What schools would fit me?

EmmyBet · June 17, 2012, 7:48pm

I’m not quite sure how you are researching colleges, if you can’t find information about the University of Minnesota. They have an extensive website, including their course catalog, profile of admitted students, costs, etc. For example:

[Academic</a> Profile](<a href=“http://admissions.tc.umn.edu/academics/profile.html]Academic”>Academic Profile of Fall 2022 Admitted Freshman Applicants by College | Office of Admissions)

If you can stand cold winters, it’s a great BA option, high quality without being exceedingly competitive. The city is terrific.

Many people have said wonderful things about the NIU program. If you search this Forum, you could find information or someone who has personal experience.

TheRealKEVP · June 17, 2012, 8:10pm

I’m a little bit worried by your claimed ability to look at a university or college and say “this doesn’t look too hard to get into”. What are you basing that on? Are you, for example, looking at the number of applicants compared to the number of admissions (in the program you are interested in)?

As I said before (and others have said) you have incredible academic qualifications. And you might be thinking “okay, I’ve got better academic qualifications than these people, and these people all got admitted to this program, so this must be an easy program to get admitted to . . .” But that may not be true. It may be a program that sets very high standards on the audition, interview, and resume.

I’ve been worried because your original post talked so much about your academic qualifications, but you have almost no theatre experience or training, and I haven’t seen you talk too much about your audition to get into the programs you are hoping for. You may have some trouble competing for these programs. I think you can do it, but it will take a lot of work.

Don’t worry so much about issues of race. When you audition to get into colleges and unis, I think you will find that most won’t look at your race at all, while a few may be so sensitive to race (and trying to be diverse) that they will try harder to find an excuse to admit you . . . Also remember that being male is an advantage at these auditions because there are always many fewer males auditioning, while programs are looking for either equal numbers of males and females, or else MORE males than females. If you show up at a school audition and find you are the ONLY Asian male, that is incredibly to your advantage.

In terms of auditioning for plays and shows once you get admitted to college/uni, the principle in modern American theatre is that if race is not one of the themes of the show, then all casting is “colorblind”. This means that the director or other person making casting decisions will not look at race in making their casting decisions. For example, almost all of Shakespeare can be cast colorblind, probably Othello is the only Shakespeare play where race is important enough to be a major consideration in casting.

When you are at college and you see a casting call for X number of men and Y number of women, without specifying race, then by all means go and audition for it. (I’ve heard some college students just assume that when race isn’t mentioned in a casting call, then the director only wants white actors. But that is not true, when I don’t mention race it is because I am colorblind casting.)

And then in some shows, there are roles that MUST be played by Asian actors. You will have the advantage at getting those roles. In the modern world, making actors up to look like different races is more and more considered inappropriate, so there now is a demand for Asian actors for Asian roles.

KEVP

TheRealKEVP · June 17, 2012, 8:13pm

And in terms of transferring from one school to another, it depends on the school. Some will say “If you transfer here, you have to start all over again”. Others will say “No, just transfer in all your credits and start right where you were”. Some will be in between these two, like they will require you to back up one semester or something. You will need to look at the individual schools.

KEVP

csheakay · June 18, 2012, 12:59am

Hatsukoi, not sure if you already knew, but note that you have to audition for Cal State Fullerton’s BFA at the end of your sophomore year, so just make sure you’d be ok with the possibility of not getting in to their program after you’ve already spent 2 years at the university. Also, being from California, and living only 3 hours north of fullerton, i know several people that have gone through the BFA or auditioned and didn’t make if in the BFA MT there, and all shared very similar similar experiences; fullerton is notoriously cut throat and it has been reported by many that they do not foster a safe, positive learning environment. I realize this is just speculation but it is something to consider. What kind of learning environment do you think you need to thrive and be successful? of course, you could find out for yourself if time/finances allow and sit in on one of their classes. just passing on some info that seems to be confirmed by many.

Hatsukoi · June 18, 2012, 4:49am

Yeah I kind of thought about Fullerton and I forgot to post what was on I mind. I guess this is my new chart:

right now what I think I am 99% surely applying to (no particular order):
University of Utah
Adelphi College
University of Hawaii - Manoa (my auto-admit 100% safe school)
University of North Carolina School of the Arts

Schools that I might consider (maybe a little more than 50%) (no particular order):
Southern Utah University
Carnegie Mellon University
Santa Fe University of Art and Design
Northern Illinois University
California State University - Fullerton

Moving Fullerton down, I do not really want to be in a college where there is that much competition and probably tension between my classmates…
I do not want it to be a game of trickery, deceit, and immoral acts just to stay in the program.

austinmtmom · June 18, 2012, 11:07am

Coastal Carolina University offers a BFA in Acting and a BFA in Physical Theatre. Small class size, great training, lots of casting opportunities, wonderful facilities and outstanding faculty.
[CCU</a> Department of Theatre](<a href=“http://www.coastal.edu/theatre/html/bfa-acting.html]CCU”>http://www.coastal.edu/theatre/html/bfa-acting.html)

They offer automatic academic scholarships based on grades/test scores and also offer talent scholarships. If you got the max in scholarships and took out the $5,500 federal student loan you then CCU would be in the $15K per year price range you mentioned. 
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/coastal-carolina-university/1330424-scholarship-information.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/coastal-carolina-university/1330424-scholarship-information.html</a>

This year they are requiring a prescreen audition so you would have a feel for your competitiveness for the program. They also travel to Chicago and host auditions during Unifieds. 
[CCU</a> Department of Theatre](<a href=“http://www.coastal.edu/theatre/html/auditions.html]CCU”>http://www.coastal.edu/theatre/html/auditions.html)

Hatsukoi · June 18, 2012, 5:48pm

right now what I think I am 99% surely applying to (no particular order):
University of Utah
Adelphi College
University of Hawaii - Manoa (my auto-admit 100% safe school)
University of North Carolina School of the Arts
Northern Illinois University
Coastal Carolina University (Sending prescreen audition first)

Schools that I might consider (maybe a little more than 50%) (no particular order):
Southern Utah University
Carnegie Mellon University
Santa Fe University of Art and Design
California State University - Fullerton

@austinmtmom: Looking at that school a bit more in-depth now, I guess it will be considered. :o The only real thing that worries me about the school is that according to:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/theater-drama-majors/653553-size-freshman-acting-class.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/theater-drama-majors/653553-size-freshman-acting-class.html</a>, there are only 10 admits in BFA Acting.

Singers11 · June 18, 2012, 8:59pm

You may want to consider looking at Western Michigan University. They have a top notch Theatre program from what i hear that has been around for a long time. And it’s a pretty well priced public school located in Kalamazoo Michigan, a small city with lots of arts and events going on around it. Not to mention if you live in Michigan for a year while at the school you qualify for in state tuition. Many of their Theatre Performance(Acting) majors move on to top notch graduate programs such as Yale, NYU, Case Western, and University of Texas at Austin to name a few. Others also move on to work in their field (one alumni was just at the Tonys featured as a lead in Godspell). The facilities are some the best i have seen. It’s one of the few College of Fine Arts buildings located in the US that offers BFA’s in Theatre, Music Theatre, Dance, and more. The campus itself is very nice and a good size for a state school (not to big, but not to small). Not to mention they have Division I sports if sports are a big thing for you. Here’s a link to their site incase you want to read more.

[WMU</a> Theatre](<a href=“http://www.wmich.edu/theatre/]WMU”>Theatre | Western Michigan University)

Singers11 · June 18, 2012, 9:31pm

Sorry I forgot to mention the size of the program which is probably important for you in your selection. Every year the program picks 20 kids for the Theatre Performance program.

austinmtmom · June 18, 2012, 9:52pm

Hatsukoi - That is pretty much the max size of the BFA Acting class at CCU. But keep in mind that they do audition fewer students than some other schools to get to those 10. And since you only get invited to audition in person if you “pass” the prescreen, you know going in to the on campus audition that you have passed that initial screening. They saw something there that made them want to see more of you. And there are ALL types at CCU, which is a good thing!

Hatsukoi · June 19, 2012, 1:37am

@Singers11: School looks pretty good, at least a bit better than (from what I recall of) Northern Illinois o:
I’ll highly consider it. Cost isn’t that shabby either.

right now what I think I am 99% surely applying to (no particular order):
University of Utah
Adelphi College
University of Hawaii - Manoa (my auto-admit 100% safe school)
University of North Carolina School of the Arts
Northern Illinois University
Western Michigan University
Coastal Carolina University (Sending prescreen audition first)

Schools that I might consider (maybe a little more than 50%) (no particular order):
Southern Utah University
Carnegie Mellon University
Santa Fe University of Art and Design
California State University - Fullerton

Hatsukoi · June 19, 2012, 5:29am

This isn’t relevant, but it is a very serious question for me relating to my chances for getting in these school’s acting program!
Please help! ><;;

So next year I am scheduled to take AP Art History and AP Biology.
The thing is that, should I really take AP Biology?
I understand it is a rigorous course, but will it make me seem too science-y?

&btw, my school does not have “Honors” for math classes. It is either regular or Connections/Basic.

<h2>Right now my High School courses taken/will take: (6 credits per year at my school, btw, 24 credits to graduate)</h2>

Summer to Freshman
Modern History of Hawaii (1/2 credit)
Participation in Democracy (1/2 credit)

Freshman
English (Phase 9) Honors (1 c)
Biology Honors (1 c)
World History (1 c)
Chinese IA (1/2 c)
Chinese IB (1/2 c)
Geometry (1 c)
World History (1 c)

Summer to Sophomore
U.S. History

Sophomore
English (Phase 10)
Chemistry Honors
Sociology (1/2 c)
American Problems (1/2 c)
Chinese IIA (1/2 c)
Chinese IIB (1/2 c)

Summer to Junior
General Art 1B (1/2)

Junior (the year I kind of wanted to be an Chemical Engineer… lol. Thus the science classes)
AP English Language & Composition (1 c)
AP Chemistry (1 c)
Environmental Science (1 c)
Building & Construction I (1 c)
Principles of Engineering (1 c)
Precalculus (1/2 c)
Analytical Geometry (1/2 c)

Summer to Senior:
Journalistic Writing Workshop (1/2 c)
Writing Workshop (1/2 c)

Senior
British English (1/2 c)
American English (1/2 c)
Physics Honors (1 c)
(additional online) General Art 1A (1/2 c)
(additional online) AP Art History (1 c)
NO MATH
Ceramics I (1 c)
AP Biology (1 c)
Design I (1 c)
Culinary I (1 c)

Like I said, my school only offers:
AP Calculus AB
AP Calculus BC
AP Chemistry/AP Biology (we had Chemistry last year, Biology this incoming year due to the amount of people signing up for the course)
AP English Language & Composition
AP Literature
AP Psychology

It is too late for me to sign up for another AP class I think (because I did not see the teacher for the summer assignment, registrar to get my schedule ready, etc.)

If AP Biology isn’t a good choice, I am thinking of switching into Algebra 3/Trigonometry (what I skipped to get to Precalculus). I know it is a foolish choice, asking myself “Why did I sign up for Precalculus junior year to kill myself?” (I am never good in math)
The calculus teacher does not like me either, lol.
But after taking Precal, Alg3+Trig would be easier.

I could also self-study for an AP that would help acting (well there isn’t any really… but I could look/you give me recommendations?).

Thank you so much! I am really in a bind right now, since I am not sure whether to do the AP Biology summer assignment.
Never really was into AP Biology, wonder why I signed up for it…

So overall, some things I could take if I dropped out of AP Bio (and self study for another AP?):

another elective
possibly Chinese III (language elective)
possibly Algebra 3 + Trig
possibly regular psychology (aka Globalization: Psychology, or something like that)

And wondering how much it would affect my college apps. I can’t really make my GPA any more impressive with 1 semester, considering it is 3.51. All I can do right now is to keep it above 3.501 and graduate as a Summa Cum Laude w/ my school’s Honors and a BOE Diploma

StrangeBro · June 19, 2012, 6:47am

As a general rule: The more AP classes you can take (and pass the exam! Can’t stress this enough), the better off you’ll be-- as you may test out of intro-level courses and free yourself to take more artistic electives or even graduate a year early. At some schools, for instance, a 5 on both AP Spanish Language and Spanish Lit puts you one semester from earning a language minor.

I’d say stick with AP Bio; not having a math class for my senior year didn’t adversely affect me and most schools really don’t care whether or not their theater students are doing differential calculus or quantum physics. Be sure to check admit requirements, though; some schools only require three years, some require four but give you the option to test out, and some don’t accept anything less than four years of math (such as the UNC system, which led to me ultimately not applying to Greensboro).

Also, to address your earlier point about typing concerns: It’s certainly legitimate to worry that you might not get a role because of your “look”, but other times, it doesn’t matter quite so much or even at all (for example, the best Malvolio I’ve ever seen was a Japanese guy). If you’re good, and willing to work hard and be persistent, roles-- and acceptances!-- will come.

Hatsukoi · June 19, 2012, 7:46am

Is self studying for an AP exam really that much more frowned upon than actually taking the class?

:(

The textbook also costs a ludicrous amount and I generally do not like that subject/class now that I think about it, that’s why. ><
What AP classes would actually have an useful affect on incoming-actors? o: other than Language and the ones I already took/will take

Thank you for replying!

NJTheatreMOM · June 19, 2012, 8:05am

I’m probably in the minority here, but I really feel that one AP class more or less (especially in the sciences, when you’re a senior and have a great record already) when you’re going to be an arts major, especially in a BFA program, doesn’t make one whit of difference.

BFA programs don’t tend to have that many distributional academic requirements. You might very well end up not being required to take any science classes in college at all.

My son was wondering whether to take AP Physics senior year. Almost all of his peers were taking it, but he really didn’t want to. I advised him to save his energies for college apps and college auditioning, and take an arts-related class that he wanted to take instead. He was very happy about the decision, and ultimately had some very good college acceptances.

Some of my son’s classmates did not get top grades in their senior APs, and as a result my son’s average earned him the salutatorian spot in the class…something he never would have expected.

You are already taking Physics Honors senior year. That should be more than enough, science-wise!

There is really no such thing as being too science-y, though. Schools love well rounded students. I should think your classes in principles of engineering and building and construction would be looked upon quite favorably by a school where you want to pursue a BFA or BA in theatre.

A lot of BFA programs really value a student who has some interest in technical theatre as well as acting. The fact that you took courses such as the above could be interpreted as a hint that you are that kind of student.

Best of luck to you, Hatsukoi.

TheRealKEVP · June 19, 2012, 8:38am

I basically agree with NJ Theatre Mom.

You are in kindof a strange place, Hatsukoi.

One more AP test may well just give you a little more chance at getting a merit scholarship. And one more AP test will probably, as someone else said, let you skip one more freshman class.

And I am pretty sure that if you get the good grades on the AP test, nobody will care whether you took an AP class or whether you self-studied.

But looking at your resume, you already have INCREDIBLE academic qualifications. So that is not an area that you need to worry about. And since you want to go into arts, not academics, your academic qualifications are going to be less important. What is missing from your resume are good artistic qualifications.

I think you need to take at least SOME acting classes, possibly (probably?) instead of AP Biology. I don’t know a lot about the specific programs you are applying to, but BFA programs are going to look A LOT at audition, interview, and resume. And for some programs the audition/interview process may include spending a day or so at the school, participating in things like improv exercises. The applicants who have already been doing stuff like that for YEARS are going to have a huge advantage over you, they are already going to be comfortable in that sort of environment.

I worry that you have been in an environment where people (school and/or family) have been telling you that you should devote yourself to academics, get good grades and academic qualifications, in order to achieve your goals. That’s the sort of environment I grew up in. But I notice quite a few people here who are stunned when it seems to be the folks who might be considered “slackers”–folks who spent more time with artistic pursuits than with academics–who get into these theatre programs, instead of the model students with the good grades like you.

I really think you are focusing too much on academics and not enough on theatre. And if theatre is what you want to do, I really think you should be focusing more on that. I am afraid you might be underestimating how important that is, if you are still considering taking AP Biology when you already have an INCREDIBLE academic resume.

KEVP

Hatsukoi · June 19, 2012, 8:56am

@NJTheatreMom and TheRealKEVP: Thank you both. ><;
I understand that I am taking a lot of academics. :X

Even though I do not have the full years of theater (closest thing to learning/realization about it was through that one year Speech and Debate), I will do my best to dedicate my last year of High School to do the most I can regarding that topic in life. (Especially the beginning of my last year of High School, as preparation to auditions, etc. Even though it is not years worth of experience, it will hopefully be a big improvement from where I am now.)

If I was not born and molded with such traditionally Asian standards, I probably would have realized what I wanted to do earlier, especially during the time of the first play I was in during 6th grade.
I’m glad my parents are giving me lee-way to pursue this though. Can’t blame my parents though.

One thing I was not sure was when you said:

[quote=TheRealKEVP]
But looking at your resume, you already have INCREDIBLE academic qualifications. <a href=“thank%20you%20though!%20but%20I%20only%20have%20a%203.51%20gpa,%20and%20that%20is%20weighted%20T.T”>/quote</a>
I hear so many other people have like 4.0s and take like every AP class, regardless of the major they go into. :o I mean I don’t want to be like that, but I do not want to show colleges I am slacking off.

I hear so much about having a “rigorous senior year”. I do not really have any view on that say, not to mention what really defines it, especially for a BFA major.

I honestly don’t like science or math (science is okay… I really hate math), but it is just something I grew up with just putting behind my back. I am really okay with ditching AP Bio… lol).

TheRealKEVP · June 20, 2012, 9:09am

Of course, this is my stereotype about how Asian children are raised. But then I was pretty much raised the same way, even though I am not Asian.

Somebody told you that a 4.0 was the only good GPA, anything less was unacceptable. I thought that too when I was a child. It took me a LONG time to understand that a B, a C, and, yes, even a D were all passing grades. (Of course if you get too many D’s, it can bring your GPA too low to graduate, but one or two Ds on an otherwise excellent transcript won’t bring it down too low.)

There’s the old joke: “Q: What do you call the guy who graduates at the bottom of the medical school class?” “A: Doctor!”

Most students have nowhere near a 3.51 GPA, and do not take ANY AP classes. I am also certain that you are going to do INCREDIBLY on your standardized tests (ACT and/or SAT). Your academics are INCREDIBLE, and I really do believe you could get into ANY college or university in the U.S. And many (not all, but many) would offer you a scholarship. Whoever told you that you need a 4.00, and that you need to take every AP course, is completely wrong. I know that this is what parents who are immigrants from Asian countries tell their American children to do. Because in these Asian countries, things like this are more important. In America, these things are not so important.

Nobody is going to think for one minute that you have ever “slacked off”. In fact, my worry is just the opposite, that you haven’t slacked off enough!!!

Now I say that you have the academics to get admitted to any college or university, that doesn’t mean that you can necessarily get into any specific PROGRAM. Especially BFA programs, which are going to look at interview, resume, and audition.

What is your plan for senior year to make up for the lack of theatre on your resume? How exactly are you planning to prepare for auditions? I haven’t seen you talk much about these things, instead you are still talking about academics (like AP Biology). This is why I am worried, and I think you may not be aware of how difficult auditions can be.

I think you can do this, but it will take a lot of work. Certainly don’t “slack off”, just shift your energy into theatre, so that you are working as hard on theatre as you have been on your academics. Colleges and unis are also going to wonder, and so this should be adressed in your personal statement/essay, why it is that you so suddenly decided to devote your life to theatre when your life up to this point has been so devoted to academics.

KEVP

Hatsukoi · June 20, 2012, 6:56pm

Actually I put the wrong GPA. ><;; Although it won’t really make much of a difference, my cumulative GPA is 3.558. Don’t know where I got the 3.51 from. o_o"

I take lots of practice tests on ACT and I am getting around a consistent 30, I hope that is enough. D:

Oh I just kept on talking about AP Biology because I wanted a really good reason to drop it so my teacher would not be mad, and also if it would not harm my transcript too much.

And thanks, I will most certainly address that in my personal statement/essay. Hopefully that could be a possible essay topic if they allow me to choose my own topic. ^_^

By the way, how “gimped” is a BA in Theater compared to a BFA in Acting? I’m guessing if I do not get accepted in any BFA Acting program knocks on wood I should just try to go into that? :

And currently this is my order (still not sure):
Southern Utah University (1st choice)
Chapman University
University of Utah 
Adelphi University (iffy because of distance and cost of plane ticket to audition)
University of North Carolina School of the Arts (iffy because of distance and plane ticket to audition)
Western Michigan University (iffy because of distance and plane ticket to audition)
Carnegie Mellon University (doubt I can even get into this school ^^;, but if I do, I will most likely audition, regardless of plane ticket cost)
University of Hawaii - Manoa (my auto-admit 100% safe school) (only has a BA Theatre, no audition)

Coastal Carolina University (Sending prescreen audition first)

I hope I my parents won’t be burnt out from these plane tickets. T___T
Thinking if I can switch some of my really East-coast schools to schools more on the West side that have similar programs/academics. :x

NJTheatreMOM · June 20, 2012, 7:07pm

Hatsukoi, I imagine that you know that you can audition for many of your schools at once at the California Unified auditions. Schools that don’t attend Unifieds may let you submit a video audition. There is probably no need for you to make multiple trips.

Lots of professional theatre people have “only” BAs in theatre. There is nothing wrong with it. A lot of people think a BA makes for a more well-rounded individual.

You probably know that you should apply to some non-auditioned programs along with your auditioned programs, even if you prefer to attend a school that offers an auditioned BFA.

What schools would fit me?

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