Customer Reviews

Performing Arts College Guide, 3rd Edition

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I got this book as resaerch tool for my college search for the theatre arts major. I was able to narrow it down to the ones I wanted to apply to. Now I am an Acting major at Boston University. It gives great information about the programs at the schools and is highly respected by the majority of all the colleges in it.

I used the 2nd edition of this book when I was an undergraduate searching for a good grad school. I found the information to be clear, and, for the most part, accurate. Of course, teachers and institutions can change rapidly, so a student would be wise to consult a university's website or recruiting materials for the most up-to-date information, but I found the print guide to be a good starting point. I am now a university music teacher and recently had one of my students use the 3rd edition while searching for a grad school.

Yes, this book is primarily intended for high school students. However, a graduate student may also find it to be of use...I did!

I have the second edition of this guide and it is loaded with not only a listing of schools and programs in schools for every type of preforming art but also gives hints on how to audition for these schools, what monologues to do,what to wear at an audition , types of careers a performing arts majore can go into after completion of a preforming arts training or education plus a slew of periododicles(sp?)on the performing arts and sources where they can be bought or ordered. So I can only imagine what is included in this newer 4th edition of this valuable guide now I think with an additional 34 more pages than before. I highly reccomend this Guide.

After a long and grueling search, I was coming up empty handed on a really thorough resource to satisfy what I was truly looking for to speed up my college choice. This is what I was REALLY looking for to give me the substantial and real answers I desperately sought after for all my college questions. Finding this book was by far the best thing to help me along in my difficult college search.

I bought this guide to help me decide on a dance program, particularly between two in Arizona. Unfortunately there are lots of typos in the book, it seems as if it hasn't been edited (at least the dance section). Some of the mistakes are the following:

1-The schools such as Temple University, Texas Christian University and Towson State University appeared under the "recommended" and "noteworthy" categories for dance. However, in the full description of each school the Author's Comment states all three as " recommended" for dance.

2- The University of Arizona, Tucson is listed in the "noteworthy" category for dance, but later in the full description the Author's Comment reads, "highly recommended" for dance.

I was very confused as to which to believe; the list of schools by category or the Author's Comment. Over all, for me these mistakes are misleading and detract from the credibility of the guide.

On the good side the guide provides you with a lot of information on what to expect from the auditions, and even show you examples of evaluation sheets the teachers use in schools such as Julliard.
It is mostly geared to High school students so if you are an adult seeking to study dance, most of the information will not be helpful.

You might think that this is a guide for students already in college, but beware. Though it has some good advice, it is supposed to be written for high school students wanting to major in drama, dance, or music in college.

A second warning: This book is dated, five year-old material.

When first published I am sure this book was an excellent resource, but it was published in 1998 making it next to useless now. When I ordered this book the publishing date was not shown on Amazon's website.

In Amazon's defense when I complained their response was execellent. I was able to return the book and get all my money back including shipping. I also note that publishing dates are now included on the website. Thank you Amazon!

I have teenage sons interested in vocal and/or instrumental performance degrees. This Guide provides solid information about types of programs, what to expect in auditions, and how best to prepared for the process. It is written by a former Julliard admissions counselor. It would probably be worth spending the $$ on the current addition. This addition is dated.