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Conferences are important because they show that you're actively involved in research. Attending and presenting can also help articulate your points and give you new ideas for research. Also, the networking is real. I attended a comic arts conference, got a panelist's contact info, and was invited to attend a more in depth panel about utilizing comics in the classroom. I haven't yet presented at one during my MA, but I know I am prepared because of the ones I've been to so far.

I'm sorry that you experienced that. I've heard of age discrimination for Acting, but not directing. The head of directing at my undergrad preferred older people for the MFA program, as they had more life experience (which is totally understandable), and by benefit of being a UC they had funding for graduate students. If y

It would be interesting to see if there were any interdisciplinary applicants in english and econ, however I don't know if this is the subforum you are looking for. Econ would be here -> https://forum.thegradcafe.com/forum/34-economics/

Woops. Yup that was my bad.

Two of my buddies are doing their MFAs in Theater Admin at Iowa and Asolo. I'd recommend looking at them, too. Asolo is one of the better theater schools out there, and I've also heard good things about Iowa.

Both are incredibly good schools, and you'd be fine at whichever one you choose. That said, the things you might consider are commute (do you live in the OC or LA?) and apartments in the area. Also, would you prefer to finish your degree earlier since you start in fall at UCI vs the next spring at USC? Also, what is the deal with your funding; is your work paying for it or did they offer fellowships?

Zot zot!

I will be going into my MA program this upcoming fall with a BA in Drama and an AA in Social Science. I just have to take an upper division class to get accustomed to the field and the research. That pushes my graduation date to Fall 2019 for a total of 2.5 years, but I'm fine with that.

I am normally in the Theatre side of the forum, but I recently got an acceptance from Cal Poly Pomona for their Masters in English, with an option in literature!

Go for it! I'll be happy to answer questions.

They seem interesting, but I definitely prefer schools that offer good financial aid/ TA ships as well. That was something I learned about myself when I auditioned for URTAs- places like SCAD weren't interesting to me. I like the prospect of teaching as well. Call me nitpicky, you'd be right.

Haha not this year. Taking time off to build my resume in some way. I am currently taking improv at Upright Citizens Brigade, which has been SUCH a blast. I also read a draft of a solo show I was developing during my last quarter at UCI to some friends, got some great notes. I might jump in next year for Ohio State, since their program centers around solo work and self generated work. I would still like UMKC though, but they begin auditions at the end of 2018, beginning of 2019. All these rolling admissions give me such a headache

URTAs were not my favorite. I only signed up last year because it was cheaper to fly to San Fran to audition for UMKC there than to fly to Kansas City. I, too, felt bummed.

Heard back from NIU- rejection. I wasn't really expecting that. Still haven't heard back from UMKC, but according to some internet sleuthing I know some offers are out. I sent an email to the academic advisor about if they have sent out all of their offers, but haven't gotten an email back. If this season isn't for me, I will probably be okay. I think I will take three years before applying for schools again. It would give me enough time to pay off loans and get some experience outside of school. I can also broaden my horizons for what programs to apply for- probably add on applications for Directing and Playwriting. Best of luck for the rest of you!

Haven't heard anything yet! Expecting at least one of them in April, as they told me that would happen. Also applied for Teach for America as a backup, so the wait stress is real. I looked at old posts here saying that some people got their letters pretty late in the game, for what that is.

I am glad you enjoyed visiting UCI, TicTac! :-) I am currently finishing their undergrad program in Drama, it really is a nice place to be. High hopes for you! And I hope you broke legs at CalArts this weekend! Priyonder, I haven't seen any facebook groups specifically tailored to MFA applicants, though I try to follow the pages that represent the school's grad programs. It keeps me informed about what they are doing, what is currently happening, and just excites me about the process. You could browse Instagram as well and find some programs on there. USC's School of Dramatic Arts constantly posts there. I had my audition for Penn State in LA two weeks ago! I felt really good about it since I was prepared for the questions that they were bound to ask, as well as the audition itself. It was the second time my degree worked for me, as the guy that I was auditioning for said that he knew one of the professors at my school. It feels good to know that the places I have auditioned thus far know the program and also some of the people in it. Recently got an email saying I didn't get a callback from Penn, so I got a confirmation at least. Now I just need to wait two weeks for URTAs and then I am in the clear.

I see next to nothing in regards to forum posts talking about the process of applying for MFA in Acting programs. Let's have a thread to talk about the goods, the bads, and the challenges of applying this current year! I am currently applying to 3 programs specifically and also going to URTAs in San Francisco this year. My current top three are NIU, Penn State, and UMKC (in no particular order). Hopefully some schools at URTA like me too! Definitely a cool process as it is currently. I am sure it will become a mountain of stress as transcripts start to get sent out. So how is your process going? Good, bad, etc?