Class of 2022: Their Next Adventures

Due to the competitive nature of BFA performance programs, Colette applied to 16 schools in the US. “These BFA programs accept anywhere from 12-30 students of the 3,000 who apply, so I needed to be strategic and realistic about my chances of a yes.” NYU was Colette’s first choice, and she got her “yes” on December 15 of last year.

“Choosing NYU has always been a no-brainer,” Colette says. “As a performer, New York is the place to be and NYU is at the heart of the action. NYU is also the most represented school on Broadway (which is one of my many ambitious goals). NYU has the exact balance of performance and academics for me to thrive. In addition to pursuing my passion for theatre, I'll have the opportunity to pursue a minor in Child and Adolescent Mental Health.”

When Colette started considering American schools, Greenwood directed her to Colleen Reed, an American College Consultant. “Colleen not only told me which classes to take to make myself a competitive applicant, but she answered any questions I had along the way,” Colette says. Greenwood teachers further supported Colette by getting her the letters of recommendation she needed to submit all of her applications by the end of September 2021. “I chose the schools I applied to myself because I know what I want, but Greenwood did a very good job of facilitating and preparing me.”

Colette has long envisioned herself in New York and has worked hard towards that goal, and she’s excited to see that dream become reality. “I can't wait to be taught by industry and Broadway veterans, perform in famous venues in NYC and grow as a person and as a performer,” she says. “Next year, I will be exactly where I've wanted to be my whole life — it's a strange but pleasant feeling.”

Colette sees herself as a performer when she has finished postsecondary, but it’s not the only thing she sees in her future. “My main goal right now is to figure out how to intertwine mental health advocacy into whatever work I do,” she says. “Whether I'm behind the scenes or on stage, as long as I'm in the arts, I'll be happy.”

Daniel was set on going to a school in the US, as there are only three schools in Canada that offer his desired major. “The US simply has a wider range of programs for me to choose from, which will also set me up for better future job opportunities,” Daniel says. “I ultimately decided on Purdue as it was one of the top schools I was accepted into for my program and has some really nice, new, and state-of-the-art equipment specifically for Aerospace students.” Purdue has a long history as a top Aerospace school -- 23 astronauts count Purdue as their alma mater, including Neil Armstrong. There are also many internship and study abroad programs available at Purdue, which is important to Daniel.

While Daniel independently selected the schools he applied to and wrote his applications, “my guidance counsellor was key in meeting with me to discuss where I was in my process, and to also ensure all of the recommendation letters I needed were being sent in by my teachers,” Daniel says. His guidance counsellor also helped him to prepare for interviews and to research some of the schools he was deciding between.

Daniel is excited to learn about all of the different factors that go into any aerospace-related project. “It is such a broad and constantly developing field that the opportunities for me to follow even as I study are endless,” Daniel says. “The program itself, while containing a lot of theory, also has hands-on aspects that require you to work in a team and engage in the design of a project. As someone who has always enjoyed art and building things, I know I will thrive in that structure.” 

While Daniel is not entirely sure of his future career path, he hopes to work in some aspect of the Aerospace industry. “I would love to work for a company like Boeing, Airbus, Lockheed Martin, or even NASA on the design and implementation of projects, as that has always really fascinated me,” Daniel says. “I also plan to finish my bachelor's degree, work for a few years, and then go back to school to earn either a Ph.D. or a master's after I have gained some more practical experience.”