<p>Ok so I think that everyone agrees it is almost impossible to give a purely numerical ranking to all of the great musical theater college programs out there, but I think that it is very possible to put schools into tiers: Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier3. Just post what colleges you think would be in Tier1, then what you think would be tier2, and then tier3, and everyone can compare results and get a good feel for what these forums think. I'll go first :D (I don't know that many colleges tho, so bear with me)</p>
<p>All I can say is: good luck with this, Ponzi! :) This topic (the ranking of MT programs) has been beaten to death on this list (and elsewhere, I daresay!) and nothing concrete ever (or could ever) results from it other than people getting upset and disagreeing. If you think about this, you will understand why. For instance, what criterion are you using to rank the programs: number of alumni working on Broadway? Number of alumni working professionally? Number of people who audition? Number accepted? Best teachers? Best facilities? Number of students who showcase in NY and LA? Number of students who get representation from their showcase? Etc., etc. There are just too many factors that go into making a program what it is to "rank" the programs in the way you seek, I think. But that's just one mom's opinion, too.</p>
<p>I think you should not worry about tiers of schools. Find what you like, but you must do lots of research. I recommend that you evaluate the Big List, which can be found after you click into FAQ at the top of the MT forum. There are many other great MT schools besides those you have named. Look at the various marks by the different schools, and you'll see if they are highly competitive. At least a couple of the ones you named do not have an audition until after a year at college.</p>
<p>Honestly it's what school fits you the best. I thought I HAD to audition at UMICH, CMU, BoCo, etc because all of my friends are applying to those schools this year! But I checked myself and realized MICH is toooo big for me, CMU is tooo expensive, and BoCo I really wasn't impressed with the program. CCM I know would be a good fit IF I was accepted. It's really all about what school you think you'd do best in</p>
<p>If you're infected with the theater bug as badly as most kids of the CC parents, the only tier that ultimately matters is the tier consisting of schools that you are accepted into and can afford. All those other things that might typically be considered rating criteria are just too subjective.</p>
<p>Consult the big list, talk to instructors and students at the school, collect impressions from others.</p>
<p>When S and I did his visits and auditions I realized this lesson after I met a kid at a school that wasn't even in any of those tiers listed in the OP above who turned down a well scholarshipped opportunity at CMU to attend the school we were visiting. For him it was a matter of personal "fit".</p>
<p>You are dealing with artistic types after all where that sort of thing can be important (no offense intended with a statement like that, please!)</p>
<p>Sounds like... many of our class of 2011 M/T's are LOVING their colleges/universities BFA programs. YAY!!! This proves that you can not "tier" as all programs have similar courses, wonderful experienced faculty etc. etc....basically you are doing what you LOVE, LOVE LOVE to do.<br>
Tear(s) of happiness not "tier" to find happiness.....change your thinking to the right "fit" (for both you & the school), and concentrate more on the admission process. :)</p>
<p>Mainstage, you are so right that the only "tier" that really counts is that of "ranking" how schools fit the needs, desires, interests and personality of the particular student. In general, most schools that offer a dedicated MT program are going to offer strong resources and opportunities to train and grow as a performer. Sure there will be differences based on emphasis of the curriculum, balance of the program between acting, voice and dance, availability and nature of liberal arts, size, location and a dozen other characteristics. Which is why, as has been said in many posts and threads, it is so critical important to thoroughly investigate each school under consideration and not simply rely on the school's "reputation". Of the schools my daughter applied to, it was interesting that 3 that were at the top of her list and are considered "top tier" based on reputation and selectivity moved to the bottom of her list once she had the opportunity to visit, tour, audition and ask questions. For one reason or another, they simply didn't adequately meet her preferences or otherwise provide a good fit. My daughter chose to attend a school that she felt was the best fit for her individually and is deliriously happy there. So to those out there going through the process now, don't get hung up on which school is "best"; the relevant question is which school is best for the student as an individual.</p>
<p>P.S. to Mainstage - Had the pleasure of sharing the first night of Rosh Hashanna at our house with your daughter, Shellipearl's daughter and other of the 3 girls' friends. What a delightful group, all so happy and excited about what they are doing. Sent them back with a ton of leftovers; I think they are all getting together tonight for the second night's dinner back at the dorm. I do have to apologize though; when my father couldn't convince them all to sing, I think he entertained them with his customary off key, out of pitch rendition of his favorite opera. I was out of the room at the time, copying music, but having grown up with it, I know exactly what they had to endure!</p>
<p>I have to completely agaree with EVERYTHING MichaelNKat said above. My D is currently a freshman at her "dream school", a school she would have never even gone to as it was the last one on our "audition circuit" (far away and difficult to get to) except for unifieds if she had gotten any positive information at all from her previous schools, ones she thought she wanted to attend. As it was, she had gotten a fall MT acceptance to one school, and then had heard nothing at all from the other 8 where she had already auditioned (even no rejections or deferrals at this point). Like MichaleNKat's D, my D also changed her mind quite a bit from what she originally thought based on reputation and kids she knew at the schools at the beginning of this process. At each audition she tried to make an objective assessment of as much as she could. For a long time, she had 4 of the "top" MT programs rotating but staying at the top of her list. For "fun" I had her rank all her schools, even non-audition ones and ones she had not yet been to, every time she completed another audition. Funny how that list changed. I kept them all and put them in an audtion scrapbook for her. ;)<br>
My two best pieces of advice are: first, definitely visit and audition at the campuses of all the schools your child seriously thinks are concrete possibilities, as many as you can afford, and go to classes and see shows if possible; secondly, keep an open mind! I was amazed when my D, after a day of classes but before her audition, told me, "this is where I want to be". I was shocked and amazed, based on previous discussions, and am so grateful that she had no decision in hand, or she would be missing out on her "dream fit." Thankfully she was accepted 3 days after she auditioned. During this process I admit I was extremely skeptical about comments like " your child will know when he/she audtions if the fit is right or not" and " the best fit is the school that feels right to your child". Lo and behold, that is exactly what happened! Thank goodness those MT directors were slow in deciding on my D. As soon as she got in to the school she eventually matricualted to and whose program and faculty she is ecstatic about, she notified 2 of those "top" schools and politely removed herself from consideration there and at some of the others. She has never regretted that. She did end up with plenty of choices. My hope for the class of 2008 is that each of you, and for you parents, your child, finds your dream school "fit" and that you get accepted to that school! L'Shana Tova!</p>
<p>I completely agree also. My kid - not MT but BFA Acting - did audition to two of the schools listed above. However, he's at a school not on that list and it's a perfect fit. He feels like he won the lottery. Each student is an individual and each school has many different aspects that can't be aggregated and then ranked. Some aspects will be weighed more by some kids. The tier thing is a complete waste of time. Sure, you may know that a couple of schools have the reputation (now) of opening more doors than others, but each person only needs one door to open. More important, by far, is to be able to develop and grow over four years with a cohort and faculty and program that is right for the student. No one school is right for all....</p>
<p>You forgot some majors schools like Syracuse, Ithaca, U Miami, Fordham, etc....those are majors....they come way before UCLA and Northwestern. They should be around CMU, etc.</p>
<p>I second what ttmom and MichaelNKat said!! My d is in her second year at a school she LOVES! It is a school that was put on her list because we were driving by it to go to another school and we knew a very talented group of kids who go there, but it was not at the top of her choices...until we went there!!! It impressed all of us soooo much, and went to the top of all of our lists!! Ponzi, you need to go to the list of schools, read some of the posts, and go from there. Everyone's list is different, for different reasons. You will know your ranking once you visit schools. That is why it is hard to do any sort of rankings....your "tier 1" may be someones "tier 3"!!!!!!! So, check out the schools online, make a list, check it twice....then you will find out which is right......(you thought I was going to say...naughty or nice, didn't you?!!) ;)</p>
<p>I hate to diagree with a fellow New Orleanian, bsb, but I think Ponzi's closer than you are with the "tiers". But I promised myself I wouldn't get into this debate again, so I'll just say that whatever works best for you is what your list should be!</p>
<p>This thread is three years old. The person who started it hasn’t posted in two years and so may not see your post above. He/she did say two years ago that he/she was accepted to Northwestern and was considering attending.</p>