<p>I've been accepted to both Cornish and Columbia College Chicago and if I don't get into one of my top choices those are probably the two I am looking at the most. I am aware of some of the differences in the programs - Cornish gives you a BFA, and the opportunity to split into different concentrations, while Columbia lets you audition for the BFA after freshman year - but I'm just wondering if anyone has any further insight into these schools. I know Cornish is audition-based (obviously, since I auditioned for them :)) but I also know its not super selective so I'm wondering if that makes a huge difference in the student body necessarily (not to suggest you're less talented if you go to CCC at all, but maybe in terms of commitment level or something)...basically any info/experiences anyone could give me with these schools would be awesome.</p>
<p>Columbia is a really terrific school. I don’t know very much about Cornish, but it’s been spoken about very highly here in the past.</p>
<p>EVERY auditioned school is a super selective school. Please know getting accepted into one is a huge accomplishment. You are also right that just because students don’t audition for a school like Columbia, that is no indication that they are not talented or committed.</p>
<p>Keep doing your research, and ask questions - lots of factors go into making this decision. You’ll know what is the right fit for you!</p>
<p>You should find out how many kids audition for the BFA at Columbia College and how many are accepted. Then find out what the options are for those who are not accepted and what that means - what classes they can/cannot take, etc. Then think if that works for you or not.</p>
<p>I second what EmmyBet said - there is no such thing as a non-selective audition school. Don’t let their “better” ratio falsely lead you to believe these kids are less talented or committed.</p>
<p>No bad choice here, just do your on line research and, since you’ve already been admitted, communicate with the teachers, administrators, and students until you’re questions are answered! Good luck!</p>
<p>I didn’t mean to imply that it isn’t an accomplishment to get into Cornish (I’m very proud) and that you aren’t talented if you don’t go to an audition-based program. Clearly that is not the case. I do wonder though if Cornish for instance has a more balanced gender divide because it is able to choose, or just other things like that that play into a program where they are selecting. And don’t worry, I am asking around/visiting the schools/talking to people, just wondering if anyone on this board specifically had an experience they could speak to :)</p>
<p>I got into Cornish Last year, toured it and didn’t go. But it is a wonderful school and an amazing program. The students are incredibly creative, and it both Columbia and Cornish tend to lead towards “edgier” theatre and experimental projects. The reason I didn’t go to Cornish was mostly financial, but it is also a very small school with only artists, and most of the alumni end up working in Seattle, as it has a heavy base there. </p>
<p>Most of my best friends are the in the Columbia acting program and from what they’ve said (I’m considering it myself) it is more of a “create your own” acting program. If you have the drive to shine and push yourself in the classes and through the students that do care less (there are lots, as they have almost 800 acting student, but from what I’ve heard everyone who doesn’t care drops out after the first year or so and it eventually comes down to a smaller solid group of passionate and brilliant individuals) than the program can be great for you. If you need more personal attention and structure than it might not be the best fit.</p>
<p>But Chicago is amazing.</p>
<p>You should know that as of next year Columbia no longer offers the BFA degree. Everyone will be in the BA program. You can still take all the same classes that the BFA program offered…it just wont be called a BFA degree. It still looks like a great program though. My D was accepted there and got a scholarship but if her NYC schools come thru with financial aid she will be headed to NYC.</p>
<p>My son applied to CCC as his “safety,” and was accepted. We didn’t visit Cornish, but he thought about applying. Cornish is smaller, and offers programs in visual arts. CCC has stronger communications programs, and Chicago probably offers more opportunities for theater students than Seattle does. CCC also has a very impressive film program, if you are interested in film acting, with internships available in Hollywood. I don’t know what Cornish’s residences look like, but CCC had some of the nicest student housing we saw - some suites looked out directly over Grant Park and Lake Michigan.</p>
<p>the Cornish student housing is two old hotels that were converted into Dorms. They’re not very pretty on the outside but each room does have its own bathroom.</p>
<p>I’m actually from Seattle and have also been accepted to Columbia. I’ve had a few friends who have attended Cornish and it’s been hit and miss. Some love it, some hate it… but I’ve noticed many of the professional productions (mainly musicals) have had Cornish students in the cast. It’s probably a great place to make local connections if you want to work in Seattle, and you never know where that will lead. I did not audition for Cornish mainly because of my friends experiences.</p>