<p>It's a start I guess, if you could add or subtract a name, and give a reason, it would be much appreciated. Could you guys tell me your opinions on the programs listed? Thanks!</p>
<ol>
<li>Marymount Manhattan</li>
<li>University of the Arts</li>
<li>Emerson</li>
<li>AMDA</li>
<li>Pace U.</li>
<li>Boston Conservatory</li>
<li>NYU (Steinhardt)</li>
<li>Roosevelt
9.Columbia</li>
<li>Wichita State</li>
</ol>
<p>Oh yeah, I thought this was self-explanatory, but this is a Musical Theatre major.</p>
<p>These schools are all very different. You may want to look at the Big List of MT schools at the top of the forum for more suggestions. Do you want a university or a conservatory? City campus or more traditional college campus? Voice emphasis or acting or dance? What size school do you want? What part of the country? What else do you want from your college-- strong academics, Greek life, sports, etc…? Or all arts all the time? Budget? Answers to these questions may help fine tune your list.</p>
<p>There are several schools on there that I wouldn’t consider Top Ten in reputation (which is not necessarily the same thing as Top Ten in training quality, I hasten to add).</p>
<p>There really isn’t any kind of official Top Ten for MT. As Vvnstar says, it depends on what you want.</p>
<p>You omitted the five that would be at or near the top in my own Top Ten list of Musical Theatre BFA schools. In no particular order: University of Michigan, Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), Ithaca College, University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), and Hartt School of Music at University of Hartford. Some others often seen in “top ten” lists, that have great reputations, are Otterbein, Penn State, Rider, Point Park, Florida State, Oklahoma City University, and a bunch more.</p>
<p>Grades and test scores have to be great for NYU and Columbia. D applied to both and was accepted to NYU Steinhardt and got a no from Columbia. 32 ACT 4.0 GPA. </p>
<p>@princesssjpmom thanks- Now I’m going to TOTALLY hit the books hard. Thanks!!</p>
<p>And don’t forget to look at the “Sticker Shock” thread before you make your list. None of these schools are cheap but some are much more expensive than others.</p>
<p>broadwaybum - Columbia University or Columbia College in Chicago?
Columbia College would be considered a “safety” in that there is no audition to be admitted, but there is an audition in Sophomore year to enter the BFA program. Columbia College was one of my son’s safeties, and I’m glad he had it as an option.</p>
<p>Your “top 10” list may be perfect for you, but it is also a perfect example of why everyone needs to research and create their own lists. Only one of the schools on your list was on our D’s list of 14 schools, and was nowhere near the top.</p>
<p>To see the lists of schools others chose to apply to in past years, I’d reference the DECISIONS BACKGROUND threads from previous audition seasons. <a href=“Final Decisions; BACKGROUND, Class of 2016 - Musical Theater Major - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/1304880-final-decisions-background-class-of-2016.html</a> </p>
<p>For example, here are the schools some people in the class of 2016 applied to from that year’s BACKGROUND thread:</p>
<p>Applied to: FSU (but not for theatre), Rutgers (BFA MG), Penn State (MT), Northern Illinois (BFA Acting)</p>
<p>Applied to: Wagner College MT, Rider MT, Pace MT, Stockton (not for MT, just safe school)</p>
<p>Applied to: Northwestern, Yale, Brown, University of Michigan, CCM, CMU, NYU, Penn State, Syracuse, Evansville, U of Oklahoma, Emerson, Webster</p>
<p>Applied to (20): CCU, Otterbein, Texas State, Oklahoma City, University of Miami, Point Park, Sante Fe, Elon, Baldwin-Wallace, Montclair, Marymount Manhattan, University of Oklahoma, Ithaca, Pace, Ohio Northern, NYU, Webster, Roosevelt/CCPA, Millikin, Evansville</p>
<p>Applied to (9): Baldwin-Wallace, Ball State, CCM, Elon, U of Mich, U of Oklahoma, Otterbein, Pace, Point Park</p>
<p>APPLIED: UMich, CMU, CCM, PSU, Emerson, Boston Conservatory</p>
<p>APPLIED: Northwestern, Carnegie Mellon, Indiana U., Oklahoma City U.; Oklahoma; Belmont, Webster, Penn State, CCM, Baldwin Wallace, Boston Conservatory, TCU</p>
<p>APPLIED: Indiana, Ithaca, Michigan, Shenandoah, Syracuse, Univ. of Miami, Texas State, Wright State</p>
<p>APPLIED: CMU, CCM, BoCo, Roosevelt, Ithaca, NYU, FSU, Penn State, Northern Colorado, Elon, Texas state</p>
<p>Applied: University of Hartford/The Hartt School, Baldwin-Wallace, CCM, Boston conservatory</p>
<p>Applied: Ithaca, Point Park, CCM, Florida State, BOCO, Michigan, Baldwin-Wallace, CMU, Oklahoma City University, Indiana Jacobs (voice), Northwestern (voice)</p>
<p>@momcares Thanks!!! I am looking into their programs now, and will be applying to some! thanks, I appreciate it!</p>
<p>I think more research should be encouraged here. There are at least one or two schools on your list that I would actively recommend AGAINST going to (AMDA being the top). The others are great, but it depends on what needs you need filled. What EXACTLY are your strengths? What do you hope to accomplish in your four years (yes, four years!)? How important is national reputation? Showcases? Alumni? </p>
<p>@theaterhiringco I am strongest in voice, and my dance needs minimal work, so I am more interested in an acting focus. I have since improved my list to this…
University of the Arts
Pace University
NYU Steinhardt
Emerson College
Texas State University
Carnegie Mellon
University of Michigan (Ann Arbor)
AMDA
Penn State
Ithaca College
Rider University
University of Hartford
Elon University
Wagner College
SUNY Fredonia
Montclair State
Point Park University
Columbia College</p>
<p>So I’ll be the broken record - again. If you are looking for an MT program with strong acting training, take a look at Coastal Carolina University. </p>
<p>Those are all well-regarded programs and very selective.</p>
<p>What are your finances like? Some of these schools will cost you $40-60 thousand dollars a year, and you are likely to get no financial help</p>
<p>@prodesse I promise that I am well aware. I am getting in early in the game so I am not totally dependent on what I don’t know, but Columbia is my safety, and I will put my blood sweat and tears in anyway! Thanks!</p>
<p>@katestyles My parent have about 45 thousand in the bank for myself (They always planned on me being this “financially ambitious”) And I will take whatever money problems come my way. I am the oldest of four, and I plan to pay off the rest myself. Thanks!</p>
<p>I got to see the preview of the Senior Showcase at Coastal Carolina today and you should absolutely add Coastal Carolina on your list… it was spectacular!! In addition each student was a complete individual with no cookie cutter or stamp on any one!!!</p>
<p>If you are looking for an acting focus, Shenandoah has just added Meisner Master Teacher Larry Silverberg to the faculty. He has trained the acting faculty at many of the schools listed in this post and is passionate about integrating the Meisner work into musical theatre.</p>
<p>~VT</p>
<p>@NAtlantaStudio @voiceteacher THANK YOU!! I’ll be checking those out!</p>
<p>Wright State also has a strong acting focus.</p>