<p>So I have a dilema:
I got into seven schools and I can't decide which to got to. I got into all the theatre programs, and got decent financial aid for all except NYU, so the likelihood that I could go there is slim to none. Any help would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>Wagner College
Emerson College
NYU- Tisch School of the Arts
Pace University
Marymount Manhattan College
Adelphi University
Drew University</p>
<p>colinH: all of these programs are good ones, and you are the only one who can decide which is “best” for you. I think first you should determine whether you prefer a BFA or a BA program – that decision alone will eliminate several programs. Then, do you prefer urban or suburban? Again, this might narrow your choices.
Next, have you visited all of these schools? If not, you should. Each school has a distinct personality; you will probably find that some of the schools feel more like home. You might also try contacting some current students at each of the schools; chat a bit with them to get a feel for the programs.
Congratulations on having so many options – best wishes to you.</p>
<p>While D is of course ultimately the one to choose we welcome any insight or info beyond the packaged brochures for these schools. Due to finances we could not visit. D is loves acting but has possible desire to pursue other intellectual activities), including directing, writing and social change through theater. Here’s the list</p>
<p>Elon (BA didn’t get to audition)
BU (BFA program)
USC (BA)
Northwestern
Bennington
Hampshire
Ithaca (BA - didn’t get to audition)
Marlboro</p>
<p>Vassar (waitlist)
Emory (waitlist)
Macalester (waitlist)</p>
<p>She is creative, out of the box, reasonably disciplined and self driven, social activist.
Assume all the financials are equal but we live in the Northeast.</p>
<p>If she loves musical theatre, BU is great. Otherwise, Northwestern is probably the best for BFA, I don’t know about theatre major in BA program but I assume that it should be good. Bennington and Hampshire are good places for “out of the box” people, as long as they are self-motivated, they can get extraordinary academic education (a lot of one-on-one faculty attention, especially at Hampshire). If there are no financial/geographical reasons to consider the following, I would take them off the list: Elon, Ithaca, Marlboro. </p>
<p>Among the places that waitlisted your daughter, I would very much hope for Vassar but I would prefer Northwestern, BU and probably Benn. & Hampshire to Emory and probably also to Macal.</p>
<p>Hi, so I’m going to respond with as much knowledge as I have, so excuse me when I skip the colleges that I don’t know much about.</p>
<p>BU: An excellent BFA school. BU is very focused on acting in the undergraduate BFA. Students will not take many classes outside the major. Ultimately, BU’s goal is to create beautiful actors and actresses, with a focus on technique. For many, this philosophy may feel stifling, like technique is being stuffed down their throat. For others, maybe those who really don’t want a broader education in the liberal arts, this environment is the perfect place. For acting, there is a specific sequence of classes to take, and your D will not be able to deviate from her prescribed schedule. If for whatever reason your daughter figures out after freshman year that she wants to explore other areas in theatre, (directing, playwriting) the Theatre Arts major (a subsection of the theatre school) would allow her to do so. Double majoring is next to impossible. It is also a bit difficult to get a minor.</p>
<p>USC (BA): The BA at USC sits in conjunction with the BFA program, which scares a lot of people away from the program. However, from all accounts there is a lot of balance within the theatre program, and most BA students feel that they graduate with a lot of on stage experience. Besides on stage, it is hard to deny that USC’s film school is one of the best and the brightest, with film students constantly needing student actors. USC BA students are always in films, mostly because the BFA students are sitting in class learning technique all day, and the BA students have time to get on the job experience. If film acting is THE career path, then LA is the way to go. The contacts you can make, along with the specific navigation of the LA entertainment industry you will gain can be invaluable. BA students can double major, and will get a broader liberal arts degree, taking classes in a variety of subjects. Freshman year starts off with all BA students in Introduction to Acting. The BFA students will be in a different class called Acting I. In the Intro the Acting class, there is a good chance that you will have non majors enrolled. However, after this class, most of your classes will be all theatre majors, many being mixed between BFA and BA students. BA students can pick and choose their own classes, almost designing their own major. So your D could take all acting classes, or decide to mix in directing, playwriting, etc. You can easily double major or minor. YOU WILL NOT GET THIS FLEXIBILITY IN A BFA PROGRAM. There are about 30-35 productions a year, with 5 being “mainstage” shows put on by the department. There are BFA only shows, as well as BA only shows, and mixed shows. There is only one musical a year, and a small music theatre program. Students interested in directing can also petition the department to help fund shows, with X number of $2,000 grants being given out to a select number of students.</p>
<p>Northwestern: For the person who posted above, NU is a BA program, not a BFA program. However, this program is almost the best of both worlds. To graduate, there are a lot of distribution requirements to be filled, meaning that your D will take a foreign language, a science, an english, a theatre history class (academic core classes). NU does this because they feel that in order to understand theatre, a student must understand the world first. This in a way is the anti-BFA in that a broad world view comes first, technique comes second. In the freshman year, all 100 of the incoming theatre majors take a theatre history class together. They are then broken into subsections to take a voice and movement class. Please note that freshman year there are NO ACTING CLASSES. Students can audition for shows in their freshman year, but there will be no acting classes. Acting classes start sophomore year, with all students choosing their professor, who will become their acting teacher for the next 3 years. Sophomore year students study movement and limited textual work. By junior year text will be added, with Greek/Romans 1st quarter, Shakespeare 2nd quarter, and Modern Styles 3rd quarter. NU is on a quarter system, meaning that students take about 4 classes a quarter. There are 3 “quarters” with the 4th being summer session. Yes, this means that the average NU student takes 12 classes a year! Which makes it easy to double major. If I were to describe NU in one word it would be theatre. There are always (yes, always) at least 2 shows a weekend. Sometimes there are as many as 4. Every show has a performance at 8 and another at 11, ensuring that people can see 2 shows a night. That adds up to over 60 shows a year, 7 being “mainstage” shows put on by the department. As for student productions, there are about 9 student-run theatre companies, all with a different seasons. If you are affiliated with a company, you will work in a variety of different roles: directing, stage managing, producing, doing tech work … you name it.</p>
<p>Sorry I just went on and on about Northwestern, but I just got back from visiting there. I also know a lot more about USC (BA) that I probably forgot to touch on. Clearly, I’m biased towards the BA programs, but that’s only because it gives you the liberal arts education, and allows a person to study different fields of interest. Too many BFA actors leave with a limited view of the world, and technique can only sustain you for so long. </p>
<p>Ultimately, I would go to the place where I felt I could learn and grow the most. Keep us posted on the final decision!</p>
<p>Hi, so I’m going to respond with as much knowledge as I have, so excuse me when I skip the colleges that I don’t know much about.</p>
<p>BU: An excellent BFA school. BU is very focused on acting in the undergraduate BFA. Students will not take many classes outside the major. Ultimately, BU’s goal is to create beautiful actors and actresses, with a focus on technique. For many, this philosophy may feel stifling, like technique is being stuffed down their throat. For others, maybe those who really don’t want a broader education in the liberal arts, this environment is the perfect place. For acting, there is a specific sequence of classes to take, and your D will not be able to deviate from her prescribed schedule. If for whatever reason your daughter figures out after freshman year that she wants to explore other areas in theatre, (directing, playwriting) the Theatre Arts major (a subsection of the theatre school) would allow her to do so. Double majoring is next to impossible. It is also a bit difficult to get a minor.</p>
<p>USC (BA): The BA at USC sits in conjunction with the BFA program, which scares a lot of people away from the program. However, from all accounts there is a lot of balance within the theatre program, and most BA students feel that they graduate with a lot of on stage experience. Besides on stage, it is hard to deny that USC’s film school is one of the best and the brightest, with film students constantly needing student actors. USC BA students are always in films, mostly because the BFA students are sitting in class learning technique all day, and the BA students have time to get on the job experience. If film acting is THE career path, then LA is the way to go. The contacts you can make, along with the specific navigation of the LA entertainment industry you will gain can be invaluable. BA students can double major, and will get a broader liberal arts degree, taking classes in a variety of subjects. Freshman year starts off with all BA students in Introduction to Acting. The BFA students will be in a different class called Acting I. In the Intro the Acting class, there is a good chance that you will have non majors enrolled. However, after this class, most of your classes will be all theatre majors, many being mixed between BFA and BA students. BA students can pick and choose their own classes, almost designing their own major. So your D could take all acting classes, or decide to mix in directing, playwriting, etc. You can easily double major or minor. YOU WILL NOT GET THIS FLEXIBILITY IN A BFA PROGRAM. There are about 30-35 productions a year, with 5 being “mainstage” shows put on by the department. There are BFA only shows, as well as BA only shows, and mixed shows. There is only one musical a year, and a small music theatre program. Students interested in directing can also petition the department to help fund shows, with X number of $2,000 grants being given out to a select number of students.</p>
<p>Northwestern: For the person who posted above, NU is a BA program, not a BFA program. However, this program is almost the best of both worlds. To graduate, there are a lot of distribution requirements to be filled, meaning that your D will take a foreign language, a science, an english, a theatre history class (academic core classes). NU does this because they feel that in order to understand theatre, a student must understand the world first. This in a way is the anti-BFA in that a broad world view comes first, technique comes second. In the freshman year, all 100 of the incoming theatre majors take a theatre history class together. They are then broken into subsections to take a voice and movement class. Please note that freshman year there are NO ACTING CLASSES. Students can audition for shows in their freshman year, but there will be no acting classes. Acting classes start sophomore year, with all students choosing their professor, who will become their acting teacher for the next 3 years. Sophomore year students study movement and limited textual work. By junior year text will be added, with Greek/Romans 1st quarter, Shakespeare 2nd quarter, and Modern Styles 3rd quarter. NU is on a quarter system, meaning that students take about 4 classes a quarter. There are 3 “quarters” with the 4th being summer session. Yes, this means that the average NU student takes 12 classes a year! Which makes it easy to double major. If I were to describe NU in one word it would be theatre. There are always (yes, always) at least 2 shows a weekend. Sometimes there are as many as 4. Every show has a performance at 8 and another at 11, ensuring that people can see 2 shows a night. That adds up to over 60 shows a year, 7 being “mainstage” shows put on by the department. As for student productions, there are about 9 student-run theatre companies, all with a different seasons. If you are affiliated with a company, you will work in a variety of different roles: directing, stage managing, producing, doing tech work … you name it.</p>
<p>Sorry I just went on and on about Northwestern, but I just got back from visiting there. I also know a lot more about USC (BA) that I probably forgot to touch on. Clearly, I’m biased towards the BA programs, but that’s only because it gives you the liberal arts education, and allows a person to study different fields of interest. Too many BFA actors leave with a limited view of the world, and technique can only sustain you for so long. </p>
<p>Ultimately, I would go to the place where I felt I could learn and grow the most. Keep us posted on the final decision!</p>
<p>Regarding Boston University (BU), rebeccag711 says, “for many, this may feel stifling, like technique is being stuffed down their throat.”</p>
<p>To me, this seems like an odd comment. My son attends BU and loves it. People who go there want to concentrate on learning to act. (If you were talking about, say, Juilliard, would you say that training is being stuffed down students’ throats?) </p>
<p>In addition, the Theatre Arts track at BU is highly prized. Students in it can learn as much “technique” as they desire, while also exploring other areas. Only one other school that I know of has a Theatre Arts degree that is a BFA rather than a BA. The flexibility that you say, in your USC comments, is not available in a BFA program, is available at BU to a large degree.</p>
<p>With Theatre Arts, a minor is possible. My son will be minoring in Dance.</p>
<p>Whether to pursue a BFA or BA is a very personal decision. Some students are academic high-achievers from rigorous high schools, with lots of AP classes, etc, and feel reasonably “educated” before entering college…whereas their opportunities for training in the performing arts may have been limited.</p>
<p>Speaking of flexibility in a BFA…along the lines of the BFA in Theater Arts at BU…there are some programs that have this but are not called “Theater Arts”. I realize many programs do not have this flexibility, however. But I will point out that Tisch (since it is on the OP’s list) does have this flexibility. For instance, at Playwrights Horizons studio, which can be chosen as an advanced studio if placed in another studio for primary studio, has opportunities for directing, writing, producing, tech, etc. Further, my own kid at Tisch, who wasn’t even in that studio, also was a musical director of productions while at Tisch and also wrote, composed, and produced her own show as well. So, just putting out there that if someone wants that kind of BFA where you can train as an actor but do these other things, that is also possible at Tisch.</p>
<p>From a New Yorker profile of Oskar Eustis, the artistic director of the Public Theatre/New York Shakespeare Festival (3/22/10 edition, article entitled “Stage Left”):</p>
<p>“Eustis, who is on the faculty of the NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, is dauntingly well read, although he dropped out of college before graduating.”</p>
<p>My point: There are people who have come far and are autodidacts. :)</p>
<p>Good point, NJTheatreMom, and a good article. The jury is still decidedly out on whether getting a BFA in theater can make you an actor. Certainly it can equip you with many of the tools. It’s instructive to check the bios of your favorite actors and see how many of them got their degrees in something else, or got no degree at all. There is a story about Nadia Boulanger, the great teacher of many well known 20th century musicians. A young man came to try to study with her. equipped with many awards, prizes and degrees from prestigious places. He played for her. After a long silence, she said, “But my dear, you are not a musician. There is nothing I can do for you.” Without that magic fire within, all the classes in harmony, counterpoint, orchestration, solfege, and so on, would not in the end make a musician. I suspect there’s a bit of that in acting as well.</p>
<p>uhm, don’t mean to be pushy, but could i have some feedback on my original question please?</p>
<p>If you take NYU out of the equation for financial reasons, there is no doubt in my mind that you should choose Emerson. Wonderful program, prestigious, lots of personal attention because it’s a small school…and you’re in an incredible, fun college town. That’s my two cents…since you asked.</p>
<p>Congratulations on your acceptances! 
They are ALL good programs and if they are all available options financially except NYU, you should pick the best fit. Of course, no one on CC knows you personally and you didn’t give any info on what you want in a school/theatre program so it’s very hard to say which program might be the best fit for you. </p>
<p>Have you been able to visit since you first posted your question? Have you been able to narrow the list at all? Onstage gave you very good advice on how you could do this. </p>
<p>So…dropping NYU since you said the chances of you being able to go are slim to none, what are your gut feelings about the remaining 6 programs? Which ones are you MOST excited about and why? Some of the schools you listed have BA and BFA options so it would also help to know which specific programs you got into and above all, which degree you prefer, if you have a preference.</p>
<p>My S’s favorite two schools were different degree programs and ultimately that is what helped him make the decision. Your daily life will be very different in a BFA program then it will in most BA programs.</p>
<p>colinH – I think onstage’s advice is spot on.</p>
<p>There is no way for us to tell you which school is “best” because it is all about best fit. From your other posts it sounds as if NYU was your first choice, but that attendance is cost prohibitive. I agree with others who have responded that taking on that sort of debt at the start of your career could be crippling. My roommate in NYC years ago was paying off Tisch on her own (and this was when the COA was “only” $20,000 per year). There were MANY wonderful entry level performing opportunities that she could not take because they did not pay enough to cover the cost of her loan payments. </p>
<p>It may help you sort through your feelings about the other schools if you identify what made Tisch your first choice? Location? Combination of academic rigor with strong training? Size of school? Size of studio classes? Performance opportunities? Professional connections? Study abroad? Etc… Etc… Etc…</p>
<p>Of the other schools on your list which will offer you the educational experience that best meets your selection criteria? At which school will you accrue the least debt? Balance all of the pros and cons… including cost.</p>
<p>You still have about 10 days before you need to make a final decision. If it is still possible, try to visit the top contenders on your list. At the very least contact the programs and ask to be put in touch via email with current students and alums.</p>
<p>I do not know much about Adelphi or Drew. I know students in BFA MT and the graduate acting programs at Pace who love the it there. It is a newer program and I think there is a lot of vital energy there. Seems that there are a lot of performing opportunities and that students are also encouraged to take advantage of opportunities around NYC. Marymount’s BFA program sounds very focused and intense. I have heard in the past that there were limited on-campus performing opportunities. Talk to current students to see if this is indeed the case. I have known more musical theatre performers who have graduated from Wagner. They are a Theatre Arts program that has a lot of musical theatre and dance opportunity. Emerson is a college focused on communication and the arts. The BFA program has a cut after the sophomore year, but I believe that students cut from the BFA can continue in the BA program? Many of the alumni I have met from Emerson seem to stay in the Boston area for a bit post graduation. Not sure if this is common or not. </p>
<p>I am sure you are probably disappointed about the cost of NYU, but you have a lot of exciting options.</p>
<p>Good Luck!</p>
<p>Cross posted with sandkmom… Great advice there too! :)</p>