<p>mom2gals, totally agreed!</p>
<p>To add to this (this is a longish post, so bear with me)–As someone who is going through the college application process with my kids for the fourth and fifth time, I can say that this is a <em>highly</em> unpredictable process, not just for theatre, but for <em>all</em> students. It is far, far less predictable now than it was even five years ago. This has to do with the rising number of applicants - the increasing perception that everyone should go to college - combined with the lousy economy and the increasing costs of college and desperation to get in.</p>
<p>My own D’s got into elite colleges and rejected from lower level colleges and other elite colleges. Some colleges offered them fabulous need based grants, others offered them nothing, even those that hinted they would based on their stats. There was no rhyme or reason. I was just talking to my friend, a top guidance counselor, who was telling me of a family friend’s kid who applied to a top Ivy as a double legacy (both parents), with a 4.0, 2300 SATs, top private, etc etc–and who got rejected (not even waitlisted). </p>
<p>Yes, there can sometimes be a Tufts affect.But also this is a <em>very</em> competitive process. When you have admission rates that low, there are going to be irregular and unpredictable patterns. THere is no mystery to that. </p>
<p>But to any college rep who is considering ‘yield’ and the likelihood the student saying yes-- <em>PLease</em> consider finances! My kids have two hurdles–getting in and affording it. And as people have mentioned, the affording part is also extremely unpredictable now too. We have had offers all over the map, not consistent with their EFC. For my own kids, the ‘safety’ may end up being their top choice once financial aid comes into play. </p>
<p>I do have to strongly object to the idea that top ranked schools have the best training. This is just not true. They do often have access to the students with the strongest resumes or talent, often students who already have agents. That doesn’t translate necessarily to the best training. THere are some <em>incredible</em> programs that are ‘less’ well ranked. I don’t know of any professor who would say, “Oh gee whiz, we’re ranked 26, so I guess our teaching sucks.” Every school strives to be the best. And it’s extremely hard to get a job as a professor teaching at these schools too–many are seasoned professionals, even in ‘lesser’ schools. </p>
<p>Finally, as far as schools that have great reputations–marketing and coasting on an older reputation plays into it. Also, from the BFA’s perspective: if you manage to attract kids who already have good agents, then it won’t matter so much how your training is. These kids will go on and have a higher probability of landing a job. You can then claim credit for the training. This happens a fair amount. Ditto for commercial looks–if you recruit based on commercial marketability, you increase your chances that the student will land a commercial job (e.g. TV, commercials, etc). This doesn’t necessarily mean you are giving great training.</p>
<p>If you focus just on immediate stats - x percentage on B’way in y years, z percentage working as an actor 2 years after graduation - you really sell yourself short. I really feel you should look at each program and how much it is a match for you and your needs. I mean, let’s say your goal <em>is</em> to be commercially marketed in LA. Then you might want the school with the best commercial connections in LA. So what? Nothing wrong with that. But know what you want! I think this is the single most important factor is fit. You will be there for FOUR years in a small intensive program. If you are not happy, if the program isn’t leading you where you want to be, if it’s filled with people you don’t click with or who come off as arrogant (to you), if the training style runs against the core of who you are—then how will ranking matter at all? Agents will certainly pay attention if you graduate from, say, Juilliard–that’s true. But they are looking for talent and marketability above all. If you graduate from a 23rd ranked school but are talented, vibrant, filling a high need for the agency–why would that matter?</p>