<p>So I just found out that I've been accepted into Emerson's musical theatre bfa and I am so confused. I've already been accepted into Columbia and am waiting to hear back from Marymount. I went and visited Columbia and was very impressed with the facilities and faculty, however I have read things online that make it seem less appealing. I've read that it is highly considered to be a safety school for musical theatre students and that it is not academically prestigious at all (which, if the musical theatre program there was one of the best, wouldn't bother me). I auditioned at Emerson, but didn't get a great feel for it because we didn't go on a tour. As far as Marymount goes, I haven't read great things about them so I'm not sure if they are the highest ranked on my list, but that might also be because they are the school I know the least about. Any suggestions or guidance would be appreciated. </p>
<p>Go tour Emerson if you can. Buckle up to be blown away by the facilities which are amazing. I can’t comment on the other schools as I know nothing about them but I’m confident about what I just told you as a former Bostonian.</p>
<p>Columbia is our D’s safety school, but it is not a compromise school. The reason that it is used as a safety school is that it is non-audition for the freshman year. Halfway through the second semester of freshman year you are allowed to audition for the BFA program. If you look at the BFA MT curriculum it is just as rigorous as any other conservatory. A lot of kids start out as BA MT freshmen and discover that it is a lot more difficult and demanding than what they see on Glee, so they don’t continue on beyond the first year.</p>
<p>Columbia is not a less than appealing degree - its film school is considered to be the finest in the country.</p>
<p>Chicago is a terrific theatre town. A lot of community and regional theatre, and MANY touring shows stopping here for extended runs. The Steppenwolf Theatre is still active here, and it is the home of the Second City Theatre - the forerunner to Saturday Night Live.</p>
<p>Columbia boasts about the number and quality of internships that are available at local theatres and talent agencies.</p>
<p>You could do much worse than Columbia College Chicago.</p>
<p>Congrats on all of your acceptances. its great to have options!</p>
<p>Ranking schools is a very individual thing. You have to choose where you are going to be happy. Of those you mentioned, Columbia does not require an entrance audition which is why it is considered less competitive. But from what I understand, you can get good training there. You will have to audition at some point to be accepted into the bfa program. </p>
<p>Emerson is probably the most difficult of the 3 to get in from college auditions. It too is located in a great city. -Boston. There used to be concern about their cut system. But my understanding is they have eliminated it. We do have a friend that started in MT who was “redirected” to dance major. She did graduate from there and absolutely loved it. </p>
<p>I know the least about Matymount. Of course being in NYC is a draw. I think their class size can be large. </p>
<p>But in the end, they all offer MT training. Is it possible to go tour each before making your decision? See on which campus you feel you best fit? What works best for you financially? </p>
<p>Congrats on having such great choices. Best of luck to you in your decision making!</p>
<p>First I would check the curriculum of all three schools and line them up next to each other. You can eliminate many schools after seeing that there are too many genersl ed classes for you, or not enough gen eds to satisfy you, or not enough dance, not enough acting, not enough voice. Focus oncehat YOU want in a four year curriculum. My daughter eliminated many schools this way (didn’t even apply to some of ghe bigger names because of the curriculum). Then, if you can’t visit each school (which ideally you should) go on YouTube and look at the videos of the students who ate in the theatre department. See if they’re “your kind of people” - if you like the other kids. But visiting would be much better. I think curriculum first, kids second.</p>
<p>Sorry for all the typos in my above post. I think you can edit for a time period after sending but I can’t figure out how to edit the post.</p>
<p>@BethsMom – you should be able to see a little round gear symbol in the upper right portion of your post. Click on that to edit. You have up to an hour. (Not that you need to! Your post is clear. Just for future reference.)</p>
<p>These are all helpful posts, and I just want to add that <em>you</em> are the only one who knows what’s most important for you to learn and flourish. Bethsmom says “curriculum first, kids second,” but for my son (and indeed my older two kids as well), it would be the opposite. The connections they’ve made and the people they’ve worked with (both classmates and faculty) have been by far THE most important thing. Whether you take directing as a sophomore or a senior, whether you find academics enriching or distracting, what type of speech and movement methods are taught–that all matters, but you’re the only one who can say whether it matters more than feeling at home and connected with the people around you. </p>
<p>As a high school teacher, I’ve known many students over the years who transferred out of their first college, and it has almost universally been because they were unhappy with classmates, campus life, and school culture. Follow your instincts on this one, and as everyone else has said, please try to visit!</p>
<p>Good post Times3! I guess I should have been clearer that I meant to look for a curriculum you can live with first. If a child wants no academics and would be miserable in a school with heavy academics, that could sway you to pick the other schools - that’s what I was trying to say!</p>
<p>I agree, and also have known some kids who surprised themselves when they got to college with what they gravitated toward, so it’s crucial to investigate that side of things! :)</p>
<p>Also if you like school and look at their curriculum and wish they had more of something ask how much room there is for additional electives. If you notice that a school that you like does not require as much general education and you would like more, ask if it is possible to add more with electives. if you notice that a school that you like does not require as many performance courses and you would like more, ask if it is possible to add more with electives. </p>
<p>No comparison - you MUST go to Emerson, it is by far more competitive. Their facilities are amazing. i absolutely loved it. All the kids from my D’s school who end up there are so happy. Columbia was ok; we toured and D decided she did not want to apply. It is true that Chicago is a great theatre town, though. </p>
<p>I think looking closely at the curriculum and what you are looking for is vitally important. Schools have different strengths even though one may seem more competitive than others. Emerson is a wonderful school but the dance was not at a level that my son needed so did not even apply… just an example of different student needs/wants. We absolutely loved Marymount due to the daily leveled dance offered all four years, the urban location and the opportunity for a host of great internships in and around the city. It is nice to have some great choices, now it is time to research the pros and cons and remember what you are looking for most in a program. Good luck.</p>
<p>^Completely agree! The one thing you can say with confidence is that this is not a decision anyone can make for somebody else. There is no “MUST go to” school that fits all people!</p>
<p>An alum of school said Emerson still has a cut system and is seriously thinking about not letting people reaudition. </p>
<p>My D, a very strong dancer, eliminated Marymount after visiting for a day and going to dance classes. Also they only do one musical a year, and the program is large. I would say Emerson, IF they truly have eliminated the cut program. The facilities there are gorgeous. I don’t know much about Columbia. If you can, spend a day at each one. That made a HUGE unexpected difference for my daughter.</p>
<p>I think you need to visit as well…I have heard quite the opposite about Marymount’s dance classes so perhaps for a visit they put kids in a lower level?? Emerson does not have the cut system anymore…they were very clear about that at auditions. I would research and visit. Also, speaking to current MMC students, they are many performance opportunities outside of mainstage. </p>
<p>Nope, my daughter was put in a high level dance class for her visit. And they initially REFUSED our request for her to attend a dance class. I had to make multiple phone calls up the ladder to explain that it was a deal-breaker.</p>
<p>With MMC MT dance classes are not on campus, but at a studio across town (not within walking distance). Something to consider when weighing the pros and cons of various programs.</p>
<p>If you are looking for academically prestigious that eliminates Marymount and Columbia. imho.</p>