<p>I am a high school senior and I want to eventual be a professional actor. I am trying to decide between the audition based Chapman BA/BFA in Acting or the Johnston Center at Redlands with a program I design based on theatre preformance. Thoughts?</p>
<p>If you want a well-rounded education, go to Chapman. Whether you are in the sciences or the arts, Chapman prepares you for grad schools and beyond. All of the degrees provide students the preparation needed to attend graduate school or enter the profession directly from Chapman.</p>
<p>If you read what U of Redland’s offering, you’ll end up with a devalued degree. This is a quote from their link, “You’ll design your own major, forgo traditional grades, forge graduation contracts with your professors…”</p>
<p>Ummm… I don’t think you can apply for med-school or law school without receiving a grade!! If this is what Redlands is selling, they have devalued all of their degrees. I can’t believe they are selling that to people. USNews needs to wakeup!</p>
<p>@OCELITE
The poster had not stated any interest in med-school or law school so that really shouldn’t matter. Also the Johnston Program can convert the evaluations one receives into a GPA if it’s necessary.</p>
<p>Yes, I realized that the poster wants to be an actor, but after a student receives his or her degree and perhaps down the road changes his or her mind, then what? Will they still be able to change the transcript to a grade? That would be an interesting concept. Will a law school or med-school honor that? I thought after you graduate, your transcript is final.</p>
<p>Quite honestly, I don’t know the answer to those but perhaps this link might clarify a few things: [What</a> Can You Do With a Johnston Degree?](<a href=“http://www.redlands.edu/academics/johnston-center-for-integrative-studies/3376.aspx]What”>The Page is Unavailable | University of Redlands)</p>
<p>And, striker, I think it would better benefit you to take Chapman’s BA/BFA in Acting but try to do a little more research before you decide.</p>
<p>My son is at Redlands in Johnston program (he considered Chapman as well, but wanted to do a gap year and Chapman doesn’t allow deferred enrollment).
My daughter is currently looking at both schools.</p>
<p>My assessment is that the Johnston Center is a pretty amazing option if you are intellectually (and artistically) self-motivated and self-directed. That is not to say the professors are hands off. Quite the contrary, what I see (via my son’s input) is a “colony” of curious, accomplished students who are very engaged in their own learning, collaborating with multiple disciplines and comfortable blurring the lines between different subjects. </p>
<p>My son is interested in film and creative writing, AND he is currently acting in a play written by a fellow Johnston student (which will be produced in their new Perf Arts theater).</p>
<p>Johnson is probably the most well-known offering within Redlands and you’ll have no problem with grad schools recognizing the value of Johnson in the future.
You should definitely speak with the Johnson director.</p>
<p>What we appreciated about both schools is the smaller size, friendly campus.</p>
<p>Get your facts straight OCELITE. You are being unfair in your assessment of Redlands. </p>
<p>Johnston Center is a SMALL off shoot of University of Redlands, yes it is alternative and “free-thinking”, but don’t discount the traditional University of Redlands education in your assessment. Of the 15 Redlands students applying to med schools, 13 were accepted in 2009. What’s Chapmans stats on that level?</p>
<p>I am no fan of Johnston, born of the 1960’s and I think sort of stuck there, but I am a fan of Redlands. Johnston has classes, profs and dorms unique to them. Johnston is for those looking for alternative educational opportunities, But University of Redlands is a very traditional University offering lots of undergraduate opportunities encouraging further degrees and YES THEY DO GIVE GRADES.</p>
<p>So don’t include all of University of Redlands in your “Devalued Degree” statement. Johnston Center is an option for some students looking for a specialized experience, but University of Redlands can go toe to toe with Chapman any day, and in fact </p>
<p>US News and World Report 2010 Rankings:</p>
<p>University of Redlands 7
Chapman 9</p>
<p>Either way you should make your own decision. Deciding to go to University is a massive thing and you should make the right decision, check out both Universities and see which one you like best. Dont let anyone sway your decision.</p>
<p>Notcurlygirl,
U of Redlands is a fine institution. I have no problem with them allowing the students to design their own program and having the grading options before they graduate. My concern is about the ability to change to a grade option later down the road after the students have graduated. So are you saying that the school can still change a transcript long after a student have graduated? Is that a guarantee? Would they still be able to change it even five to ten years down the road if they decide to continue to grad school? If that is allowed, wouldn’t there be more schools offering that concept? What if they can’t get their transcript changed down the road, they won’t be able to apply to grad school. Then what’s their degree worth? </p>
<p>By the way, for 2011, US News ranked Chapman 8, Portland and Redlands tied for 9. This is just to update your facts. Not that the rankings matter. What does matter is the worth of a degree from an institution.</p>
<p>Striker,
It is very important for you to do your research carefully before deciding on which grading options should you do the Redlands route, because down the road any thing can happen. You don’t want to have any regrets in case the school changes their policy after you have graduated. You may or may not be able to go back to have them change your transcript. I know of a person from another college a while back who left school for work and then returned years later to find the school’s academic policies changed, and classes had to be retaken in order to receive a degree. It is important to know that the decision you make before you graduate and after you’ve graduated may change.</p>
<p>The bottom line is you have to decide for your self. Only you know what fits you. It is important to check out both universities. Best of luck.</p>
<p>I’m picking Chapman! I saw Redlands today (overnight visit), you should definitely check it out it was really cool and I got a good feel for Redlands. I like Redlands a lot, but I think Chapman is more on the rise academically and I really like Orange. I’m from New York and I think Orange County is a really nice part of California and I’m excited to be a Panther! I did really like Redlands too. The people were very friendly, the campus is very nice, however the food is subpar.</p>