<p>Sorry for the long title. I wanted to include as much info as possible.
I am currently a HS Senior, planning on majoring in (straight) Acting (hopefully with a double major/minor in psychology depending where I end up).
I have a pretty open mind, so at times I can be rather indecisive. Throughout the college search, the thing that has really guided me is school visits. Unfortunately, I haven't made it out to NYC, and therefore haven't visited the schools listed (NYU, Barnard, Vassar, UMass Amherst, Fordham, Hofstra, & Minn).
I was hoping people could offer their knowledge of these schools' theatre programs as well as the schools in general.
The qualities that appear to be most important to me have been:
a. reputation of theatre program
b. amount of student theatre (opportunities to direct/playwright/produce/etc)
c. ability to double major/liberal arts classes
d. assistance provided to help graduates find jobs (showcases/internships/noted connections)
e. diversity among entire student population
f. seclusion of campus - Driving through hours of small town roads to get to Ithaca completely turned me off from the entire campus. It would be nice to have access to a big city within 3 hours for weekend getaways</p>
<p>Any and all input would be very appreciated!
I hope your final college searches/decisions are going well too!
Have a great day :)</p>
<p>First, I’m not sure I would recommend to anyone that they should go to college in NYC without having visited before because people have all different ideas about what life in a big city is like. And just because a program has a good reputation does not mean that it is the right school for you and you will be happy living there for the next four years. But since the college visits have been guiding you throughout the process so far, I will assume that you will be visiting if you are accepted and before making your final decision. </p>
<p>So on the NY schools. Some of them are IN the city, some just outside of it and well within your 3 hour weekend getaway requirement. So really that is something to consider. Do you want an urban experience like NYU…very urban without a campus, downtown or Barnard…women’s college, uptown OR do you want a more traditional college campus outside of NYC like Vassar or Hofstra? You can have a bit of both at Fordham which has two campuses…you would have to live at Lincoln Center if you majored in Theatre but you could still take classes and participate in activities at the Rose Hill campus in the Bronx, still NYC but a traditional college campus. </p>
<p>Next to consider is the Theatre degree you want to pursue. NYU offers an auditioned BFA only and if you don’t get into the program, you don’t get into the school. Fordham offers an auditioned BA only but you can still be admitted academically if you aren’t accepted as a Theatre major. Vassar and Barnard offer a BA without an audition for admission. Hofstra offers both but the BFA is auditioned by Sophomore year. You can also audition for a talent grant at Hofstra. Generally speaking, it will be easier for you to double major with Psychology in a BA program. </p>
<p>So. My S applied to Fordham, NYU and Hofstra on your list and briefly looked into Columbia which is run out of Barnard. Vassar is the one school that we probably should have looked at but didn’t. In the end, his top choices were Fordham and NYU and he is a very happy freshman at Fordham. </p>
<p>Fordham is a Jesuit school with a large core curriculum and a reputatable theatre program. There are 20 Theatre majors in the Class of 2014. Approx 600 auditioned with a 10% acceptance rate. You can minor in Theatre if you are not accepted and still participate in Fordham mainstage productions which are only open to majors and minors. There are other student theatre production opportunities as well. Of the majors in this year’s class, 17 are performance, 2 are design/production, 1 is directing which actually branches off Sophomore year, and 1 of the performance majors, my S, is also doubling as the only playwright. Of the upperclassmen, many are able to double major/minor with liberal arts courses but it takes careful planning because the Theatre major curriculum is specific and begins 1st semester freshman year with Acting 1 and Collaboration 1. Fordham LC is in a beautiful area of Manhattan and it is easy to get anywhere you want to go. The dorms are apartments with a full kitchen and you are responsible to prepare many of your own meals as there is no traditional dining hall on the small, vertical campus. There is diversity on campus although some of that comes from the 50% commuter population and there is diversity off campus because you are in the middle of NYC. Fordham Theatre does have a Senior showcase, opportunities for internships and study abroad, and noted connections with successful performers, agents and casting directors. </p>
<p>I hope I gave you some of the info you were looking for and I wish you good luck with your applications and auditions! :)</p>