I didn’t see it. Can’t find it either. Sounds interesting
My take…
I am not into school or program rankings, generally speaking. I say this even if my kid’s MT and Acting program ranked high on the lists posted on this thread. It really doesn’t mean all that much to me! As well, if I am going to even look at a ranking, ones that don’t back it up with some statistical criteria are lacking even more than others (this ranking is a good example of that point).
What I would rather see is like we have on this MT forum…a list of colleges that offer MT programs, by type of program and by state. That is a good starting point for someone who is starting out. I would not be opposed to a list of “well-regarded and highly selective” MT programs (or colleges) that is not ranked, if one wanted an idea of which schools might fall in that ballpark.
Regardless of all that, I am grateful that my own kids found schools that matched them so well and in the end, that is what really mattered.
@IfYouOnlyKnew, I only find them insulting/annoying when people act like or believe that they are definitive lists that are scientific and not opinion-based, and then use them as public bragging tools or as the complete basis of one’s college list. I’ve seen the former done by alumni, parents, and a voice teacher who has a student in one the programs listed. (I understand alumni and parents doing this, so I’m not slamming them, but I did not at all like when the teacher who has talked negatively about these lists a lot recently did it. I found that hypocritical and also offensive to her other students.) Interestingly, I’ve not seen it done by current students or those recently graduated. This might just be my own issue, though! I’ll explain the latter (about the college lists) below.
Do I get a bit ruffled that my D’s school, UArts, isn’t on the lists? Admittedly, yes, a smidgin. So many other high quality, difficult admit places are also routinely ignored, though, that it’s in good company: Elon, Belmont, CCPA, IWU, Western Michigan, Point Park, Pace, Montclair, Texas State, etc…
Would I get a little thrill to see UArts on a list? Admittedly, yup. That doesn’t change the fact that it’s an opinion-based list, and I hope I wouldn’t take it as anything other than that.
@IfYouOnlyKnew, as far as comparing them to other top college lists… Many people don’t like those lists, either. People complain about them on the regular forum. Maybe, though, we seem to take even more umbrage to the theatre ones for a few reasons–and I’m totally just brainstorming out loud here. I may be completely off-base. First, we know these lists are subjective, and to print them as if they are not is dishonest and misleading. (The same could be said for regular college lists, though, according to people who don’t like them, either.) Second, we might feel irked by them because talent seems to be connected (though it’s really not–many people choose not to audition at or attend all of the schools on the lists), and talent is such as personal, close-to-the-heart thing–for parents, anyway? This may also be why students at programs can more easily ignore these lists; they tend to be more resilient in this business and push ahead despite what these lists say! Parents can be a bit more touchy, lol. Talent is also subjective; it can’t be measured in things like test scores or admittance to graduate school percentages, which is, again, based largely on grades and test scores. Also, it’s tough to make it in this field. Maybe, when people see these lists, they fear that the people at the schools not listed will have an even tougher time, and fear translates into annoyance? Another reason might be that it’s so incredibly hard to get into any of these schools, and the percentages of odds are the same or so, so close, that some recognition for that would be nice? Another might be that people know or have tried to help auditioning students who just use these lists as their own college list-makers and refuse to audition elsewhere, to their detriment. (That happened to me. A kid we know would only audition at the schools on such lists despite the advice D and I tried hard to give–and his mom tried to make him listen. He got shut out and was/is despondent. Not enough schools, not enough variety, but he had seen these lists proudly posted on FB and believed he needed to only attend one of those schools.) Finally, we may genuinely love a school that is not on the list (like I do UArts) and get offended for the school, ha ha!
I wonder what hugely successful professionals out in the field think of the lists. Do they tend to take them seriously, or do they not even pay attention to them? Are they more prone to attend showcases, workshops, etc., with a serious eye (or at all) because of them? Or do they not even see them?
^^good points above
All I have heard from the few agents or casting directors I know or friends know is that they have their own opinions on schools and programs and that matters more than a list. A friend of ours was told by a Broadway casting director (friend of his family) to NOT attend a school ranked high on above list if he happened to get into another particular school (often listed but not on above) that this casting director holds in high regard. He was actually told there was no comparison between the programs and industry insiders know this. It is just that the one listed has a bigger name overall but that doesn’t mean much to those on the inside.
Again this is based on opinion and each agent or director will have different ones. But good to know that the lists don’t really hold much weight in the real world.
@myloves- b/c you mentioned that you hadn’t seen one written by students - here is one that showed up a while ago written I think by a senior (at the time) at FSU
http://www.collegemagazine.com/top-10-colleges-musical-theatre-majors/
And the drama schools too- since that was the list that starts the thread - also written by a senior at FSU- though neither student was a theater major.
http://www.collegemagazine.com/cms-top-10-major-universities-drama-kids/
I actually meant other people, not the creators of the lists, posting them on social media like Facebook, but that is interesting, @toowonderful .
@myloves - the thing I would question from a a student (or recent grad) Is that they only have a firm understanding of the school they attended…
I think the lists… this one in particular would hold more credibility if they actually used specific data, and clearly explained the criteria they used. I am sure you could have 25 different lists that would include the same 20-30 schools and each be a “credible” list.
Yes, @toowonderful, I completely agree. Also, creating a list with one’s own school on it is obviously self-serving.
(Just to be clear, I had meant in my previous post that I haven’t seen current students/recent alumni post these lists–created by other people–on FB or other social media. I’m sure some do, but, in my circles, it’s been parents, alumni who’ve been graduated for a long while, and a voice teacher, who was bragging about a student.)
@myloves I’m sure personal feelings for ones own school is the major reason any of these lists (MT or other) will always cause a little pain. I suppose we can’t help to feel a little validated or insulted depending on placement of such list.
To your point, I see lots of people posting and sharing this MT list in my small circle from two schools, students, parents, and aspiring students. Since I posted about my encounter earlier, I’ve been asked my opinion several more times. My biggest fear is that audition lists will be made off of this. Your story of your friend probably happens more than we’ll know.
Here’s a positive of this list… People outside of Theatre get to read and know about some of these schools. I’ve had two people say they had no idea my S was in such a competitive program. One asked which schools he auditioned? That gave me a chance to discuss other amazing schools (he only applied to 2 on this list). I think discussing it helps bring respect for everyone. Maybe less people will roll their eyes when you say my child is a theater major.
After a week, my annoyance has not subsided.
The same blog did a list last year of the best regional schools. I found it interesting and it certainly made us aware of schools we have never heard of. So I don’t think list per se are a bad thing. It is just how much stock you put into them.
I run a blog about an entirely different subject and let me just tell you, lists get clicks.
Here is the design/tech list… Again, interesting choices, including some that did not make the acting/MT lists
And, I think, finally, the dance list:
That should do it for this blog for the top tens this year, ya think?
Yep, we’re good. I think the link for the tech and design list got omitted: www.onstageblog.com/columns/2016/8/27/the-top-10-bfa-theatre-design-tech-programs-in-the-country-for-2016-17
Well @CTDramaMom I did read that Catabwa College was bragging they were on the Princeton Review Theatre list… so one down… how many more to go! 
Thanks for giving me my laugh for the day, @KTVoice!
FYI - The comment section of the dance list says there are MFA lists coming…
Oy. . .
I will be interested to see that one. It seems to me that there are more widely accepted “bests” in the MFA world. The other lists have thrown curve balls- I wonder if this will too