<p>My son was accepted into NYU and USC's BFA Acting program. I would like to fully understand each program as well as the culture at the schools. I would like to know the following:</p>
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<li> A week's glance into each school's schedule for their respective programs</li>
<li> The attention students get in each program considering that NYU's program is larger in numbers than USC's</li>
<li> The advantage of each programs showcases</li>
<li> The difference in training (i.e. classes, teachers, etc.)</li>
<li> If you are a current student or parent of a student, what is your opinion of the strengths and weaknesses of the programs.<br></li>
<li> USC has an accepted students day at the Department of Dramatic Arts where he will meet students, professors and see a musical. NYU has a general accepted students day for ALL accepted students with a time block to visit Tisch. Is this time block to visit Tisch enough to really understand the program? If not, any suggestions for him to get a better feel for what his four years will look like there?</li>
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<p>My perspective is that USC will nurture him through this process while at NYU, he will sink or swim (not necessarily a bad thing considering this profession). Any information you can give would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>Nifmom - My D was just accepted to both and while she loves USC, she does have the same questions that you posted. Did you get any answers? If your son went to one or the other, would be great if you could post his experience either here or in response to her USC (BA) vs NYU Tisch Theatre Acting post. Your response as well as those of others would be most appreciated. Thanks much.</p>
<p>Nifmom, I think the most important thing you can do to figure out what your son’s experience at Tisch would be like would be to visit the studio he is placed in, or…at the very least…endeavor to talk to students at that studio. There are considerable differences among the studios.</p>
<p>When we attended the Tisch accepted students day, the information was mostly about how NYU keeps students safe and stuff like that.</p>
<p>My son arranged a visit to his assigned studio, and he talked with an alumna and a current student. He came to the conclusion that another school he was accepted at would provide a more nurturing environment than Tisch, and he made his decision accordingly.</p>
<p>Nimfmom. We are in the same situation with my son accepted to both schools BFA programs. I will be paying for 4 college tuitions this fall including my wife and 3 of 4 children so cash flow is really tight right now and therefore we don’t plan to fly to attend USC’s admit day this weekend. Greatly appreciate if you could share more detail with me. My personal email is <a href=“mailto:tsovich2012@kellogg.northwestern.edu”>tsovich2012@kellogg.northwestern.edu</a>.</p>
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<li>Tisch students spend three days a week in studio 8 or 9 to 5 or 6. There is a post with links about the different studios. The other 2 days are “choice” classes. First year students have no choices. It is writing and theater as the pre-selected choices. After first year, students begin to fulfill the liberal arts/general studies requirements. They also have required theater studies in addition to the two they take in their first year. It can be quite a load of work with some studios between studio and all the work outside studio and fulfilling the liberal arts/general studies requirements. 8AM-10 PM days on studio days is not uncommon. 2. Don’t worry about attention. Studios are subdivided so there are 15-17 students per class. You will get to know your teachers and like any college, some you adore and some you like. You can get to know them and they will know you and if you have problems they are more than willing to help. 3. Can’t answer about showcase as I am unfamiliar they have one outside of the MFA program. 4. Follow the links and find about the studios. Follow the faculty online. 5. As a parent I am limited to my opinion of the program. My child is quite happy with his choice. The faculty has been very caring and nurturing. 6. Don’t expect much on Parents Day. You will find yourself in a almost full auditorium where program directors will speak of the whole of the program and a few students will be on hand to answer question. Studios, as a rule, don’t have meet and greets. NJTheaterMOM had a child visit so it is worth a shot, I guess. The program itself is bloody expensive. I think it is the most expensive college at NYU. Dorms can be expensive (there are cheaper options if you want to triple up). Even living off campus is expensive. NYC in general is expensive. If you are on a budget you need a student who can handle that and limit outside costly distractions. There is much in NYC that can be done on the cheap.There is a staggering amount of actors not working.and many working not making enough to live on. So, I’m not sure about the “connection” thing. You certainly can’t go wrong in NYC with opportunities but that is all they are, is opportunities. And you may have gone to college in NYC but you still have to audition and you will find everyone from all over auditioning with you. So, the sink or swim thing with me seems like a wash. But good luck to your son and you. Did I mention how expensive NYU is?</li>
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<p>My thoughts are that if your child is interested in working in theater they would be at an advantage going to NYU if they are more interested in working in film and TV they would have an easy transition doing so upon leaving USC.</p>
<p>I realized you might need me to expand on why I think this way. There is tv, film, and theater work in both cities. It is the studio heads, theater producers and casters and the decision makers that tend to work out of one city or the other. Hollywood’s movie and TV studios and the network people who hire you work in LA. While theater casters and top agents and producers tend to call NY their home.</p>
<p>The advantage of living in the city that the heads live in affords quick access to an industry that often times moves very fast.</p>
<p>Kelloggemp86 My daughter goes to NYU but I’m positive she would have been equally as happy at USC. These schools have a lot in common and are common overlaps for drama, film and academics.
At NYU it seems you are able to take more academics than at USC BFA, if you so choose. At USC you get the whole college package, a campus, sporting events, the sun!, etc.
I think it comes down to location. Does he prefer NYC or LA? Which place does he see himself starting out after he graduates? Because he will build connections at either school that are going to be helpful. That’s how I suggest you narrow it down. </p>
<p>I believe you’d also notice a difference in overall school environment and culture. To the 2014 posters, your kids probably will feel more at home with the people in one school or the other. </p>
<p>Oh and for the record, nifmom’s son is at USC!</p>
<p>My son was not able to sit in on a class or speak with a faculty member at his assigned studio at Tisch. (I have heard, though, that prospectives can sometimes attend a class if they know a student.) We made an appointment to visit and we spoke with the alumna who worked at the reception desk at the studio. That at least gave us an opportunity to look around, and the conversation with the alumna was interesting.</p>
<p>A CC member kindly put us in touch with a student in the studio, and my son spoke with her by phone.</p>
<p>Oops I did not notice that was an old thread. It is relevant to several current posters, though.</p>