<p>Hi I am an acting major and have been fortunate enough to be accepted into two great programs CCM and NYU Tisch School of the arts! I have done alot of research on both programs but still feel very torn between the two. I was wondering if anyone had any opinions or helpful information about these two programs and which one would be the best investment. How affective are the showcases at both schools? Any information or comments are extremely welcomed and appreciated. Thank you!</p>
<p>Congrats on both acceptances!!! i cant really comment on NYU’s program but i have several friends going to CCM and they have been up to visit and love it. Also remember to think about the area in which you will be living in. I live about an hour from cinci and i love the city, and its cheaper to live in than NYC, so when you are weighing the pro’s and con’s, you might want to think about living expenses. While NYC is theatre city, Cinci has some lovely theatre work as well and a great atmostphere. Hope this helps.</p>
<p>thanks alot for that information! I guess it would be less expensive to live in New York. I have vists to both schools coming up so i guess we’ll see which one is the right fit then!</p>
<p>I’m pretty sure she said that it would be cheaper to live in Cincinnati than in New York City. And based solely on the reputations I’ve heard batted around, Cincinnati definitely seems like a stronger choice. Congratulations!</p>
<p>NYU. Definitely. I’m assuming we’re talking straight acting, but yeah definitely NYU. CCM is a great school, don’t get me wrong, but they are called the conservatory of music for a reason. They are notable for their musical theater program, not so much their acting program. People often mistake lumping MT & acting programs together; CCM and Michigan are often two schools that this happens to. Both schools have absolutely phenomenal MT programs and great acting programs- but definitely not top tier.
NYU Tisch on the other hand, is constantly ranked at the very top acting schools in the country, and has produced countless award winning successful actors and actresses. Plus you’re in the city, so you may be lucky enough to work while you’re going to school.</p>
<p>I respectfully disagree. While NYU has historically been known as a “top tier” BFA program, it has somewhat notoriously been known for it’s rather large fall from that position. Of course fantastic people will attend NYU–it has a glowing reputation, it’s in New York, and over a thousand people audition–but the volatility of its studios in the past few years and it’s increasing focus on the film school at the expense of the theatre school has been seen as having a greatly diminishing effect on the overall quality of it’s education. There really are just too many people in Tisch. Again, some will be amazing, but my experiences with Tisch have been that an equal number are just mediocre. Notwithstanding the ridiculous cost of the school itself, the additional cost of simply living in New York has to be accounted for.</p>
<p>Having visited both CCM and UMich, the quality of their acting programs is understated. Their musical theatre programs have great renown and because of that, their very separate acting programs are consistently glanced over. An Acting BFA from CCM, damn the name, will train you as an actor. The environment is more conducive for learning and the training is much more balanced. It is just as reputable and, really, the “CCM BFA” will stick out more than whatever your major was. Calling back to what I said about the administrative battle between the film and theatre schools, such division doesn’t occur at CCM because, as I said, the musical theatre and acting programs are separate and protected from one another. Again, money is a big factor here as CCM is cheaper and living off-campus in your later years is a viable option. We aren’t exactly going into the wealthiest of professions and starting off with $100,000+ of debt isn’t a wise move.</p>
<p>All this talk of reputation is so subjective. Bottom line- do you want to live in NY or Cincinnati? Which one gave you better scholarship money? My son goes to NYU and absolutely loves it. He is challenged, has great teachers, has been to many Broadway shows (for free or substantial discounts). He has worked with well-known, Tony nominated directors, has done workshops with very famous and talented actors, and has been featured in NYU student films. The connections he is making are great! Their reputation is still very well up there so don’t kid yourself! My daughter is going to a different college for various reasons but it’s the right fit for her! It’s all about fit and to say NYU has gone downhill is just nonsense IMO! We are not rich and my son was fortunate to get scholarship-that’s because he works extremely hard! New York is a vibrant city with so much to offer besides the theatre. He gets plenty of attention in his studio- which is the newest. I have never even heard of Tisch sacrificing their acting for the film department. Tisch does have a lot of acting students but each studio is small. My son had a small number in his straight acting studio and has earned many great opportunities and he’s only a sophomore! He has also learned to navigate the city and to budget his money wisely. College is the best time to do this. Oh- and he has met wonderful people from all over the country and the world! Contrary to what some people write here- NYU is a phenomenal program and place to attend college! I’m sure CCM is as well. So- good luck in your decision and do what’s best for you- not whatever everyone else thinks on this board. Collect all the facts and look at things objectively!</p>
<p>When we visited CCM we were told via a student panel that the one thing they didn’t like about the school was that those required classes taken at Cincinnati College were academically lacking and the kids in those classes were mostly not interested in college level work. I have no direct knowledge of this, just passing along something that was discussed by all the current CCM students about 4 years ago. It was important to my daughter and she eliminated CCM based on those comments.</p>
<p>Look at the entire school, it’s atmosphere and requirements/electives both in the program and outside the program. No one can decide for you, you’ve got two great choices, research and visit (if possible) and then decide. Good luck!</p>
<p>In reality, the only way to be able to speak with any degree of authority about two different schools would be if the individual had attended both. That is rare and is unlikely to happen here! If after visiting, studying the curriculum of both, seeing performances, sitting in on classes, talking to current students, former students, and faculty, you still aren’t sure which school is for you (this is the universal you I’m referring to here, not the OP), well, then I’m not sure what anyone on CC can advise. At some point, you have to take the information you have available and make your decision. It may be the right one, it may be the wrong one but, in the end, you have to make it. </p>
<p>There used to be a dad who posted here whose son was at CCM but I’m sorry to say that I can’t recall his name. Maybe one of the other oldies here remembers or maybe you could do a search and see if you can find any previous discussions. The OP has two good options, but very different options. The schools are different as are the cities. </p>
<p>As for the comments about Tisch. I wouldn’t take them too much to heart. This happens every year. For some reason, people seem to have no issue with negative comments about Tisch more so than any other school. As I mentioned in another thread, it is often those who have not been accepted or those who have not received the financial aid they need in order to attend. CC has also had some individuals come onto the forum and spread misinformation about the school, often under multiple usernames, in the past. It reached the point one year that the artistic director of the program registered on CC in order to reply. I wouldn’t worry too much about the claims of Tisch’s ‘great fall’ in reputation. Knowing hundreds of theatre professionals in all aspects of the business, I have not heard or known this to be the case with those who are working steadily in the theatre community. There are going to be disgruntled individuals everywhere who have a particular beef with a school or an agent or an actor, etc. To magnify this into a broad brush condemnation of an entire program is silly, and not at all factual. Prospective students should be looking at the information to be gleaned from the programs, from the training, from the current students and faculty, and not relying too much on rumors about any particular school.</p>
<p>Excellent point, amtc: One of the main aspects of this choices is a conservatory setting vs. a BFA within an academic university. Anyone making their list, or choosing among acceptances, needs to know what their preference is. Honestly this is probably the most important distinctions any of these potential theatre majors has to make, even more than BA vs. BFA (since many BAs can resemble BFAs, and many BFAs include plenty of “regular” academics).</p>
<p>I am a strong proponent of analyzing course catalogs and projecting what you might take for the 4 years of your degree program. This includes gen eds, potential minors, possible double major, study abroad, etc. It also includes what kind of breadth and depth (based on YOUR interests) you can get within the theatre major itself.</p>
<p>Look for academic fit - in the BFA and in the school. Think about where you’d be most happy to live, what you can afford, what your performance preferences are, etc. In my opinion, reputation and prestige should come long after these other criteria.</p>
<p>I think one of the reasons for the level of confusion about Tisch is that they won’t let admitted students come and observe studio classes. Therefore one has to scramble for information. It’s very hard to get a clear picture.</p>
<p>On the one hand, you get people here on CC (mostly moms, and at least in the past, many of them MT moms) raving about the school. On the other hand, you get a smattering of students who have posted here about transferring out of Tisch, and you hear about students who were accepted at both Tisch and other schools and chose other schools…for reasons other than financial. In addition, one hears anecdotes from students in other equally selective BFA programs who have heard things from people they know at Tisch who are not always completely satisfied.</p>
<p>It seems to be a perennial conundrum.</p>
<p>It’s quite true that Tisch will not facilitate sitting in on studio classes, perhaps with good reason, but it is definitely, with a little work, possible to arrange. My D did it before attending, and when she was at Tisch, I can’t tell you the number of kids, many from CC, who were able to attend with her once she asked permission. It happens, it just takes some work. My D was always honest with these kids that sitting in on a class or two, while interesting, is not really going to give a truly complete picture of even what those classes are like, let alone the close to 27 hours of studio classes she had each week. Just one piece of the puzzle. </p>
<p>I’m not sure if you’re including me in the ‘raving about the school crowd’. I’ve tried to give an accurate picture in the past of my D’s experience there, as well as other kids we know, in addition to how they have fared since graduation. I do think, though, that I’ve been honest about the concerns I had about Tisch, particularly about kids going into enormous amounts of debt, but also about the varied experiences depending on the studio. I think you and I may have even had that discussion, NJTheatreMOM. 
I’ve made it clear that I don’t think it’s the school for everyone, and a lot of kids apply and audition there, without having done the research that they should do. Living in NYC during college is not going to be the best option for all students, including theatre kids. Some kids do just fine and others don’t. The experience at NYU, outside of classes, can have a large effect on a student’s happiness. Visiting the city is lots of fun. Living there is very different. It’s not something that is easily identifiable, unfortunately, until you’re doing it!</p>
<p>As I mentioned in another thread, I can’t comment on the issues of funding cutbacks, competition with other Tisch departments or overseas expansion, etc. It does sound to me like the typical type of funding issues that colleges face everyday, and maybe the effects are exacerbated now by the economy. I don’t know. I have a very good friend who is teaching at Tisch and he has made no mention of any loss of funding to other departments or how that would affect current and future students. I think it’s important to talk to both current and past students, if possible, and as many as possible, in order to get varied views of the program. That is so easy to do these days in this social media driven world.</p>
<p>I want to echo alwaysamom’s point of view, and add this: my impression of what TIsch tries to do is this: not just teach craft and technique, but help each student discover and develop their own artistic instincts and undertake an intellectual exploration of what it means to be an artist. It is not just a preprofessional training program. It is pretty amazing to see Tischies go out in the world, not just inclined to “make it on Broadway,” but to make their OWN way as artists: a lot of them band together to form their own production companies after graduation.</p>
<p>Does Tisch accept not only more students than other programs, but also students who enter with a wider range of talent, experience and training than many other programs? Yes. But what it is doing is opening wider the doors of the theater world to many people who will make valuable contributions in many different ways - we’ve all seen how crowded and competitive the world of casting actors is. IMO, Tisch is giving its graduates many different tools to work with in the world they will enter – and a lot more control over their own artistic life. </p>
<p>By offering theater training to students who represent a wider range of backgrounds upon entry than smaller schools, I say Bravo! To think that just because someone either didn’t get the training, or didn’t have the confidence to blossom in high school, shouldn’t be offered an opportunity to fully explore their artistic potential is pretty sad, I think.</p>
<p>I just wanted to add in where my perspective was coming from to help you actress1025; I too will be a college freshman in the fall and also was accepted into CCM and NYU. I did NYU early decision and CCM offered me a spot based on a minute and half audition at one of those cattle call auditions, which was fantastic; and had I not gotten into NYU, CCM would’ve definitely been a high contender. I’ve heard wonderful things about their program, but also I don’t know the name of a single actor or actress that has come out of their program, and that worries me. And I’m not just talking super famous names; obviously when you look at Tisch you can name ridiculously famous actors like Anne Hathaway and Philip Seymour Hoffman, but there aren’t really any from CCM, and my biggest thing, is once I leave college, I need to be able to get work, and NYU consistently produces students that are working in film and on Broadway; ridiculous numbers in fact.</p>
<p>Obviously I did early decision for NYU, so it’s not like I made this choice between the two, but I’m offering you my perspective on the two schools.
I’m obviously quite bias, but I do hope to see you in the fall! either way I hope you’re happy with where ever you end up, good luck!:)</p>
<p>It’s also so important to look at what studio you are in to make sure it’s a good fit and then compare the curriculums.</p>
<p>NYU definitely has not had a great fall, they accept more people. and the fact is some do really well and some sit back and don’t do the work. Because there are so many people it’s hard for the department to force these people out or to force them to utilize all the opportunities. I think Tisch definitely will give you more opportunities than many other schools, but it’s up to you to utilize it. That’s why it’s not a great fit for everyone, you have to be a self-instigator.</p>
<p>Claydavisbc, would you say that the presence at Tisch of a certain number of students who sit back and don’t do the work produces any degree of discomfort or frustration in the harder-working students?</p>
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<p>claydavisdbc, I am curious to know what you meant when you wrote the sentence. Did you mean that there was something amiss at NYU in Autumn 2011? Or did you mean the they have not “fallen” as if from grace? Your sentence could be interpreted in two ways, nearly opposite.</p>
<p>Both programs are top-notch, no doubt. Don’t allow anyone to tell you differently. I’m from Louisville, Ky so I definitely hear more about CCM simply because I live in the Midwest, only 2 hours south. I can’t give too much advice about Tisch, because my knowledge on the program, besides knowing that it is stellar, is very minimal. What attracts me to CCM is the fact that the city is big enough to become active, and to get involved in the community, but not to the point of getting lost in the crowd. I’m not hating on NYC, some people love the size! I love it, but as a college freshman who is 18-19 years old, I would personally think it would add additional stress. Plus, I love Cinci. Prices also play a role in my opinion. Do I believe NYU is worth the price, well, kind of. As I said, they have a stellar program, plus anything and everything in NYC is going to be expensive, so yes, imo it’s worth it. At the same time, CCM is cheaper and IMO has just as prestigious of a progran. It all depends on you though. I could rant and rave all day, but in the end, it’s your education.</p>
<p>Sent from my DROID RAZR using CC</p>
<p>I’ve mentioned in other threads that if someone actually does want a career in the entertainment industry, at some point they really will have to move to a large city with a significant entertainment industry. Such as New York. Think about this, would you rather make your move completely on your own, with no support? Or would you rather make the move when you have a group of people to move to, a college or university who have staff and faculty that will support you in transitioning, and a whole bunch of people just like you who are waiting to be your friends? Also, when you do eventually move to New York (or a similarly expensive city) you are going to have to live very cheaply, most people find it easier to do this as a young person than when they are older (especially since later in life they may have a family to support, student loans to pay off, and so on).</p>
<p>All I am saying is, you are definitely going to New York (or another large expensive city with an entertainment industry) eventually, are you sure it is a good idea to put it off? Of course, you are the only one who can answer this question. Maybe for you Cincinnati would be a smaller step, a slightly large city that will help you get prepared for the really big city.</p>
<p>KEVP</p>