So it’s decision time! Input very welcome!! It’s a crazy time with Corona and uncertainty in our world, so we are not able to revisit the schools that are top on my DD’s list. Quick overview of pros and cons that we know or have heard.
-POINT PARK PROS are reputation in the dance world, employability in dance after graduation, excellent training, facilities, adorable downtown Pittsburgh area which is fairly safe, attracts great talent, always in top 10 for dance BFA. CONS are distance from us (we are in CT), far from NYC which we are so used to going to quickly and easily for auditions and training, we’ve heard program is big (freshman class 65-80?), lack of performance opps. while in college learning environment.
- MONTCLAIR PROS are excellent well rounded training, top BFA dance program for several years on lists, accessibility to NYC, faculty that works in NYC and also teach at NYU, Juilliard etc., well connected in New York dance scene, employability after college, more of a typical college campus while still a conservatory type dance program, beautiful campus in very safe area with tons of amenities, lots of performance opps, smaller program (30-35), price!
CONS are not many - we’ve heard it’s a commuter school so a lot of students go home on the weekend. Anything else?
- JOHNS HOPKINS PEABODY CONSERVATORY PROS it’s Johns Hopkins! Lol name recognition for academics, smaller intimate program with supportive staff that seem well connected in the dance world, newer program that is sure to be up and coming, so ground floor opportunity, modern based training with pulse on what’s going on in dance world currently. CONS are that it’s still in its infancy and little is known about employability and any outcomes from a graduating class, very removed from main campus - somewhat isolated, not as well rounded in all styles of dance - very modern based.
Thoughts? First hand experience? Thanks is dance!!
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Hi @Momontoes ! Looks like you have three great options to choose from!
I’m assuming you’ve visited Peabody? My dd decided against applying in part because of the lack of a campus and the location in a sketchy part of Baltimore.
We’ve heard also that Montclair is a bit of a commuter school. We’ve also heard that there are a lot more OOS students in the performing arts, so those students tend to be around more on the weekends. My dd is going to attend Montclair, so we’ll see!! Other pros that informed her decision were lots of performance opportunities, lots of opportunities for students to set original work (she’s very interested in choreography), and that the faculty seems to work hard to get everyone employed after graduation. She also liked that there is a BA program that is not second-class, but rather an alternate pathway to teaching that is still rigorous (though she is doing the BFA herself).
Good luck! I think it’s hard to make a bad choice from those three!
Hi! Good luck deciding. We too are struggling the COVID-19 thoughts. My fear is loans for a dance degree that ends up having to go virtual if there is a second wave of this.
My dance daughter is deciding between Montclair and Marymount Manhattan. She’s always wanted to be in the city but Montclair is much more affordable. Wish the on campus train went into the city on weekends. We too have heard lots of commuters.
@Melissaanne @threegirlpileup agree on everything you both said! I think we are now down to Montclair and Point Park. At this point, I prefer Montclair but it’s not my decision. I think for some reason Point Park has a little more name recognition in dance circles, and I think my DD feels that. Although in reality, I think there are more happy, employable dancers coming out of Montclair. And it just seemed a more ‘warm’ environment to me, but not less rigorous whatsoever, and with incredible instructors based in NYC. And it’s much closer to us, which in this current new world, makes a difference to me. Do either of you know any current students at either program and how they feel about them??
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@momontoes my dd connected with several current Montclair students (I found them via their parents on a Montclair parents group on FB) they were extremely positive about the program. It was definitely a factor in her decision.
It’s hard!! There are so many unknowns even when you’ve visited and really done your homework.
I will say that my dd made her decision about a month ago and is 100% sure it was the right one, and is very excited about attending Montclair in the fall (fingers crossed that we’re back to normal by then).
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Hello! My daughter has a close friend who just finished her freshman year at Point Park and loves it. So much so that it is on my daughter’s list for schools (my daughter will be a senior in high school next fall) to apply to next year.
Here’s what I’ve heard:
Beautiful state of the art studios
Excellent faculty
Pittsburgh is a great city with many other colleges nearby , so she has socialized with kids from other schools too
She and several other freshmen (although not the majority) have auditioned for and been selected for performances this year
She has not felt that the size of the program is an issue and has gotten lots of individual attention
There are also several other dancers in our area who also attend Point Park and I have heard that future employability after graduation is very strong and that the reputation of Point Park is a real plus
I hope that helps! I don’t know anything about the other two programs although my daughter was thinking of auditioning for Peabody next year and you’ve confirmed what I’ve heard that it’s in an unsafe area so we may not even pursue that program .
Best of luck!
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@Maisy67 thank you so much for your insight! Very helpful.
@Maisy67 thank you for taking the time to post. I’ve been following this as my daughter will be attending Point Park in the fall. Your comments helped confirm she made a good decision.
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You’re so welcome @Momontoes and @Kimberking Best of luck to your dancers!