| For one thing, you don't need to make a decision. Apply Regular Decision and then the decision will be made FOR you and if you get into both, it will be next April and you will know more to decide. CMU does not have ED for the BFA program, only NYU does.
I'll comment a bit here....for one thing, the odds of getting into these programs are very difficult ones and so I'm not sure you need to worry about which is a first choice at this point because it is best not to pine away for just one school when it is so slim to even get in. CMU auditioned 1200 kids for 9 MT and 18 Acting slots last year (and no extras due to yield, but do go to a waitlist if people do not take the offer). Are you a girl? The odds are harder at all the programs for a girl. But last year, at CMU, they took 6 boys and 3 girls. So, even if you are the most talented kid on the planet, these odds are nothing you can count on but you should go for it, of course. NYU has a much bigger class but a very low acceptance rate in the single digits for the BFA in musical theater. Again, can't count on it. With programs of this calibur, you need to apply to many. Naturally everyone has their favorites but it might not be worth it to figure out which is the first choice school until you see what April brings. Very few of these programs have Early Decision but NYU does. I would advise you to apply ED to NYU ONLY IF you are certain you want to go there over everywhere else. But if you wait until April to hear from all schools, you will be able to compare your offers and pros/cons and how they meet your criteria.
You said you wish you knew more to make a decision....the best way to know more is to go visit, talk to current students and faculty, get all the written materials, and so on. But you really have no decision that is necessary. You don't have to have a first choice. It is actually better to like many schools when the odds of admission are this selective. IF you are considering applying ED to NYU, make sure you have visited at least one other program that is a favorite in order to make an informed decision to apply early. ED may not be the best route for you. Only do it if you have a CLEAR first choice school.
Good luck. My D loved both those programs. She is about to enter NYU and was waitlisted at CMU. She did not apply ED because she had a couple favorites. She visited them all eventually and then waited to see where she got in and made her choices amongst her acceptances. As I said, the decision is likely to be made for you to some degree. Everyone has favorites but I encourage you to like more than one school. If you are fortunate to be able to pick from several acceptances, then you can go with the favorites. Having one first choice has the potential for setting oneself up for disappointment. Though ED is a possibility if the first choice is far and away a favorite. I can't tell if this is what your decision concerns or not. If you are not looking to apply ED, then no need to have to decide a first choice at this juncture. Again, research every program thoroughly. You will see that very few have ED. Some have rolling or EA.
Good luck....
Susan |