<p>My son is looking closely at Hofstra. He is in his senior year this year, and interested in Theatre - Technical Direction. I would love to hear any experiences or reputations for the following. Please respond to any or all of the subjects you know of.</p>
<li><p>The Theatre department - particularly the production sequence. </p></li>
<li><p>Hillel/Jewish observance - My son is observant and is on a more observant path than we have followed. I have seen there is a kosher place listed in the dining facilities (but I have the impression it’s along the lines of a coffee shop?) Is Hillel all reform? Is there is an orthodox community near the campus?</p></li>
<li><p>Learning Disabilities - I see the description of The Program for Academic Learning Skills (<a href=“http://www.hofstra.edu/Academics/SUS/sus_palshome_page.cfm)%5B/url%5D”>http://www.hofstra.edu/Academics/SUS/sus_palshome_page.cfm)</a>. It sounds good. Any experiences to share?</p></li>
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<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Hofstra University is very fine institution and a lot of well know alumni came out of Threatre/Audio Film departments.
Chris Albrecht, Chairman of HBO
Francis Ford Coppola, Oscar-winning filmmaker of The Godfather, Godfather II, Apocolypse Now, etc.
Joe Frank, radio monologuist and playwright
Monica Horan, actress, Everybody Loves Raymond
Phil Rosenthal, Creator, producer and writer for hit comedy show Everybody Loves Raymond
Madeline Kahn, Oscar-nominated actress
Mike Starr, Noted screen and stage actor. Filmography highlights include: "Goodfellas", "Dumb and Dumber", "Summer of Sam", "The Natural", "The Bodyguard", and "The Black Dahlia."
and many more.</p>
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<li><p>Hofstra University does observe most jewish holidays, but I not too sure to extend of it is orthodox community.</p></li>
<li><p>I am not too aware of the learning disability programs. Sorry</p></li>
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<p>My son is a freshman at Hofstra. He is not in the Theatre program, and while Jewish, he is not particularly observant. What I can say is that he has transitioned to college extremely well and enjoys his classes. The school was closed on Yom Kippur. I know there is an active Hillel there (see <a href="http://www.hillel.org%5B/url%5D">www.hillel.org</a> for info on all colleges), but my son is not the kind who would do there. </p>
<p>Hofstra wasn't on my son's short list. But when we was accepted and went for a visit (his first) they made a point of telling kids and parents that Hofstra is not right for everyone and students need to look around and see if they are going to be comforatable and see kids like them. Rather than make a big push and toot their horns too much, they were lower key. My son was hooked.</p>
<p>What I can tell you is that the Admissions office is very helpful and the Director of Admissions, Jennifer Epps is very approachable. The school is making a huge push to improve its academic profile and join the highly competitive ranks. I would suggest you drop her a note about LD programs. </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>I was very confused reading about the drama program. they seem to have a BFA but no auditions?</p>
<p>At the recent Open House, during the Theatre seminar I attended, this question was answered. Everyone starts in the BA program. The BFA program you audition for later - after you have proven yourself in the first year or two in the BA program.</p>
<p>Its been over two months into freshman year and Hofstra is working out well for my son. The (mostly) freshman dom complex, Netherlands, is comfortable and the kids seem like a pretty good and diverse lot. He's made no complaints about the food or social life, which is a plus. He's made good friends, male and female. Some classes are easy and one or two are harder, but on balance, he's fit in. The "rap" that the school is a commuter school is untrue. A very small minority of kids leave campus over the weekend, but there is a lot to do. Travelling to NYC is easy and lots of kids do it. There also are a few kids that are very unhappy, but the causes are diverse - roommates, homesick, girlfriends, etc. There is a lot of shopping, restaurants and choices of things to do. Pick up athletics are easy to come by. Art, music and cultural things too. </p>
<p>If you are thinking about Hofstra for yourself or your child, I encourage you to check it out.</p>
<p>EhNonymous, Thank you your thread. Glad to hear that your son is enjoying it at Hofstra. How is safety? Is there a problem with a snobbish student- body, and do students really have thing there for Armani shirts etc?</p>
<p>The on campus safety is fine. There is no way into the freshman dorm complex any time without going through security. And like everywhere else, access to dorms is by key card. Off campus, it depends where you go, like everywhere else too. </p>
<p>My son tells me there are lots of "regular" kids, but there are kids who drive BMWs and wear designer labels. Frankly, that's the real world, too. We've tried to give our kids a sense of values about material things and what really matters. From my personal observation, those kids are not prevalent, but like anthing else, a small minority can make an overwhelming (and wrong) impression. </p>
<p>One more thing - they seem to be increasingly serious about academics; he has two papers and a test this week, including a test on Tuesday night before thanksgiving...</p>