<p>Hello,</p>
<p>I'm a student attending community college looking to transfer in the fall. I've been admitted to UT Austin's B.A. in Theatre and Dance and if I go there would select acting as my emphasis; I have also been accepted at SHSU into their BFA in Acting/Directing. Now before I go any further, yes I know the difference between a BFA and a BA and I realize that in some ways trying to compare these two schools is like apples and oranges (which is ironic because both school's colors are orange :p )- BUT my main interest in is going through a school that will help me get first class theatre training and get into the acting profession or a first rate grad school after graduation (emphasis on the former). So without further ado I will explain the pros and cons of each as I see them and then humbly submit myself to your wise counsel:</p>
<h1>UT</h1>
<p>Pros:
-Internationally Recognized Major University (with high admission standards)
-Urban Campus
-Thriving location
-Lots of theatre and film opportunities in Austin
-Strong school spirit</p>
<p>Cons:
-VERY STRONG graduate program (and I suspect the department is very oriented toward the grad students and NOT the undergrads, if anyone has any personal experience with this please share)
-BA Program (and would have to take 4 semesters of a foreign language)
-Somewhat difficult to get information from or about</p>
<h1>SHSU</h1>
<p>Pros:
-BFA Program
-Near Houston
-Cheap
-Lots of productions
-Undergrad only program</p>
<p>Cons:
-lack of spirit/pride
-Huntsville's somewhat small and unexiciting
-Reputation for MT (I'm not an MT person)</p>
<p>Bottom line, it appears that UT is socially/culturally a better fit, but Sam is theatrical superior. I'm really looking for personal experiences with either program (especially UT since it's been rather hard to find much about them outside their own website) that can help shed some light on these schools!
Thanks</p>