NYU v. DePaul v. CCM Drama?

College Majors Theater/Drama Majors
1

<p>Hello! I'm a seventeen-year-old senior guy from the Midwest, and I was thrilled to be accepted into three fantastic drama programs: NYU Tisch- I have yet to hear what school, DePaul's Theatre School, and CCM's Drama program- Drama, not MT. I love all three, and I don't know what to do. Part of me is instinctively leaning more towards NYU, but I have no idea what studio, and it's far more expensive than the other two with scholarships. It's not almost not practically doable. In fact, maybe not. However, I LOVE New York City and I loved the vibe of the school when I visited. My worries are money, the large class size, and that I've heard they tend to focus on MFA students.</p>

<p>And it gets more complicated... So, I also love DePaul- their audition process let me see a good amount of what classes can be like, what the teachers are like, etc, and their new theatre building is going to be magnificent, but there are a number of reasons I'm worried there... First of all, I've heard they're not big on musical theatre there... I'm certainly not an "MT kid" per se, but I also don't want to be somewhere it's viewed as lesser. It's also close to home, and, while this would be wonderful in a lot of ways, I'd love an adventure.</p>

<p>Cincinnati is also wonderful. I've made great friends with one of the teachers who seems kind, wise, and like they could teach me a lot. They also have a super cool campus, and a program on the rise. However, I worry a lot that their Drama program could be backseated to the Musical Theatre program because of its superior reputation. I also worry, because I'd really like to make my career in NYC, not Cincin, although it's cool, and I worry that agents coming to a showcase from Cincinnati would place it secondarily... etc, etc, etc.</p>

<p>Any thoughts?
My main concerns are:
-Quality of training
-Visibility after school
-Hard-working environment</p>

<p>Thank you!</p>

2

<p>My s goes to DePaul. You are right; they don’t have a musical theater program. They do perform musicals but if you are looking for classes specifically in MT, DePaul doesn’t have them. (Though, unless you auditioned for the MT studio at NYU, I don’t know if you get that there either–although you can switch studios after two years). CCM is very big on MT but I don’t know how much the Drama kids get–you should ask them how often drama kids are cast in musicals.</p>

<p>Classes are small at DePaul and the environment in the theatre school is very collaborative, not competitive and back stabbing. Chicago has a very large theater community; shows often open there before going to Broadway. </p>

<p>As a parent, Money talks. Not only do you have scholarships at CCM and Depaul but Cincinnati and Chicago are far less expensive to live in.</p>

3

<p>My son loved his training/experience/contacts at Tisch (classes are not large, and MFAs were not favored). However, the expense is a huge issue for you! You are not likely to make big bucks as an actor, even as a successful actor. If you love other programs as well, please give them them very careful consideration. If you’re scrambling desperately for money, either while in school or after you get out, it limits how much energy you can put into artistic pursuits.
Congrats, by the way, on having some options that you love.</p>

4

<p>Also wanted to speak to your last questions–My s says he is impressed with the talent and work ethic of the students in his class. He is busy ALL the time. Because the school is small, there is an opportunity for the faculty to know all the students and have a closer relationship with them. Though he has been involved with theater since 5th grade, he is learning new things every day and says he is doing his best work ever. He says one of his acting teachers was the smartest man he’s met. In his freshman exploration academic class, the professor invited the class to an opera.</p>

<p>Regardless of where you go to school, your “visibility” and success will depend on you: how much effort you put in school and how much work you put in when you graduate. Plenty of successful actors have come from schools that aren’t famous.</p>

<p>The most important part of your decision (besides being able to afford it) is how well you fit. If you can afford the trips, visit the schools again to see which is the best fit. Good Luck!</p>

5

<p>I am not sure what you mean by “It’s almost not practically not doable”. If NYU is not going to work financially then I think DePaul is your best bet for a non MT major. (remember what CCM stands for College Conservatory of MUSIC) Do you have other options? I agree with what abtsmom said about the work you put in will contribute to your success no matter where you go. And also it definitely is about fit. You will do your best work where you feel like you fit. And your best work is what you want to do.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

6

<p>I have heard great things about Tisch, but am confused by the studio program. Do students continue in the same program for all four years, or do they audition each year for their studio assignment? Do their classmates remain the same even if their studio changes?</p>

7

<p>My D is a high school junior and we have spent the last year looking at schools. My opinion, based on what we saw looking at NYU and DePaul, and given your financial situation, is that I would go to DePaul. (We didn’t visit Cincinatti so can’t comment there.) NYU has some strengths obviously but it is very expensive. If you stay closer to home and use scholarships maybe your financial situation would then allow you to spend some summers in NYC. It is good advice from the other post to watch your debt going into a field like acting that often doesn’t provide a steady income.
We were very impressed with DePaul when we visited. One of the things we like best is that they have callbacks and spend more time with students during the audition process. It is a small program and seems very personalized. He spoke about casting and how they cast so students are exposed to many types of roles.
You might also want to look at a sample schedule from each school. NYU students have gen Ed classes on Tuesday and Thursdays. There are more academic requirements. DePaul is more of a conservatory with fewer gen Ed classes. My D prefers the DePaul setup.
Again, this is my opinion based on the information we received from the schools so far. Some folks might like more academics and the opportunity to double major at NYU.
Good Luck! :-)</p>

8

<p>Oh, so sorry about the “not practically not” typo- not sure how I did that haha! However, I meant that it’s probably doable, but it would be very difficult.</p>

<p>Also, I did apply to musical theatre at NYU- my real concern at the others is just that I wouldn’t get ANY training in musical theatre- I really love both straight and musical, so I don’t want to give either up for four years.</p>

<p>Thank you all so much for your responses!! I really, really appreciate it!</p>

9

<p>Drama, make sure you factor in raises in tuition and room and board for each year. When we did the math, we were surprised at how much a 3 to 4% increase each year adds up. Remember that is added on to the base rate of tuition before scholarships (which remain stable) each year.</p>

10

<p>Drama-If Tisch turns out to be financially doable for you then it is the school out of the three that will provide you with the best MT opportunities, even if you are not in New Studio. However, I would not attend if lack of finances will create stress. I would investigate the other schools further. DePaul is in a major city. Perhaps there are dance studios and voice teachers nearby to supplement on-campus academics. Compare the finances of taking outside classes near DePaul to Tisch costs. At CCM, MT courses and auditions may be off-limits to you as an acting major. Call them up and ask. Look at the course bulletin on-line and read the fine print. I’ve also heard, and this is ONLY HEARSAY, I have no first hand knowledge of this, that there are still “cuts” at CCM acting but under a different name.</p>

11

<p>Going through this wonderful but tough time with my student now, I’m curious how other students like you worked it all out. Thanks.</p>