@Rocketwoman37 Hofstra was on our list as a strong contender for a while. My daughter was able to audition via video for early acceptance into the MT minor. You may want to inquire about that because it helped make Hofstra more of a contender for us. She ultimately declined because a different school moved into the top position for her. I was very impressed with Hofstra, seems like a good academic choice (we had the Honors college option), great dance department and the MT minor is small and selective so personal attention seemed likely.They have very cool classes such as NY experience where you travel to the city to see and discuss shows.
Ball State has a lot to offer (like Sutton Foster!!). I tried to get my D to apply there last year, but it was a no-go for her. Her main issue was the location, since it’s not near an urban professional theatre district. She also heard from a friend, who had turned down a Ball State offer, that the Ball State Theatre Ed majors are guaranteed to be cast in their shows. My D wanted a more talent-based audition process to prepare her for the professional world. She had another friend who left Ball State after freshman year because she wasn’t getting cast. This girl has a fantastic voice, and she successfully transferred to NYU Tisch! Freshman performing opportunities were important to my D. All in all, she felt Ball State wasn’t the right fit for her. Roosevelt CCPA gave her what she was looking for in these areas.
@mtrose2024 - I sent you a PM!
@Rocketwoman37 regarding Hofstra’s location. I attended Hofstra (not a Theatre major) 30 years ago and still live about 1/2 hour away. Hofstra is in a suburban area. The college itself is a safe and beautiful area. Some of the nearby areas are not as safe or beautiful. It’s not an area that your daughter will be hanging around in town or walking to nearby areas. There’s a 45 minute train ride to NYC but she’ll have to take a shuttle or Uber to the train station. I had a wonderful experience at Hofstra and I’m sure that current students do too, but if your daughter wants a more urban experience, Hofstra isn’t it. I have a son (BFA Acting) at Fredonia, so I understand your description of the area as rural, but I’d say that in Fredonia, there’s more ability to walk to town, socialize in town, and interact with the community than at Hofstra. My son has loved his time there with all of his heart. I also have a son (BFA MT) at Temple University, which is urban, and I know that son would absolutely not thrive to the extent that he is in a rural or a suburban school (although he didn’t think he wanted urban going into this process), so I definitely understand the importance of location.
@lovetoact Thank you so much for your response! Do you think your son at Fredonia would be willing to talk to my D?
made a mistake - didn’t mean to post this
Shenandoah vs Webster? We love so much about each program. We were not able to visit either campus. Would love insight (pros/con) of both.
@Rocketwoman37 I’m sure my son would love to talk to your daughter! PM me and we’ll set it up!
@Rocketwoman37 - Hi there! My daughter had both choices with Fredonia and Hofstra on her radar that you are currently considering. We visited both in February. Hofstra’s campus is huge and not urban at all - very suburban, not quite out in the sticks, but also not in a city per se. I have seen some negative comments thrown around about the area on here, if you dig. There is a lot of conveniences in the area, and we loved Long Island’s proximity to NYC and a beautiful beach. We met with the head of the department there, and he was very nice, did not get a chance to sit in on classes because of timing. They have amazing facilities. My daughter was also an early MT admit which was exciting, but my daughter just was not feeling the campus and really wanted a BFA from the start program guaranteed vs. hopeful audition in Sophomore year.
My daughter absolutely loved the students and faculty from Fredonia a lot. It has been one of her top contenders since she auditioned in February. Everyone there was so warm and kind and you could feel the community. Two of the students gave her big hugs as she left and wished her well. The campus was lovely (some brand new dorms) and the town was so sweet (kind of reminds me of the Witches of Eastwick town for some reason). I was very impressed by their curriculum and the videos I have found of performances. My daughter is having a very hard time letting go of this school, even though it has been the school we have had the least contact with since it became clear another visit was not in the cards to do a final tour to decide. That is how deep of an impression this school left on her. I know, everyone is different but we are from CA and NYC or very close to it was her original goal. She has options closer to NYC that I was sure she would jump at but this school really knew how to make an impression on her and it has stuck. In the end, I think she is going to choose a different path but for now until that deposit is made and her spot is released, she still might end up at Fred - they have accepted student groups and a parent network on other social media platforms that you might be able to connect with! Anyway, just wanted to give you some impressions as Fredonia seems to be one of those overlooked gems on in these forums. Good luck to your D with her decision!
@Ontheverge as a proud Fred parent, I’m happy to hear that your daughter made such a connection there. It really is a gem of a school and program! Best of luck to your daughter wherever she ends up!
My D came off the WL for Western MI on Sunday. She really liked them when she auditioned but since she was on WL we did not spend a lot of time comparing them to the schools she has been accepted to. I am trying to gather information now so we can make a decision. We did the audition at unifieds so we have not been to the campus. Any insight anyone can provide would be appreciated. Temple is her top choice right now so we will be comparing Western MI to them.
@modanbsmt001 look up emsdad posts LOTS on w michigan
Thank you @NYYFanNowMTdad ! I did send him a PM but I have not heard back yet.
@modanbsmt001 My daughter would be happy to discuss WMU with your D. She is a freshman MT Performance major. I will PM you.
I just wanted to suggest for those who (like us) have been unable to visit some schools your S/D was accepted to: try a Google Earth “drive”. For us it was a helpful addition to the video chats and other virtual materials offered by the schools. My D really wanted to know what the surrounding areas were like, and Google Earth really delivered the goods! MUCH faster, cheaper and easier than driving there just for that purpose. Best of luck with your decisions, everyone!!!
@karleykare
My D is a VERY HAPPY freshman MT at Shendandoah, I can offer any info you would like about the program, campus, students, etc…cannot compare to Webster though as my D didn’t apply there so have no insight on that one.
I forgot this thread was for comparing schools–
On training and overall reputation and value,
How would you rank-- OCU, Syracuse, TCU and Missouri State (All MT)?
This decision making process is brutal! Only seen OCU and TCU campuses. Don’t even know who the head people are at Syracuse.
@SavsMom I think all are strong, but I would very much suggest that your daughter look at who they have attracted as students in the past. See if she can get a feel for the vibe of the school. Because OCU is in the music department, it will be heavier music. And there will be work in classical as well (and opera). If that doesn’t interest your daughter (and I know several going there that do love classical and one that doesn’t), then… Personally, I feel strongest about TCU and Missouri State for the relationship and nurturing between the directors and the students. I have watched from afar for several years to observe two seasons of both those schools and I have watched kids grow, I have seen how faculty engage and interact with them. I think you couldn’t go wrong with either. Syracuse has had some struggles recently and, personally, although it is a good program, I don’t feel like the sense of community is as strong or the director as nurturing. I have had these discussions this week with both of my kids and i equate it to a marriage. You are marrying a school for four years. It needs to be a place you feel connected and safe and that you will be nurtured and your talent developed. Both of them are heavily involved with talking to current and past students from their final choices to see if they can understand how it is to work with the faculty…how the students are with each other (collaborative? supportive? cutthroat?). Will they be happy there for four years? If all other things are equal, you need to go where your heart is! Regardless of location 
even if it’s in your own backyard.
@SavsMom I can’t rank because every person has different wants, needs and desires. I agree with a lot of what @onette said. Except keep in mind that OCU has one of the top dance programs in the country. Dance is levelled and if you are a good dancer you can end up in some of the same classes and definitely working with the same instructors as the dance majors. So I think, while it’s a BM degree instead of a BFA, it does have phenomenal dance training. But I really don’t think you can go wrong with any of those programs. If you haven’t, I would do a blind curriculum comparison to see the differences. And definitely set up zoom meetings for the schools you haven’t visited. We found if you can ask the same questions across programs it reveals differences. Then all else equal go with the best financial offer! Best of luck…I really feel for everyone having to make decisions. Least you have seen some of your choices!
What a savvy group of parents here!
I honestly think my daughter is hung up on “name and reputation” way more than she should be. Her friends on Crucible Cast party are great, but they tend to confirm that. She’s thinks a school with a lot of buzz or the ones on the “lists” must be there for a reason. I posted here looking for insight I could share with her that goes beyond that. I agree with everything that’s been said. She is a solid musician with classical training so OCU’s music emphasis isn’t as important to her.
We have looked at curriculum of the schools and they all have their pros and cons. TCU is seriously the best overall fit in terms of college experience, academics and nurturing faculty etc, but the dance requirements will likely need to be supplemented— Not the end of the world which is something I learned from this awesome group. Kids can always find ways to add more dance or voice beyond the degree plan. I am waiting on Syracuse’s financial aid, and will go from there.
TCU, OCU and Missouri State will mean NO debt (scholarships).
I’m so impressed with everyone’s fortitude and wisdom. MT parents are the best folks!