<p>Hello: This is my first time posting. My S was lucky enough to be accepted into 2 of his top choices - Syracuse BFA and The new School of Drama in NYC's BFA. Does anyone have any advice as to which he should choose? They both have different benefits and very different approaches to education.</p>
<p>I have a friend at Syracuse who is in the BFA acting program and she absolutely loves it! I’ve been up there and the campus is gorgeous and they put up some incredible productions. Also the students have the opportunity to be cast in equity theatre productions at Syracuse Stage. She is also going to London next fall to study at the Globe Theatre. Everyone I’ve met who goes there loves the program! </p>
<p>Doesn’t Syracuse have a cut program?</p>
<p>It used to but I don’t think it does anymore :)</p>
<p>I am a 1994 alum of Syracuse Drama, and it is was not a cut program then. I have not heard of it being one since from more recent alums either.</p>
<p>There is a sophomore evaluation that students must pass in order to advance to upper level coursework, but (unless things have changed) students who do not pass the first time may reevaluate after retaking courses. Students who ultimately do not pass the evaluation (or who decide they prefer it… certain programs… Like Arts Management, Playwriting, Directing are in the BS degree track) move to the BS degree program – <a href=“http://vpa.syr.edu/drama/undergraduate/bs-dramahttp://vpa.syr.edu/sites/default/files/downloads/BS%20in%20Drama%20Curr%201010.pdf”>http://vpa.syr.edu/drama/undergraduate/bs-dramahttp://vpa.syr.edu/sites/default/files/downloads/BS%20in%20Drama%20Curr%201010.pdf</a></p>
<p>As compared to the BFA Acting Program –
<a href=“http://vpa.syr.edu/drama/undergraduate/acting/curriculum”>http://vpa.syr.edu/drama/undergraduate/acting/curriculum</a>
<a href=“http://vpa.syr.edu/sites/default/files/downloads/BFA%20Acting%20Curr%201010.pdf”>http://vpa.syr.edu/sites/default/files/downloads/BFA%20Acting%20Curr%201010.pdf</a> </p>
<p>Confirmed by SU in 2014: 1) SU is not a cut program - there is just the sophomore evaluation, noted above. 2) There is a NYC senior showcase each Spring and about half of senior MT/drama students do not get chosen to participate 3) there are potentially not enough slots for every student interested in the London program to attend in any given year… 4) SU notes students may be given the chance to audition for a Syracuse Stage production - if the role is right - but seems to advise against it, too…</p>
<p>Finally - and politely (as we all have different expectations/tastes)… I wonder if anyone else feels that the Syracuse Stage/SU Drama building - hardly new - and very distant from the otherwise vibrant campus - might be the program’s biggest detriment? I get the sense students spend much time there - and, though it’s only “down the hill” - that 4-5 blocks (where I don’t think you want your daughter walking alone at night) might as well be 4-5 miles in our minds - with nothing else around it, no SU food/dining options (other than vending machine), a borderline (in a relative sense) area, no physical connection to campus/campus life, etc… If the building were on the main quad - with top notch facilities - this might be THE program to beat… As it stands, the facilities might be a reason - for some - not to attend - especially given the facilities at competing schools…</p>
<p>Syracuse Stage is a beautiful building and looks relatively new (?) My daughter is pretty lazy and does not seem to mind the walk there - or short shuttle. We’ve had no issue with safety but they don’t walk alone at night (it is in/near an urban area in upstate NY.) There are 2 cool cafes by Stage (probably want to get smaller meal plan because they are there a lot.) About 18-20 students go to London. MT’s don’t usu go because it’s Shakespeare. And some students opt out because they’d rather stay in the casting pool at Cuse or for other reasons. If there are more than that number who apply it goes by GPA. The showcase is an issue and I think they are doing a reel and video package to send to agents for students who don’t get in this year. The campus is gorgeous and feels like what college should be. She loves it and my only complaint is the price tag! Good luck - you have 2 cool and VERY different choices! 
</p>
<p>My D and I were a bit concerned about the location of Syracuse stage in relation to campus too. It’s a 15 minute walk uphill. Not enough food nearby. It’s definitely not the perfect setup. They have security to help at night though.
But it is really just something you should be aware of beforehand and may have to make adjustments for. It shouldn’t be a deal breaker. </p>
<p>D and I were at Syracuse yesterday for admitted students day. The campus itself is gorgeous (even at this very ugly time of year!). But I too had an issue with the location of the drama building/stages. Don’t get me wrong- the idea of partnership with Syracuse stage is one of the BIG draws of the program (as is Ralph Zito, he just seems fantastic- so caring and nurturing). I worry about feeling “connected” given that the vast majority of classes and time will be spent away from the rest of campus. Interesting note- one thing I noticed as I walked around yesterday was the SEA of orange and blue, not just on “student ambassadors” or people connected with the admitted students program- but just ordinary kids walking around. In the theater building there were NO students (and we sat in on a couple of classes, and had a tour) wearing school “gear”. The possibility for co-incidence is strong, and it isn’t a deal breaker…but I wonder if it does speak to the issue. My D asked that question at the q & a, and response was “it’s what you make it, some of us are ‘into’ that, some are not”.
I was also a touch off put by lack of access to university food. I noticed the cafes mentioned by Bromquest, but don’t like the idea of the pricetag + endlesses need for carryout cash. Again, not deal breakers- but food for thought. On the upside- the set for Spring Awakening looked supercool- my D had to fight the urge to go “play”, and she really liked the classes, thought talent level was excellent.</p>
<p>As the mom of a Tisch grad, it makes me smile that a 15 minute separation and walk from the rest of campus is a concern to so many.</p>
<p>We were there last spring, and it didn’t seem like a bad walk at all. (though maybe a little scary late at night, IDK…I used to run in central park by myself at night when I was a little older than that age.) </p>
<p>It’s not a bad walk in the spring. But I went to Syracuse, and spring and summer last for maybe 4 weeks total. Nearly the whole year it is cold, and precipitating on you in some way. And if they were normal students, with more free time, the walk wouldn’t be an issue either, but the schedule of a BFA actor doesn’t leave much room for anything. If you get an hour for dinner and it takes you a half hour to walk back and forth to a dining hall, and a few minutes in line to get food, that is not a very relaxing dinner hour.
Again, not a deal breaker, but I wouldn’t want my kid calling mid october of freshman year complaining about this. I would want to know first!</p>
<p>I didn’t think the distance of the walk was an issue, more the “distance” as a separation from student/life and campus. After all, by definition and design, drama departments are small. Ralph Zito spoke yesterday about how they are admitting FEWER students every year (the opposite model of the rest of the university, the goal there is to grow programs) so that they can serve them better. (Part of discussion of why only 1/2 get to showcase etc). The music section of the college of VPA is housed in a STUNNING red sandstone “castle” right in the heart of the main quad. That (I imagine- no knowledge of numbers) is another small group of kids, but they are right in the center of the campus environment. I know Tisch kids may end up with longer walks between classes- but (again, correct me if I am wrong) that is a common thread for ALL NYU students- you have to walk, and there isn’t a pure “campus” feel. </p>
<p>Plus there are a gazillion places for Tisch kids to get food as they walk from one place to another. :)</p>
<p>Don’t a lot of them take the “nyu bucks” (there was a cute name- I forget) or meal plan vouchers? Just don’t like idea of $ on top of $$ on top of $$$ - even though I know that’s college!!</p>
<p>When we visited over the summer the separation of the drama students from he general school population as well as the area around the theatre was a concern to me, as well. I believe that the school is aware of the parental concern because the performing arts tour ended with a session with the security guard at the theatre to assuage that concern. I don’t think it should be a deal breaker, but definitely something of which to be aware.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for all your input! Very helpful. The New School’s Drama building is about a 15 minute walk from the rest of the “City Campus” so he will have the same challenge there and they have the same challenge with the food - only vending machines. It would be nice if they came up with some sort of solution for that a sandwich cart or small cafe.<br>
Is anyone familiar with The New School’s program ?- I know it is very new so maybe there are not too many members that know of it.<br>
We are going to Syr’s Own the Dome Program and accepted students day this weekend so we look forward to learning more about Syracuse.</p>
<p>My child is finishing his freshman year at The New School and it has been a very positive experience. He has loved the classes and the professors, he has friends throughout the school but it is not a conservatory. So that is very important to know going in.</p>
<p>Thank you Photomom5. How does it differ from a conservatory? Also do you know if they have any study abroad opportunities? One more - question - Does he have any issues with the Drama building being isolated from the rest of the campus? thanks again!</p>
<p>My D also has her eye on The New School but has concerns about the new-ness. I have the same questions as @dramaparent, especially about it’s non-conservatory-ness. Any insight is helpful! </p>