OCU vs. Ithaca - Help!

College Majors Musical Theater Major
1

<p>Hi!,
I have been accepted in the Acting BFA programs at both OCU and Ithaca, and am having an incredibly hard time deciding where to go. I initially auditioned for the MT programs but was accepted into the acting programs, which I’m really excited about too, but I want to continue studying music and dance. So a big part of my decision will be based on which school allows Acting majors to take voice lessons and add dance classes to their schedule. </p>

<p>Another big part of my decision is that I have a NM scholarship to OCU, which is a huge, huge plus for me since I’m paying for college myself. I’ve heard that their music school is stronger than their theater program though, which concerns me. Is their acting program as competitive and strong as Ithaca’s? </p>

<p>If any current students or parents know anything about either of these schools, please let me know! I would appreciate it SO much!
-juliet1922</p>

2

<p>I don't know anything about Ithaca, so I can't compare and contrast, but I know that OCU has recently ramped up their acting program. It is separate from the music school, but I believe acting majors can take and voice lessons (but not with the MT faculty) and dance classes. </p>

<p>Since you have the NM scholarship, I would say give OCU a try. You might love it there, and if you don't, you won't have invested much of your own money. My D is very happy there in the MT program.</p>

3

<p>I should clarify that I do have a significant scholarship to Ithaca as well, and my parents are helping with some of the tuition. I don't know if this changes your advice at all.</p>

4

<p>Well, the weather is probably better at OCU! </p>

<p>My D is home this weekend and I asked her about the theater department. She said it was good and that the actors were good.</p>

5

<p>DItto from an MT turned VP at OCU! Very good acting program - and getting stronger. As NM (as my D is ) it is quite a deal and as MM says- tryit, you might just love it!</p>

6

<p>My son liked both of these schools for MT, auditioned for both, and was accepted to OCU for the BM in MT, among other schools.</p>

<p>Impressions of Ithaca - very strong acting school (my son was impressed with the acting in a play that we saw). You would need to double check about voice lessons there for acting majors, as I believe the school of music is separate (although is very strong). Lastly, I think that dance is offered at more basic levels, even for MT students, so you would really need to explore what is available for acting majors, especially if you are looking for more advanced dance. I also think your flexibility may be somewhat limited for taking electives, as most of your course load is specified and detailed (reminded me of a conservatory, even though it is not a conservatory).</p>

<p>OCU - my son loved this school and all faculty and had a wonderful experience with summer MT program. They did not offer the BFA in acting at that time. Musicmom has given you correct info about voice lessons and dance classes for acting majors. OCU offers many levels of dance and has a separate and very good department of dance. If one is able to fit it in schedule, you can go as high as you want to in tap, ballet, and jazz.</p>

<p>We have recent first hand information from my son's friends who are in the acting BFA at OCU that it is very good with excellent teachers. I think they have really revamped their acting program and have almost built up a whole separate faculty from the faculty in the music and MT programs. We heard nothing but wonderful things from current acting major students. They feel they are learning a lot. They are getting cast in professional productions in the OKC area!</p>

<p>Weather is better in OKC and major airport is more accessible.</p>

<p>I recommend that you compare closely the course requirements for each school. Visit them both again if you can fit it in.</p>

7

<p>Juliet,
Congratulations on having two fine choices with scholarship money attached to each! My daughter is at OCU in the MT program so I can't comment on the BFA acting program other than to say the productions I have seen were wonderful. </p>

<p>I agree with everything posted by ericsmom above. I'd particularly like to emphasize the part about OKC's airport being more accessible. Obviously, this only comes into play if you are not within easy driving distance to Ithaca. My daughter has a friend who went to Ithaca who had found it challenging to get to a major airport for holidays home. If you do not live near a major hub, this might exacerbate the problem (plus make flights home expensive). </p>

<p>Are you considering re-auditioning for the MT programs at either location next year? I know that OCU's MT program does accept transfers, not sure about Ithaca's. One of my daughter's friends was in the BFA acting program and was accepted last year to MT. </p>

<p>Best of luck in making your decision.</p>

8

<p>I've never been so stressed as I was to get to the airport in Ithaca (having flown into the Syracuse airport but leaving from Ithaca) to find that I was going to fly on a prop plane back to Detroit. I had not been on a prop plane in years and did not like it! This was a few years ago, so maybe the airport in Ithaca has since been upgraded.</p>

9

<p>I’m a freshman BFA Acting student at OCU- also on the NM (assuming you mean National Merit) scholarship.</p>

<p>The scholarship is INCREDIBLE. I have not paid a single fee this year- what I have paid is money for books (though I am given $200 a semester for them). I paid for my parking pass ($80- yikes!) and a test to get out of the computer competency course ($75). That is it, minus incidentals. The scholarship covers costs of the basic housing (i.e. not the New Dorms), but Walker Hall (the all-female dorm that most freshman women live in) is not horrible. It’s not great, but it’s not awful. The best part is that it is fully covered by the scholarship.</p>

<p>The BFA Acting program is growing by leaps and bounds. We, as actors, are trained to have as many tools in our toolbox as possible. When that role comes, we can pick out what pieces of our training we need to pull from. We’re trained in a primarily Stanislavski technique. We all take classes in acting, movement, vocal production, diction, dialects, and audition techniques. Next year, we’ll officially become a School of Theatre. We have at least 10 productions being put on next year- 6 Mainstage (directed by faculty or guest artists) and 7 Stage II (productions directed by students- the quality is usually amazing). My numbers are approximate- I don’t have the list in front of me. </p>

<p>Class sizes are small across the board. I have 9 students in my Acting II class, and 11 in my Acting I class. I love how it allows for such individualized work. </p>

<p>You’re only required to have 3 credit hours of voice in the BFA program. However, it’s not uncommon for people to take a credit each semester, or even two. While you don’t take class with the MT/Vocal performance faculty, many of the professors are quite good. There are a few who aren’t, but it’s not difficult to request your professor and receive that professor.</p>

<p>You’re only required to have 3 hours of dance. This is not difficult to do- but it is difficult to take a credit each semester, just due to scheduling. The School of Dance is very… frustrating in their enrollment and scheduling process. You basically have to schedule your classes so that the dance class you are leveled for fits into your schedule. However, the school has recently started the Community Dance Center, in which many students take class- but not for credit.</p>

<p>You are allowed to reaudition for the MT program- I have a friend who did just that, and was accepted. She’ll be transferring to that program next year.</p>

<p>OCU has a very unique culture. The entire School of Theatre is very inclusive and loving- while we do have our competitive moments, we are overall very supportive. The school, as a whole, is filled with performing arts majors. It’s not uncommon to hear songs being sung as people walk across the quad, or see a movement class working outside for the day. Buns fill the cafeteria. It’s a great place to be for a performing arts major.</p>

<p>I hope that gives you a better picture of life at OCU. I can’t compare it to Ithaca, as I don’t know as much about their program. But if you need more info, PM me!</p>

10

<p>GodIhopeIgetit, Your post is very nice and informative. CC has in recent months added a Theater/Drama sub-forum. You might consider posting this information over there as well. It could be very helpful to many.</p>