<p>I am 20 years old and thus a transfer student. My story is similar to some of yours. I started acting in high school by doing a few plays, and fell in love with it. My senior year of high school I was able to do a couple of community theater plays. I went to college for communication thinking that would be a good “backup” degree and I can pursue acting outside of school or when I graduate. </p>
<p>This year, I decided I hated it. I am a good student nonetheless having a 3.75 GPA and completed two years of college. But, I hated it. I then had a talk with my mentor and felt like I should give pursuing theater a shot. So, we made a list of the top programs we could think of at the time. Which was:</p>
<ol>
<li>Carnegie Mellon</li>
<li>SMU</li>
<li>NYU-Tisch</li>
<li>North Carolina School of the Arts</li>
<li>SUNY Purchase</li>
<li>Rutgers-Mason Gross School of the Arts</li>
</ol>
<p>I went hired a coach and worked really hard. He wanted me to add Juilliard to the list but I was too late. When the auditions happened I felt good about them. I put in a lot of hard work like many of you and just wanted to see if I was good enough. My first choice was CMU and I didn’t really have a second.</p>
<p>Now, I have gotten my letters back and I have been accepted into all of them except for Carnegie Mellon. I just got off the waiting list for SUNY. I should be happy right? Well, it sort of hurts a little bit. I don’t mean to make any of you feel bad, but I was on a one track mind to CMU and it was the only school I didn’t even make the waiting list. </p>
<p>SO, my question to you is: Which one seems to be a better fit for a transfer student? Older? 20…turning 21 in four months. Should I bother because I am older than the incoming freshmen?</p>
<p>Also, should I try again next year? Work harder? What happens if no school accepts me next year? Is it worth it to spend 12 months out of school?</p>
<p>What are each of these places going to cost you? </p>
<p>What kind of transfer credits did you get, or are you likely to get?</p>
<p>Will you have to begin at the beginning of a four year BFA and follow it according to that institution’s program, or will some of your credits transfer and reduce the amount of time (and money) that you spend at that institution?</p>
<p>Do both kinds of math (money and credits) and you are likely to be able to eliminate some of these on those issues alone.</p>
<p>Tisch- I was abole to apply as a freshmen to NYU. Anywhere I go would most likely spend three to four years there. </p>
<p>I spoke to UNCSA and they said my credits will transfer and I would be able to finish my academics sooner than other people in my class. However, I would still spend the entire four years there I believe. Unless my theater credits transfer over as well. Then I would be up a grade level. </p>
<p>UNCSA and Rutgers and looking to be the most inexpensive schools on my list. So, right now those are my top two.</p>
<p>FWIW, when my D auditioned at Rutgers the student “host” was an older student who had moved here from Israel to go to school, in his 20s. And he was happy there. He lived off campus with upper classmen but said he was very bonded with his class.</p>
<p>Okay…that’s good to hear. For some reason I feel old when I think about the class I am going to be apart of. In some ways this shows I am dedicated to training. I could have graduated in two years…but now I am looking at adding two more. Which is a little scary now that I am typing it and reading it in my head. </p>
<p>Purchase typically has some older students in its classes. Twenty-four upon graduation is definitely not too old, especially for a guy. </p>
<p>Some people say it’s best to start seeking film work as young as possible…this is especially the case for girls whose looks are an important asset. You haven’t mentioned to what extent you are interested in film. </p>
<p>With theatre, maturity is a plus, as younger people have trouble getting cast professionally. Often, young twenties play teens, 30-somethings play 20s, etc.</p>
<p>Congratulations on your acceptances and your wonderful choices!</p>
<p>niceguy, I understand that transfer students to a BFA program often have to spend three to four years at their new college. However, they still apply as transfer applicants, not as freshmen applicants.</p>
<p>I am having trouble understanding your situation. You wrote that by the time you transfer, you will have completed two years of college. </p>
<p>To my knowledge, those who have enrolled in a degree program at a college (associates or bachelors) are considered transfer applicants, not freshmen applicants (regardless of where they are placed once they enroll at the BFA program). Have you just been taking some college classes or were you actually enrolled in a college for the past two years? </p>
<p>Here is what NYU says as to who would be a transfer applicant:</p>
<p>This is typical at most colleges. It has nothing to do with how many of your credits they will accept but has all to do with if you have been previously enrolled as a degree student at a former college or not. Those who have been must apply as a transfer applicant. Did NYU know you were enrolled in college for two years? Were you in a BA or AA degree program? Just curious… as it would help to learn more about it as this seems unusual unless I am misunderstanding. </p>
<p>Congrats on your great acceptances. Many would envy your choices.</p>
<p>Crap… If i had known getting an associates degree would make the decisions process so horrible i would’ve skipped it… I too am in the same boat as you, but I am one step behind lol, I’m still waiting to hear from every school except Purchase (accepted) and CMU (rejected as well).</p>
<p>Don’t worry so much about being older! It will be an advantage for you, and your experiences will help you immeasurably… As for which to go to, I would visit asap. That is really the only way you’ll, 1- get excited that you’ve been admitted, and 2- be able to pick. Don’t worry, and remember that there ARE other transfers he same age etc. as you, doing the exact same thing! Good luck!</p>
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