my daughter got into carnegie mellon's drama school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow, that is an enormous achievement. She must be an amazing actor.

Employment in theater is going to be 100% based on talent, and her skill as an actor. She should go to the school where she thinks she her skills will develop the most. It doesn't matter if the name is less prestigious.

Where else did she get in?

More like 95% luck and whether an actor has the right look for a given project, and 5% talent, but okay.

OK, yes, I will agree with that. But it's 0% based on the school on the resume, is my point.

[Anonymous]

How did she get notified already? I didn’t think those students were eligibility for ED. The packets are ready according to IG but the portal notifications are the 27th.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow, that is an enormous achievement. She must be an amazing actor.

Employment in theater is going to be 100% based on talent, and her skill as an actor. She should go to the school where she thinks she her skills will develop the most. It doesn't matter if the name is less prestigious.

Where else did she get in?

More like 95% luck and whether an actor has the right look for a given project, and 5% talent, but okay.

OK, yes, I will agree with that. But it's 0% based on the school on the resume, is my point.

Not entirely true. The top ranked programs like CM are perceived as strongest in talent development. And certain schools like CM have productions attended by agents, and well connected professors who can feed them into the audition cycle. Luck, connections, and the right look are all hugely important.

[Anonymous]

I went to a top school (HYP) because I got in and thought it was the best thing to do for my career goals. I ended up thinking by day 5 "How can I transfer" and after a year of being miserable I did--to another excellent school (But not HYP) that was really perfect for me. Never regretted it and am in a great place today.

The question is not whether CMU is good but what the best option for your daughter is. That depends heavily on what her other options are (which you haven't shared, so I won't try to suggest). But she does not need to go to the most prestigious place she was accepted, especially if she doesn't like it. That said, she could decide it is her best alternative. If that happens it should be her decision, and don't weigh in to try to convince her. Only she knows her gut feeling.

[Anonymous]

CMU Drama is wildly intense. I wouldn't advise her to go unless she's 100% committed. I was in the Music Department but we were right by the dramats and saw their program close up. The freshmen (and I think sophomores too) go from 8 am to 11 pm with just a couple of hours off for meals. It's very competitive, though the students are also very close. In my day they cut 10 freshmen at the end of the year no matter what. It is true that directors show up at the end of the year to check out the seniors and they get personal ins for auditions, mostly in NY. I see fellow students on TV and in movies from time to time.

It's an incredible achievement that your daughter got accepted, but if she doesn't REALLY want it, I would suggest a different route. That said, if she wants drama but just not CMU, I would definitely go with CMU. The whole arts department is its own world and very fun and cool. Pittsburgh is a great city, great vibe, and safer and cheaper than a lot of similarly sized cities. The weather sucks most of the year, but the dramat parties are fun and when the weather is good it's so very much appreciated. I loved Pittsburgh and would move back in a heartbeat.

[Anonymous]

CMU drama is amazing - congrats. She should be super proud. It's intense but all BFAs are intense and CMU has a terrific reputation for theater and terrific community. They accept like 16 students a year - take it!

[Anonymous]

My kid is going to Alabama (Honors College) on nearly a full ride scholarship, and from what I've seen it has a great drama program. Transfer! Roll Tide!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow, that is an enormous achievement. She must be an amazing actor.

Employment in theater is going to be 100% based on talent, and her skill as an actor. She should go to the school where she thinks she her skills will develop the most. It doesn't matter if the name is less prestigious.

Where else did she get in?

Oh darling you're so naive.

It is going to be based on looks and availability.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:CMU drama is amazing - congrats. She should be super proud. It's intense but all BFAs are intense and CMU has a terrific reputation for theater and terrific community. They accept like 16 students a year - take it!

Agree. Are you sure it’s not just cold feet?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:but she doesn't really like CMU as a whole. doesn't see herself there, very different than most CMU students. but the school of drama is SO good. so what to do?

Wow! Drama, huh? Trust Fund baby?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow, that is an enormous achievement. She must be an amazing actor.

Employment in theater is going to be 100% based on talent, and her skill as an actor. She should go to the school where she thinks she her skills will develop the most. It doesn't matter if the name is less prestigious.

Where else did she get in?

Oh darling you're so naive.

It is going to be based on looks and availability.

And Race. And Casting Couch. All the stories of the Demi Levatos of the world and we still pretend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow, that is an enormous achievement. She must be an amazing actor.

Employment in theater is going to be 100% based on talent, and her skill as an actor. She should go to the school where she thinks she her skills will develop the most. It doesn't matter if the name is less prestigious.

Where else did she get in?

Oh darling you're so naive.

It is going to be based on looks and availability.

So you suggest she should not go to any college at all since college won't change her look and the availability?

[Anonymous]

Many, many famous actors went to CMU drama school. Where does your DD want to go? Does she definitely want to do drama? Can you swing a quick trip to Pittsburgh to take a second look?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:but she doesn't really like CMU as a whole. doesn't see herself there, very different than most CMU students. but the school of drama is SO good. so what to do?

I auditioned and was accepted there when I was her age and ultimately turned it down. Presuming she's an actor, you don't need a degree to act and it really doesn't benefit you in actual working life, other than maybe some networking opportunities that you could also get taking some classes from several performing arts sources, not one college (which also gives you access to a wider pool of working contacts).

What ultimately made me decide against it, other than the above, was that is such a "conservatory" BFA program. You take a bare minimum of standard college classes. If you have any ideas of having a college degree to fall back on if she is one of the 95%+ people who ultimately can't support themselves full-time only with acting, the CMU BFA fine arts degree won't do that for her.

Granted, this is not in the past 15 years, so as always, YMMV. Just sharing my experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

My kid is going to Alabama (Honors College) on nearly a full ride scholarship, and from what I've seen it has a great drama program. Transfer! Roll Tide!

You keep telling yourself that....