Baldwin Wallace vs. Sarah Lawrence? Help!

College Majors Theater/Drama Majors
1

Hi guys!

I was accepted into Sarah Lawrence and Baldwin Wallace for their theatre BA, where I would concentrate on acting/directing with a dance minor. At SLC, I would have a theatre third and try to take music and dance classes. I want to study music theatre, but unfortunately did not get into the BFA programs/conservatories I auditioned at, although there is one I have not yet heard back from.

I am very confused as to where to go! I love SLC because it is so close to NYC. I visited and loved the students and campus, plus I love love love NYC so being right there would be dreamy. The proximity is a huge bonus for me. The thing is, I am still confused on how good their theatre program really is. My goal is to be a working actor in NYC theatre upon graduating, whether it be off-Broadway, Broadway, anything that pays really. I am specifically looking at music theatre. I don’t know if SLC has any recent alums working and the communication is kind of poor when I try to get questions answered.

I love BW because their programs seems a little more put together, but I did not get into the acting BFA or MT program. The campus and community is nice. However, for BA alums, I also am not sure of how successful they are. I do not want to hear about their MT program success since my chances of getting in are slim. But, the location is kind of boring and Cleveland is depressing compared to NYC. I just do not know what to do. My career is on the line, and I’d rather not transfer out.

What I really want is a super focused conservatory program, which obviously neither offers, so I’m left with liberal arts.

I also got into AMDA, but their rep is too bad for me to really consider, unless someone can give me evidence on how they beat out BW’s BA or SLC.

Sorry if I seem a little rude/frazzled. I am very frazzled and decision day is fast approaching. I need an outside eye.

Advice?

Thank you,
CeCe

2

We have a VERY talented friend who chose to go to Sarah Lawrence even though she could have gone elsewhere for a BFA. There are so many opportunities there not only for performing but for creating work/writing/directing, etc. FYI, I did recently see a Sarah Lawrence alum in a National Tour.
From what I have seen, some students who go to BW for a BA may feel a little bit like second class citizens because all the focus is on the MT’s/Acting majors. That is something you really need to take into consideration.
In reading your post above, it really looks like you have answered your own question- it looks like you think Sarah Lawrence is your fit. Go with that feeling!

3

Reading between the lines of your post, it seems like SLC is the best fit of these choices.

I think if going a BA route in this field, you’d be better off at one where the BA program is THE theater program on campus, not the secondary program, so to speak, behind the BFA program.

I think at SLC, with the flexibility of their program, you could piece together voice, acting, and dance, which are solid there, and dabble in directing.

I’m a college counselor and this year, one of my advisees was also pursuing MT, but she did not apply to any BFA programs. She got into almost all of her colleges and is now deciding. Sarah Lawrence is one of her acceptances in fact! The BA programs she applied to are all at schools that do not also have a BFA.