Would really like to hear of real time experience making decision between two great programs that are exact opposites for my S.
You are right that the 2 schools are VERY different. Both have strong elements, and both have drawbacks. So what are you son’s priorities, what is he looking to get from his training and college experience? That would help people in offering comparisons.
He loved Otterbein, we were privileged to spend some serious time there…the allure of “top 5 school” vs small school , (btw, that small school that no one can find a negative word about anywhere)…ultimately, it is his decision. I have read about some holes in Tisch since break with Cap21, no community or continuity with professors…kids having to take outside classes on weekends to bridge the gap of only 22hrs theatre per week …oh, and We live in NYC so not a huge allure. $ offered at Otterbein, on our own at Tisch
Last year, most of my D’s friends’ favorite audition experience was hands-down Otterbein. As they take so few kids (4 boys & 4 girls), I’d say that is the hardest program to get in. Congrats to your S for getting admitted! This was one of my D’s top schools. She made it to Priority Hold (or whatever they called it), unfortunately, she was then released. We never considered NYU for financial reasons, and for the other reasons you listed above which we heard from a national college audition coach we heard talk at a popular MT summer intensive.
@entertainersmom, @Times3 and @kksmom5 are all Otterbein parents. You could PM them or see if they will chime in here.
@mystifiedbythis - As mentioned above there are a number of Otterbein parents here who can add info (I don’t think you have enough posts to PM) If you are interested in additional info on NYU- I would be happy to answer any questions - my experience with NYU has been very different from what you describe, though my child is in a drama studio, not MT. @halflokum has a D about to graduate from NSB, I’m sure she could answer questions there.
Again, I would say, it would that it depends on what sort of college experience you are looking for. Also, I would say again that EVERY college has positives AND negatives. You just have to figure out what priorities are in terms of positives, what you can live with in terms of negatives, and hope for the best. And of course- what is positive/negative depends on your point of view. One of the qualities that many people like about Otterbein is that it is very small. For my D- that would take it off the list. Her PA HS had made that sort of setting seem claustrophobic- she wanted the wider world. HOWEVER, 2 of her classmates from that same PA HS went to Otterbein. It’s all in the eye of the beholder
huh? Not even remotely true. Well actually 22 hours is a lot for any program but no, the Tisch students are not on average doing outside classes. That’s not a thing.
I’m happy to answer any questions you may have honestly and fairly. Feel free to ask.
My son has also been accepted to Otterbien this year and I would love to hear more about the program. Because of school schedules and a current show we are not able to go look at the campus until the 25th. We are very excited about visiting soon. Any information from parents/students is very welcomed.
@mystifiedbythis Like @halflokum I am also, well, er, mystified by this statement. Her daughter is a senior in NSB at Tisch. While my D attended NYU/Tisch/CAP21 studio (as well as ETW studio), studio time was 24 hours per week. On top of that was private voice lesson time and then HALF the liberal arts courses on the other days were in Theater Studies. Then, there were all the hours of rehearsal time. I can’t imagine anyone supplementing by outside classes, nor having a need to do so, or having the TIME to do so! Never heard of this from anyone at Tisch. Not claiming any program to be perfect, but merely commenting on this one mystifying statement.
I wanted to elaborate on my comment about 22 hours of studio class time already being a lot. That doesn’t include academic class time, crew/tech, rehearsals and HOMEWORK etc. Even some top conservatories with next to no academic requirements have training hours that are about that number of hours. (Some a little more, some a little less.) This actually a subject that came up a few years ago and led me to start a thread on that very subject. It’s here and yes, it’s a couple of years old but it may still be of interest to you @mystifiedbythis and perhaps a few others. http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/theater-drama-majors/1550827-studio-training-contiuum-conservatory-not-and-everything-in-between-p1.html
And to be clear… if your son is really feeling Otterbein, he should do it. It’s a great program with more than their share of talent. Just didn’t think the reason for eliminating NYU should be about hours. That’s just misinformation.
I am sorry and was trying to get a clear understanding as I read this on another thread posted by a current student:) just looking for more current student/parents thoughs:)
not at all trying to offend. We know two students who are happy, they are in an acting rather than MT studio.
There is no offense. Just trying to get accurate information out there. Both programs are great and it is a matter of what your son wants.
Thanks @austinmt, I messaged @mystifiedbythis last night.
It really boggles my mind how this type of thing gets spouted with authority by individuals who clearly know little to nothing about the program. Unless, it is the national coach that has been famous for years for spreading misinformation about Tisch. Be careful what you believe, folks, if your student is following this path towards a career. Do your research well.
@alwaysamom - haters gonna hate
Apologies again ! Only repeating what was written on another thread by someone claiming to be a current student. Looking for clarity and actual information. I am not someone who joins blogs as a rule, and I do not like hearsay and gossip. Just looking for thoughts and real info…from real people. This seems larger than life to many of us, who are standing in the wings, only wanting to facilitate our child’s decision by providing authentic feedback.
@mystifiedbythis, I’m thinking there is a post missing here that would make some of the rest make sense for someone late to the party. I didn’t see it but in any event if it is true you don’t have enough posts to send a PM, I’m more than happy to provide authentic feedback which, if you read anything I’ve ever posted would include being frank about things that were not perfect with respect to Tisch MT too. What are your questions and concerns?
Again without seeing what else you have been reading I would: 1. caution you about whomever is saying they are a student given that the whole “taking classes outside of Tisch because there isn’t enough training hours” is laughable. My spidey sense would say this is likely a fake. 2. I didn’t see whatever was mentioned about a national coach but know this, Tisch does not pander to the national coaches. It doesn’t mean they don’t welcome many well coached students every year with open arms but Tisch doesn’t have the reputation for providing special access for their coaching business that may be enjoyed in other programs. The net net is that one would be wise to understand natural preferences that can exist more easily among friends than among distant relations.
@mystifiedbythis There is no need to apologize. My frustration was not at all directed at you, or anyone else posting in this thread but rather to those who purport to be knowledgable about a particular school when they clearly are not.
halflokum is an excellent source of reliable, honest information, without sugarcoating anything, who can give you recent information about all four years at Tisch. Best of luck to your son with his decision.
@mystifiedbythis and @bringitMT, I PM’d you both and am happy to answer any questions privately. My son is a junior at Otterbein and it’s been a wonderful experience and fit for him. It can be hard for seniors to make that final decision, I know! Good luck to your son