My wonderful, optimistic, confident son has a great list of first-tier private schools he would love to attend. And God bless him. I look at the price tags and the insane expected family contribution numbers I’m getting and know we need an affordable SUNY/CUNY school as a backup.
Yes, Purchase, of course but not really a safety and a little “too close to home for comfort.” He really wants to go “away” to college, as he should.
Anyone with knowledge experience of the New York State schools where he could get an excellent Theater education with performance opportunity?
We visited Drew and my son loved it. We went there because someone I know graduated from the program and also loved it. The sticker price is right up there with some of the other schools I’m concerned about. But I believe they give a bit more in aid than some of those. I’m really thinking about pure State University of New York schools that are clearly affordable. But thanks for the reinforcement on Drew. It seems to get raves from anyone who has gone there.
What would be far away for your son? Do you live in the city? CUNY’s Hunter and Brooklyn have strong theatre ties… I don’t know the SUNYs for theatre, but here’s an old CC thread discussing your question:
I second Fredonia, where my S17 is probably going to apply for the theater tech program. It and Purchase are the only “acting” programs listed under suny.edu. Other schools do have theater programs - Oswego, Oneonta, Plattsburgh, Albany, etc. Stony Brook has a theater program but my read on it is that it’s more a hobby program to entice computer science and mathies who want to dabble than a program for people who want to work in the theater.
My son visited Brooklyn and really hated the whole area. He won’t apply.
SUNY Fredonia is an excellent NYS acting program that could sort of be considered as a safety for one reason. If your son’s grades are good enough to get in academically and he auditions but is not accepted into the BFA, he can audition again the next year. If he attends Fredonia as a BA, they will actually work with him to help him for his second audition. So he’d take the intro theater arts classes with the department for a year while he is coached on how to improve his audition, then possibly be admitted to the BFA based on that second audition. If he doesn’t attend Fredonia, he can still audition again the next year, but the department won’t be able to help coach him for it.
Does the advice that you gave above about acting at Fredonia also apply for the theater tech program? I don’t think that my son will be able to get a decent portfolio together, although the SUNY rep told us that his numbers were in range for general academic admission to Fredonia. I am wondering if he goes in as a theater arts student, would they work with him to let him move to the BFA in tech the next year. I had that thought before reading your post, but it gave me some hope.
I know it was mentioned above that Drew is an expensive private school which is true. If your child has fairly good stats they give a tremendous amount of money. School is costing us around $20,000.
Drew hasn’t been filling lately. Applications are down 21% recently. They are working to improve enrollment but I’m guessing that getting in may not be an issue.
@Dustyfeathers Thanks for the article… I think that’s the point of a safety (easy admit) if I’m understanding the concept of safety. Drew certainly fits into that category
I just know there are kids whose SAT’s are much higher and my D got good money. My D seems middle of the road when it comes to Stats. She was admitted into their honors program which at first was great, but now she is wondering why she is putting in so much extra work LOL If you haven’t already guessed I love being able to share the secret gem that is Drew University with others. My daughter had the opportunity to attend some very well respected colleges and chose Drew over them and it has been a fantastic decision for her.
I looked at Drew’s site and the one question I have is whether the dance classes in the theater major are mandatory for all students. My S is interested in theater tech and having to take a dance class would be a deal breaker. He’s okay with acting classes but dance is a non starter.
@techmom99 Here’s the info from Fredonia’s website:
“Audition or portfolio results are not released to prospective students unless they choose to attend Fredonia. Students not accepted to a B.F.A. program on their initial audition may re-audition one additional time, whether or not they are in residence at Fredonia. Any student in residence at Fredonia wishing to re-audition or re-submit a portfolio may view the results of their previous audition/interview and discuss those results with a member of the faculty so as to gain insight on where improvements need to be made.”
@bissou - He said he’d consider it if ballroom was one of the choices!
@lovetoact - The question I actually have is whether a student can be admitted to the non-portfolio, non audition major and then try to get admission into the BFA based on the work they do in the BA program.
