Graduate Program Candidate Challenge(s) De'jour...

Well, before I get to the challenges listed in the title, some positive news (in part as a follow-up to a portion of my most recent post  Second Birthdays...And Some Contemplations ): the grade for my physics class has been posted and it is, as I had roughly calculated, a B+. Which keeps my cumulative GPA at 3.24. This also means that I have completed all but three credit hours of my undergraduate degree program. The final three hours needed are an in major class in acting or directing, which I have submitted a "credit for prior learning portfolio" for, in lieu of taking the class. The portfolio has, as of my last check on Monday (12/21/15), been signed off on by the departmental faculty and the dean of the college and now is just awaiting final processing by the advising department and the registrar. The advising office rep had said that she hoped to get it reviewed and such prior to leaving for the holidays. As of my check this afternoon it had yet to show up in the universities computer system. However, I am pretty confident that it will go through. 

So I have that going for me. Which is nice.

Now...As for the graduate program candidate challenge(s) de'jour?

1) Reconsidering, after some frustrating financial issues, just how many applications my budget can handle after all.

2) Deciding if - since most of the "preferred program list" are URTA programs - I should/could hold off until I have the possibility to interact with recruiters on February 5th there at the NUAI's.

3) Finding a Spring semester gig here in Fairbanks - that will not have issues with my being out of town the weekend of February 4-7, or with my needing certain evenings free for the tech rehearsals of 'Closer' - so that I can have some income and meet expenses.

As for #2, the website for one program - the University of Iowa​ - does state that the application deadline is later for anyone involved in the URTA/NUAI process. So there is that, at least. And one of the programs in my top 5 - University of Nebraska-Lincoln - doesn't have a deadline till March. And the scenography program at The University of Kansas​ has a deadline in April. Of course, UK is, sadly, not an URTA school. Thus there are/will be other challenges there.

If you go back to my post Graduate Schools - The Tactical And The Practical (Part 1 of ??) from a few months back, you can see the sorts of schools I am aiming towards.

Here is an updated list of the "top five", with a little "why there" note (or two) on each:

University of Nebraska-Lincoln --- because the MFA program is listed as Stage Design (Lighting Design, Scene Design, and Technical Direction). Which sounds like a scenographic/theatrical generalist philosophy is in play.

University of Minnesota --- because as their website states "The final creative project is to design a supported production demonstrating ability in these two areas...". Again,  sounds like a scenographic/theatrical generalist philosophy is in play.

University of Kansas --- because the MFA is awarded in Scenography, not a specific discipline. And, to quote their website: "... While in the program, students will design at least four realized productions in the University Theatre. They will do at least one lighting, one costume and one scenic design, and preferably a combination of two or all design areas for one production...."

University of Iowa --- because...Well, in part because of how Ron Zieglowsky impacted my life. And since he got his degree(s) there....Plus, it is the home (so to speak) of the Gillette's. And so I have a sort of soft spot for the school.

University of Illinois: Urbana-Champaign --- because...admittedly, I miss the Krannert Center. And while it has been years since I was a student there, I *do* still know the school, the town, etc.

Yeah. The examples of "why(s)" for the last two schools on my list are, admittedly, a bit weak. Sigh. And of course I'd also entertain other schools, especially those who might be close enough to NYC to allow for a visit to the city now and then - such as Temple. But the top five list are schools that, based on my research, where I think I might just fit in. And, in candor, I don't think I can afford to pay the application fees to more than three of them. Part of the reason for the title of this somewhat rambling blog entry.

Herrmn.

Well, things to do. So that is all for now. More later.



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