<p>I have been fortunate enough to be accepted to the BFA acting programs at Mason Gross, Michigan and now today (off of the waitlist) U of Minnesota/Guthrie. I'm having a tough time picking a school - all are great options I know which makes it harder for me. Anyone have any insights on these programs to share? </p>
<p>If you had to choose, which school would you pick and why????</p>
<p>^ The one that gives you the best financial aid! Rutgers is closer to NY and they have a new director (but to me, their process was really screwy this year). To me, Michigan is more known for their MT program, and Guthrie has a very strong program. Michigan has the strong football program. Guthrie has wonderful regional theatre. I guess what I’m trying to say is they’re all about the same so it’s a matter of which one you feel fits you the most. Hopefully, you have visited the campuses to know your best fit. They are all in snow climates so there’s no way to differentiate that. See- even I’m going back and forth! Good luck and congrats for getting into three really great programs!</p>
<p>I would not compare the climate in NJ to that in Minnesota - we are fairly temperate, and winters are endurable. My son applied to schools in Chicago and Boston, but felt that he could not contemplate Minneapolis. Having said that, congratulations! Minneapolis probably has more to offer as a city (although Ann Arbor is a great college town, and New Brunswick is surprisingly nice). All are big universities with plenty to do, if you ever have time for a break from your conservatory. If the prospect of Minnesota winters didn’t deter you from applying in the first place, and the price-tags are all comparable, I’d be inclined to pick the Guthrie/UMinn program - it’s an incomparable opportunity to work with one of the greatest repertory theaters in the country.</p>
<p>Thanks for your feedback! I have visited all of them and liked them all. I’m from Wisconsin so the weather isn’t an issue for me. I’m focused on performing opportunities, quality of training and faculty, future career opportunities (will one program help open more doors in future over others). </p>
<p>A huge draw for me with Rutgers is opportunity to spend Jr. Year at the Globe in London. Minnesota has 1 semester abroad. Michigan has none. </p>
<p>Cost is lowest for me at Minnesota as I would pay in-state tuition. I got a good grant from Michigan and a small scholarship from Rutgers so they are about same cost for me. Money is a factor but parents have said all 3 are possible.</p>
<p>Ha stagemum! I’m from Florida so all of the climates Will has to chose from are cold compared to here. In fact, my daughter can’t wait to see snow for the first time at Northern Illinois. My daughter got into the BA program at Rutgers but the fact that they spend their junior yr in England was one of the reasons she applied there. With my son at NYU- it would have been easier for us to see both of them. Anyway, my son has a student in his class who has a sister at Rutgers. Their program is very focused and there’s no time for anything else. The fact that Rutgers and Michigan wanted you at the get go and didn’t put you on a waiting list would have been a factor with my daughter. According to US News- Michigan is ranked 29th in the nation, Rutgers- 64, and Minnesota-also 64- if that means anything. Like I said- good luck! Oh- and when we met with the Rutgers rep, she said if there was one school that you visited you just felt like that is where you belong- then that’s where you should go. All of these programs will turn out working actors. If you go to Rutgers, then you’ll at least be close to Broadway and can see plays and the public transportation is great! Sorry to confuse you with all of this information! Follow your heart- yeah- I went there!</p>
<p>I personally don’t put much stock in US World and News. While I feel Michigan’s reputation is very understated, I wouldn’t put Guthrie or Rutgers far behind–they’re all excellent programs. I similarly wouldn’t hold it against a program for putting me on a waitlist instead of just accepting me because you have no idea what they want as a class. An acceptance is an acceptance, waitlist or not.</p>
<p>I think it really comes down to what you want in your education. (I’m afraid I don’t know very much about Rutgers, however.) From what I know, Guthrie is very classical in it’s training and from hearsay I’ve been told that it’s modeled after how Juilliard was/is. I find study abroad to be extremely important for ANY education and the opportunity at Guthrie, even for one semester, would be a big factor for me; if Michigan truly doesn’t allow for any, it’s a shame. However, as I said, Michigan has a program that I feel isn’t given its credit. Everyone talks of its amazing musical theatre program and acts as if that means its acting program isn’t worth anything. The same problem befalls CCM. I’ve never spent a significant amount of time in its classes so I just know more of the things I generally like or don’t like. The facilities are state-of-the-art and gorgeous and the acting department is completely separate from its musical theatre department. This can be both a boon and a hindrance, depending on what you want. Guthrie, I believe, gives its acting students a bit more of an education in voice (both speech and choral) than Michigan but does not have acting classes for the camera. Guthrie believes that if you can be a great actor, the tiny modulations you make for the camera will be immaterial. Both cities have fantastic theatre opportunities but again, I have to give the edge to Guthrie. Ann Arbor has slightly less theatres than Minneapolis but the real bonus to Guthrie lies within the name itself. That real-world training on a world-famous stage is nigh-invaluable. One thing for Michigan is that I don’t believe Guthrie showcases its senior class and I think Michigan does. They at least do for their musical theatre class, but you’d have to check me for acting. Of course, money should also be a factor and if you have the most money from Guthrie, then that’s pretty important. But if your parents say it’s no issue, then I suppose its less of one! In any case, I feel I’ve not done quite such a good job disseminating a balanced opinion of what I now because I think it’s clear that I would choose (and am somewhat envious of you, I’ll admit) the Guthrie program. But, really, congratulations and good luck! I hope someone knows more about Rutgers for you!</p>
<p>All good points on Guthrie … my S is in final decisions between UMich BFA Acting and Tisch NSB MT. Went for combo of Acting and MT. Visited UMich twice and fell in love with the program, students, and environment. Parents liked the idea of a degree from UMich … you never know where things will go with this career. We saw a killer production of Cloud 9 so no worries about the training, and we love the new head of the program Priscilla Lindsey (2 years in position … we are anxious to see where she takes it). We talked with friends in the industry on both coasts and they felt UMich was the right option if he wants to pursue Acting primarily, supplemented by voice and dance. Although posts on CC talk about the Acting program being overshadowed by MT, I’m not sure that translates in the real world. I would keep my eye on that program - I think it’s about to break out from the MT shadow especially with the Darren Criss, Joey Richter work going on out there. Currently they do not have a showcase for Acting (just MT), although there is discussion that this may change and it seems to be a subject of great debate among the students and profs. Instead they bring casting agents on sight for intensive master classes and meetings. Friends in the profession have weighed in on both sides of the aisle for that (more focused attention but lower numbers of contacts). Also currently there is no career center for the SMTD, although the website says this is in the works. (?) Being in the center of the country rather than 1 of the coasts, it seems like you would need more support to make an easier transition (connections) into a professional career. Whether there is an “abroad” program is not a huge issue for S either way. Talking with students at the various schools about these programs - they sound really fun but from a parents point of view, it seems more about seeing tons of shows, taking lots of historic walking tours, and basic growing up in a different environment, than it does about a unique training experience (although I may be being completely naive about that, and it may be different with the RADA program - I don’t have info on that). At this point, S is still torn but I think is starting to lean towards Tisch NSB MT for practical reasons … but his heart is with UMich. Good luck with your decision!</p>
<p>My niece graduated from Michigan’s BFA in Acting a year ago and there is no showcase for that program. Just confirming.</p>
<p>I think it is still the case that the Acting program at Michigan is the poor stepchild to the MT program. In your shoes, I’d pick Minnesota.</p>
<p>I have no program information to add to this discussion, but have seen 3 MT and 3 drama productions at U of M this year. In terms of performance quality, I would almost give an edge to the theatre students. All productions were superior to productions of 4 other area programs, including one MBFA program. There seems to be nothing lacking in the training of U of M theatre performance students compared to Muscial Theatre students in my opinion. Good Luck with your decision.</p>
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<p>I have to second this opinion for the acting program choices you have. The reputation of the Guthrie BFA acting program is incomparable, and the association with the rep will give you great access to current leaders in the field.</p>
<p>Go to Guthrie. I know many theater professionals that think the world of that program and believe it’s as good as Juilliard, but just doesn’t have the cache.</p>
<p>Rutgers gets more respect in the industry than the others. Maybe it’s because they bother to showcase in New York - usually with good results - instead of the “here’s your degree, good luck being clueless in the biz” you’ll get from the others. Just make sure you think you’ll do well with Meisner technique. Read The Actor’s Art and Craft by William Esper. That’s what your acting classes will look like first year excluding all the voice and body work.</p>
<p>Guthrie is going to have to start showing a lot more alumni success if they’re going to continue to compare themselves to Juilliard. They were new when I first went through the audition process and just kind of proclaimed themselves as such. They’re not new anymore and still can’t back it up. Not that they aren’t a good program …</p>
<p>And who’s come out of the Michigan acting program and done what lately???</p>
<p>^ Team StarKid ;). All of the success from A Very Potter Musical as an internet sensation has led them to more productions in Chicago as well as national tours. Not to mention of course that one member, Darren Criss, rocketed to Glee stardom and had a run on Broadway in How to Succeed following Daniel Radcliffe.</p>
<p>Was Darren Criss MT or Acting? I assumed MT.</p>
<p>^ Thought I read he was in Theatre Performance with a minor in music and Italian.</p>
<p>Darren Criss graduated with a BFA Performance (which is BFA Acting) at University of Michigan. He wasn’t an MT.</p>
<p>While famous alumni is a draw I think choosing a school based on if they have a wikipedia page is extremely flawed logic. A school’s success rate should be measured by their statistics showing what percentage of graduates are working in the field. Going into acting thinking fame = success is block-headed. On a similar note, Team Starkid (though I love them) don’t seem to actually be DOING much… If fame =/= success, internet fame is … ?</p>
<p>I agree with 2012 transfer. I would certainly not choose a school based on this or that individual success; if you want to look at outcome, I’d look at statistics, short and long term, and in what fields. </p>
<p>THese are honestly three great choices but it depends very much on what you want, both in training and atmosphere, as well as tangentials such as weather, environment, overall campus. (And coming from South Jersey, I second that NJ weather is far far milder than both Michigan’s - where I lived for a while - and certainly Minnesota.)</p>
<p>I would contact current students at all the places, perhaps by Facebook. Remember, no matter what the school’s reputation, if you’re miserable there, you will have a far harder time being successful. The other tricky thing is how do you define ‘success’ --is it landing a B’way spot, any spot, within 3 years of graduation? Is it supporting yourself by your acting 10 years later? What is it? Everyone has their own definition. </p>
<p>I also agree with Fishbowl about both industry connections and real world preparation. It’s essential that whatever school you go to has these. But again, it’s hard to decide unless you actually speak to current students and if you’re lucky, recently graduated ones. Also, I’d contact the dean and ask him/her specific questions about the program and see how they answer. Sometimes a more detailed conversation can reveal compatability or not.</p>
<p>Right, I certainly didn’t mean or imply that you should choose a school based on any particular “success” of graduates. Fishbowl just asked who has come out of the program recently and what have they done, and I gave one example that I knew. And no, I don’t believe StarKid is “successful” because they are famous. They seem to have made a career for themselves doing what they enjoy doing, which for me, is a reasonable standard for the definition of “success”.</p>