Important Information to Consider Before Applying to Ithaca College MT

collegesearch26
Sun, 20 Feb 2011 15:26:06 +0000

I believe that Ithaca has an overall good program, but after I auditioned on campus and did a visit, I now have a completely different idea of the program that I don’t feel was communicated online (on the website, etc.) If I had known about the following things before the audition, I most likely would not have applied.


They discontinue students from the program on a fairly regular basis. At the end of each semester Freshman and Sophomore year (4 semesters in total) there are a variety of acting and singing reviews during which the students prepare individual pieces to perform in front of the faculty. I don’t know all of the specifics about the reviews because the details were not discussed at the information session, BUT, I know that if you fail one review, you are basically on probation. If you fail a second and the faculty deems that you are essentially a failure, they will DISCONTINUE YOU FROM THE PROGRAM. You will not be able to graduate from Ithaca with a BFA in Acting or Musical Theatre. Now, you may say “Oh, it barely ever happens” or “it won’t happen to me,” but after talking to the current students, it is clear that multiple students from almost every grade have been discontinued, mainly because they did not meet the acting expectations. It is my opinion that to grow, you must take risks and fail. If you are unable to fail, you cannot grow healthily. Also, the relationship between the student and teacher becomes strained in this type of environment. If my teacher could decide whether I stayed or left, would I feel comfortable challenging him/her? Absolutely not. On the upside, these reviews give you a good idea of the faculty expectations and help you get lots of advice and critique on a regular basis. It’s your choice whether you want to risk being discontinued.
Ithaca does not have a strong emphasis on dance. I heard straight from the chair of the program that after graduating, a student will most likely “not be able to be a ‘dancer’ in any shows like 42nd street or A Chorus Line.” If you’re sacrificing the opportunity to become a great dancer in college, they you are sacrificing the opportunity to succeed in all areas of musical theatre. It’s your choice - if you think you will never ever be able to dance, then by all means audition at Ithaca. In fact, because Ithaca doesn’t have a dance audition, it may give singer/actors an extra edge. Just don’t expect to be able to dance like a star after the 4 years.


Please consider this before applying. If it’s a great school for you, then by all means, audition!!! But if you’re auditioning for CCM, BoCo, etc., PLEASE reconsider what you want in a college before you apply. This is not the standard MT program. In fact, it’s an actor training program with an MT emphasis.

GOOD LUCK!

P.S. They will give you a sheet at the audition that asks you to list, in order, all schools you are applying to. Please think about this before you go to the audition as it caught me completely off guard. And if you are planning on writing - 1) Ithaca, 2) CCM, 3) BoCo…seriously reconsider applying because those schools are 180 degrees apart.