<p>HI! I was recently admitted to the BA acting programs of both Emerson and Fordham as well as the BFA acting programs of DePaul and PACE. I am having a pretty hard time choosing between these programs and would really like some guidance.</p>
<p>What I'm looking for in the program:
-Focused training
-Good reputation
-small class sizes
-friendly environment both in the school and as a theatre community outside the school</p>
<p>Your advice is much appreciated!</p>
<p>Nice choices! I’d spend some time looking at the courses that you would have access to. Of your list, I know the most about Emerson which is a school I think very highly of. Unless things have changed (and you should always check that for yourself), the BA Acting track exactly mirrors the BFA track in the first two years but after that, there will be advanced studio training classes that are only available to the BFAs at Emerson and you will not be able to take them, even if there is space. Look and see what those classes are and see if that bothers you or not. You will not have that issue at Fordham’s BA program because there is no BFA there. I will leave it to others to comment on the specifics of the things you are looking for since I do not have a student at any of those schools nor am I one myself. Good luck with your decision. :-)</p>
<p>Congrats on all your acceptances! My S is graduating from Fordham next month and I would say that the program has everything you listed above. It also has a VERY large core curriculum which I think may be the biggest difference between Fordham and the other schools you are looking at. </p>
<p>If you like the idea of taking a wide variety of classes outside your major throughout your four years then Fordham might be the place for you. If not, you should probably go to one of the other excellent schools you are considering. Good luck!</p>
<p>I have sandkmom to thank for my daughter being at Fordham-- it was not on her list until we read about it through sandkmom’s posts on CC. After visiting the program and talking to sandk-son, Fordham became my daughter’s top choice and she’s been thrilled to be a student there. The core is large, but it’s manageable, thanks to the advising she receives from her faculty advisers. Every time I visit the school for a production I am impressed by the quality of the acting, design, and direction (of course) but also by the strong sense of community among the students, as well as the faculty support. </p>
<p>You are correct @halflokum. We were at Emerson this weekend as it was one of the final three schools my D is choosing between. She decided that Emerson was not a great fit for her. Originally, the idea of being a BA there was what she thought she wanted but learning that junior and senior year you can only take ONE acting class (possibly two under certain circumstances) was a major problem for her. She simply wants way more acting training than their BA program provides. That said, I know many students who find this the perfect program- they are able to study acting and directing and writing and have a double major and do a semester abroad, etc. And there is no cooler city than Boston (IMHO) !! I must admit that I was sad when she took it off the list. But…. as we have all said countless times, it is all about the fit!! </p>
<p>Thank you all so much for getting back to me so fast and providing such valuable information. I think right now out of all my option Fordham is the most ideal since they gave me a full scholarship that covers all of the tuition. I have one question left though for @sandkmom and @glassharmonica: Besides the liberal arts curriculum at Fordham is the BA theatre program training almost just as intensive as it would be in a BFA program at another school?</p>
<p>That’s what the kids tell me. A full scholarship at Fordham is very impressive-- were you a NMS finalist?</p>
<p>You got a full tuition scholarship? WELCOME TO FORDHAM!!! </p>
<p>I think that the training is similar to BFA programs in that it is hands on practical training exercises and not purely theoretical as in some other BA programs. In addition to the required and elective acting classes there are required vocal and movement classes, Theatre history classes and a Text & Analysis class. And there are lab hours that require working in the costume or scene shop, stage crew, etc. Between the major requirements and the core curriculum requirements you will be busy busy busy and you will love it! Good luck! 
</p>
<p>No I didn’t apply for NMS sadly. Fordham definitely sounds good to me!! Thank you again for the support and time! </p>
<p>At Fordham you would get a full scholarship if you were an NMS finalist. If you got one anyway, that means they really want you. </p>
<p>Unless there is some special niche that you want in your training that a school has that others don’t, I would go for the least expensive school among these. It’s tough out there when you get out and if parents can give you a little extra to help in those auditioning years, and you have little or no school loans, it would make it a lot easier.</p>