<p>Oh, boy. We got the financial aid package from “the dream” school and, indeed, it would cost us out-of-pocket more than $200K over four years. This is a school where other people are posting that they are thrilled with their aid packages because they are much more generous than they anticipated.</p>
<p>On the other hand, I have read angst-ridden posts about another school where parents are struggling to make sense of the large financial investment. There, my D recvd a merit/aid package which was much more generous than we anticipated. Go figure.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, there was no way for us to anticipate either of those scenarios without going through the process.</p>
<p>It is frustrating. You simply cannot predict the final price until your student is admitted (itself a huge unknown), and merit scholarships are decided, AND Financial Aid weighs in. So unless those with a limited budget for college only apply to lower-cost state schools or CC’s, the family is at the mercy once again of the university. I hate that!! But then I believe in serendipity, and perhaps the cosmos is nudging these talented kids in the right direction for them… Really, most freshmen are (or become) extremely satisfied with their schools by this time next year–and lots feel that way right when they step on campus.</p>
This is what I hate most about this “process” (and I don’t like calling it a “process” because that word implies some procedure that has been designed; this “process” is pretty uncontrolled.) So, you really have no idea what these schools will cost until after you’ve gone through everything and received financial aid “awards” or “offers” (other terms that drive me crazy.) It’s only slightly better than health care-- where you have no idea what it’s going to cost you until the bill arrives in your mailbox.</p>
<p>So, will the $250K education lead to a big career? If you go with the affordable out-of-pocket education, will you miss out on important skills and connections? Who knows.</p>
<p>These were the very questions we asked when making a final decision. Time will tell. Just know that there are many excellent off the radar programs that provide excellent (affordable) training. I believe that we have found one of them!</p>
<p>Very few families can or choose to write a check for 60k. Many families that can afford the price tag look to see if they can justify it. If they can’t,they look at schools that may have offered their child a merit scholarship. I’m sure it is extremely disappointing to get into a dream school only to find out the numbers do not work. My son was offered some scholarships. We are taking that into consideration (seriously) in making a decision. Had he not received any then we would have found ways to pay/finance his education. I think graduating without debt, especially for an actor, is significant. Who knows what the future will bring? Even if you get an agent right after graduation you have to get jobs! Not all of them pay. Tips from waiting tables do not pay student loans!</p>
<p>My daughter became a member of this site and has allowed me to post using her account to just vent…This process has been nerve racking on myself as her parent and one of her biggest supporters. Ultimately, as a parent I want her to be happy and doing what she is passionate about.
She will be graduating high school in June and had decided a year ago that she felt that
taking a gap year would be a rewarding year of experience life and better prepare her
for the responsibility going to college. Her high school is one that is strong academically and getting in and going to college is a big focus and pressure for the majority. She has always been her own person, doing what feels right to her. She decided to just apply and audition to
her top two schools. She wanted the experience and felt that if she got accepted she wouldn’t have to think about it during her gap year. She was well prepared for auditions but for one she needed to do dance as well and that isn’t something she has a strong background in. (Dance is one thing she plans to give time to focus on during her gap year) She has been involved with singing and acting since she was very young. She is bright and has other creative talents and interests but this is what she wants to pursue in high education. She received the news that she was wait listed for the two schools. She is remarkably resilient to disappointments which will benefit her well.<br>
She is prepared to reapply and go through the process again next year and will be applying
to more schools. Interesting that she knows well the type of school she should be in. One of the schools she was wait listed for is considered one of the most prestigious and knew at the audition that even if she got in she would decline acceptance because it felt that it would be wrong for her. She is smart enough to know that “prestige” doesn’t guarantee success. She wants to love her environment at school. She doesn’t want to go to a place just where training is a process of 4 years to get you ready to work like a “trade school”. </p>
<p>The other issue I need to vent about it who gets accepted. Other kids she knows at her school who applied - applied to 11 or more schools and said they would be happy just to accepted to one. They were all BFA programs. Interesting two of these kids got into Tisch which is supposed to be difficult to get into ( it wasn’t one she applied to) and they are both just average singers. One can dance and has very little acting ability. The other is a boy and just average - he has only had minor roles or has been in the ensemble.
Maybe the fact they don’t need financial aid helped them get acceptances?</p>
<p>Appreciate being able to just express my self.</p>
<p>The general thought is that acceptances are a crap shoot. There are a good number of variables that we as parents just don’t know. And comparing our kids to those that got in is natural, but really counterproductive. I love how you start by saying you are one of your daughter’s biggest supporters. That is all you can do! And feel free to come here and vent all you want - that’s what this forum is for. Best wishes to your D as she finishes up HS and heads into her gap year. My daughter is doing a gap year this year, however it was not planned, and is really the result of some choices that, by the sound of it, your mature D will not make!!!</p>
<p>This is a game of numbers and need…the schools control both. The schools are literally building ensembles, so you just don’t know what or who they need. It is hard to judge the talent that they see in someone. It is equally hard to NOT judge based on what you have seen a child in over the past few years… Stinks all around.</p>
<p>I have a feeling your daughter will use this gap year well, and I look forward to following her path.</p>
<p>I’m just so excited and full of congratulations for all of you who’ve gone through the process this year, including vivahg11, whose daughter sounds like she’s making very wise choices! It really is like going over Niagara Falls in a barrel!</p>
<p>Thanks for responding…it just feels good to vent. I have heard this year is a record year for wait lists. Many talented qualified students have applied than they can fill spots for. I’ve also wondered if E.D.for any of these schools leaves even less spots open for R.D.?</p>
<p>I would imagine that it does impact slightly. BU only took three kids ED, and I’m guessing that other programs may not take a ton either (of course, the entire freshmen class at some of these places is only a handful of kids, so 3 would be significant). There are just so many kids applying/auditioning, and each kid applies to a lot of schools. I like Gwen’s reference to the barrel going over Niagara Falls!</p>
<p>^Somebody made a list somewhere…back in the dark ages (i.e., last fall?) of which schools did take kids EA or ED. My son didn’t apply anywhere early, but it seemed to make a difference–some schools definitely encouraged him to apply early, implying it would improve his chances. These included Muhlenberg, Evansville, Hartt, and Ithaca–and BU has ED, of course, and so does NYU-Tisch, right? But I think Marbleheader is right in that most of those programs don’t take a lot of kids early. In “normal” college admissions, though, it can make a big difference.</p>
<p>For example a school like Muhlenberg where auditions are not required, 75% of those who apply to the school in general get acceptances (I’ve heard or read) so that affects the availability of RD I would say. I would think MT schools want triple threats over those that aren’t and most likely a kid with average talent but great grades and SAT/ACT scores will be desirable over someone who might have more talent and not great greats - because they will hope to keep them in the school even if they don’t stay with MT?</p>
<p>That sounds interesting, but I don’t think you can generalize it. Every school has different needs and priorities. Muhlenberg is known for high ED acceptances, but other schools are known for the opposite. And some MT schools, even BA, want more “talent,” while others are looking for other factors. You just never know.</p>
<p>I am impressed your D would turn down one of 2 schools, even if she gets off the WL, because she realizes it’s not a good fit. That is real maturity. I hope she gets into the one she wants - there is always hope with a WL.</p>
<p>You will find that grades are not as important for MT or Acting for most programs. I think that if someone leaves the program, they tend to leave the school (or transfer to a BA from a BFA). There are always exceptions…</p>
<p>The Muhlenberg acceptance letter this year says that over 5,000 applied for 585 spots, so they are not accepting 75% of the applicants. That being said, a large percentage of those accepted applied ED.</p>
<p>Having 585 spots does not mean they accepted 585 people out of the 5000 who applied. How many they accepted depends on their “yield.” If, for instance, Muhlenberg has a 20% yield, they would have accepted approximately 2900 people to yield the 585 spots. That would mean they had accepted about 60% of applicants. I don’t know what their actual yield is.</p>
<p>Your daughter did VERY WELL to get waitlisted at every school she applied to!!</p>
<p>These are very competitive programs. And a waitlist means she could still get an offer.</p>
<p>If her high school was “strong academically” perhaps she hasn’t had the specific artistic, rather than academic, preparation she needs. But I am sure she can take care of that during her gap year.</p>
<p>I agree with photomom that grades are not as important for some of the programs we discuss, and this may be the reason why you are seeing the “stupid” kids get admitted.</p>
<p>Maybe the kids who applied to 11 schools thus got more opportunities to get the hang of auditioning?</p>
<p>You don’t know what they were really looking for the most–acting, singing, dancing–in what proportion. Perhaps they really needed dancers this year, and that’s why your daughter got waitlisted rather than admitted. And remember it is ALWAYS less competitive for the boys than the girls.</p>
<p>Just some random thoughts off the top of my head.</p>
<p>Again thanks for sharing…my daughter has been performing in musicals, dramas and a ton of Shakespeare in side of school and outside consistently since she was young. Some schools if you audition BFA MT will offer BFA Acting if they can. CMU for example doesn’t - if you audition just for MT - then that’s it whereas NYU you don’t know until after you get accepted where you will be. If she gets accepted she’ll of course be happy but I’ve come to realize that it might be just another year for her to think about where she would want to apply or reapply. I’ve always said that it will be a mutual thing - the right school will want her and she will want that school. When we were at CMU, Peter Cooke said something about “you don’t have to come to CMU to be an artist - if you really have the passion and desire you will find a way to do it.” Considering the numbers of students who study the performing arts - even at the really good schools,
how many really go on to have “famous” careers - it’s not being famous but about being part of what you love and doing the work. Living in a major city like Boston, there are so many great local theatre companies - that do amazing productions.</p>