Why did you select the school that you did?

College Majors Musical Theater Major
1

<p>At the recommendation of MTMommy (no relation to MTPapa), I thought I would start a new thread on why students selected the school they did. </p>

<p>In our case, our daughter applied to 8 schools, got accepted at 7, got waitlisted at 1, and was admitted to 5 programs: Arizona State University (vocal performance), Oklahoma City University (theater performance), Rockford College (musical theater), Shenandoah University (musical theater), and Syracuse University (musical theater).</p>

<p>I think she chose Syracuse University for several reasons. First, we visited the campus in the summer of 2004 and she immediately feel in love with it: the buildings, the grounds, the people, even the air. Syracuse just resonated with her and she felt like she could easily spend 4 years of her life there. The overcast days and snow during the winter didn't phase her. In fact, she told me that she'd prefer going to a school where there are seasons. </p>

<p>Second, I think she really wanted a big school experience, just like her older brother had at the University of Washington in Seattle. She's a big sports fan and is looking forward to the Division I sports that Syracuse has to offer. Big schools aren't for everyone, but in the case of my children, they both wanted larger campuses. </p>

<p>Third, she was really, really impressed with the musical theater curriculum and faculty. The faculty, in particular, seemed to genuinely care about the students. As we wandered around the department, we sensed a warmth and friendliness among faculty and students and felt that it would be a wonderful, nurturing kind of environment to spend the next 4 years. We felt the same about Shenandoah University in Virginia in general, and faculty member Lara Teeter in particular.</p>

<p>Finally, I think she liked the fact that she could study abroad in London her junior year, spend time at the Tepper Center in New York her senior year, and if she were selected for any performances at Syracuse Stage, could begin to earn equity points. In the final analysis, I think these were big, big pluses in her final decision. </p>

<p>I hope the aforementioned is helpful and informative. I'll be interested to hear what other CC posters have to say.</p>

<p>MTPapa</p>

2

<p>Congrats on your daughter's acceptances! I have a very good friend who's son is a freshman in the MT program and absolutely adores it!!! I'm sure it will be a great experience for your daughter too! I heard they cut down on the acceptances this year - so kudos to your daughter for getting into such a competitive program!</p>

3

<p>MTPapa, congratultions to your D on her tremendous success in the college admissions/auditioning process. I am sure she will be happy and successful wherever she goes.</p>

<p>I am interested that you said you visited SU during the summer and were still able to get a sense of the departments, kids, faculty. Does SU hold a summer session for college students? I ask this because other people on this board have suggested that summer is NOT the ideal time to make college visits, as it is sometimes difficult at that time (when school is not in regular session) to ascertain the real "feel" of the place. I work at a private university and do see many families visiting -- and touring -- during the summer, and imagine we will have to do the same, mostly due to my D's very tight schedule during the school year. It's good to know you and your family felt that a summer visit <em>did</em> provide you with needed info.</p>

<p>It's good to know, too, that your D doesn't mind the idea of ice and cold and snow. I grew up in a suburb of Syracuse and they average 100" of snow a year. Plus, it is considered one of the cloudiest cities in the country. As a child, I thought it was hot and humid when the thermometer reached 78-degrees Fahrenheit! Now that I live in Baltimore, that makes me laugh. But it's all relative. Just make sure your D (if she is not accustomed to a lot of snow and ice) brings plenty of warm clothes, sweaters, layers and some good, sturdy boots. She will need them! :) But, as your D said, it's fun to be in a place where there are four seasons, and I am guessing that the university has sponsored ski trips, etc. (Many of my childhood friends became avid skiers. I rode horses, which is less fun in the cold and snow!:)</p>

<p>Best of luck,
Lisa, the reformed snowbird.</p>

4

<p>I'm looking at Syracuse my friend keeps telling me not to because it is JAP city, just wondering how those of you who've visited it felt about the people/social atmosphere?</p>

5

<p>bgb,</p>

<p>I may be showing some ignorance by asking, but what does JAP stand for? Or maybe I don't want to know? ????</p>

<p>SUE aka 5pants</p>

6

<p>JAP is a slang term that stands for "Jewish American Princess." I understand your desire to get a handle on the student body at Syracuse and the social atmosphere, but I feel that by using this slang terminology which frankly has negative connotations attached to it, is offensive. It is no different than asking if Black students were on campus but using a not so nice slang term to refer to them, or asking about the gay student population and using some offensive slang terms to refer to that culture, or slang terms to refer to Latinos, Islamic people, Asians, and so forth. I'd much prefer to hear about the make up of the student body, the types the school seems to attract or first hand accounts of the social life on campus. Asking about the Jewish population is a very valid question. But I know you were not asking how many Jews in the student body. You are asking about a negative stereotype and the term is offensive to some. It may not matter to some people but it does to others. I think there are other ways to inquire about the make up of the student body and social scene and get the same information you were seeking. Thank you for being understanding and courteous, but still trying to find out information with using more acceptable terminiology rather than slang or negative connotations about certain groups of people.
Susan</p>

7

<p>Please note that this term is offensive to some, including myself, a Jewish woman who is an alumni of Syracuse University, who is not and has never been a "princess".
And Sue do not feel bad that you are not familar with the term. I had no idea what it meant either until I went to college and and heard people stereotyping other Jewish girls this way. In fact as a grad student at SU I was studying at the library(1980) and saw "GO home JAP" written on the study desk!
So maybe the better question is what are a schools' attomsphere in regards to diversity and acceptance of all people.</p>

8

<p>Going back to the original topic of the thread, I would say that I chose NYU for a few reasons. </p>

<ol>
<li>I wanted a liberal arts program as well as a BFA program</li>
<li>I wanted a city. </li>
<li>I wanted NYC. </li>
<li>The program overall appealed to my interests, as a triple threat/moderatly acting focused program. </li>
<li>I got in.</li>
</ol>

<p>Chris</p>

9

<p>Hey Chris-</p>

<p>Just wondering... do you know that CAP has a Stanislavski based acting curriculum??? Do you know if this is true? Is this appealing to you... please share! </p>

<p>-Zal</p>

10

<p>Zal, I'm not Chris but I do know that the acting training is Stanislavski-based. The other thing I can say second hand is that my D has truly loved the acting training and acting teacher so far at CAP.</p>

11

<p>evasmom and Susan,</p>

<p>I was afraid I would hear that kind of answer. Being tucked away in my little area of the world I am afraid I escape such slang. Maybe that is good in a way. Thank you for answering my question though.</p>

<p>SUE aka 5pants</p>

12

<p>I apologize, I did not realize it would have such meaning for people. Where I live it is a term thrown around all the time. In 7th grade every time someone bought something from tiffany's they were referred to as a jap. IAround me it's basically refers to the type of people who live in my area. A majority who are very materialistic. I don't know if that made any sense but I really did not mean to offend anyone. Most of the people I know who say it are jewish females to begin with.</p>

13

<p>Granted, I haven't made my absolute decision yet, but unless I get into Hartt or Ithaca with a huge scholarship, I will be going to OCU (theatre performance). </p>

<p>And frankly, I chose it because as of yet, I have not gotten into any mt programs, and the only other theatre program I got into was at UCI. Nevertheless, although I got into Emerson, UNCO, Otterbein, and Penn State academically, it's theatre (of some sort) that I want to do, and any sort of theatre is better than none at all. So I will probably be going to OCU, then. I've been reading the course catalog all day, anyway.</p>

14

<p>Sorry to continue on but I feel horrible that I offended anyone. Conotations of terms change so you don't realize the meanings they can have for other people. And honestly, I think people in the new york metro area have become so desensetized that nothing is offensive anymore. I'm just use to saying the term and having people understand what I mean which at this point has become far off from its literal. Again I'm sorry, not to stereotype but I do have a crazy jewish guilty concsience.</p>

15

<p>Babygiraffeboots, thank you for your graciousness in apologizing. I understand that the term is loosely banded about in your community, even by those who are Jewish. But it IS a slang term and does have a negative connotation. I know what it stands for but it is also a label that can be generalized to all of a religious culture if you know what I mean. It is a stereotype and not a nice one. While I understand you were using it in terms of materialistic females, there are some who would then use that terms to refer to all Jewish women. I worked in a school once where another teacher used this term and it was reported and he was disciplined by the superintendent. So, you may want to be aware of using such terms in the general population as it is an offensive slang word that some use to refer to all females of a religious group and that would offend them (as you can see here) even if it doesn't within your circle of friends. I'll consider this a "teachable moment" (that's the teacher in me). Thanks!</p>

16

<p>I completely understand as a jewish female the rich, greedy stereotype has been purposely used to offend me before (a random boy in school asked me for change and i said i didn't have have any, he then replies by asking me if i was jewish and saying "that's why", it still drives me crazy to this day). It's amazing how words can change. I could now go off in a totalt random ramble about my interest in words and how terminology changes throughout the country but I won't.</p>

<p>wow, somebody stop me.</p>

<p>Back to the topic of schools. . . . I really want an mt program that is strong in acting. It turns me off when acting isn't required every semester, I don't know if anyone has any opinions or observations on that. I know I've heard people review steinhardt productions on being weak on acting.</p>

17

<p>Babygiraffeboots,</p>

<p>Please, it is okay. I am certain no offense was taken. You are very gracious to apologize.</p>

<p>Acting based MT schools would be CMU and Webster. I think Ericsmom has an excellent handle on what schools are extremely acting based and perhaps she might chime in.</p>

<p>SUE aka 5pants</p>

18

<p>sorry, I can't help it. I'm one of those people who feels like a horrible person if they did anything other than pleasing someone. </p>

<p>I'm done, I promise!</p>

19

<p>It was not intentional, do not worry, but it just needed to be pointed out....we're done!</p>

<p>You are looking for a MT program, right? Examine the curriculum at each BFA in MT program and see the amount of acting and talk to those in the programs. Not sure if you wanted to look into Tisch (as opposed to Steinhardt) but remember, it is a DRAMA department. I know my daughter has acting every semester. She has it three days per week. I'm not sure if it is 90 min. or two hours long per class. I know they work on scenes with partners and get a lot of feedback. They have as much acting as they have voice.</p>

<p>Remember, too, that a BM degree program is going to differ from a BFA program in terms of curriculum and particularly with regard to acting.</p>

20

<p>babyg, Don't worry. I did not take any personal offense to what you said but I wanted you to know that it is an offensive term. To answer the point of your original post I would say that SU has a very varied student population and you would find people with whom you could relate no matter what your background. I personally attended three universities (yes, many years ago!) and I found all kinds of people at each one.</p>