<ol>
<li><p>Is strong in both theatre AND academics, because I'd like to double-major in theatre and possibly english/polysci. I have a high GPA and scored a 34 ACT so I'm academically competitive at most schools - it doesn't have to be the top-ranked school in the world, but I do want it to be academically challenging! At the same time, since I want to major in theatre, obviously it's important to me that the arts are strong. (I'd probably fit better in a B.A. program, but I'm not opposed to B.F.A. if I can still major, or at least minor, in another subject - I think Tisch and a few other schools let you do that?)</p></li>
<li><p>Gives theatre majors plenty of opportunities to study musical theatre as well - I really would love to do musical theatre but i'm not confident enough to audition as an MT major. I'd still love to study it in college! (In general, a strong music department is REALLY important to me).</p></li>
<li><p>Preferably is in a big city (not totally necessary though)</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Any matches that you can think of? I'm looking for a college list that includes reach schools I'd have to audition for, schools I could audition for but are not as competitive with theatre acceptance rates, and schools that would let me major in theatre WITHOUT an audition as part of the initial application process.</p>
<p>Thanks so much! I really appreciate your help :)</p>
<p>@AlfieByrne - got in already (I’m a senior so I’m looking for places to apply while I take a gap year next year, forgot to clarify). Can’t pay. Sore point But thank you!</p>
<p>@mrtv247 - I will! Let me know what places you’re considering too.</p>
<p>So it sounds like you are looking for a school that provides a strong theater program and strong academics and is also a financial safety.</p>
<p>I suggest you look at strong programs at state schools and at schools that are likely to offer you merit or talent money. </p>
<p>Possibiities include: SUNY New Paltz, University of Minnesota/Guthrie, Muhlenberg, Fordham (they have an honors program that offers $$) and Drew.</p>
<p>Northwestern, Brown and Vassar also offer what you are looking for but as you found out they are also very expensive. </p>
<p>There are lots of threads on similar subjects in the archives of this forum. In fact, I see that some of them are listed at the bottom of the page under this thread when it is open.</p>
<p>Sorry to hear about Northwestern because it does sound like it would have been a good fit for you. :(</p>
<p>Just a note that while Fordham does have a strong BA Theatre major (by audition) that will allow you to double major, they do not have a Musical Theatre program.</p>
<p>From Fordham’s website:
Musical Theatre is a very small component of the Fordham program; the curriculum provides one musical theatre course. Students interested in musical theatre can supplement their Fordham training with dance courses at Alvin Ailey for up to four Fordham credits (call Undergraduate Admission at 212-636-6710 for more information). There are also many excellent dance studios within a close proximity of the Lincoln Center Campus. Students interested in continuing their vocal training also have many options throughout the city; one of these is The Singer’s Forum (call 212-366-0541 for more information). </p>
<p>On the upside for you, the theatre program is housed at the Lincoln Center campus, it is a strong academic community although tough to make honors in LC, and they DO give out nice merit $$ even without being in the honors program. My S will be attending come fall but the lack of MT at Fordham does not bother him. He was, in fact, accepted to a BFA MT program but he feels more suited to the BA at Fordham and he figures that where there are theatre people, there are usually enough impromptu showtune sing-a-longs to get him through! And just last week, Alison Fraser (Tony noms for Secret Garden and Romance/Romance) told him she was teaching a Song Interpretation class next year. So maybe they are filling in some MT gaps but not to the extent of MT programs and if you truly want to STUDY MT in college, and you know you won’t be satisfied supplementing dance and vocal training to create your own program, then Fordham is probably not for you. Do check it out though because as you know from having already gone through the process, you may find that you are willing to give in one area (MT?) in favor of another (location, merit $$). </p>
<p>You are right that a double major or minor is possible at NYU so you might want to consider that BFA option as well and you will certainly have more MT options there but the cost may be prohibitive for you. Merit $$ is harder to come by and they don’t agree to meet full financial need so you probably won’t know if it’s affordable until you get the FA package. </p>
<p>Both Fordham and NYU are competitive audition theatre programs. If you don’t get into Tisch Drama, you don’t get into NYU even if you are academically suitable. If you don’t get into Fordham Theatre, you can still be considered for admission to Fordham and you can minor in Theatre without an audition OR audition again for the major as a Fordham freshman although the odds for acceptance are even lower. </p>
<p>BTW, Fordham is a Jesuit school. If you are ok with the concept of a Jesuit education, I would also recommend you consider Boston College’s non audition Theatre major. They do have MT options and you can interview/submit an artistic portfolio with the department as part of the application process. Financially, they offer very few merit awards and only to something like 15 EA applicants BUT they claim to be committed to meeting full financial need as demonstrated by the FAFSA and CSS Profile.</p>
<p>UCLA is strong in both theater and academics. The Film/Theater/Television school offers a B.A. in Theater with concentrations in both Acting and Musical Theater. I don’t know how much cross-over is possible between Acting and Musical Theater but it seems worth researching. Since this is a B.A. degree, you take a number of courses outside the department and minor in other subjects, but the major also offers some elements of a structured, conservatory program. Los Angeles is nothing if not big. Cost depends upon California’s ongoing budget nightmare. Audition is necessary.</p>
<p>USC has a BA Theatre which allows you to minor in MT and its’ academics, while not as strong as Northwesterns’ are not bad. It’s a private school though so I’m not sure if the costs are less. I know they offer a full merit scholarship including airfare and a bunch of other stuff that you might be eligible for!</p>
<p>University of MD, American University, UVA (not in a large city), James Madison University (not in a large city), Boston College – in addition to many of the schools mentioned above.</p>
<p>I am currently at the end of my first year at SUNY New Paltz and let me tell you I have never felt happier about my decision. It is the second top SUNY school academically, is the highest applied-to SUNY school, and has an impressive acceptance rate (behind only Geneseo, which is a more math and science oriented school while New Paltz is more artistic, creative, and liberal, but just as academic!) My first choice for schools was SUNY Purchase, it’s a great conservatory program and I really wanted that legit acting training. Living in New York, and preparing for an actor’s income, I knew that spending 100k on an undergrad degree from a private school was not a good idea when I want to either get an MFA or do a professional training program. Here at SUNY New Paltz, I am in a BA in Theatre Arts with a Performance concentration, which is EXTREMELY similar to a BFA. There is a big emphasis here on understanding all aspects of theatre, which for an actor is absolutely necessary. The attitudes of all the professors is fantastic, their philosophy is why I choose this school over other programs I was accepted to (including several BA’s and BFAs). If you enjoy Meisner and Michael Chekhov, there is a big emphasis on those techniques here in the acting curriculum. In my first semester, I have been in the fall show, Red Masquerade, which we entered in the Kennedy Center College Theater Festival, and we became semi-finalists, and have a large group of cast and crew and dramaturgs who are finalists in their own roles in the production. And even after this production, I was immediately given scripts to be in two additional one act plays. This semester I performed in another mainstage, a dance show, and am a lead in a Student-produced Blackbox production. I’ve also been involved in many other smaller student-run projects. Long story short, my work is cut out for me. I truly feel incredibly fortunate to be a part of this wonderful theatre community that has a very legit feel to it. If you want a challenge, please consider this school. If you come audition, you are given a chance to speak to the entire department faculty and ask them any questions you have about their philosophies and methods. Not to mention, the school is only a train ride away from NYC, not bad at all.</p>
<p>Also, the New Paltz Theatre Professors recommend that you double major, and are considering making it a requirement to at least minor in something else. It would definitely be doable, and the English program here really is amazing, I’ve been really impressed with the english classes I have taken here and would not give up the experience of those classes for anything. (And that was just General Honors English 2 and also Contemporary Issues and Literature… which don’t sound that great, idk maybe I’m just a nerd!) I also have a friend in the theater program who is double majoring in Political Science and he loves it! Liberal Arts here really is fantastic, you should definitely take a look.</p>
<p>One thing though, musical theater isn’t huge here. I mean, there are tons of musicals. This semester alone, they are putting on Babes in Arms, Spelling Bee, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, a review of Little Shop of Horrors, and there are 3 really amazing A Capella groups, and a Glee Club). And class-wise there is a history of musical theater, voice one and two, and musical theater singing ensemble (which I am in and is SO much fun, and can be repeated for credit as many times as you want). I will admit, though, there is more of an emphasis on straight theater acting.</p>
<p>ALSO! There is no BFA here, but the department does hold auditions. Don’t let that worry you, though. They are mostly interested in your personality, and making sure you mesh well! There is acting training here but they will take you as you are, and if you really care about your education and you are proactive I’m sure they will love you!</p>
<p>Check out the University of Miami. If you definitely want to double major, the BFA program would not be a good fit for you, but the BA program is great with plenty of opportunity to work with musical theatre. Also, our poli sci program is great…our President is Donna Shalala who was Clinton’s Sec. of Health. There are a lot of political events on campus. The Clinton Global Initiative was just held here last weekend. :-)</p>
<p>Weird, this is pretty much exactly what I’m looking for as well (minus the MT…I’m not such a great singer). Same ACTs too. Anyone know of liberal arts schools on the west coast that are really strong in theatre? I’ve got UWashington (Honors), Chapman, Loyola, Pamona (are they strong in drama? Not sure) and Santa Clara (same question as Pamona) on my list. I’m also going to apply to Northwestern, but am concerned about the cost. Lots of scholarship opportunities would be stellar. May apply to east coast schools as well but not sure. Any help would be hugely appreciated!</p>
<p>The BA allows you to minor in MT or do a Double Major and USC is very generous with academic merit awards. I believe each individual school, eg The School of Theatre, at USC picks their own choices for Trustee and Presidential Scholarships, which pay full tuition and half tuition respectively.</p>
<p>You do not have to audition for the BA - just the BFA, but you can put the BA as your second choice. </p>
<p>If you choose to apply only as a BA they do require an interview, but I believe that can be done over the phone. </p>
<p>I did notice (and communicate with) quite a few families this year that were choosing between USC and Northwestern for a BA in theatre - it appears both schools are attracted to a similiar quality of student. </p>
<p>yeah, I’m starting my freshman year as a BA (I didn’t audition for the BFA, because even though the program is very attractive, I also have interests in film and musical theatre, among other things) theatre, and I’m really excited. After I was accepted, the mailed me some of the amazing opportunities their program has, like access to the film school (which is amazing). There’s a database of headshots and resumes that the film school uses, so when students are filming projects, they can look there for actors. They also have a partnership with the Center Theatre Group in LA, which includes performing internships. They mentioned that some of the USC students were in Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, which was just announced today to be making a Broadway transfer (from the Public, and there weren’t any USC students in that version, but still, that’s so cool!). So yeah, needless to say, I can’t wait! :D</p>
But thank you!</p>
And just last week, Alison Fraser (Tony noms for Secret Garden and Romance/Romance) told him she was teaching a Song Interpretation class next year. So maybe they are filling in some MT gaps but not to the extent of MT programs and if you truly want to STUDY MT in college, and you know you won’t be satisfied supplementing dance and vocal training to create your own program, then Fordham is probably not for you. Do check it out though because as you know from having already gone through the process, you may find that you are willing to give in one area (MT?) in favor of another (location, merit $$). </p>