<p>DD got accepted, but since we live in Arizona, we cannot visit these far away schools. Can someone share any thoughts or experiences with this program and the school in general? I have heard that the social scene is more centered around drinking? And I know it's in a smaller, quieter city/town. Beyond the school & social scene, she really wants to know all about the theater program...is training good? Do they offer lots of opportunities for acting? Do they have 'connections' so that students can get audition opportunities in NYC? Are the academics strong?</p>
<p>I have heard good things about the theater dept. but don’t have first hand experience with it. My son is a transfer student at SUNY New Paltz but he is a graphic design major. His experience has been positive. The academics are strong. He has had some great professors and the small class sizes have allowed him to get to know his professors well and make a good number of friends. He has met some really nice, down to earth people. The student body is very open and accepting and the others in his major are very supportive. In his dept. he has taken free trips to the art museums in NYC, so I imagine that the theater dept. must take advantage of the proximity to NYC as well. If you have any other questions, please ask.</p>
<p>I hear decent things about the program at New Paltz. I believe SUNY Purchase is stronger… The preforming arts programs at Purchase (Acting, Dance, Opeara) are compared to the programs at Juilliard and Carnegie Mellon.</p>
<p>Thanks complexlife I agree that Purchase is stronger if one is just majoring in theater, but she wants to dual major (writing) and also be able to take a wide variety of college courses, like science and history. That is one of the biggest reasons that she decided against Purchase. She’s looking for a “best of both worlds” college.</p>
<p>New Paltz is the perfect school then. The writing here is excellent, I’m a student and the creative writing classes here are coveted. Also, she would have the option of getting a Bachelor’s of Science, which would make it easier for her to double major (less liberal arts requirements…). The academics at New Paltz are high par, it’s the second strongest state school in New York, next to Geneseo which is more geared towards Math and Science whereas New Paltz is more artsy and creative. I would be happy to talk to your D any time, my email is <a href="mailto:whitty64■■■■■■■■■■■■">whitty64■■■■■■■■■■■■</a> and I have AIM as well. The New Paltz Theater Department is unique in a lot of ways and we’re really geared towards student involvement and opportunities that other schools, like Purchase, do not offer because of their more strict curriculum.</p>
<p>I have a question - isn’t the New Paltz program by audition? It seems from their website that you have to come to campus to meet with them and audition. Did your daughter do that, or was there another way she was accepted into the Theater BA? I’m curious because we’ll probably be dealing with applying from far away next year.</p>
<p>The New Paltz program is audition based, but don’t let that discourage you. They are looking for well-rounded students with or without much theater experience. They want people who are at least willing to take risks. You can schedule an audition as little as a week in advance.</p>
<p>Just worry about being accepted into the college academically. New Paltz is a competetive school to get into, as far as SUNYs go. But one that will be very impressive and offers a great education in return for the hard work!</p>
<p>I don’t think that’s true. It hink SUNY Purchase is the most competitive program to get into int he SUNY system. That school is known as one of the best actor training program int he country.</p>
<p>Yes, I’m sorry if that confused you. SUNY Purchase has an extremely competetive acting program to be accepted to. New Paltz is not competetive to enter into the acting program. Academically, it is very selective. Conversely, Purchase does not have as competetive an academic program, but it’s still a really fantastic acting program.</p>
<p>Thank you for all of your help about New Paltz, iwhitt. I’m so happy to hear how much you love the school. We have a good friend who got his BA in theater there years ago; he got an MFA later at NYU and has had a very solid career as an actor. </p>
<p>We’re hoping to be in the area at some point for my D to do an audition. It’s encouraging that you say it’s more of a formality than a competitive selection process. I’m going to ask them if they do take videos, in case we just can’t work out the traveling - are you aware of anyone doing this? I hope it can stay on her list, because as you say it’s really a wonderful program, a lovely campus, and a great location.</p>
I agree that Purchase is stronger if one is just majoring in theater, but she wants to dual major (writing) and also be able to take a wide variety of college courses, like science and history. That is one of the biggest reasons that she decided against Purchase. She’s looking for a “best of both worlds” college.</p>