<p>So I'm currently attending St. Olaf college as a general music major. I've recently come to realize that I'm just not happy here. There's great teachers, there's great opportunities here, and I've met wonderful people - but I'm just finding it difficult to really relate to people on a social, "real" level. Most people here come from the same small town/suburban, socioeconomic, racial background and it's just really bothering me. I also came to this school intending to go into choral music education and the program here was a huge draw, but I'm more interested in performing and believe there are better schools I can study performance at. </p>
<p>I'm planning on transferring after next year (as a Junior) and at this moment, my top choice of school is Oklahoma City University. I still want to go to a relatively small school that values the liberal arts, but also one that's diverse and in (or at least relatively close) to a city. I will sacrifice size just to be in a place that has diversity and is more urbanized. I am very interested in theater, and plan on going to grad school for acting after my undergrad, but I want to study music and work on developing my voice as an undergrad. The thing I love about OCU is their Bachelor of Music in Musical Theater program. It's a huge performing art school and I can study music, and still get classical training while doing musical theater, opera, and staged theater. It's also closer to home (I'm from Houston, Texas).</p>
<p>Unfortunately, I can't put all my eggs in one basket. OCU seems like the best school at this point, but I would look into a few other schools that might be as good of an alternative. I'm also looking into Southern Methodist University, and SUNY Purchase, even though SUNY would be difficult to do as a transfer. Does anyone have any suggestions for small-medium sized schools, with good music and performing art programs, that are diverse and urbanized, and "transfer-friendly"? Seems like a lot, but there's got to be some out there.</p>
<p>For the record, I'm also an above average but not really the exceptional student. So places like Rice and Carnegie Mellon are kind of out of the question. I am however, very passionate about the arts, hard-working, disciplined, and have an interest in arts for social change.</p>
<p>S is planning on transferring to DePaul this fall for music. They have a brand new theater building that will open this fall. Downtown Chicago has it all!</p>
<p>SUNY Purchase is transfer friendly, and very diverse in terms of student body. It’s definitely a school where you will not suffer from lack of performing! It is a small school and a small program. It’s hard to go into further detail about specifics, since I don’t know exactly what you’re looking for, but it’s a program I highly recommend.</p>
<p>If you’re interested in MT, look in CC’s MT thread and the sticky thread there.I wouldn’t consider OCU as a “diverse” school and while Oklahoma City is the largest in square miles, it’s not a hotbed of nightlife. You will need to have a strong belt voice if you’re looking to transfer into that program, or any good MT school.
It would certainly be worthwhile to look at DePaul , and have you considered UNT or some of the Texas schools? In-state tuition is nothing to turn your back on!</p>
<p>Sopranorose, my D will be a Freshman VP major at SUNY Purchase in the Fall. Any info you can pass on to her about the program there? She is very anxious to speak to current students, and learn more! Thanks! ( Sorry to the OP for changing the subject)</p>
<p>Why don’t you pm me with specific questions so we don’t have to take up space on the board? For a general response, I highly recommend the program for many many reasons and have little to no complaints about it at all, but of course, it all depends what you are really looking for and what you’re planning on going into in terms of music. I’d love to be of help. :-)</p>
<p>We were at the SUNY Purchase accepted student event yesterday and were very impressed by the feel of the school. The faculty that spoke were warm, thoughtful and randomly hilarious. You felt that they were very happy to be there, and committed to the students. The conservatory building is a bit worn around the edges, but fine, and the performing arts center is impressive. They have a diverse list of artists performing at the theatre, everyone from Joan Rivers to the Tokyo String Quartet. The list of alumni is impressive for a school that’s only been around since '77. Student population looked diverse, interesting and were very friendly. Most smoking we’ve seen on any campus however (my daughters observation about student population, she’s felt she’d find friends here and fit in fine). Can’t speak to the specifics of your major, but wanted to give a shout out about this gem of a school in our back yard. 20% of the students are out of state or international.</p>
<p>Looking at your wish list I would second De Paul as a school to check out. And right around the corner is Roosevelt University which might also be a great fit for you. Chicago is a racially and ethnically diverse, but divided city and the South Loop has always been where people from the different neighborhoods come together to study. Also right there are Columbia College, The School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago, The Harrington Institute, plus several law schools. Culturally you are very close to Symphony Center and the Art Institute and more than I can list . If you want diversity and culture in an urban setting the South Loop area of Chicago would be hard to beat.</p>