Once our students have narrowed down their choices to 2 or 3 programs, this is a discussion space to compare and contrast. List what’s most important to your MT, the schools in consideration, & questions/concerns … then others familiar with the programs can chime in. Ready?.. GO!
I have also found in previous years if I do a search for School “A” vs School “B” in CC that often times I can find a thread where people will chime in on specific school comparisons.
I’ll start…
Extremely strong dance without sacrificing MT training is the top priority.
Also important is the reputation of the program for post graduation opportunities.
The schools in consideration are Texas State, FSU, and University of Arizona.
Concerns…
Not just the quality of the MT dance, but the opportunity to keep up high level dance outside of MT with the dance departments.
The reputation of the MT program within the industry in NY and LA.
The academic reputation of the Universities.
Is the program training “dated” or keeping up with TODAY’s Musical theatre?
Can anyone with FIRST HAND information on any of these programs chime in and share their thoughts???
Thanks!
UArizona is acting heavy, definitely not dance-heavy but it has a fantastic reputation in the NY/LA industry and the program was just revamped so certainly not dated.
In the past I have tried to weigh schools based on their strengths and were my child was weakest. Example: if my S or D was a strong dancer or could use more improvement as an actor or vocally, then I would choose the strong acting school. If they needed to improve in dance, a school where they will get the most dance would be a priority to me.
Being at a more urban school is nice for strong dancers as there are sooooo many opportunities to take extra dance outside the schools at a low cost. We have also supplemented voice lessons to get some extra coaching as well.
@NeensMom Although I have no personal knowledge, my understanding is that Arizona is very strong in dance. The School of Dance at Arizona is one of the best in the country and most of the dance classes required in the MT program are through the School of Dance. MT students also have the opportunity to take additional classes in the School of Dance. I am curious why you believe Arizona is not dance-heavy.
At our audition, they talked about being acting heavy. But I could be wrong about the dance piece. My daughter is not a strong dancer so I am less focused on that part.
How do people feel about focusing / working on strengths while improving on weaknesses? If strong singer, go to music heavy program to really hone skill AND improve dance (but dance is never going to be top flight) vs. focusing on heavy dance because they’re already good at the others? Seems to me the weak skill just needs to be good enough as long as they others are top shelf.
Thoughts?
@rickle1 I think you are bringing up one of the most important questions in determining the right “fit”. My S, my wife and I have discussed it many times. My S is a Texas All-State Tenor 1, so singing is by far his biggest strength. He is a good dancer and he believes that he has the potential to match his voice. I agree with him that he has great dance potential. We place acting at number 3 in the list.
We have concluded that we want him to go to a program that is strong in dance. We want a program that can bring out the dance potential and that will push him. He thinks that a program that emphasizes voice will keep him being too much of a one dimensional performer. I agree with him.
Schools may be considered “heavy” in certain areas because that is where their MT curriculum places most emphasis. So a school that is “acting heavy” could also offer variety of dance classes and levels. You need to look at each school’s curriculum and see what is required and then check to see if you can do extra in whatever you feel you need more in. So if C wants more dance - can they take a variety of extra electives? Many schools allow/encourage that as long as you have time in schedule.
We are waiting for a few more decisions but as of this minute these are the 3 my daughter is considering. Is anyone else in the comparing and contrasting phase of this process?
I’m curious to know which schools have made your students’ short lists?
@AmarilloTX that is somewhat the mindset we had in making choices in the past. @rickle1 i have found their focus on weak skills In college has been a wise choice and definitely furthered their success in the professional world.
@SingerDancerMom The programs will all say they have the best training and industry connections and tout the reasons why, and for this reason it’s so hard to feel like an informed decision is easily attainable. My son found that it was helpful to sit in on an acting, voice and 2 dance classes to see what faculty and teaching style he most connected with, and if the dance teachers modify for stronger dancers. Sitting in on and spending time with students was key in him being able to tell a difference in the level of talent and individuality of the students in different programs. *Pay attention to the students.
For example, after our visits, he came away feeling like his very top school going into the process had VERY talented, yet cookie cutter performers. The school he ended up choosing stood out because he saw how the program was more personalized and was supporting their performers to come into their own unique style. For this reason, he felt the students there were more attuned to their craft and able to trust themselves as performers. It wouldn’t have dawned on him to consider his feeling regarding this aspect without comparing these things in his top three choices.
He also reached out to kids currently in the programs he was accepted to and got very helpful and truthful insight regarding the pros and cons of each school. This is how we narrowed down our schools to visit list. Also be sure to ask the stronger dancers at each school you are considering if the program is meeting the level of dance they desire. Ask students if there is anything they wish was different about their program. Ask if they feel like they are seen as an individual and have access to faculty and to give examples (because they all said yes ;). Ask what their favorite and least favorite thing is about the program. Ask what the culture is like. What do people do for fun outside of MT?
Regarding industry connections: Ask who they bring in for audition workshops, master classes, and new works opportunities. This will tell you A LOT. Try to see who they have brought in over the past 2 years and not just sometime in the past.
@SingerDancerMom, FSU is extremely voice heavy. Not saying it’s not a good program but I haven’t seen it on top 25 lists for a while. Texas State is dance heavy, but I don’t believe they sacrifice acting and voice. They seem really well rounded and holistic. And their program is consistently in the top 10. My choice of the 3 would be Texas State, and this opinion is totally unbiased as my kid isn’t considering any of those. Only plus for FSU is if you are a FL resident you can use prepaid tuition and Bright Futures so OOP cost would be low.
Thank you for your feedback @MamaBear2020 ! What do you mean that FSU is extremely voice heavy? Do you know kids in the program? Have you heard that they sacrifice acting and dance for voice? All three are very affordable! So that’s a major plus. 
That’s great advice @peacemama !
Another good way to research… go on YouTube and look up videos of senior showcases and shows for the schools your interested in.
Hello! Here is my situation. I have one school left to hear back from, but I don’t think I am going to get in based on the vibes I got from my audition. I have been waitlisted at Ohio University and Molloy/CAP21 and accepted into University of Utah and LIU Post (all for BFA MT). Molloy is my top school, so if I got off the waitlist (and can afford it…) then I will go there. I am having trouble deciding between LIU Post and University of Utah, also wondering about Ohio compared to these programs as well (in case I get off the waitlist there). I want a true triple threat program as I feel I need to grow in all disciples. I’m having trouble deciding, because I feel like the schools have pretty different curriculums… I also don’t know how much location should factor into the decision? I can give more details if necessary. Thank you so much for your help
@bfayay Dave Hugo said at my D’s audition that they are not a dance-focused program and students who want more dance should take dance as their electives. I don’t have any info to share on Utah.
How a person defines “dance heavy” is also up for discussion. My daughter is a dancer first and of course wants to get even better over her 4 years of training, but her focus and needs are different from what many of you are describing. To her, “dance heavy” considers the quality of the dance instruction, but more importantly considers the number of hours she can spend dancing every semester. She currently dances 10-12 hours a week during the school year and 30-35 hours a week in summer ballet intensives. A program that doesn’t give her daily ballet technique class for 4 years (either as part of the MT curriculum or as an elective) won’t appeal to her, nor will a program that offers 5 hours of dance a week with no other options for taking classes (such as in the community or as electives). She is looking toward the possibility of a career as a swing/dance captain/associate choreographer, and places huge value on the number of hours a week a program will allow her to dance and study.