<p>My D just graduated from Syracuse; it’s a great school, and the BFA MT program has a very strong dance component. I was not aware that there is a dance major available – perhaps this is something new. At any rate, if you would like further info about the BFA program, feel free to PM me with questions.</p>
<p>P22 - I know 14 schools sounds like a large number, but in this context it’s not unusual. Since the odds of getting into any given auditioned BFA program are long, most applicants who want that type of program audition for quite a few. (Take a look at the threads “Acceptances HS Class of 2010 by Member Name,” "Theater Rejections 2010 " to get a sense of how much auditioning is going on.) Then you have to add in your “reach,” “likely” and “safety” non-audition schools, and of course if financial aid is an issue you’ll likely need several of each. Based on the list my daughter has to date, 10 - 20 overall is not out of line.</p>
<p>onstage-Great to hear! As long as it has a respectable dance program, I’m fine. </p>
<p>One Tough Mommy-That is so relieving to hear. Everyone says that an ideal “college list” should consist of 6-10 schools, and it’s nice to hear that I’m not totally crazy to have so many schools on my list. I’m just going to have to fill out a lot of applications and do a lot of auditions, but that’s totally fine. Thanks for your input!</p>
<p>P22 - A really good idea mentioned on another thread is to come up with your “top 5” criteria of schools (like what you want in terms of location, size, academics, extracurriculars, price, etc.) and see how these schools fit in. It doesn’t mean you wouldn’t apply or go somewhere that doesn’t match perfectly, but it helps take some schools out. </p>
<p>My D has 10 on her list now - 6 auditioned schools, 3 of which are highly competitive and 3 not quite so competitive (all auditioned schools are competitive!), and 4 non-auditioned schools (a high match, match and 2 safeties). All have good theater programs. She may audition for a few more at Unifieds, if she can fit them in, to increase her chances at a BFA. But according to her favorite criteria, she can get at least most of what she’s looking for at these 10 and would be happy at any of them. Her favorites of course meet more of the criteria (she has 3 that meet all of them) and with those she’d be ecstatic.</p>
<p>She, too, wants a very strong and focused theater program, as conservatory-like as possible, in a conventional college setting. It is possible! We also believe that there are non-auditioned “safety” schools where the theater dept is very good. Her absolute safety is UW-Milwaukee, which does have the second-year BFA audition, and a fine BA track if that falls through. The only reason she’s not applying to Columbia is that she likes Milwaukee a bit better and has friends going to Columbia and Roosevelt; she wants to strike out on her own. But it’s a really wonderful school, and if you like super-urban you’d like its location.</p>
<p>Emmybet-That is an excellent idea!! I’m definitely going to do some serious college sorting in a minute. </p>
<p>I’m just curious, because your D and I sound like we have similar tastes in schools (I too was looking at UW-Milwaukee as a safety!), which colleges are on your list?</p>
<p>Sure - first I’ll say that her “top 5” characteristics are: great theater - preferably in a BFA program, city access, medium-large size, good intellectual atmosphere, fun college atmosphere (i.e. school spirit, typical college activities). She’d love low cost/merit aid, if possible, but that fortunately does not have to be a top priority.</p>
<p>Her auditioned schools are: </p>
<p>More selective: Carnegie Mellon University, Boston University, Syracuse University
Selective: Adelphi University, Montclair State University, SUNY New Paltz (BA)</p>
<p>Non-auditioned schools are: </p>
<p>High Match: Bard College
Match: Lawrence University
Safeties: UMinn-Twin Cities (BA) and UW-Milwaukee (with BFA option)</p>
<p>She has visited all but her safeties (but is familiar with both of them through friends and knowing the area) and Syracuse (probably will have to visit at the audition or only if accepted). She visited a lot of other schools, BFA programs and other colleges, and she’s made her choices pretty carefully. A lot was based on her gut feeling - Bard, for example, meets the fewest of her criteria (it’s small and in the country, is a BA rather than BFA, and a little more quirky than the typical college atmosphere), but she just really loved it there and would be willing to switch gears if it turns out to be the best of her acceptances.</p>
<p>Keep asking questions. We’re all happy to help you here. I’m glad you like UW-Milwaukee - Milwaukee is a wonderful city, with great theater, and I think this school is too often overlooked. The BFA option makes it very appealing as well.</p>
<p>Where are you from? If you are in the Midwest, I would recommend looking also at Illinois Wesleyan (small, BFA) and Illinois State (large, auditioned BA). My D may add them if needed as things progress.</p>
<p>Sounds awesome, thanks for sharing that with me!
I will definitely keep asking questions if they arise; I’m probably going to have a few very soon as I continue narrowing down schools. Thanks again for all the advice!
Oh, and I’m from the Bay Area, in California, but I really want to go out of state for college (but I’m thinking about applying to CSU Fullerton and USC, and they’re the only in-state schools I’d go to).</p>
<p>SUNY New Paltz has an excellent theater program, a funky college town, is 90 minutes drive from NYC and has an off beat and eclectic student body.
[State</a> University of New York New Paltz - School of Fine and Performing Arts - Theatre](<a href=“http://www.newpaltz.edu/theatre/]State”>Theatre Arts | SUNY New Paltz)
The OOS cost is very reasonable.</p>
<p>Thanks for the plug about New Paltz! We think it’s a lovely school.</p>
<p>P22 - I’m glad you have some instate options, and it looks like CA has some very nice programs as safeties for you.</p>
<p>Emmybet - You may already know this but Syracuse does have regional auditions. Don’t know about Milwaukee, but they did come to Chicago. Might save you a trip out east until it’s decision time! A couple years ago they were in early January about a month earlier than Chicago Unifieds.</p>
<p>Thank you - we’ll keep an eye on their website. Chicago is very convenient for us.</p>
<p>Poop22:
I see you don’t have any West Coast schools, and I am assuming that is for a reason.
You say you are worried about DePaul’s cuts, but you have Emerson down. Emerson has cuts too, and you need to educate yourself about that process.
My D had the same SAT as you and a slightly higher GPA. She was admitted to Emerson BFA Early Admission. She also was admitted to CCM, Cal Arts and UCLA, and in the end, picked UCLA, the non-BFA program in her list. But UCLA is audition only, and run like a conservatory BFA. Plus its a great academic school. But I think you are looking for BFA programs. So, I would look at CCM. They have a very good program.</p>
<p>@LilyMoon-Thanks for the info about SUNY New Paltz! It looks very interesting.</p>
<p>@ChrissyBlu-Yes, I’ve grown up on the West Coast and I want to explore other schools in different parts of the US, so the only West Coast school I’m applying to is CSU Fullerton. I will also definitely look into the cut processes at both Emerson and DePaul. Thanks for the comparison, it definitely helps! I’ve heard lots of good things about CCM, so since you’ve mentioned it as a good match, I’ll look into it.</p>
<p>Purchase has a huge building with many different stages and also a Performing Arts Center where actual known- names visit on occasion (like Bill Crosby, and Robert Denero I believe). Purchase conservatory is definitely worth looking into.</p>