<p>Okay so I am currently a first semester freshman. Long really disappointing story made super short I was accepted and enrolled in pretty much my dream private school for Theatre in NYC. My aid package became a little screwy so I withdrew about a month ago so I wouldn't become ridiculously in debt and instead enrolled in my local community college just to be able to take some gen ed classes and not get behind. I am planning on transferring for spring cause I just cannot stay at this college and they don't even have a theatre program so I've started looking at SUNY schools since they're cheaper since I've lived in NY state my whole life. </p>
<p>Can people please tell me about the art program reputations of these colleges and the pros and cons of each?</p>
<p>-SUNY Purchase (Theatre major with Arts Admin minor)
-SUNY New Paltz (Theatre major with business minor)
-University at Buffalo (Theatre major with TBD minor or Special Major combining business and theatre classes)</p>
<p>I'm planning on visiting UB soon since I have friends there and eventually the other 2 but kind of want to know more before. I've looked at the home websites and had read student reviews but any other help would be really appreciated! Also, knowing the drug usage amount of each would be good. I know they're at every school but I don't want to go someplace where the students are driven by it since that was pretty much the majority of my high school student body and I'm sick of it.</p>
<p>I looked at both Purchase and Paltz, so this is strictly opinionated:</p>
<p>I was not impressed with Paltz. At all. It felt more like a high school theatre group than anything else to me (although I adored the little cafe). I didn’t even apply, I was so disappointed. </p>
<p>Purchase I thought was good, but too…I don’t want to say rigorous, but focused? Like everything would be pushed on their BFAs to churn them out. It wasn’t the right program for me. </p>
<p>I can’t speak for UB. However, you missed two SUNY schools you should think about adding to your list (that I know loads about!): Potsdam and Fredonia!</p>
<p>Potsdam has the same sort of set-up as New Paltz but they’ve started on construction. In a few years, they’ll have all new buildings, equipment, focus. I’m a little bit jealous myself! They also have a Theatre Education major, if you’re interested in that.</p>
<p>Fredonia is my school. I’ve been here two years now and I love it. There is nothing that I don’t love about our department. You can ask me whatever you want, you can check out the department blog, you can check out my blog.</p>
<p>^Thank you for your input. I really don’t have any interest in Potsdam for my own personal reasons but that’s great that everything is getting redone! My cousin went there and enjoyed it but it’s just not for me. :)</p>
<p>As far as Fredonia, I’ve heard great things about the program there but isn’t it kinda in the middle of nowhere? I mean, what is there to do around? I’ve grown up in a suburban area but there is city literally 5 minutes away so I’m not used to being surrounded by nothing and don’t think I would enjoy it. At least with Purchase and New Paltz they’re semi close to NYC and UB is in Buffalo which may not be a popular city but does still have liveliness to it.</p>
<p>I grew up in Potsdam, so Fredonia is a big town for me personally. 
I understand though, you have to do what’s right for you! For me, I knew staying at home and going to Potsdam was a really bad idea, New Paltz was just bad in general and Purchase wasn’t the right place for me. </p>
<p>Fredonia is rather suburban with a convenient downtown of Wal-mart, restaurants, bars, shopping, the town but we do a hell of lot of theatre on campus to keep you busy and Buffalo is only 40 minutes away. I know a lot of people who will go to Buffalo for open mic nights, to see shows, go home, etc. I’m actually going up to Buffalo this week to do a show of my own! So actually, you’d be closer to Buffalo at Fredonia than New Paltz is to NYC.</p>
<p>On the other hand, one of my kids spent 7 weeks in Fredonia for a summer music program and the location seemed very rural and isolated by our standards. It is close to Canada, and you can go to Niagara Falls, but if you are a city person, it’s going to be a tough place to spend four years.</p>
<p>Yeah, I’ve driven through Fredonia before…it wasn’t a place I could picture myself living for 4 years. Maybe to visit but I’d definitely get bored with it. I don’t party often so I like to have stuff around me to go out and have fun with. Thanks for the replies from both of you…I don’t think Fredonia is a place I will be considering. I’m sure it’s a great college, but location is kinda important to me.</p>
<p>UB has a fantastic theatre program! Profs are extremely talented, working professionals with amazing credentials. They are very involved in the local/NYC theatre scene, and because of this, UB students have many opportunities to participate in professional theatre all over Western New York. UB’s Center for the Arts is a modern, world-class facility. As you will see when you visit, the theatre department is located on UB’s north campus (the main campus, which is like a small city itself) in the largest suburb of Buffalo, convenient to everything. Shuttle buses run regularly between the north campus and the campus in Buffalo, so it’s an easy commute into the city – where UB students go quite regularly, because in spite of its reputation as a rust-belt city, Buffalo is a wonderfully cultural, artistic community with a huge number of theatre venues/performing arts groups. The price at UB for NYS residents is phenomenal for a program that offers much the same training and opportunites that you’d find at many of the high-priced schools.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for your reply MTguyMom. I was really wondering about the reputation of UB’s theatre program considering I’ve really only heard about it’s science and engineering programs being highly regarded and not so much about the arts programs so it’s great to hear that the program is good! My decision will ultimately probably be decided through the visits to the colleges but I think UB is my #1 right now. As much as I’d love to be near NYC for college, I don’t think that Purchase is completely right for me but I guess a visit is the only way to truly decide.</p>
<p>I understand! I’m so involved with the theatre here that I don’t ever need to get off campus and when I do, it’s a huge deal. Everyone’s different, I have at least one friend who transferred closer to NYC. </p>
<p>I REALLY recommend visiting the schools, especially during the year. It’s the best way to find a place for yourself. I wish you luck!</p>