Choosing: Syracuse vs NYU for Acting

<p>Looking for some opinions/experience to help make a choice:</p>

<p>My daughter got accepted to Syracuse and was pretty well set on going there. She liked Syracuse when we visited, and they gave her some scholarship money and offered her a place in their honors program, which is nice, since she wants to be well rounded. But then she got into NYU/Tisch (kind of a surprise - she didn't think it went well). Now she's thinking "How can I possibly turn down NYU?" Is that reasonable? Is NYU that much better than Syracuse for Acting?</p>

<p>Also, while she definitely want to major in Acting, she kind of "grew up" in Musical Theater, and she'd like to keep in touch with that if possible. From what we saw at Syracuse, that seems like a possibility - more interaction between the two groups. My sense is that at NYU, the MT is more separate from straight theater.</p>

<p>Any thoughts?</p>

<p>I can only give you my personal thoughts which are that of another parent searching for the best fit for her D. Which school at Tisch did she get accepted to? I take it it wasn't CAP 21, since that's the musical theatre school. The different schools have different approaches, and that may determine the outcome.</p>

<p>We just saw SU Drama's "The Winter's Tale" and we were very impressed with the staging, costume, set design, and much of the acting, but not all of it. It's hard to know if there simply wasn't the talent to round out a perfect cast, or if seniority determines who gets what parts. But I will add this - Syracuse has a couple of excellent opportunities for actors including Sorkin Week - a week in which acclaimed writer and SU grad Adam Sorkin underwrites a small group of students to go to LA and meet with industry people (half the group are writers/directors, and half are actors, if I'm recalling it correctly). Also there's the Tepper semester - another SU grad (Arielle Tepper, big Broadway producer) has created a semester for students to experience NYC theater on the inside. Syracuse is 5 hours away from NYC, but they do what they can to provide a strong theater program.</p>

<p>NYU is, of course, in the city, so that's a plus, but it's also a school that has big names pass through it (both of Ron Howard's daughters went there - Bryce Dallas who's now doing films, and the younger Howard daughter who left NYU for the J.M. Barrie play on Broadway - forget the name). Will your daughter be challenged by this and blossom, or feel insignificant and not do as well? It's been said that the good ones at NYU drop out to go professional, so there's significant talent there. Yes, the NYU reputation is seductive - my own D says she wants to apply ED and not look elsewhere - but I tell her it's really a matter of fit, and if it feels right, it probably is. If it doesn't, no amount of wishing will make it so.</p>

<p>If I had to decide, I'd say that the school she's been accepted to at Tisch may make a big difference. BUT, I'll add this - after the first two years in the school that you're enrolled in, you can sample the other schools - so MT may still be an option for her even if she didn't make it into CAP 21.</p>

<p>Thanks for the advice, fluxus. I agree with you, but it's a tough decision to make with limited exposure to the schools. Your point about the big names and significant talent is one of my own concerns - is she ready to step up to the competition right now, or does she need some more time in a less pressured environment? My D hasn't heard which studio yet, so that could come into play, too. She requested Experimental Theater, but who knows. Beyond all that, there's the money question. She got some aid from SU, so the financial difference is significant. Too many factors!</p>

<p>My daughter was accepted in Syracuse's Acting program and also Wagner's MT program. She was wait listed at Tisch. She is leaning toward SU because we were really impressed by the department and she's uneasy about Wagner's academc reputation. Does any one know if it's possible to move into the MT program at Syracuse, or to take voice/dance classes? Thanks!</p>

<p>My daughter got her NYU studio assignment yesterday - Playwrights Horizons. That was her second choice, after Experimental Theatre Wing, but she seems happy with it. Anyone have any input? Still wondering myself if NYU is the best fit for her.</p>

<p>Do you live close enough to visit? Then she could talk to some of the students and faculty in that studio. Plus, a second look at NYU and Syracuse might be very helpful for her to determine fit.
Congrats re: Playwrights.</p>

<p>i also am in the middle of making a decision... Syracuse vs. Emerson..</p>

<p>I know Emerson was more selective 1400 to accept 20 actors to get a class of 16... and Syracuse was 900 to accept 40 to get a class of 30... but i hear syracuse is a. better program and b. more recongised in getting jobs... (alot of people on broadway that went to su</p>

<p>any suggestions? PM? Thanks!!!</p>

<p>...we are lucky to have decisions to make...</p>