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College and Graduate Studies / grad schools
« on: Mar 27, 2006, 12:20 pm »
A couple words from someone who just finished the whole grad school application process.
There aren't many programs out there. I think there are roughly a dozen in the US, which makes the search a bit easier.
Cal Arts, UCSD, UC-Irvine, University of Alabama, University of Illinois, University of Iowa, UM-Kansas City, UNLV, Rutgers, Yale, NYU, University of Delaware and a few others I can't think of off the top of my head.
Each school has a pretty specialized focus so think about what type of theatre you would like to explore. For instance Iowa does mostly new works, while Alabama is linked exclusively with the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, UC-Irvine explores not only theatre, but other aspects of the entertainment industry (film, television).
Talk to the students in the program. This was the most beneficial for me. I also found that all I needed to do was ask to be put in touch with a student and in some cases was able to meet a student in person when they happened to be in town. Be sure to ask the tough questions like "what does the student feel is lacking or difficult about the program"
There have also been changes to several programs in the last couple years, with new heads of departments coming on board and reconstructing the program. Be sure to find out where the program is headed instead of relying on where it has been in the past.
For me, the biggest draw of the school I chose was contacts. Who do the professors knows many times leads you to internships and later work. Most schools post an alumni brag sheet. Take a look at these, while they don't guarantee that you'll end up in the same place, the do offer a good look at where you can go, as well as, an example of people you may be able to contact after graduation.
Also look at applying through URTA's. There are only 6 schools, I think, who use them for SM's, but if you find that you are interested in a few of those schools, I found it much easier to spend one day interviewing in a common location much easier and cheaper than flying all over the country for each school.
Best of Luck
There aren't many programs out there. I think there are roughly a dozen in the US, which makes the search a bit easier.
Cal Arts, UCSD, UC-Irvine, University of Alabama, University of Illinois, University of Iowa, UM-Kansas City, UNLV, Rutgers, Yale, NYU, University of Delaware and a few others I can't think of off the top of my head.
Each school has a pretty specialized focus so think about what type of theatre you would like to explore. For instance Iowa does mostly new works, while Alabama is linked exclusively with the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, UC-Irvine explores not only theatre, but other aspects of the entertainment industry (film, television).
Talk to the students in the program. This was the most beneficial for me. I also found that all I needed to do was ask to be put in touch with a student and in some cases was able to meet a student in person when they happened to be in town. Be sure to ask the tough questions like "what does the student feel is lacking or difficult about the program"
There have also been changes to several programs in the last couple years, with new heads of departments coming on board and reconstructing the program. Be sure to find out where the program is headed instead of relying on where it has been in the past.
For me, the biggest draw of the school I chose was contacts. Who do the professors knows many times leads you to internships and later work. Most schools post an alumni brag sheet. Take a look at these, while they don't guarantee that you'll end up in the same place, the do offer a good look at where you can go, as well as, an example of people you may be able to contact after graduation.
Also look at applying through URTA's. There are only 6 schools, I think, who use them for SM's, but if you find that you are interested in a few of those schools, I found it much easier to spend one day interviewing in a common location much easier and cheaper than flying all over the country for each school.
Best of Luck