<p>I would imagine that few students would do this and would likely either take food with them or go to one of the cafes that have been referred to earlier. Tisch kids certainly couldn’t eat three meals a day in the dining halls either and, not sure if it still is but, it used to be that all freshmen were required to have a mealplan. I think that it’s likely a mistake for most, in any major, to imagine that they’ll eat all meals in the dining hall. I don’t think that’s anything new or unique to drama kids. When I was in college, and in the one year I lived in a dorm with a mealplan, I think I made it to breakfast exactly once all year.</p>
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<p>Oh, yes, I understood that and it was half of the reason that I posted re: separation. And yes, all NYU kids probably have to walk further than most other colleges but it’s likely more the case with the drama kids because the studios are spread out in various locations. There is definitely a campus feel around the Washington Square area. An urban campus feel, but a feel, nonetheless.</p>
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<p>That’s true but my guess is that most will frequent the same one or two on a daily basis. The kids I know who have gone to Syracuse have never mentioned an issue with being unable to find good food nearby.</p>
<p>Look, I understand the concerns parents have. I had them, too, and maybe it’s because I’ve been through this with five Ds, and long ago for most that it made me smile. My best advice is to have your kids connect with current students and ask them the questions. It may put your minds at ease if you hear that your concerns are not something to worry about. We used to have a Syracuse mom who posted here. My brain is blanking on her username. Maybe one of the other ‘oldies’ here will remember. </p>
<p>Getting BFA kids to take the time out to eat is a problem at a lot of schools. They are extremely busy and often not tied up in rehearsals when the other students are eating. (We sent Power Bars and Ramen and a case of instant oatmeal to my S, so that he at least had something he could make himself to eat on busy days.) </p>
<p>The people I know who attended Syracuse, or whose kids went there, have absolutely loved it despite the location issues. Nansan is the mom of a current SU senior–perhaps she will chime in when she sees this thread! </p>
<p>Re: the meals issue–Jkellynh17 is right–BFA kids don’t have a lot of time for meals at many schools. My son’s campus is tiny, but his schedule is not–it’s big and packed, classes from 8 a.m. till 3:30-4 pm with a few short breaks, and most days, he doesn’t eat much till dinner (and then I think they all eat too much–he says even the girls in the BFA program eat two dinners!). Clif bars, etc., are a necessity. I hear it gets better after freshman year–hope so! As others have said about these arrangements at Syracuse, don’t let it be a deal-breaker. </p>
<p>Yes, @alwaysamom, I do understand that most kids aren’t going to walk back up to get their dinner. I just think that could be an issue for some families and kids. At least in freshman year, you will be paying for the meal plan and may not be able to use it and will likely have to supplement by buying food like power bars or paying more to eat at the close cafes. My D was like “where am I going to eat?” when we visited there.
This is just one of the small issues about a school though…like bathrooms. The opportunity to work in a professional stage environment is pretty great.</p>
<p>I think some of the kids bring sandwiches when they know they’re going to be rehearsing all night. There are cafes on most campuses where you buy stuff to go. </p>
<p>My D is a current BFA Acting student and please feel free to message me or ask any questions here. I unfortunately don’t know anything about the New School so I can’t offer any comparison. (Love the location though!) </p>
<p>Please feel free to message me about TNS. The key difference in this school is the number of courses the students are encouraged to take outside of the drama school. As for the meal issues, drama kids eat on a whole different schedule, and TNS does have cafeterias that are open late, just not the one which is in the 13th Street Dorm.</p>
<p>I started to post immediately above earlier today and didn’t get to finish the post. In any event, the posts about the location of Syracuse Stage reminded me of when we were doing college visits with my S. If the campus looked like there were no local food establishments nearby that he could walk to, he immediately decreed that he was not going to apply there. That was it - no convincing him otherwise! He was just 16 or 17 at the time - and proximity to food was an overriding consideration! As for the location of Syracuse Stage, it was never really an issue for my S. The Freshmen have classes other than at the Stage - there is the Writing requirement and the elective requirement and those courses are on the main campus. I know my S was not spending any $ in the cafes around the Stage as a Freshman because I recall that we opened a bank account in Syracuse for him to withdraw $ without incurring fees, placed $500 in it in August, and the $500 was still in it until March when he finally withdrew some $. I seem to recall that the students hopped a bus at the front of the Stage or walked to the closest school cafeteria for lunch when they were at the Stage. (My H loves the Syracuse cafeteria - lots of healthy options). As for school spirit - the place “bleeds orange” for the drama students too, or at least for some of them. My S has several Syracuse t-shirts, sweat shirts, etc. and there are Syracuse stickers on the car he drives. There is a dress code for classes and perhaps that is why students were not wearing SU navy and orange apparel on a particular day. It is potentially possible, but probably unlikely, that there will be an oversubscription for the London program. It has happened just twice in the many years that the program has been in existence and also the incoming classes now are smaller. True that Showcase is competitive, but there also is Sorkin Week (also competitive and requires an essay and it is considered the LA showcase) and most students seem to be selected for one or the other. Can’t say for sure what the chances are of a student being selected for a Syracuse Stage production. My S was cast in one of the professional productions and received equity credit and several of his pals were cast in productions as well. He really liked the opportunity to be part of what we thought was a really excellent production. One consideration - if you are cast in the Christmas production, you will be spending Christmas in Syracuse - but that is what the life of an actor will be like! My S also went to the drama department’s Summer in LA program and was able to see what it was like to live in LA. One thing that was not so apparent to us initially is the fact that the Newhouse School has a number of alums in LA that are writers, casting directors, casting agents, etc. and there is a significant LA alumni network in LA. Syracuse in LA has its own Facebook page. I am sure my S would have been content in other acting programs but Syracuse was a good fit for him. The drama students can get into The Bubble but he had non-drama student friends. There will be a Big (upperclass drama student) appointed for each Little (Freshman). The Big will mentor his or her Little. There are a number of student productions, as well as Syracuse drama department productions, playwrights; festival productions and Syracuse Stage productions. My S did participate in regular Syracuse activities - he attended lectures, concerts, just about anything where there was going to be free food! He rushed for a fraternity - in character - and his made up persona was invited to join the really wild, well-known national fraternity (he declined to join). He is athletic and so he participated in outdoor activities in the surrounding area - backpacking, hiking, skiing, etc. Here is a link to an article about the best theaters at colleges -and I must admit somewhat surprisingly that Syracuse Stage is on the list. Best of luck to all who are mulling their choices and trying to decide. Feel free to pm me with any questions. </p>
The opportunity to work in a professional stage environment is pretty great.</p>