Creative colleges: a guide for student actors, artists, dancers, musicians and writers

418 Pages·2013·11.412 MB·English

by  Loveland, Elaina C

Praise for Creative Colleges by Elaina Loveland
“Creative fields of study thrive in collaborative learning environments that capture the
passion of the students from that community. Navigating the labyrinth of colleges in
search of those inclusive, creative communities is a daunting task and Creative Colleges is a
noble companion throughout that journey. By helping students map out each step in the
selection, application, and academic process, Elaina Loveland curates an essential tool for
anyone considering an arts education.”
—Dr. José Antonio Bowen, PhD, president, Goucher College, former
dean, Meadow School of the Arts, Southern Methodist University
“Put aside the rankings, the phone book– size guides, and the glossy ads. Creative Colleges
is the resource with the right approach to the college search for the creative student. This
book will help you know yourself, know what’s out there, and find the right match where
you will cultivate your talents, grow, and prosper.”
— Bradford R. MacGowan, EdD, former college/career counselor,
Newton North High School, Massachusetts
“Navigating the college search and admissions process just got easier for talented artists.
Creative Colleges answers those frequently asked questions: What is the difference between
a liberal arts and a professional degree? How can I make my audition or portfolio stand
out in the admissions process? How can I creatively finance an undergraduate education?
A must- read for students committed to the arts or writing and seeking the best fit in their
college choice.”
— Jenifer L. Blair, EdD, director of college counseling and advising at
South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Math, former associate
vice provost for enrollment management, University of Baltimore
“Students who want to pursue the creative arts face all the usual challenges of the
college search process, plus additional stresses, requirements, and questions specific to
their artistic goals. Elaina Loveland, with her expertise both in college admission issues
and arts education, brings together excellent advice for ‘creative applicants’ bewildered
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by all the college options they face. Her view of this area of the college- transition world
is clear- eyed and very helpful.”
— Keith Todd, director of college counseling at Greenhill
School, former dean of admission, Reed College
“Elaina Loveland has crafted a book that takes seriously the way creativity flows through
the lives of college-s eeking students who are interested in the arts. Loveland offers a wealth
of guidelines and resources for these students, bolstered by a multitude of quoted ‘takes’
on art schools and education. Readers hear from college and arts academy administrators,
faculty, and students who describe how they decide to admit students, how they teach
their classes, and how they finally chose which school to attend. The message throughout
is, ‘Know yourself, love your art, and find the school that will support your growth.’
Refreshingly, what we don’t get is any sense that some art practices and life paths are
superior to others. Loveland includes information for music students, dramatists,
dancers, writers, and artists who want to teach. And in my favorite section, she reminds
creative students who decide not to major in art that, at their core, they will ‘always be an
artist’ and stresses that this quality can be nourished forever and will enhance their lives.
This is a helpful and generous book that will be useful to any imaginative student who is
considering post- secondary education in the arts. I recommend it.”
— Therese Quinn, director of museum and exhibitor studies, University
of Illinois at Chicago, former director of the BFA with emphasis in art
education program, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
“This is a guide that has been long overdue. The information is solid and presented in a
way that is easy to understand. I think this will be a valuable resource, especially to those
counselors and parents who may not have personal experience in the arts. The inclusion
of interviews with students who are visual and performing arts majors provides a very
personal insight that is often hard to find. It’s wonderful to have a guidebook that is more
than facts and figures and rankings. This gets to the heart of the issues faced by creative
students as they try to find that special place that will help them realize their potential.”
— Barbara Elliott, director of enrollment planning, Pennsylvania College of Art and
Design, former dean of enrollment management, The University of the Arts
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Creative
CC OO LLLLEEGG EESS
C O LLEG ES
FINDING THE BEST PROGRAMS FOR ASPIRING
ACTORS, ARTISTS, DESIGNERS, DANCERS,
MUSICIANS, WRITERS, AND MORE
ELAINA LOVELAND
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Copyright © 2017 by Elaina Loveland
Cover and internal design © 2017 by Sourcebooks, Inc.
Cover design by Jennifer K. Beal Davis
Cover images © Rawpixel/Shutterstock Images
Sourcebooks and the colophon are registered trademarks of Sourcebooks, Inc.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or
mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems— except in the case of brief
quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews— without permission in writing from its publisher,
Sourcebooks, Inc.
This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject
matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal,
accounting, or other professional service. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services
of a competent professional person should be sought. — From a Declaration of Principles Jointly Adopted
by a Committee of the American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers and Associations
All brand names and product names used in this book are trademarks, registered trademarks, or trade
names of their respective holders. Sourcebooks, Inc., is not associated with any product or vendor in this
book.
Published by Sourcebooks, Inc.
P.O. Box 4410, Naperville, Illinois 60567- 4410
(630) 961-3 900
Fax: [phone]
www.sourcebooks.com
Originally published as Creative Colleges in 2005, 2008, 2010, 2013 in the United States of America by
SuperCollege LLC.
The Library of Congress has cataloged the fourth edition as follows:
Loveland, Elaina C.
Creative colleges : a guide for student actors, artists, dancers, musicians and writers / by Elaina
Loveland. -- Fourth edition.
pages cm
“Author of ‘Creative careers.’”
1. Arts--Vocational guidance--United States. 2. Schools--United States--Admission. 3. Universities
and colleges--United States--Admission. I. Title. II. Title: Guide for student actors, artists, dancers,
musicians, and writers.
NX503.L68 2013
700’.71’173--dc23
Printed and bound in the United States of America.
DR 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
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To my family— you are the closest to my heart.
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Contents
Acknowledgments x
Introduction xii
Chapter 1: The Creative Student’s College Search 1
The Artistic Component in the Admissions Process 1
Doing Your Research 2
The Campus Visit 3
Standardized Tests 3
Financing Your Education 4
Have a College-Cost Talk with Your Parents 5
Federal Aid and the FAFSA 5
Artistic Scholarships 7
Part-Time Work 8
The Double Major: Studying the Arts and Another Discipline 9
Creative Students Not Majoring in the Arts 10
Chapter 2: Frequently Asked Questions 11
Chapter 3: Colleges for Actors 24
Types of Drama Programs 24
How to Decide Between a Conservatory Program and a Traditional College Program 26
Concentrations in a Drama Major 27
For Aspiring Musical Theater Majors 28
Film, Television, and Cinema 32
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viii CREATIVE COLLEGES
Drama Auditions 32
The Portfolio for Prospective Design and Production Majors 34
Drama Program Philosophy 34
Evaluating Drama Programs 37
Actor Interview, Essay, Application Questions, and Résumé 40
Sample Drama Curriculum 52
Profiles of Selected Drama Programs 58
Comprehensive List of Colleges with Drama Programs 95
Chapter 4: Colleges for Artists and Designers 104
Identifying the Type of Art Student You Are 104
Types of Art Programs 106
Art Program Philosophy 107
Concentrations in Art Degrees 107
The Freshman “Foundation” Year 108
Graphic Design Programs 111
The Artistic Portfolio 116
National Portfolio Days 118
Evaluating Art Programs 118
Artist Statement, Essays, Portfolio, and Résumé 123
Sample Art Curriculum 130
Profiles of Selected Art and Design Programs 136
Comprehensive List of Colleges with Art and Design Programs 179
Chapter 5: Colleges for Dancers 191
Types of Dance Programs 191
College Options: Dancing without a Dance Major 195
Dance Auditions 196
How They Stack Up: Comparing College Dance Programs 205
Dancer Essay, Application Questions, and Résumés 207
Sample Dance Curriculum 217
Profiles of Selected Dance Programs 219
Comprehensive List of Colleges with Dance Programs 252
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CoNTENTS ix
Chapter 6: Colleges for Musicians 255
Types of College Music Programs 255
Types of Music Degrees 258
Music Specialties 259
Music Auditions 259
Evaluating College Music Programs 263
Preparing for Your Audition: Suggestions for Prospective Music Majors 268
Musician Artist Statement, Essay, Repertoire List, and Résumé 276
Sample Music Curriculum 284
Profiles of Selected Music Programs 288
Comprehensive List of Colleges with Music Programs 327
Chapter 7: Colleges for Writers 338
Types of Creative Writing Programs 338
Writing Portfolios 341
What to Expect in a Creative Writing Workshop 342
Finding a Writing Community 342
Evaluating Creative Writing Programs 343
Creative Writing and the “Real World” 346
Writer Essays and Résumés 349
Sample Creative Writing Curriculum 355
Profiles of Selected Creative Writing Programs 357
Comprehensive List of Colleges with Writing Programs 383
Chapter 8: The Next Step 389
Making the Most of Your Creative College Experience 389
Exploring the Local Arts Community 390
Study Abroad Opportunities 390
Internships 391
Exploring Career Choices after Graduation 392
Appendix 395
Index 398
About the Author 401
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