<p>There isnt much time left, the pressure is on and we need help! We are currently deciding between 3 colleges: Muhlenberg, UArts & the Hartt School. Actually weve pretty much narrowed it down to just Muhlenberg & UArts because Hartt is out of our financial reach (well, were holding out hope for a rich uncle to materialize out of thin air between now and May 1). We will be visiting Muhlenberg and UArts one last time and hope that the visits will make the choice crystal clear. </p>
<p>I know that the two programs are polar opposites and weve compiled a long list of negatives & positives for both. I know that my D is the only one who can make this decision and the best fit depends on what shes really looking for (BA vs. BFA, country vs city, etc). I guess the bottom line is that she is torn between the traditional college experience at Muhlenberg and the intensive MT training at UArts. I want to be sure that 4 years and $100k+ in debt later, she has what she needs to succeed in this tough business. But its also important that she is happy for the next 4 years. </p>
<p>There are a number of BFA programs on traditional college campuses, but unfortunately Hartt was the only one she was accepted to. I feel like weve done our homework (poured over catalogs and websites, visited the schools, talked to people, read everything on CC) but were still having difficulty and would welcome any words of wisdom.</p>
<p>Has your D talked to kids at each of the schools and asked specific questions about the programs or concerns she may have? I was able to get in touch with a couple of parents from Muhlenberg and they have put my D in touch with their kids so she can ask any questions about the school and the theatre/music program. </p>
<p>Also, has your D spoken with Charles Richter at Muhlenberg about the program? My D had a good talk with him last week about how she would fit in extra dance classes she wanted to be able to take and about the new showcase they did for the first time this year.</p>
<p>Although my D did not get accepted to UARTS she did the summer program there last year and had a great experience with Patty Raine who I believe is the head of MT at the school. I would also suggest your D speak with her about the program.</p>
<p>Ultimately it comes down to a choice between a BFA and BA program and what kind of college experience your D wants to have. Good luck to her with this decision. My D has not yet decided as she is still waiting at the moment to hear from 2 more schools.</p>
<p>VKSMom, not sure if it helps, but my son and I went to the UArts Open House this past Saturday and were completely amazed at the program, the location, the facilities, and the “feel” of the place. My son thought he really wanted a traditional college campus-type environment, but after having visited UArts, he could totally see himself there. The program itself sounds very challenging, but engaging. Many students commented that they are able and encouraged to try many things while they are there. In fact, a student started an improv group as he really wanted to experience more improv. It is now a fully functioning group, completely student-directed and run, and just one example of how the school accomodates the needs and wants of their students. We were also very pleasantly surprised at the location and atmosphere of the school itself…located in the lovely Philly theater district. It is very clean, safe, and a good sense of energy. As I said, my son just loved it.<br>
We have not been to Muhlenburg, which I hear is absolutely a gorgeous campus, so cannot comment on that. Just thought I’d share our experience this past weekend. Every student we met seemed so happy and content, and really, really pushed to grow as a performer.
Good luck!</p>
<p>Hopefully some others who have compared the programs can weigh in, but if you would like your D to speak to a Muhlenberg student, let me know via pm and I can give you contact info. My D is about to graduate, and the school has been a great match for her.</p>
<p>vksmom, my daughter was in a similar predicament 3 years ago, coincidently also involving UArts and Muhlenberg (there was another BFA program on her desired list of schools but the issues between UArts and that school were different than those between UArts and Muhlenberg). Here are my thoughts. </p>
<p>From your post, you obviously have put in a lot of time analyzing and evaluating all the “objective” qualities of the schools. Your comment that “I want to be sure that 4 years and $100k+ in debt later, she has what she needs to succeed in this tough business. But it’s also important that she is happy for the next 4 years” really crystalizes your daughter’s dilemma. </p>
<p>Attending a BFA program, whether at UArts or any other school, can not provide an assurance that your daughter will have what she needs to succeed as a performer just as attending a good BA theatre program does not mean that she will not. Both approaches can lead to success just as neither may result in a career as a performer. At this stage of her life, agonizing over such questions is not worthwhile. Instead, I would focus on the second part of your comment - how does she envision living the next 4 years of her life, what will she find more gratifying, more enjoyable.</p>
<p>Does she want to spend the next 4 years in a singularly focused professional training program or does she want to have opportunities to delve in depth in areas other than theatre. Does she want to commit the bulk of her time outside of class focused on theatre related activities or does she want to have a full array of activities unrelated to theatre. Will she thrive in an environment that is filled with nothing but students engaged in the arts or will she find that stifling. Is she a city kid who needs the vibrancy, diversity and pace of city life and is indifferent to having an encapsulated college campus with green space. Does she want a campus as the focus of her social and cultural life or will she be content to view her “campus” as simply the place where she goes to classes and engages in theatre activities while taking advantage of the city’s resources as the center for her social life. Does she care whether she has a meal plan or will have to do her own food shopping and cooking.</p>
<p>Both Muhlenberg and UArts are wonderful schools. In my daughter’s case, the answers to the above questions led inexorably to selecting UArts. On every level, from the focus of the program to the lifestyle of living in the city, it was how she envisioned spending the next 4 years of her life. It really is an individual choice and there is no right answer - particularly one based on predicting which path will ultimately lead to success.</p>
<p>^^^That is such an excellent post!! AGREE with all Michael has written. It really is about how she envisions the next four years and which school matches up more closely with what she wants in a college experience. Nobody can say which school will lead to more or less success. Both are great options but just different.</p>
<p>A “practical” suggestion. One of the things I did to assist my daughter in reaching a decision was to make charts of the classes she would take based on the curriculum at each school. I did one chart by semester and one by subject matter. For UArts, the curriculum is very structured and sequenced and this was easy to do from the curriculum webpage. For Muhlenberg, it was a little tougher, requiring that I dig through the core requirements, distribution requirements and major requirements. It enabled my daughter to see concretely how she would be spending her class time and some of the differences between a BFA and BA became more tangible.</p>
<p>I have not written much lately - this because I find that several of the good folks who write often do a good job of saying things I would say. So, once again, I defer to MichaelNKat. What he says is true. I would add only this - let your daughter decide, and if it is so close - tell her to go with her “gut” - sometimes feelings need to be first.</p>
<p>Thank you everyone for your advice. I plan to sit down with my D to go over the difference in curriculum between the 2 schools, as MichaelNKat suggested. They are very different and and should be a major consideration in her ultimate decision. And I do want to clarify something I said in the original post. When I said, “I want to be sure that 4 years and $100k+ in debt later, she has what she needs to succeed in this tough business”…by succeed I didn’t mean be a Broadway star. After all, what are the odds? I just meant that I want her to be able to earn enough money (doing what she enjoys) to pay for her food, clothing & shelter and make her school loan payments. </p>
<p>I think that this final visit to both schools (with our list of questions to ask & things to look for) will help. We have already spoken with a couple of current students, but we will try to connect with a couple more, as everyone has a different experience/opinion to share.</p>
<p>vksmom - I am trying to set up a visit to Muhlenberg for my D next week. She is going to stay on campus and attend some classes and meet some of the theatre students in person.
I will let you know what her thoughts are after she spends time on campus and in some classes. Good luck!</p>
<p>Vksmom, I so feel for you. Last year at this time, my son was in the same exact position, although his choice of schools was totally different. It is so obvious that, as with most parents who post here, all you want for your child is what will make her happy. As you and she stand on the precipice of this major decision, it is a very daunting position to be in. Many of us have been there.</p>
<p>The advice you have gotten in this thread is spot on. I will add this: in the position your daughter is in, she does not have a “wrong” choice. Perhaps that will help take some of the weight off of both of you. Successes come out of each program. Happiness is found, to a large extent, where you make it. And I have no doubt that your daughter will do that wherever she lands.</p>
<p>Visit again if you can. Have her look at each place as a potential home for the next four years. Speak with the students and faculty. My guess is her decision will get easier. My son decided after our visit to both of the final schools on his list, and then never looked back. He is so happy where he is that he applied to become a Peer Advisor for the incoming 2014 class (and was accepted). I hope – and believe – it will work out equally as well for your daughter!</p>