<p>Okay here is my dilemma... I am just looking for input on what others think. I have been accepted to all the above schoools except CMU (priority waitlist) and am trying to decide between them all...</p>
<p>I have ruled out Forham because of the BA although I do highly respect and love the program.</p>
<p>I have visited NYU Rugers CMU and Purchase - and have seen shows at them all and sat in on classes at Rutgers and Purchase. Stayed for a weekend at CMU. I am surprised to say that I was most impressed with everything going on at Rutgers. I really loved it there in comparison. After I was accepted I kind of canned Purchase and NYU and NCSA because I have always been more intrigued by Rutgers from the get go... But I am interested in what others think... I had a very negative experience at my NCSA audition and therefore have ruled it out... and then I decided I would decide between Rutgers and CMU. I have recently decided that I have no desire to wait it out for CMU. It just isn't worth it I think especially for 25,000$ more a year. And I feel like the main reason I want to go there is to say I am going there... I mean, I saw two shows there and wasn't impressed with either. In fact, some of the students there turned me off with their egos and etc. Of course it is a good school but these all are... right? </p>
<p>I would just like to open this up for opinions... Anything you have to say about any of the program to help me make a intelligient decision is greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>Wow! what great acceptances! Congrats! I have to agree with you about Rutgers. The program seems phenominal and the going abroad part is great too. I have a friend at the school who loves it! He said it’s challenging but really exciting. Good luck!</p>
<p>yeah the year in london is VERY intriguing… In fact, I talked to some current seniors who said they could fly around Europe for really cheap from london… Like 65$ to fly to spain. 70$ to Italy. Of course that is no reason to attend a program but… It is cool!</p>
<p>Wow… you are in an enviable position, nyq12. I have no experience or opinions, just congratulations on acceptances to the top programs in the country.!</p>
<p>Sounds like you’ve already made up your mind, so congrats! It’s a great program. Looks like the only one you never visited is NCSA and I guess that would be understandable if they turned you off that much during the audition. That’s an expensive plane ticket from Minnesota … You aren’t the first person I’ve heard who didn’t appreciate Beseda’s sense of humor and you should probably tell them that when you make it official. I assume he’s still the one doing the presentation … </p>
<p>Funny. Rutgers was the only one I never visited although it had a lot more to do with being skeptical about limiting myself to Meisner technique for two years than anything else. I’d already had a healthy dose of that and I’m more of a toolbox kind of chick … Actually, Meisner has very little to do with how I work now although I definitely value the reactivity that kind of training nurtures. I’ve heard some really good things about Kevin Kittle if that approach turns you on. Do make sure you ask some current students about their feelings towards the voice & speech person if you didn’t get a chance to sit in on her class … </p>
<p>Another great thing I thought about Rutgers is that you probably won’t find as many MT wannabes in the program as you might at some of the others. I have a somewhat limited tolerance for listening to showtunes when I’m hanging with friends, but that’s just me … Don’t know about you. ;)</p>
<p>Yeah I was in love with NCSA until the info session that kinda freaked me out. I also thought about limiting myself to the Meisner and what that means for me. I am reading both the Sanford Meisner book and “The Actors art and craft by esper” and really respect the method… I do not even like calling it a method. I just really believe what the Meisner technique teaches actors something that is essential to being a genuine actor. It really allows you to act from your soul rather than your mind… To not do the scene but let the scene do you… ya know? And getting 100% of that training rather than pieces of everything is intriguing while frightening… Especially if I end up not liking it once the intense works starts… BUT overall… I think I might as well give it a shot because I loved what I saw when I visited. If I don’t end up liking it as much as I think I will I can always try to transfer… right? But lets hope that doesn’t happen…</p>
<p>You’re right, fish: none of the really really talented MT kids I know of who also auditioned for top acting schools applied to Rutgers. I know several who got callbacks to Juilliard and some who got admitted to NCSA, Minnesota/Guthrie, Boston U, Purchase and Fordham, but for whatever reason, Mason Gross didn’t make it on their lists. Sorry to hear you are among those straight actors who look down on musical theater people, though.</p>
<p>Oh, kiss off, Mama Rose. I never said a word about looking down on MT people! My own program is crawling with kids who came from an MT background and some were indeed accepted to some of the toppermost MT schools but decided it was more important to them to pursue more complete actor training than was available at those programs. Some also hope to work in MT professionally after graduation. I just don’t like sitting around listening to showtunes and would assume Rutgers would have a few less who do than some of the others since they don’t do musicals! I know for a fact that the people I know who go there don’t, either. One is actually quite an accomplished folk/indie rock style singer and guitarist and hates that stuff. Different strokes, right?</p>
<p>Hey, fish, <em>you</em> are the one who brought up the whole issue of musical theater kids and how “another great thing” about Rutgers is that probably not so many (in your words ) “MT wannabes” go there. If that doesn’t sound a little, well, condescending toward musical theater (most people would agree that the term “wannabe” has a negative connotation!) then I don’t know what does. Peace. I have no desire to argue with you. And kiss off? Ouch! And after all the times I have told people to listen to you …</p>
<p>Kiss off was a bit harsh and I apologize for that, but given the numerous past discussions on the MT forum regarding the choice between majoring in MT vs. Acting where people trying to reasonably discuss the pros and cons were personally attacked by angry parents with a militant bias; I think you can understand where my reaction came from … </p>
<p>“Wannabes?” Yes, it might sound bad to you, but that’s what they call THEMSELVES at my school although “Geeks” is much more common! LOL And, also, yes … Some people might find that their lessened numbers and ability to push their musical tastes on the rest of us in virtually all social situations a blessing. I grew up in a house where my Mom’s Pete Townsend AND Keith Moon autographed vinyl copy of Quadrophenia was considered something of a sacred object and I guarantee you that if my roommate were to start playing “Wicked” in the morning before I had my coffee, the only thing that would be “Defying Gravity” is whatever she was playing it on flying out the window! </p>
<p>But … Let’s not hijack NYQ12’s thread with this anymore … Peace. :)</p>
<p>NYQ12, if you are at all sensitive to cigarette smoke you should know that at NCSA they reserve two floors of the dormitory as “smoking floors” for students who smoke. This is according to their website.</p>
<p>nyq12, that’s true, and I realize that there are still many states which have not implemented smoking bans. I guess I’m too used to being in the northeast, and in Canada, which have had bans for years. In the south, it’s not as common, which is unfortunate. Having said that, it’s another issue entirely, in my opinion, for college dorms which shouldn’t be allowing smoking regardless of what the current law is in that particular state.</p>
<p>I am surprised that any college dorm anywhere would allow smoking. Of course, some kids will do it regardless, but there ought to be penalties involved, in my view. Today, though, even kids who don’t smoke cigarettes seem to be getting into smoking flavored tobacco through a hookah. They don’t seem to realize it is still smoking …</p>
<p>I was surprised to see that, as well. Here is the text:</p>
<p>*"To support the different artistic and wellness needs of our students, there are a variety of housing options.</p>
<p>All Female: The third floor of Residence Hall C houses only female students.
All Male: The first floor of Residence Hall C houses only male students.
Smoking: Students who wish to live in a smoking environment can request one of two smoking floors.
Quiet Hours: Students requesting an environment with more stringent quiet hours beyond the regular policy should request the third floor of Residence Hall F. Quiet hours are observed 24 hours a day except for arts practice. Arts practice in rooms will be permitted only from noon to 8 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays." *</p>
<p>I’m not sure how allowing smoking floors in a dormitory qualifies as supporting “wellness needs,” but that’s what it says. </p>
I know several who got callbacks to Juilliard and some who got admitted to NCSA, Minnesota/Guthrie, Boston U, Purchase and Fordham, but for whatever reason, Mason Gross didn’t make it on their lists. Sorry to hear you are among those straight actors who look down on musical theater people, though.</p>