Anyone have current students (or know current students) at these schools? I was surprised there isn’t a thread for Nebraska Wesleyan at the top. I have some kids with acceptances and they want to learn more about the programs. Thanks!
I have a D at NWU as an Acting/Musical Theatre major. She is a sophomore. I would love to answer any questions you may have.
@StewNChelle - thank you!!! I know the two kids I have want to know more about the program…I will get some of their questions and PM you!
Following…
@rickle1 is a parent with huge knowledge of MT programs.
Not overly familiar with these particular schools. I hear Millikin’s name come up a lot. @NYYFanNowMTdad is a great source of knowledge. He might know these two schools well.
@onette Reading the Millikin threads (which you probably have) and it sounds pretty cut throat. Of course that’s just what’s posted on CC. Sounds like at least an informal cut program.
hey @rickle1 I dont know much about either school…I do know @KaMaMom from a few years ago was THE GURU for all things NEB Wes. but her D graduated and not sure how active she still is. but even if not searching her name will yield tons of NW info
re Millikin perhaps a bit controversial and a bit hearsay, but I know theres a ton of mixed reviews on these pages about Millikin and the town of decatur itself…some not so good stuff but other good stuff in regards tot he training recvd- sorry I cant be more helpful…my feedback is just from reading no personal knowledge,
Millikin only takes as many as they have room for. Yes they have hurdles. As long as you do what your suppose to do then you will be fine. If you don’t pass a hurdle then you can do it again. No one get blindsided. The campus is fine. Like other campuses, don’t do dumb stuff like not locking your car or walking across campus by yourself, late at night.
I just visited Millikin this past week. We thought it was a really cute campus with that brick building vibe. The downtown of Decatur has some cute areas, too. Our tour guide was freshman BFA MT, and she loves it there. The dorm for freshman was HUGE, too. Walk-in closet! Much larger than other rooms. My D sat in on an advanced scene study class (she was admitted BFA Acting) and really enjoyed it.
@closemama if you walked to the downtown area, then that wasn’t it. That area by Millikin is Millikin. Some were willed to Millikin and other Milikin as bought. Pipe Dreams theatre is there along with some offices, the rest Millikin rents out for shops and food. The Woods and the Disc are also there. The kids are always friendly all the time. They are a family.
Millikin, to me, is a school you absolutely need to visit as it will appeal to some and not to others. I took my older daughter to audition there 2 years ago. We’re from Florida, and it was snowing, which is beautiful, but I had to drive in it for the first time in forever, several hours from Midway airport to the school, so right off the bat, I was a no with the travel (but I didn’t tell her that).
It’s a very small school in what I consider to be a very small town. We are from South Florida, so it was very different than anything my daughter had ever seen. The people could not have been nicer and the program sounded fantastic. The hurdles seemed daunting but doable and a positive in terms of pushing yourself. I do remember them saying many of the students spend a year on a probation of sorts for either acting, dancing or singing - it seemed to be their way of making you really focus on your weakest area. Most of the kids then passed that hurdle the next year and were fine and kept moving forward with their class.
All that said, my daughter turned to me before we were called in to get her yes, no, or maybe (they tell you on the spot - or at least did back then on campus) and said, “even if it’s a yes, it’s a no for me. I just can’t see myself in a small school in a small city.”
She didn’t get in so it was a moot point, but I do believe, as impressive as the program was and as nice as the people were, that she was going to say no no matter what. My younger daughter didn’t even apply there this year - her outlook on many things is the same as her sister’s, and she felt that it wasn’t a place she would consider. At Unifieds, I spoke to a mom who said she and her daughter felt the same way after their visit.
All that said, I’ve spoken to people who love it and think the school and city are the perfect size. One of my daughters’ teachers is a graduate and has the fondest memories. Of all the schools we’ve seen, I think this one is really a love it or not from the moment you drive up, and one you can’t get a feel for from what others say. It’s such a personal reaction.
There are three airports about a hour away, Bloomington, Springfield, and Champaign/ Urbana. Then there is St. Louis, O’Hara and Midway. Decatur does has an airport but is it very small.
My daughter is in her freshman year MT BFA and loves it. We are also from South FL and I agree with the travel and the area. The program is fantastic
@MD1235628 - which school are you commenting on? Millikin or Nebraska Wesleyan? For Millikin, I think the hurdles are one of the concerns my student has. Additionally, what kinds of training and opportunities for him to explore a double major or minor (he has a LOT of AP credits for gen eds coming in). It is a small school, but what are some of the highlights — strengths and weaknesses. Thank you!
@onette At the Chicago audition, Millikin stated plenty of opportunity to minor, and also encouraged students to have accepted invitation to honors program (my D received an additional scholarship for being accepted into the program). Not sure about the double major. D asked about hurdles, but I can’t recall her answer off the top of my head.
Nebraska Wesleyan is a lovely school and they do a TON of shows each year! @Mel2421 has a junior there. I’m sure she’d be happy to share! 
Yes my daughter loves it there, please send me a pm if you want to know more.
My daughter is a junior there and absolutely loves it there. She has been in a ton of shows. They have an impressive Theatre program there.
@onette and others - can y’all explain “hurdles” a little more. We visited last week (they were on Spring Break but we were able to get a tour of the campus and my DD talked to someone in the department). The woman we spoke with was Technical Theatre but a wealth of info but she never mentioned “hurdles.”
Have to agree with @closemama about the dorms. We have toured almost 20 colleges with my DD and 3 with my son (who graduated HS in 2013) and Millikin has the largest dorm rooms we’ve seen. The walkin closet and the area by the sink in the room gave extra space.
@onette - Millikin is building a brand new performing arts building and it should be ready by the fall. It looked amazing. The dance studio will overlook the quad. Overall, we liked the campus quite a bit and the people (faculty, staff and students) we met were very friendly. Sadly - we didn’t get to sit in on any classes though.