<p>Catlovermom, welcome to CC. I truly do not know your son to have any ability to predict how he may fare in MT college admissions. It sounds to me that he has several “benchmarks” that indicate he has “competitive” artistic talent as he is working professionally and is cast well. I do not know if those are all acting roles or also for musical theater. You say he is a very good singer and so it sounds like he is skilled in that area. I don’t know his level of training. It is best to have a balance of both training and production experience, even though you learn a lot through performing. Ideally, he should train in voice, acting, and dance. You did not share his training in those areas. I imagine he gets some as you say he attends a performing arts high school. </p>
<p>Try to get an artistic type assessment from voice and acting coaches and directors who know your son’s skill set and are familiar with other students who have successfully entered BFA in MT colleges. As well, if your son knows others who have gotten into BFA in MT college programs, he can self assess in comparison to them. </p>
<p>He can enter regional, state or national adjudicated events and see how he fares in those situations. If he attends a summer MT program that draws from a national talent pool of teens, he may see how he stacks up in that crowd. The more a student is “tested” in larger talent pools, the better an idea they may have as to how “competitive” they may be for BFA admissions. It helps a bit. (it does sound like your son has been tested in professional casting situations)</p>
<p>Hopefully, he is keeping up with the academic end as that counts in admissions too, and some colleges with BFA programs are more selective academically than others. </p>
<p>As far as what “type” the programs are looking for…in my experience, having visited many programs and seeing the kids even in my own D’s college program, a wide variety of types are accepted to these MT programs. I would not worry about his type so much. They accept a variety of types and create a diverse group of artists in their programs typically.</p>
<p>One word of “caution” however…
You mention your son wants to apply to the “big MT schools” and I take that to mean the “top ones”. He very well may be competitive for those! However, even the most talented teens in the country still get rejected at the top programs because the acceptance rates are SOOOOOOOO low and there are more qualified talented students than any one single program can accept. That is why you will see numerous examples of someone who is admitted to CCM but not CMU or UMich but not Syracuse, or NYU but not BOCO, etc. It is important for even those with top artistic talent and very strong academic profiles to still create a balanced list of colleges and not only apply to the very tippy top ones. I know someone who only applied to five BFA in MT programs and these were what are often considered the “top ones” (that was her entire list) and this girl was very talented, had professional credits, and a very strong background in MT. They just did not go about the college list building in a realistic fashion. She didn’t get into any of these five BFA in MT programs, though thankfully, one of these schools that considers you for either MT or Acting, did accept her for acting and so she attended that fine program. In my view, given her skill set, had she applied to nine schools where not all nine were the tippy top ones, she likely would have gotten into a BFA in MT program. Typically the top talented kids do not get closed out of a BFA in MT program (example…my D has many close friends who are extremely talented and all of them had several BFA in MT acceptances)…but to ensure a successful outcome, you have to apply to more than four or five BFAs and also not limit it to ONLY the tippy top ones, even if you are one of the most talented kids.</p>
<p>A note on UCLA - students are NOT allowed to work professionally during the school year. At their orientation they tell stories of “famous” students who had to decide whether they wanted to work professionally or be a student. Some chose one, some the other. These were well known names, series regulars and if their show couldn’t accommodate them by shooting during breaks and summers they couldn’t do both. Just an FYI</p>
<p>Minor correction to amtc’s post since we recently attended the accepted student’s weekend for the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television. You can work during the school year so long as you continue to attend class. The new chair of the department commented on a freshman who they learned after almost two quarters had a recurring role in a television series! He had a fabulous agent who negotiated his filming schedule around class. They also had an MT student this year perform at the Geffen Theater in a world premiere musical.</p>
<p>My daughter’s case is very similar to Catlovermom and she chose BOCO primarily for very specific training in MT. As much as she enjoyed the TV, movie and commercial work her true passion was/is musical theater. You need a very high passion level to pursue MT in a BFA setting so make sure you son feels the same way. I found my daughter’s professional credits has little effect (and in some cases hurt her) being accepted in to big programs.</p>
<p>beenthereMTdad…how did your D’s professional credits “hurt” her in being accepted to “big” programs? (just curious) At my D’s BFA program, there were kids with professional credits and in fact, a few very famous ones.</p>
<p>During the interview/audition process several schools asked her and I’m now paraphrasing:</p>
<p>"Why do you want to go to college? You are already in all the unions, live near NYC and have representation… Or you have all these credits what could you possibly hope to accomplish?.. Most people hope and live for a Law/Order episode by the time you 28… dont you think you will be bored? You will miss NYC.? Do you think you will stay for all 4 years? </p>
<p>To each school she answered for the training because she never had any formal training before. She only went to acting and voice coaches, never teachers before. Coincidentally, the three schools that gave her this line of questioning were the few that did not accept her. Maybe they were afraid that she would challenge the teachers. It was odd at the time. </p>
<p>We were pretty surprised by the type of questions</p>
<p>Thanks for sharing. My D had representation. I know many who had professional work and agents when they applied to college and attend many of these programs. That’s why I asked. A few who went to my D’s program are very well known kids in fact (starred in major films).</p>
<p>While this is not the same thing as your story…it relates a little…but at one audition to a well regarded BFA in MT program talked about frequently on this forum, they asked applicants at the audition where else they were applying to college. My D listed many but not all the schools she had applied to. At the audition interview, they point blank asked me D, “why is someone like you not applying to NYU?” She was applying but at that point, couldn’t say she was as she had not listed NYU (I frankly think this question about where else you applied is none of their business) but she turned the question into why she wanted THEIR program and how it contrasted with NYU and being in NYC, etc. She was accepted to this BFA program. (she didn’t end up attending and ironically landed at NYU )</p>
<p>My D had lots and lots to learn at college. She also planned to stay all four years and chose never to audition for work that would take her out of college despite being in NYC all four years.</p>
<p>In your D’s case, there is no way to know that the fact that she had an agent or did professional work that it hurt her odds at those schools. One never knows why they are rejected and can only guess. I also know kids who were on Law and Order and attended my D’s BFA program, btw. And I know LOTS of kids who were on Broadway who attended her program and many other well regarded MT programs.</p>
<p>NYU was not one of the schools that had a problem with it. Maybe it also had something to do with the school wanting to strip away all things past and rebuild. Like we said who really knows for sure but it was a pretty strong feeling from my daughter.</p>
<p>I understand. Just saying that one never really knows why they are rejected at some schools and not others. </p>
<p>As I wrote, I know a lot of kids with agents and professional credits who have been admitted and attend many of the BFA programs discussed here, not just NYU.</p>
<p>Come to think of it, my own kid had a couple (not a lot) of professional credits and also had an agent and got into several BFA in MT programs, including your D’s program. But the kids I was thinking of before had MAJOR credits…like Broadway and leads in feature films.</p>
<p>Okay, thanks for the heads up, now I’m thinking, don’t have his representation on the resume, should he leave off his unions? Also thanks for mentioning about UCLA and we will be sure to find out if he can still work. My son loves MT but has other interests as well, he is taking a Playwriting/Screenwriting class this summer. As far as training he has attended a couple performing arts camps in CA, he has been taking with a couple well respected in the industry, voice teachers since he was 14 and has taken dance, and attends the master classes that AEA offers, as well as the minimal training at the performing arts HS, also taking bass guitar lessons. He is a very focused student. He is also in the Popular Music program at his school and is also considering USC for Popular Music and he can minor in MT, this would have to be a partial scholarship as we just cant afford that school. I’m getting more confused the more I read! I know he will work in the entertainment field, he is just confused on which areas to focus on. He wants to make a living doing what he loves, he just loves too many things. I appreciate the heads up on the kinds of questions he may encounter. Maybe he should just pick schools to audition for and let that dictate his path.</p>
<p>You son may like NYU/Tisch. Look at Playwrights Horizons studio at Tisch…there he can do many facets including MT, directing, playwrighting. My D is very into musical theater and that is what she sought out for college. However, she works in and enjoys many facets of the field, not just performing in musicals. She also is into popular music (is a singer/songwriter) like your son. She is also into writing…a musical she wrote/composed is currently in workshop. She musically directs and coaches/teaches. She was heavily involved in a capella while in college. She is also a musician like your son. And of course she loves to perform on stage. I’m sure this is possible at many schools but just speaking from personal experience at NYU, it is REALLY possible. Add in good academics there.
**my D did not study in Playwrights Horizons but it is one studio that may interest your son or perhaps New Studio on Broadway</p>
<p>USC does sound like a school to keep on the list.</p>
<p>I would leave the union affiliations on the theater resume for college. The representation could be optional as to whether you leave that on.</p>
<p>Thank you, we have been getting a lot of NYU material in the mail we will take a closer look at it! Do you know if they have west coast auditions? If so is it better to travel to the campus to audition?</p>
<p>Yes, they audition in LA and San Francisco. The odds of admission are the same if you audition on campus or in another city. The advantage to on campus auditions is a chance to visit the school if you have not already done so.</p>
<p>Soozie, your D sounds so much like my son. Congrats on her musical. Thanks for all the great info! Now he can start really figuring out what schools to audition for. One other question for you, he was told to never audition with an accent but another kid at his school got into CMU and won a couple major competitions with a song that they performed with a slight accent, same people that told my son = confused?</p>
<p>I think I would stay away from BOCO. It is very hard core triple threat MT. It is also very expensive. If cost is an issue, look at California State Schools that is more diverse. NYU as SoosieVT mentioned is another good choice but also expensive.</p>
<p>Enjoy the ride. You have plenty of time to do your research.</p>
<p>catlovermom…typically the rule of thumb for college auditions is to stay away from accents and dialects. It is so competitive that it is not worth taking a chance. But many college programs will post audition guidelines on their site or you can ask directly if you have a question. </p>
<p>BTW, when my D was in Tisch/CAP21, it was also hardcore triple threat. Just saying that some kids have additional related talents and interests and pursued them all the while training intensively in voice, dance, and acting. </p>
<p>In any case, I know you (catlovermom) are new to CC…but one suggestion is to start new threads on subtopics and questions as that helps to keep the forum organized by topic more, rather than a thread being a catchall for all sorts of topics. Also, read, read, read the many existing threads here and you will learn a TON!! :)</p>
<p>We know a number of students who have been accepted to BoCo who are definitely NOT triple threat (by their own admission), most lacking in dance. They also do award some big scholarships, especially for males. The CA state schools are not great with financial aid right now ( I just don’t think they have much money available). My D got into UCLA but got the least of anywhere she was accepted. UCI is not much better. Fullerton is tough to get into right now as they are giving priority to students in their own area. I don’t know how much talent money USC has to give away. We know someone who was accepted to their pop music program last year who got almost nothing and couldn’t attend as a result. I would definitely not discount BoCo for financial reasons as they may offer enough money to make it work. That goes for many of the expensive programs. I would definitely always have some back-ups in case money is not offered, but don’t discount a program for that reason.</p>
<p>Catlovermon- it sounds as if your son is very talented and should get some good results when he auditions. Now if he can only decide on what area he wants… One other note about UCLA; my D loved the program and it was definitely on the top of her list. Note that they no longer offer private voice lessons for their freshman (and I think sophomore) students. In your S’s case it sounds like he might already have a voice teacher so that may not be an issue- just something to be aware of. Good luck!</p>
<p>USC has lots of money for the right kids, so definitely look there. Right off the top, you get a half tuition scholarship for National Merit. Sounds like your son should focus exclusively on university-based programs given his academics and breadth of interests. That’s what my D did, and it helps narrow the list considerably. Good luck this year!</p>
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