Did anyone else hear from University of Miami?
My D received a message in her portal congratulating her on being accepted to the BFA Theatre Arts Program. Miami doesn’t have a Theatre Arts major, but their Department of Theatre Arts says students “may choose to pursue B.F.A. degrees in acting (by audition), musical theatre (by audition), theatre management, stage management, and design/production.”
We are confused.
We just confirmed with the school that she got into the BFA MT at the University of Miami!
@MTMOM17 - Congratulations!!! Two great pieces of news in one day!
@bfa2018 - I am also interested in your Syracuse BFa vs BA research (we have different BA options)
Thank you @MomofJ5! It’s been quite a day!
@MTmom2017 - did the Miami letter say anything about talent/merit aid? I know my S was accepted somewhere in arts and sciences (he applied to the BFA-Acting), because of the portal, but no letter yet.
No mention of aid yet. @MomofJ5
AND CONGRATS!!! @MomofJ5
@MomofJ5 We went from trying to convince D that BA is the way to go (well-rounded education,well-known name, academic reputation, etc.) to a complete 180 – after watching her go through the process of applying, prescreening, auditioning, waiting, we believe she deserves to go to a BFA program where she can do what she loves 90% of the time. She has been accepted to Bard, Sarah Lawrence, and Muhlenberg, so she has three solid BA choices. Out of those three, she picked Muhlenberg sight unseen because she had a fantastic interview with the admissions and a very good experience communicating with the theatre program director over her video audition. Plus, she’s heard wonderful things about Muhlenberg’s “New York theatre mafia” – apparently, the alumni network is very strong. The fact that they have a senior showcase in NY is also a huge factor. However, the area does not sound particularly exciting, and the cost is not that much lower than Syracuse (even considering merit and talent scholarships). Syracuse has the benefit of being a conservatory program within a large university (their motto), so that’s a huge draw for us. One of her theatre directors is an alumna and speaks very highly of Syracuse Drama. Their audition process was also wonderful – very well organized, very warm, Ralph Zito was terrific, and the student representatives were fantastic – a down-to-earth, friendly crowd with great chemistry among them. She auditioned for Felix Ivanov, a Russian actor/clown/marital arts and movement expert who used to teach at Juilliard, and he made her feel very comfortable. The only thing that worries her about Syracuse is how enormous the university is – but then again, the Acting program is only 23 people, so if I were her, I’d be more worried about how small her world will really be, considering that she will be spending all her days at the studio.
@bfa2018
From a Syracuse mom of a current MT freshman - I just wanted to let you know that being in the theatre dept makes the school seem so much smaller. Freshman year they truly become a family and travel in a pack. They do everything together. What is nice is they have the opportunity of also being part of the whole university and go to basketball and football games in the Dome. They also get stand by tickets to every show that is put on there. There is also a program called Orange after dark which puts on alcohol free events which are actually a lot of fun. One night my son and MT friends paid $3 and they bused them to an indoor waterpark for the night with food included. My son absolutely loves it and has not been homesick once. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
I also wanted to add that MT and acting do a lot of crossover in classes so their friend pool becomes very large. The whole dept to include upper class men embrace them all. It’s a wonderful family. They can all also audition for all MT and straight plays starting sophomore year. They are not limited to acting or MT.
@milmom2 Oh wow, thank you so much! This is wonderful to hear – and we absolutely loved the camaraderie between the students. I will pass your words along to my D, and may send you a PM if that’s OK.
@bfa2018 - will your D go to Under the Dome and the follow-on admitted students day at Syracuse? I signed my son up and I’m going too. I think the school would be great for my S, but he’s still mulling it all over. I think that day would be a great experience.
@momofJ5 Unfortunately, she can’t – she is going to be in France (exchange trip). Since she auditioned on campus, I don’t think she’ll need another visit – she may have to just show up in August!
As I am reading recent posts I am learning how different the programs are and that each student is looking for various things. I went into his assuming you apply to a bunch of schools and go to th best one you get into. First of all there are SOOO many choices that you have to narrow down somehow (for us it was geography). And my D just wants to dance and sing her days away so was mostly interested in a conservatory atmosphere (who needs Gen Ed classes haha) But I was surprised how the experience and feel of the schools make such an impact. And a school my D hates another kid loves and v/v. Reading someone else’s feelings even makes think what did we miss that they came away with such a different view? But it is so personal that all you can do is what feels right to your kid. Sorry - just rambling about a lesson learned a little late in the process LOL
@bfa2018 I also have a Freshman - D - @ Syracuse MT.
They are a small family. EVERYONE… As you might know, the students spend their day at Syracuse Stage, and during their freshman year they only take one class per semester at the school.
They all get a friendly peer advisor that “Takes them in”, and they get a “Big Brother” or “Big Sister” … for ever. They are there to help you, to bond, to take you to the doctor, to cook you a meal if you are homesick :-D. “How long of a coat should I buy?”, “How do you go to the emergency room” , ANYTHING. Even a quick run to Trader Joe’s… They are an incredible family.
Please message me if you have any questions.
@MTdreamz - I totally agree with you. Actually, before hand I did not think my D would choose Syracuse. I wouldn’t have chosen it… .then we visited and… there was not question for us that Syracuse was the place “for her”. I totally believe the experience and feel played a vital part, and there is no doubt in my mind that this is the place for her.
By the way, Is there anyone else still waiting for Syracuse? My best friend’s S has yet to hear and we are hoping it comes on the second wave today
Still waiting on Syracuse. I was told that it comes in waves every Friday. I am expecting it will be later tonight, as it was last week when several people heard from MT and Acting.
@DramaRama My D is still waiting to hear from Syracuse, too.