<p>I am currently a high school senior in the last stretch of the college journey, ready to make my final decision on a BFA Theatre program. My family and I have perused this website as thoroughly as possible to acquire the best advice, news, and updates that have helped me tremendously in both the application and audition processes. Thank you to all the fellow students for your great insight, and thank you especially to the dedicated parents who have worked so hard to ensure the best possible outcome for your children. They are lucky to have you!</p>
<p>I just created this account to see if anyone can help me choose between my final list of schools. I was accepted into the following 6 (and waitlisted at 2 others) for either musical theatre or drama, and I would love to hear any more information you may have on any of these schools.</p>
<p>Cincinnati Conservatory of Music (Musical Theatre)
Mason Gross School of the Arts (drama)
North Carolina School of the Arts (drama)
NYU (Stella Addler Studio; drama)
Syracuse University (Musical Theatre)
Ithaca College (Musical Theatre)</p>
<p>I guess you could say my heart is in Musical Theatre, but I am absolutely considering the other schools just as much. This is a hard decision, and your input might make it easier. Thank you for your help and I hope to hear from you soon!</p>
<p>Those are all great schools... each one is so different. Have you been able to visit all of the schools? Talk to current students? Possibly sit in on a class?</p>
<p>Ultimately, (after doing all the research on curriculum and opportunities) you have to make the call with your gut.</p>
<p>Here are a few thoughts... You say your heart is in musical theatre, but you also have applied to some very strong acting programs.. I would suggest that you explore how involved in musical theatre training and performance opportunities you would be able to be at the "drama" schools.</p>
<p>From what I understand -- </p>
<p>Mason Gross Drama is very seperate from the music and dance areas... when I applied there (a long time ago!!) they told me that I would not have the time to take voice lessons and dance classes. If this is important to you, I would check.</p>
<p>I believe that at NCSA there is not a lot of overlap between the dance, drama, and music areas... this would be important to check out as well.</p>
<p>I believe that all Tisch students may audition for the Tisch musical that is produced each year... also, because you would be in NYC you could supplement your training in dance and voice outside if Adler does not have a lot of MT training in the studio... Soozie, does Adler have some musical theater training options in the studio?</p>
<p>Congratulations on having such exciting choices!</p>
<p>That's a great list of acceptances, congratuations! You might consider any financial offers, the less debt you will have when you graduate is an important consideration. If you've been to the campuses think about where you were most comfortable. Also the geographic location might be a factor, big city, or town, warm or cold. But most of all if you really want MT I would start there, all of the way around I don't think you could do wrong as far as getting good training. Good luck!</p>
<p>showtime -- you're very lucky to have such a great list of acceptances. I can only give you personal feedback on Syracuse, as my D is a sophomore in the MT program there. To put it briefly, we are very very happy with the training she is getting there. PM me if you have any specific questions, otherwise this post will be extremely long!</p>
<p>I don't have much time to write here, but I can speak a little about the drama programs ...</p>
<p>If you heart is in MT, definitely scratch Rutgers. They're a Meisner-based classical acting program and don't do any musicals to speak of. Probably not a good fit.</p>
<p>NCSA on the other hand is not an MT major per se, but they do incorporate a good bit of MT training into the curriculum and they have a good number of alums who have been successful in that area. Their philosophy is that it is all theatre and they don't make a distinction between MT and straight theatre. I believe the singing and dance can be supplemented with extra work if you can make time for it. Definitely check me on that, though.</p>
<p>I have no idea what your financial situation is and what kind of scholarships might have been offered, but as far as sticker price goes, I believe NCSA is the least expensive of your choices at around $23,000 per year for tuition, room, meals and fees for out-of-state students. They're actually the only school I know of whose price has gone down over the past few years. Had I known that was going to happen, I would be in their third year class right now! LOL</p>
<p>You can also kill off a lot of the required Gen Eds at NCSA with any AP work you might have done although I believe you have to have scored a 4 or better for it to count. Believe me that you'll value any time you can free up from that in a conservatory environment. </p>
<p>IMHO, the main thing with these choices besides just your gut is that you need to decide if you want to be a complete actor who is capable of being cast in musicals or if you want to be an MT specialist. </p>
<p>Hope this helps and congrats on the great choices!</p>
<p>Sorry if someone has said this already. I don't really have time to read through all the posts. But first, make up your mind as to whether you want to do musical theater or acting. That will cut your choice of schools in a half, making it all the much easier.</p>
<p>Then go and visit the schools. When you step foot on the campus, you should know almost instantaniously whether you could see yourself living there or not. If it doesn't "click" then that's not the school for you (duhh)</p>
<p>After you weeded out the schools that didn't "click", think about the money you're going to be spending there. Go with the place that will be the cheapest after scholarships and such.</p>
<p>Fishbowlfreshman,
Please please please please PLEASE turn on your pms and send me a message when you come back and read this. I need to ask you something about something you said on another thread. I promise it WILL NOT take much time to answer. THANKS :) :) :)</p>