<p>Hi there! I am looking for any advice, opinions, etc. that people have on these two colleges. My top two choices (I have been accepted) are now Emerson's BA Theatre Studies Program for Acting and Pace University's BA International Performance Ensemble acting program. I have spoken individually with both colleges and am planning to double major or minor wherever I attend. (Marketing communications for Emerson, Entertainment Management for Pace) This is a really hard decision for me and I have really only been able to go on what I have heard about the schools and seen in brief visits. Help!!! Thanks:)</p>
<p>Wow two really good choices. I don’t know if one path is better - it may come down to what your gut tells you in the end. Is another visit possible? </p>
<p>Personally, I see Emerson as an all around better school. The degree will take you far outside of NYC alone. However the choice is really what you feel is right. Both programs have very different approaches to the ba degree. I recommend making a pro/con list for both schools and I think your decision will be evident.</p>
<p>I am very interested in this because I think my S’s torn at the moment between Pace BFA Acting, Emerson BA and Rutgers MG BFA… all so different. It changes minute to minute and anxiety levels are high. Any opinions or insights would be very welcome to us, too. </p>
<p>Rutgers Mason Gross is going to be more of a conservatory program than the others so a lot depends on what type of training your son is looking for. Research the faculty. I found that very useful last year. And how did he feel about the MG callback. Maybe sit in in classes at the other two. There will be more academics at the other two schools. </p>
<p>Thank you @Actingmom18. My S is pretty sure he prefers BFA conservatory approach, and he LOVED Rutgers MG call back. He has no doubts about the faculty and training there. But he has questions/concerns about marketability, shortage of film/TV training, whether he will have time to do improv or other projects, and graduating with network/connections, and the skills necessary to find and create opportunities. (He also would really like to be in a city.) He is going back to all for admitted student events so maybe the scales will tip one way or another. </p>
<p>What is the major difference between BA training and BFA training? Academics?</p>
<p>BFA usually is more focused on the theater training and less on academics. Some BFA programs have very listed academics if any. Some like NYU have a great deal of academics but you end up with a BFA. Usually in the conservatory programs the majority of time is spent concentrating on the craft. Hours are long and intensive. You usually cannot have an academic minor in a conservatory program or BFA </p>
<p>I would also say with most BFA programs an MFA would definitely not be needed but with a BA you may need the MFA for further training. </p>
<p>A BFA is to a BA as Fame is to Animal House. :)) </p>
<p>Ok ok… not exactly but it’s Friday and I crack myself up. </p>
<p>@octaviar - LOL! I guess I need a vacation! </p>
<p>I agree with @actingmom18, that an MFA after a BFA is redundant. </p>
<p>Okay, so update! I just got into NYU Tisch for BFA Acting!! Can we add this school to the comparison please?? :)</p>
<p>and thanks for all the advice! I am going to Emerson again next week, and going to a master class at Pace after. Also, just found out NYU has an accepted students weekend soon as well!</p>
<p>You need to wait until you know your studio assignment at NYU, then try to talk to students from that studio, and --ideally–visit the studio. We found the accepted students weekend at NYU to be only marginally informative.</p>
<p>@NJTheatreMOM Will I get a studio assignment before committing to NYU?</p>
<p>I’ve narrowed it down now to NYU and Emerson…just want to be sure of my decision:)</p>
<p>Yes, actor0630, you will get your studio assignment soon. You should have it before the accepted students weekend.</p>
<p>NYU scholarship/financial aid question: We have a call in to NYU re scholarship and whether it is guaranteed for all 4 years since the portal only lists the first year. Does anyone have the same or know the answer? It is make or break - unless the scholarship is locked in he can’t consider NYU an option. </p>
<p>^^Question of mine as well. And okay, thanks @NJTheatreMOM!</p>
<p>@Bromquest - an acting teacher we know who my D’s acting teacher shares space with in New York City, and who sometimes teaches at Rutgers, said this about Rutgers - “when you come out of Rutgers, you work.”
We were a little down on Rutgers after our first visit because of a couple of things, and his emphatic comments changed our minds.
Course than D was rejected, so oh well!
But may be of interest to you. </p>