I’m going to be a senior in high school this coming fall and I plan on studying acting in college (still deciding between BA and BFA), and I am trying to narrow down my list. I feel I have too many reach schools on my list and I wanted to trim some off as there is a limited number I can apply too since I have to apply to some safety’s as well. The schools are:
Boston University
Carnegie Mellon
Emerson
Fordham
Ithaca
NYU
Pace
Rutgers
Syracuse
I’m looking for a large campus and a urban/city setting, a program that is not too strict of a conservatory and offers a bit of flexibility. I’m also considering a possible double major and if that was possible at any of these schools, if not i’m okay with a minor.
BU is quite far from where I am (I live in Virginia) so I was curios if it was similar to another program on there that could be closer to me and I can take it off my list, even though I do quite like the school.
You are correct that your programs are all “reach” schools. Depending on your stats (and if you are looking at places like NYU, BU, and Fordham you must have strong grades etc) you might want to put so e quality LACs in the mix. Lots of them have excellent BA theater programs, but are not audition based
All programs are different in atmosphere and focus, so I think keeping BU on the list, if you like the school, and can afford the application fees and audition travel, makes sense.
In Virginia, VCU is a BFA in an urban setting, George Mason is more suburban, but close to DC. JMU is not urban, but a great college town (like Ithaca), and is a large campus. VCU and JMU require auditions for admission (I think Mason may too, but I am not 100% sure), so would not be safeties.
Depending on your grades and test acores Christopher Newport could be a safety because they do not require an audition (unless something has changed). University of MD may be worth looking at as a non-audition program. Also maybe Muhlenberg (campus is not huge, but pretty, not too too far from Philly and NYC), there the audition is for scholarship consideration only.
Of the schools on your list above I think that you will fine that CMU, and Rutgers will offer the least flexibility in terms of double major, minor, and overall curriculum. Not a bad thing, but may not be what you are looking for since you mention flexibility.
Check out Skidmore – terrific BA program, 60/40 breakdown for your major (you take 40% gen ed classes and the rest are theatre) they graduate top people, fun school.
Most BFA programs require so many credits it is hard to double major. CMU is a true conservatory program (don’t take much outside of drama) so if you do not want that maybe it could come off the list.
Pace has three different acting majors (not including MT or tech) and if you have credits coming in from AP or college classes you may be able to at least minor in something else (also not an option for many BFA programs and was attractive at Pace). Pace could also allow you to apply to all three acting options if all interest you and it may be a bit less expensive than if you applied to three different colleges. They have a BFA acting major; BFA in film acting, voice overs and commercial acting; and a BA international performance ensemble major (audition based).
Marymount could be an urban option for you. They have both BA and BFA programs. Sarah Lawrence is a great BA program too. U Arts in philly is urban - but maybe too much of a conservatory. You take two academics each semester I think.