College

Posted: 12/17/13 at 8:04pm

So I'm currently a senior and I've applied to four colleges for MT. I've only done one audition so far and unfortionetly got my first rejection letter. My SAT scores are also in the lower range. I'm starting to get a little nervous...

So I'm highly considering applying to a few conservatories such as AADA and NYCDA because honestly it doesn't even matter to me how or where I get my training, JUST LET ME FUFILL MY PASSION FROM TRAINING!! hahaha but the only thing I'm scared about is being looked over. I completely understand that it's all about what you put in and take out, but I don't want to spend money on somewhere that no casting agents, directors or people look at.

I just want to get myself out in New York and get serious training. I went there for my first audition and its honestly where I want to do my theatre work. I would not mind going to a conservatory if it means getting any training at all.

So... Is it worth applying to any of them?

[broadway guy2]

Posted: 12/17/13 at 8:19pm

You should definitely be applying to more MT colleges than 4. MT programs are very difficult to get into and Most kids don't get into half their choices. You should consider auditioning for more colleges if you want a realistic chance at getting into one of the program of your dreams. You should add 6 more Audition colleges to your list.

So sorry to hear about the rejection but rejection is apart of the business and considering how competitive MT programs are, you really shouldn't dwell on it. Just keep moving forward.

New York is a great place to learn but there are plenty of other schools with just as good MT programs. I believe Carnegie Mellon and U of Michigan were ranked the best programs in the country for Musical theatre. If you limit yourself to just New York schools then you may be cutting yourself off from success.

Apply to AS MANY SCHOOLS AS YOU CAN. Don't just pick a school based on reputation, pick a school that fits you.

Posted: 12/17/13 at 8:31pm

broadway guy2
-------------------------
The thing is my sat scores dont meet the standards of big schools like Carnegie. i called a couple places i already applied (SUNY, PACE) and no matter how good an audition is if i dont qualify academically i cant be admitted i really screwed up with not taking my sats seriously. and its too late to retake it since a lot of college apps are due in about a week :,( I'm so mad at myself. Any school with a good theatre program will be a good for for me..

[ahhrealmonsters]

Posted: 12/17/13 at 8:34pm

I recommend trying community college for a year or two. You can build up your GPA, and then apply to 4-year schools. While acting training is great, it's also a very good idea (in my opinion) to have a bachelors degree and an academic education.

[oncemorewithfeeling2]

Posted: 12/17/13 at 8:37pm

This topic has come up before, so this thread may be helpful :)

Applying is difficult but part of the process. You need to evaluate what is best for you-- do you want training that focuses in one area? Are you interested in traditional theater, musicals, or something that immerses you in dance as well? What are your financial limits? What can you realistically achieve right now, before you begin more training?

A piece of advice: if your SAT was low, retake it. I work with middle and high school students and as they move into college, this is something I'm always telling them. If you want to go to a big ticket school like U of M or CMU, your grades have to be up to par as well.

ETA: real monster gave an EXCELLENT piece of advice to consider.
Updated On: 12/17/13 at 08:37 PM

[broadway guy2]

Posted: 12/17/13 at 8:38pm

Ah I see. Conservatories seem like the best route for you. I don't know the exact SAT requirements but have you looked into The Boston Conservatory?

Posted: 12/17/13 at 8:54pm

Oncemorewithfeeling2
---------
This is going to make me sound very naive and like I'm not thinking realistically but as much as its probably best if I wait till I get my GE I want to start now. While I'm young and eager. I don't want to loose direction of my dream and staying where I live I'm afraid ill loose sight or hope

I'm also very financially unstable. Both my parents are unemployed. But I work part time at chilis. I know I should be considered but I have faith in myself that ill make it happen.


I'm just a terrible mess right now I think

Posted: 12/17/13 at 8:55pm

Broadway guy 2
------
I have!!!

[matttaylorr021]

Posted: 12/17/13 at 9:29pm

I know someone who went to the Hart School at University of Hartford (which is right outside NYC) and she is currently in an Off Broadway show. Emerson College in Boston has a great theatre program.

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 12/17/13 at 9:48pm

"I know someone who went to the Hart School at University of Hartford (which is right outside NYC)"

HARTT is more than 2 hours outside of New York City. I don't know about mile radius, but in terms of driving time you're actually closer to Boston. Not NYC.

[MKunkel]

Posted: 12/17/13 at 11:32pm

Grades are a big ticket item for school but, if they really like you, they may let it slide. However, an educated performer is someone directors always want to work with. Apply to as many as you want to and don't worry so much about grades at the moment. Apply to a range of schools. If you have other college questions or questions about a particular school, there is a Facebook group called "The Unified" that has kids from all different schools who can answer questions. I attached the link below. Hope everything goes well!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/138935212969603/

[bwayboy22]

Posted: 12/17/13 at 11:46pm

I'm also applying to colleges (for Acting) and I'm applying to 13 schools, who knows how many I'll get in to and I have good grades. You should apply to more schools than necessary when going into a performance major because it tends to be super competitive.

[broadway guy2]

Posted: 12/18/13 at 12:05am

Ooh Goodluck, bwayboy22. What schools are you applying to? If you don't mind me asking.

[bwayboy22]

Posted: 12/18/13 at 12:08am

Adelphi
Chapman
DePaul
Fordham
Ithaca
Marymount Manhattan
The New School for Drama
NYU
Pace
Pepperdine
UC Irvine
UCLA
UC San Diego

[broadway guy2]

Posted: 12/18/13 at 12:15am

Great Choices! I have some MT friends at Pace and Ithica and they seem to love their experience. No Juilliard? They rarely take Highschool Seniors but it never hurts to try.

[bwayboy22]

Posted: 12/18/13 at 12:21am

I don't want a conservatory.

[broadway guy2]

Posted: 12/18/13 at 12:24am

Ah I see. Well Good Luck !

[FlowerChild67]

Posted: 12/18/13 at 1:21am

Just because you go to a community college doesn't mean that you can't get musical theatre training at said school. I mean, look at PCPA. I know someone who went to my local community college, and now is at NYU. I wouldn't rule out the option of community college, because if the college has a good enough program (and I know that some do!) it might be a just-as-good yet cheaper alternative.

[Alan Henry]

Posted: 12/18/13 at 2:24am

As a College student my first advice to you is: take a deep breath! The universe will not just leave you at a station and keep moving.

I'm sorry to hear that the SSAT's didnt go well for you. Some people don't test as well as others, and while I don't agree that it's the best way to determine if someone is a good candidate for higher education, it's what schools tend to look at now.

There are options for you, though

Lots of Colleges(I don't know about the theatre/MT schools, but it's something to look into) do a winter term admission, so you could in theory take the summer to buckle down and pull up those scores, and then apply in the fall for the term starting in January. (Also a good time to make some savings!)

Some people who aren't ready for college take an extra year of highschool to pull up their marks and get better prepared. There's no shame in that either. It's a very viable options and you'll get to study for the SSAT's in a safe environment.

Community college for a few terms can also help you get the GPA you need, as mentioned before.

I do recommend applying to more schools, but PLEASE make sure you do your homework and know which school is a good fit for you - both academically and psychologically. (I say that because some schools are way more intense than others - no matter what program you go into - and you want to make sure you know what your getting into.)

Most schools have a talk to an alumni/current student program - which I recommend you look into - because no one can give you better advice about a college than someone who's been there and done it.

Contrary to popular belief, from what I understand, College's are very strict on the admission criteria for meeting certain academic minimums.

Don't panic. Don't make rush decisions. Do your homework. (Talk to your guidance counselor.)

Also - all college's essentially have an academic advising department - whom if you call to chat over the phone (or make an in person appointment when you go for the audition), the staff at these offices are very helpful in helping students make an action plan to fit the goals you have. They'll be honest, and helpful. They can tell you exactly what steps you need to take to gain admission if denied previously for academic reasons.

I hope some of this helps. I don't want to sound preachy - but your post resonates with me because everyone knows what it's like to not do as well as you'd like on a test. It shouldn't define you or your future.

Whatever you decide, good luck!
Updated On: 12/18/13 at 02:24 AM

[ErinDillyFan]

Posted: 12/18/13 at 10:40am

Apply, apply, apply. This is getting a late start, but check out Western Michigan, Oakland University(Michigan) and Eastern Michigan and Ball State. They seem to have reasonable programs with lower entrance requirements than the big names.

2 other schools that have good programs:
Coastal Carolina University:
3. What is the freshman class profile for fall 2012?
Middle 50% GPA range: 3.0 - 3.7
Middle 50% SAT range (critical reading and math only): 910 - 1060
Middle 50% ACT range: 19 - 23

Texas State:
SAT: 920


Updated On: 12/18/13 at 10:40 AM

[Marianne2]

Posted: 12/18/13 at 11:06am

Honestly, the SAT's are not the only thing schools look at. What have you done in high school? Some colleges also require an essay of some sort. If they do, write a really great one to prove that you are better than a test.

Also, if you really think not going to NYC and staying where you are for community college to start out will make you lose your passion, maybe you should think harder about what you want and if it is what you really want. If you want something so badly, you will work at it and not give up.

[dreaming]

Posted: 12/18/13 at 11:27am

How about the ACT? I don't test well at all-ever! I did take the ACTs as an alternative to the SAT and did much better. (They are based on different criteria and many people I know who took both did better on the ACT.)

I get the feeling from the OP's post that she might not have grade issues, and that it could well be an issue of the test. (Also-check out if any schools have the opt-out option-where you don't need to submit an SAT score for admission. There are a lot of schools that have leaned in that direction.) Also, if you can, INTERVIEW. It can really help if you interview well (and if you're going to be in theater you should) and might help tip the scale in your favor.

Good luck and don't give up!

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 12/18/13 at 11:39am

As someone with an MFA in Acting from a respected conservatory, as well as a BA in Theatre from a major university, and with a few years of professional experience under his belt, here's my two cents:

No one cares where you went to school. Truly. If you have a degree from a well-known theatre conservatory or university program, it might help you get an audition if you submit your resume, but no one is going to cast you based on what school you went to. All they care about is what you can do. Period.

If you can't get into a major school, don't sweat it. If you really want to be a theatre performer, take voice, acting, and dance classes at studios. If you really want a college degree just to have a college degree, that's a different matter. But you don't need a BA, BFA, or MFA to be successful in show business. You just need good training, wherever you can get it.

Hope that helps. Good luck. PM if you like.

Updated On: 12/18/13 at 11:39 AM

[ErinDillyFan]

Posted: 12/18/13 at 12:08pm

The Distinctive Baritone is right. If college is not right for you, move to a big city (it doesn't have to NYC) where there are good teachers and theater companies. Take voice, dance and acting lessons when you can afford it. Get experience! There are plenty of community theaters with high enough quality to be worth your time. A college degree is no ticket to success in the MT world and there are certainly many that do it without. You could be the next Sutton Foster!

[bwayrose7]

Posted: 12/18/13 at 2:54pm

First off: bwayboy22 and Lalaroo- best of luck with your future plans! I hope you'll keep us all updated on how your searches go :)

Second: while we're talking about degrees, I have a question for those of you who are "in the business". I'm a current college student getting a degree in creative writing with hopes of working in TV, film, or theater (that is, script work, not just literary prose). I'm getting to the point where I'm thinking about grad school, and I'm wondering if having an MFA in dramatic writing would be useful, since my undergraduate degree is more general writing (not theater/film specific)?

Thanks!