Take a half or full gap year between Freshman and Sophomore years to prepare for a transfer?

College Majors Musical Theater Majors
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<p>Sorry in advance for how long this is! Please bear with it - I need help!</p>

<p>My D is currently a Freshman at a BFA MT program not ranked among the “top” programs. No need to explain that fit is more important than reputation as I have been around CC for years under a different name (please do not out me if you figure out who I am – I created this alias so my D’s program does not figure out she is likely leaving). I completely agree that fit is the ultimate goal, we care more about her being happy and gaining training that she feels is valid for her needs. Unfortunately, D didn’t have the luxury of selecting this program above others as it was the only auditioned MT program she was accepted into. She recently admitted to herself and then to her father and me that she is unhappy there and wants to leave. She is not horribly unhappy, but the social life there and the program are not what she was hoping for. For now I won’t go into details of her issues, but I do understand why she is considering a transfer. Could she stay there despite the shortcomings? Yes, but she is not satisfied. Unfortunately, this epiphany happened too late to audition for this coming school year, and for Strawhats. So the options I see are:</p>

<p>1 – Stay there despite her disappointment.
2 – Stay in the program for the fall semester while she applies to schools and programs and submits prescreens. Then leave midyear to do college auditions and summer stock auditions in the spring semester
3 – Take a full gap year.</p>

<p>I am aware that as a transfer student, she would likely lose credits and enter as a Freshman or Sophomore into a MT program. We are OK with that. I am sure some of her credits would transfer and obviously if there are programs that would allow her to graduate in a total of 4-5 years, it would be preferable to one that will take 6. </p>

<p>I am unclear if it would help or hurt if she attends another semester at her program. The advantage is that even if her one gen ed class is the only one that would transfer, at least she would be continuing to receive training and her school is not super expensive. She does have friends there, and Sophomore year will hopefully provide some performance opportunities. It would give her an opportunity to be sure she is determined to transfer without burning bridges. A concern is that audition prep wouldn’t be intensive since she would be busy with school and she would be working on her applications and prescreens in secret. Also, she would only be able to get coaching via Skype. Another concern is that if she leaves midyear, what do we do about her lease for January-April?</p>

<p>Her dad and I are worried about how a full gap year would effect all of us. We are very near NYC so she would have access to excellent, albeit expensive, training. Would she be OK emotionally if she weren’t immersed in a social setting with peers? We would want her to be busy – what sort of work could she find that would keep her busy yet allow her to prepare for and travel to school auditions? My husband is concerned that if she takes a year away from college that she won’t return to finish her degree. I am not worried about that – our D has assured me she absolutely wants a degree. I do worry how we will all get along living together now that she is a more independent young adult. Can I keep my mouth shut and allow her to do her prep work and applications on her own schedule? She and my husband sometimes butt heads so living together in this situation (or even the half year) may not be optimal. </p>

<p>What if she goes through all this and still doesn’t get in to a BFA MT program with a better fit? She must tell the head of her department she is leaving and auditioning at other programs eventually, so she would not be able to stay in her current program. Would she be willing to attend a non-auditioned MT or Acting program? Will she be entirely discouraged? Would she be better off staying where she is rather than taking the chance?</p>

<p>I welcome your thoughts on our various options, tips on any programs you know of that particularly welcome transfers (especially taking credits), new ideas of how my D could spend this in-between year. After going through all this just a year ago, I can’t believe we may be doing it again. Any other parents out there whose child is also going through this, I would love to hear your plans.</p>

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<p>My quick advice would be cut your losses, have her take the gap year, and focus on training. Sign up with MTCA. If you are that close to NYC, there are a million things she could do.</p>

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<p>This is a hard one. Fortunately, our D is very happy where she is. But I have seen kids who have done this in different ways - all at different schools:</p>

<p>Student 1: Freshman MT - changed majors 2nd semester, is working with coaches and has been auditioning at many schools. Results tbd but plan is to start over at a new school next year.</p>

<p>Student 2: came back for sophomore year of a program. Was still unhappy so moved home after 1st semester. Is taking gen Ed’s at a community college and has been auditioning again. Most likely will have to start over as a freshman if she gets in one of these new programs.</p>

<p>Student 3: stuck out a program freshman year although unhappy after 1st semester. Was able to transfer to an in-state school and transfer into their MT program.</p>

<p>Student 4: took gap year, worked with a coach, went thru audition season and got many more acceptances than first go round.</p>

<p>Student 5: Switched from MT to vocal performance/music education at current school.</p>

<p>Student 6: Switched from commercial dance major at one school to acting major at another school</p>

<p>I know this isn’t particularly helpful but it shows different ways kids handle things when they’re unhappy.</p>

<p>Would she want to stay in her current program if she didn’t get in a new BFA program? If so, can she jwork on audition material this summer then ust take a day or 2 off and audition at Unifieds? Or do a few Saturday auditions where she disnt have to miss achool? She would not necessarily have to tell her current program she is auditioning again? That way if she ends up wanting to stay she can. </p>

<p>Some schools I remember saying they would consider transfers were Coastal Carolina And Penn State. I’m sure there are many others who do also.</p>

<p>As far as jobs go, I’ve heard of kids working at dance studios or community theaters sometimes in exchange for lessons or studio time. Babysitting usually pays well and allows flexibility in scheduling. Taking gen eds to get them out of the way is a good thing to during a gap. </p>

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<p>I think an important thing is to find out if she wants to stay if she doesn’t get in somewhere else that she thinks will fit better. Or if she is willing to go to a non audition if she doesn’t get in. Once you determine that it will be easier to determine if she should take a gap year or not. </p>

<p>I do feel she could prep for auditions because I am guessing she is working with a vocal coach and really if she wants to audition for summer stock- pre screens, music cuts and monologues will be needed in the fall. Like @vvnstar said have her do a lot of the prep in the summer. If you are planning on working with a coach I am sure you could get a great deal done in the summer especially because she has been through this and knows what to expect. Plus she has a year of school under her belt. </p>

<p>If she plans on staying at the school if she doesn’t find somewhere she likes better Unifieds might be tricky especially if her school attends Unifieds. Weekend on campus auditions might be the way to go depending where you are geographically. It’s a lot to think about and I wish you and your D the best of luck.</p>

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<p>PS Someone in the past had a kid that I BELIEVE transferred from Boston Conservatory to Penn State and they accepted everything, or close to it.</p>

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<p>Your post was so thoughtful. Clearly you are a loving mom. I’m sorry she has had this experience but it is great that you are there for her and that she is considering her options <em>now</em> rather than muddling through and being miserable and waiting to transfer later. My own advice, based on what you said, is for her to cut her losses and take a full gap year. </p>

<p>As you say you are close to NYC and she could take so many wonderful classes. This would boost her resume and connections considerably and really increase her chances of getting into a program that is a match for her.</p>

<p>My own children have all taken gap years and it has been a great experience for them. Am I advocating this for everyone? Clearly not. But I am trying to support you in this decision. She would <em>not</em> be the only one to be entering a program at a later date or as a transfer! </p>

<p>It is far far better to go to college when you are able to get the most out of the experience. The added benefit of the gap year is that she will be that much more mature. My D at Northwestern started as a Freshman when she was nearly 20. She really likes that she’s a bit older; multi-tasking, for instance, which used to be so challenging for her, is much easier. THere are many other advantages. She has many friends. Many BFA programs have a mix of ages, some more than ‘regular’ colleges. So your D in all probability would be with several people her own age or even older.</p>

<p>During my kids’ gap years,they lived at home. We live close to Philly and they were able to take classes, audition, work–honestly, before you know it, you’re ready for another round of auditions! THe only important thing is that she is able to live with you under your rules so you don’t drive each other crazy. I did insist that my kids earn money, just for their own dignity and my sanity. Both my D’s ended up earning enough that they’ve been able to use it for summer classes or special programs they’ve wanted that I wouldn’t have been able to have afforded normally.</p>

<p>There are many pluses to taking the full gap year. The biggest caveat is that SHE has to be on board. Yes, it can be isolating and yes some people are very judgmental. If you feel certain about what you want and the rightness of your path, this won’t bother you at all. Good luck and keep us posted.</p>

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<p>As to whether or not to return, would anything be “better” in the fall so that she would gain something by going back? If not, then perhaps a gap year is the best option. </p>

<p>vvnstar mentioned Coastal Carolina. They do accept some transfers in as sophomores. My guess is that many of her core/gen ed classes would transfer. While that doesn’t help with the BFA sequence, it can open up space to take additional performance classes. My D has used cc class credits to free up room in her schedule to take additional dance classes. </p>

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<p>Thanks so much for all your support and input. My D’s school does attend Unifieds so she cannot audition without them knowing. This is still new to us. I think my D needs to do some soul searching and make sure she is truly willing to risk attending her auditioned BFA MT for the possible outcome of having no auditioned BFA MT programs to attend. And if she is going to take a gap year, we as a family need to agree on how that would look. Would she live with us? What training classes would she be taking? How much will it cost? Will she also be working? Taking some gen eds? Auditioning for professional work? We do plan on talking to a coach who will assess her skills and let her know what she needs to improve on…hopefully give us insight into whether her outcome might be any different the 2nd time around. I really appreciate everything you have shared. I will return to this thread once we get closer to a decision to let you know how it is turning out. </p>

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<p>Does anyone know if there are programs still willing to audition late transfer students? I assume the conservatory programs at AMDA and Cap21 might be willing, but I don’t think those are optimal solutions for my daughter. I also do not think Columbia College would be ideal for her. I think I saw that Montclair has a late audition for this purpose. Anyone know of others? At schools that have a late academic application deadline for transfer students? Or that allow videos for transfer students (not ideal - we would need to rush thru that).</p>

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<p>Cornish in Seattle; U Arts in Philly both have one more audition date, I think, although it may be getting tight to get a slot.</p>

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<p>Sam Houston State University has an April 7 audition date. Looks like it is full but they are taking a waiting list:
<a href=“Musical Theatre Auditions”>http://www.shsu.edu/academics/theatre/auditions/musical-theatre/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>Thanks, everyone, for your suggestions on which program might still be auditioning. Although it may still be helpful to others, my daughter has made the decision to return to her program for the fall semester and will prepare to leave there in the spring and do a full set of auditions then. The idea of rushing through auditions now made her feel like she would be short-changing her opportunities. She decided that a full gap year would be too hard emotionally. She needs to be around kids her age, and prefers to have the structure of school. So, although not perfect, it is the least of all evils. She is not happy to return to her school for the semester, but she will do so knowing it is just for a limited period of time and that she will make a change that will be better. Her coach was very positive about her progress so we are all hopeful she will have some choices the 2nd time around. If not, she will choose a good non-audition option that will still be better for her than where she is now.</p>

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<p>@mtmomagain -best of luck to your D. That couldn’t have been an easy decision for her</p>

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<p>@mtmomagain – you must be relieved to have a plan in place. I hope it all works out perfectly for you and your daughter!</p>