Hi! First time posting on College Confidential, even though I’ve been reading posts for a while.
Anyways, I’m still waiting to hear back from a few schools but of the ones I’ve been accepted to, these are my tops. What I’m wondering is how do these schools’ BFA programs compare? I’m talking about curriculum, reputation, general atmosphere, etc. I’m really looking for a program that allows me to explore different facets of my craft, but I definitely don’t want to end up at an institution that’s not gonna prepare me for after I graduate. Also, I might be leaning towards The New School and CCPA because they’re more involved with the art in the city that they’re in, NYC/Chicago respectively.
Let me know what you’ve heard!
@twicelookback From what I know about TNS (D accepted) and CalArts (auditioned), TNS is training in acting, directing, playwriting and what they call “creative technologies”. So much more broad-based degree and focusing on students driving their own education and having agency. CalArts is very much focused on acting training so very different. So depends what you are looking for. Congrats on your acceptances!
@twicelookback - congratulations! How wonderful to have 3 good choices. I don’t have inside info on any of them but one thing I looked at closely for my D’s options last year was their retention rate. All schools sell themselves well; it’s when you’re actually attending that the “issues” arise and a higher retention rate generally means either the school did better at admitting good fit students or they deliver more of what was promised. CalArts has a retention rate of 90%, TNS is 82%. Roosevelt CCPA is hard to find online but a poster on CC a few years ago estimated it at 85%. Those numbers may sound close but they aren’t! For every one student CalArts loses TNS loses two. Again, fit is everything and no school is right for everyone so I would just look closely at the BFA program offered by TNS and ensure it’s what you are expecting.
We are in a similar position (minus CCPA). We’re planning to revisit both. Other factors for my D may include overall environment–urban vs. suburban, East vs West weather, and student body size. I have a feeling a decision won’t be made until the end of April.
@nyermom Let me know how it goes!! I’d love to see how other people come to their conclusions over this next month.
MY D was accepted to TNS also. She was also accepted to MMC. Trying to figure out between these NYC schools which one would be a better fit for her. My D wants to act, and is especially interested in screen acting. I like that at TNS students learn about directing, play writing etc. I think it is really good to have multiple talents in the biz. I’ve heard that at MMC they have a tight community, and maybe that means more oversight? I get the feeling TNS offers more independence? I’d love to hear from others about these schools! I know they are very different!
@twicelookback Congratulations on your wonderful acceptances! I agree with all that was stated above. I have a freshman at CalArts. CalArts is a very unique place. It is extremely rigorous and training focused. Industry connections are strong(CalArts mafia.lol). The campus is north of LA in a suburban area. They have the RedCat theater downtown LA and it is housed in the Walt Disney Concert Hall.
One of the things my S did to help make the decision last year was doing a “blind test” of the different curriculum. That is, I printed out the sequence of courses and electives and removed any school specific language. It definitely made his decision clear. Lots of factors for you! Do you want to focus more on stage or screen? NY vs. LA? Very acting focused vs. broad, more generalized skills? Living in a more traditional campus vs. living at an institute? Living in a community of artists vs. a more diversified community artists and non-artists? Wishing you the best of luck!
Are you looking to focus more on stage or film? CCPA is in the heart of one of the best theatre cities in the country, with strong ties to Chicago theatre, and the training is top-notch. The head of the program said he has become almost a casting agent for theaters in the city. Not sure what you want to know about curriculum, but you could check that out on the website. Atmosphere is great–the program head emphasizes being a good person in addition to honing your craft. The campus is in a fantastic location (they like to say Chicago is their campus), and my daughter (BFA MT) is able to take advantage of all the city has to offer–free days at museums, an app that gets her free tickets to shows, hanging out in Millennium Park, at the beach, etc. Grant Park and the huge Buckingham Fountain are right across the street. Social life includes meeting people from other schools in the city (DePaul, Columbia, UIC, etc.)
@222mom We visited both TNS and MMC and after that my D decided not to even apply to MMC due in part to the emphasis they placed on academic classes (equal number of academic requirements and acting classes) compared to TNS (and other BFAs we researched). The Acting tour guide was so ecstatic about math and science class requirements and that is not what my D is looking for. And yes, TNS definitely gives you more independence, ability to network while in school, etc.