My older non-MT son said (with a BFA in Writing, Literature and Publishing), “I went to school for an education. I would have gone to a trade school for a job.”
^^Wise son.
@bfahopeful, There has been one great and unexpected side-effect of economizing at home. Our daughter, who was used to having everything she needed in high school, without ever thinking where the money came from, has turned out to be very responsible when it comes to money. She works when she can, seeks out cheaper places to shop, finds she doesn’t need to buy a lot of clothes (even when my checkbook is out and I try to talk her into it), and ushers so that she can see shows for free. We cover her school costs, rent and utilities, but she covers the rest of her expenses herself. She says it’s good practice for being a starving artist when she graduates. Now, if I could stop my overly generous son from thinking he’s a high-school Rockefeller, that would be great!
My S is finding that not having material stuff growing up is very good preparation for the actor’s life as well.
Hehe! @claire74 We haven’t had cable in years, our starter home is still our home and it needs tons of updating. But I am with you my son graduates debt free in May and it feels amazing. My daughter who will be doing this whole crazy process next year will have to get scholarships along with her college savings for some of the schools she is looking at. So yes I don’t have an iphone and I do without a lot but I can give her opportunities that she may otherwise not have had so it is worth it. We have not given up traveling though.
Love every word @monkey13.
Doesn’t completely take the anxiety away about the decision ahead…but, once the decisions is made, it’s full steam ahead and no looking back!
This being the reason my D is not applying at NYU or CMU. Not only is it practically impossible to get admitted but we couldn’t or wouldn’t be willing to pay that kind of $ …
Like others said - it is a personal decision and there shouldn’t be judgement here. NYU actually takes a large number of bfa students per year (200-300 undergrads, right—that is way better than 20-30 total). I know it is still super competitive - but still worth a shot. (and, no, my daughter did not apply there…she visited but didn’t feel it was the right fit — but it is a great fit for many).
And - there is no way to know what scholarships may be offered. It works for some families to not apply up front (and that is perfectly understandable), but many others want to take the chance. Out of those others - some may have an agreement that they can only attend if given a lot of aid and others may be able to work it out another way. Each to their own! I value all input on here and don’t want anyone to feel badly because of decisions they made along the way. I think many of us are already thinking that things could have been done differently…but hindsight is 20/20. 
Ok well CMU doesn’t take many then…out of the 1000? That apply with no prescreen …
I’m not judging anyone. People make there own choices about what they are willing to pay for a school.
CMU auditioned over 1500 this year – they don’t have a prescreen and they were at both Chicago and la unifieds an extra day! Hardest working folks – and they are sooo nice! They take about 10 each b/g
sorry…my internet here is SLOWWWWWW and I keep losing it!
Last year CMU took 5 women…5
It’s really not worth the time and expense unless you are CERTAIN that you are in the top 1-5% of MT students in the country.
It isn’t worth it unless…??? “unless you get in” 
True, true! And their track history with alum isn’t too shabby ---- but is it a long shot? Yep - more than a long shot! Good luck to anyone that applied - kudos for trying.
@shopforpunky - sorry - just saw your follow up post about the “unless”.
One could add Juilliard to the list (although not MT, many kids still try). They had over 2000 apply for 18 spots (and that includes both MFA and BFA…so about 8-10 for BFA as an average). Just a personal choice if it is worth it to apply to such a long shot.
We lived through this process last year and the only school visit/audition we all agree was a waste of time and money was CMU. I agree that Juilliard is equally tough…don’t think they have a BFA MT program though??
I don’t think it’s a mistake to reach for the stars…maybe one lottery school, just to see what happens.
Just responding to the discussion about costs and being realistic…I also hate to see kids crushed.
@shopforpunky - juilliard doesn’t have MT (sorry - thought I said that before). But many MT kids still apply there as it is “overall” training with voice, etc, and many grads do well in MT. Color Purple and Hamilton (and probably others) have grads right now in lead and supporting roles. Matilda had a tony award winner from Juilliard. Inspiring for many.
@shopforpunky, At least with CMU you get an audition, often a few tips on technique, and a smile. Others (and here I go harping on again at pre-screen schools) take your application fee, plus pre-screen supplement fee, have you write multiple essays, then won’t even let you audition. I realize a lot of people see big advantages to the pre-screen process (saving on travel, for instance), but two minutes of video, to my mind, is not a fair shot.
@Jkellynh17 agreed! My daughter is going for acting (not MT) - but one of her long-shots admitted her and she is beyond thrilled. She almost didn’t apply. One never knows.