I’ll add a little personal insight here - my kid’s feeling of “fit” was an evolution. He did not know the “fits” when initially creating a list, at least in how it related to a feeling vs the school facts (curriculum, shows, masterclasses or not, etc). The wide net in our case was not just about difficulty of admission, it was to hopefully garner options so that he could make the best personal choice, and that decision/choice certainly considered how much he felt connected to the schools and their respective vibes.
I agree that fit is much more than how everything lines up on paper. Vibes count. In order to get the vibes, I think it is essential to visit the program and the college, as well as talk to faculty, current students, and alums. I know some people wait until April of senior year to visit, but my kids visited their schools before that point in time.
In any case, I have observed applicants (not just for MT) who say, “I got into X, Y, and Z schools, but I don’t want to go to any of them.” That makes no sense to me. A school should not be on one’s list if the student has no interest in attending. Colleges should be explored fully before deciding where to apply, beyond simply, “which schools offer MT.” I see too much of the latter, however, with some applicants. There should be a few reasons for each school as to why it landed on one’s list. If a student can’t articulate that, that’s a bad sign. Add to that, I see some who are very unrealistic when building their college lists. The right list for a student is essential, as so much follows from that important step in the process.
Thank you so much for this list - it’s a great help! I’m interested if anyone has any schools to add to the newer/revamped list. My D is a junior and we are starting to put together her list of schools she’s interested in. She’s got a couple of the “lottery” schools on her list, but is intrigued by newer programs with great leadership and wants to pursue those mostly. She is a singer first, but trained in dance and acting as well. We are in the Southeast and she is interested in staying in the East, but also open to any great opportunities! We’ve looked into UAB, West FL, FL Southern, Western NC, W VA… What other newer BFAs has anyone found that you think are great?
I would like to offer my opinion as not only a mom, but a theatre director who has helped kids go through this process (and currently am helping two kids as we speak navigate a GAP year that they chose based on their extraordinarily heavy academic load senior year).
- If I help anyone go through college auditions, I tell them upfront that they MUST have a backup plan. Not a "settle for" but a true backup plan. That means, you need to find a way to double major or minor in something you aren't settling for but would absolutely enjoy doing for the rest of your life if performing arts doesn't turn out to be a career where you can support yourself and your family. This is from personal experience. I am in my late 50s and I did not get that support and counseling when I went to school in the 80s and had to end up pivoting quickly and pulling myself up into another career that I really loved and was feasible to support myself (teaching wasn't at that time). This has nothing to do with not believing in someone or their talent, but the reality of the competitive nature of this business. I have seen many extremely people crash and burn in so many ways, because they were not prepared -- emotionally, mentally or academically -- to do anything else.
- I firmly believe you will be where you are supposed to be. It's great to have a dream school, but I can also tell you from personal experience that dream schools don't always work out. You are going to spend 4 years working with a group of teachers and directors that you don't know yet. In arts, there is a HUGE range of teaching styles and approaches and methods. All do not work for everyone. Get to know these schools as much as you can ahead of time. And do not be surprised if you go visit or get to know a school you THINK you want to go to, only to find that maybe you don't. Be open to that -- it is part of the process.
Four of my kids went to a mock college audition in August and all had schools on their list that they really REALLY wanted to impress and were shooting for. Every single kid came back with a different list, based on their interactions with the directors there. From the way feedback was delivered (One well-respected director told one of my students - a Junior - that her belting hurt his ears and to please stop in not so nice of a delivery. This is a school who has a more “classical” spin to their program and it was evident in their comments and feedback. That comment immediately made another student cross them off her list. Not only did she not like the way it was delivered, but she loves to belt…and she knew this was probably not a. good fit for her!)
You cannot know what schools you want to go to from lists and on paper and research on the Internet. You can make a list…but you are going to have to get out there and talk to people. Talk to people who have been through the program…who are currently in it…go visit (although that is expensive with the number of schools you have to apply to!) Make sure you really look for somewhere that sees that “spark” in you…who wants to help you develop your skills and refine your “type.” It may not be one of the reach or “elite” programs, but if you come out of that program a better artist and ready to take on the challenges that come with forging your path in performing arts, then that is the right place for you.
Some points worth considering, thanks for the input @onette,
One quick thought -some programs have curriculum that won’t allow enough time for most students to dbl major or minor, so if having a second major, etc is important - please make sure to ask that question. Of course, there will be students who are off-the-charts academically with enough APs to do so, or some kids will opt for a 5th year or summer school each summer; but from experience, some performance degrees just don’t build time into their course structure/sequence for this to occur for the masses.
I do understand this. That’s why I talk to them about looking for programs that will accommodate this. Additionally (so far), all the kids I have worked with over the years have been academically strong. Most have entered college with many credits under their belts (AP or Dual Credit) so many have 12+ hours going into freshman year. BFA programs do make it difficult to do anything else, but you need to make a plan upfront and that may mean going summers and/or fifth year OR masters in something else. It’s just something I feel – as someone who went through this decades ago – would have have been important to know and do. I ended up finding my own way, but things seem to have changed now, quite a bit. I was lucky to land an entry-level ad agency creative job with zero college coursework in advertising (sheerly from persistence and personality) but not sure opportunities like that would be attainable now with the way companies hire.
Here is info that I think would be really helpful to add to a list for next year: what makes a “good fit” for each school. Like, in general, which schools look for more polished performers, which look for raw talent, which schools have a more nurturing/warm culture, which are more formal/business-focused, which tend to take unique/artsy contemporary MT kids vs. which like more clean-cut classical MT kids, etc etc. That would have REALLY helped us make a smarter list this year.