior to applying/auditioning is the type of non-theatre program you're considering. Will this then put the student in the position of having to apply as a transfer? Much to consider.