<p>Hi - my son just got notice that he has been admitted to both Illinois Wesleyan, and to Cornell College (the one in Iowa, not New York). </p>
<p>He's planning to major in Theatre - so why should he pick IWU over Cornell? The faculty appear to be great at both, he got a much better scholarship offer at Cornell (like, no debt after 4 yrs?!). </p>
<p>I've been concerned that IWU isn't making the arts a priority - the department says its good, the faculty is good, but the facilities are quite mediocre, and scattered across the college campus. At Cornell, they've actually put the proverbial money where the mouth is, and have just opened a gorgeous theatre facility, along with upgrades for Music & Art. Facilities aren't everything, but they certainly indicate the priorities of senior administration.</p>
<p>Cornell also offers a unique course structure - students take one course at a time, taking 8 out of 9 blocks acoss the academic year. It has great appeal, since you can immerse yourself more readily into the course. It is a bit of a risk, of course, but for those who stay with it, the responses are quite positive. </p>
<p>I'll stop now - but tell me - why is IWU's theatre department so good that we should pay more? (looking at the BA program, not BFA)
Any thoughts?</p>
<p>My S is in the BFA program at Illinois Wesleyan but he has many friends who are in the BA program. The BA students have access to most of what the BFA students do in terms of classes and performance opportunities which is important. He also doesn't see any "class lines" between the BFA's and BA's which is also a good thing. Yes, the facilities aren't the best but the faculty is fabulous. (And they do have two new dance studios that are great) We went to see S in a student-directed show last week and he has grown incredibly as an actor. He has been challenged a lot in classes and it shows. S had the choice to go to other schools with better theatre facilities but is so glad he chose IWU. I can't say anything about the Cornell program since it wasn't on our radar screen (S wanted Music Theatre) but I do know kids who went there for liberal arts majors. Some liked the one course at a time but for others it was stifling. I think it's personal style and preference!</p>
<p>My D is also a BFA MT, did the same show as Baymom's son. Her growth vocally was wonderful and made me feel as if it is worth the big bucks. She seems to be doing well socially and she is definitely not GREEK.
The BA program is well supported. The facilities may not be as good as Cornell, but they are much better than some of the schools we looked at last year.</p>
<p>We decided IWU and are happy with the decision.</p>