<p>Does anyone know anything about it? I know it's a liberal arts school, so does that detract from anything, if you're with people that aren't necessarily "into" the arts? </p>
<p>Hmm... any help would be appreciated!!! :-)</p>
<p>I don’t know much about their training, but the Shakespeare Theatre of NJ is in residence on Drew’s campus, so there are a lot more internship/apprenticeship opportunities available with that theater if you are a student there.</p>
<p>I think that Drew has a fine BA theatre program and is a school that is committed to increasing its presence in the arts ( ie a new really fine MFA in writing program with great teacher/poets).</p>
<p>It’s a beautiful campus with a train into Manhattan that you can walk to from the campus, and they have great study abroad and internship opportunities.</p>
<p>It’s one of those regional gems in my view.</p>
<p>The Shakespeare Theatre is right on campus and there are possibilities for students to intern there I believe.</p>
<p>My son really liked Drew and it was one of his top BA options ( he decided to do a BFA though).</p>
<ol>
<li><p>How well does it rate academically?</p></li>
<li><p>How good are its connections with New York theatre, esp. in terms of auditions, getting an agent, etc.?</p></li>
<li><p>When I looked at the school a few years ago for my older child, it seemed somewhat small and not diverse geographically - most of the student body was from NY, NJ, or CT - is it still like this?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>This is an old post but in case anyone else - like me - is looking for info on Drew: according to new stats it is VERY diverse with 60% out of state, 40 states represented and 20 countries and 20% students of color. Plus, Princeton Review named it top liberal arts theatre program last year. With its proximity to to NY and internships (w/o having to deal with living in NYC), strong academics, we are looking at it strongly.</p>
<p>Financial Aid Statistics: DREW UNIVERSITY </p>
<p>Financial Aid Rating: 79
Freshman receiving any financial aid: 98%
Undergraduates receiving any financial aid: 85%
Average Percent of Need Met: 79%
Average Total Financial Aid Package: $30,018
Average Undergraduate Total Need-Based Gift Aid: $24,363
Average Need-Based Loan: $5,007
Average amount of loan debt per graduate: $19,634
Undergraduates who have borrowed through any loan program: 62% </p>
<p>With the COA over $50,000/year, it might not be affordable for some applicants, for anybody considering Drew at this point in time.</p>
<p>My son has been involved with the Shakespeare Theatre of NJ’s Junior & Senior Corps since he was 11, and was even cast in a small role for a Main Stage production. I also volunteer for them quite frequently.The Shakespeare Theatre is a glorious resource for artist development, and offers opportunities for performance, crew, and management training. I do not know how strong Drew is in other theatrical areas. I am familiar with the “black box” theater, and I know they stage student productions. Madison is a pleasant town, but if you are not from the area, don’t think you will be in NYC. It’s a bedroom community, roughly an hour by train from the city. There is a student presence, with Fairleigh-Dickinson and The College of Saint Elizabeth also located in very close proximity. Drew is also very expensive, and I can’t promise you that you will get a better education there than you would at a public college.</p>
<p>Any other posts in this topic would be sweet! I’ve been accepted and am trying to make a decision!</p>
<p>hi, I’m a junior going on senior who’s not nearly an expert on colleges, but I just got home from hours at the bookstore, reading the huge 2011 Fiske Guide to Colleges, and Drew was one of the colleges I took notes on. I liked it as a match/safety school. here’s what I got from it (most of these are direct quotes from the guide itself):</p>
<p>Suburban</p>
<p>SAT optional: CR 520-650 M 510-620</p>
<p>Academics: emphasis on hands-on learning, research, independent studies, and internships; sends students abroad for month-long educational ventures…and encourages theater and the arts to thrive; “Come to Drew if you want individual attention and want to be treated as a name rather than a number.”</p>
<p>Theater Arts Dept. works closely with Playwrights Theater of NJ to produce student directed, written, and acted plays. The Shakespeare Theater of NJ is in residence part of the year, with performances/internships available through that.</p>
<p>Madison is a commuter town, so it’s not exactly exciting, but Manhattan is just 30 min away. Madison itself was described as ‘quiet and safe’ with some nice shops and restaurants but nothing special. I like that NYC is so accessible.</p>
<p>From what I gathered, Drew is strong in drama. It was listed in the front under Small Schools with Strong Drama Programs, and it talked about theater specifically in the description (which I can’t stay for all of the schools).</p>
<p>I went to their open house a few months ago. It was quiet (it was on a weekend), the surrounding town is quaint, and the theatre facilities were plentiful.</p>
<p>My impression is that theatre students are very satisfied with the program because they have a lot of input in the program itself. They emphasized student involvement (many shows were not just case by studnets, but also developed, written and directed by them).</p>
<p>To be honest, the campus was a little too mellow for my taste. Beautiful campus, just not my speed I suppose.</p>