Emerson verses Muhlenberg

Lady Mac · 03-31-2008, 02:01 AM

My S received a very nice financial package from Muhlenberg which exites me BUT he also received an acceptance at Emerson(which excites him) with a lesser package. Does anyone think that he might have just as good of an education and experience at Muhlenberg as at Emerson..or am I comparing apples to oranges?
He was also waitlisted at Syracuse which would have been an ideal college because he also wants to study classic literature! I suppose it would be warmer running in and out of buildings in the city than trecking across campus in the wind and snow!!!!

soozievt · 03-31-2008, 08:58 AM

As far as getting "as good of an education"....the answer is a resounding "yes." Both schools are excellent. They are simply very different as one is a BFA and one is a BA (let alone other differences like location). But one thing you mention seems of significance to me....you say that your S would like to also study classic literature. Well, at Emerson, this would be very difficult to do with a BFA, let alone they do not have a classic literature department. They have liberal arts but the main focus at the school is communication and the arts. At Muhlenberg, he can put together a very strong theater/voice/dance program for himself, but also study classic literature. If that matters to him, then the 'berg is more fitting.

karenteic · 03-31-2008, 09:13 AM

Emerson seems to be really "hot" with the kids now. My D and her friend's first choice. I liked their facilities over other places I saw. I didn't see Muhlenberg. Boston is one big huge college town which has to be a factor for the kids. My daughter didn't get into any BFAs so now she is even thinking of applying to UMASS Boston and Salem State just so she can stay in Boston, over her Penn State acceptance. It is a fun town for the kids and they have access to the train and Harvard Square and relatively safe. It is a great place to transition into New York, if that's eventually where they want to end up.

My D would have done anything for your S spot.

I identify with your financial concerns, those packages are hard to pass up and our children don't really understand the significance of them.

jec7483 · 03-31-2008, 12:07 PM

Penn State main campus?

karenteic · 03-31-2008, 12:28 PM

No; Erie campus for their Creative Writing BFA. She didn't get academically accepted to Penn State - University Park on top of not making it into MT there.

Academically, I think she is stronger than Salem State, but it seems to have somewhat of a developed Theater program and maybe could try a transfer again next year.

soozievt · 03-31-2008, 12:40 PM

The nice thing at Salem State is that she can enter the BA in Theater for Performance and after one semester, audition to get into their BFA. Might be a great option for the coming year and if she likes it, she can try for their BFA and do the rest of college there. If not, she can transfer.

cktsing · 03-31-2008, 07:26 PM

Hi LadyMac

Congratulations on your S's acceptance into both programs.

My D also got into Emerson (today's mail) but the financial aid package was the least she has been offered, and includes no merit scholarship. I am curious- the letter says that a letter from the department head regarding her BFA acceptance will follow. Does anyone know if possibly there could be an additional merit offer in that letter?

While my D is only looking at the program and location, I am trying to factor in the financial factor too. She got a much better offer from BoCo, but that school is also more expensive.

Yikes- who would ever have guessed when we started saving for her college 18 years ago that we would be looking at $40-50,000/ year plus!!!

JudyL · 03-31-2008, 09:23 PM

cktsing

My son was admitted to Emerson back in December for stage management (early action). A letter from the BFA theatre department chair came several weeks later (with no word of merit of financial aid). He learned about 2-3 weeks ago that he did not get any merit scholarships from Emerson. It was the only school that did not give him any merit scholarship. Muhlenberg was the most generous.

tiffw · 04-01-2008, 09:12 AM

cktsing-
When my D received her Emerson acceptance packet, there were two separate letters enclosed. The first was the letter of acceptance into the program. The second letter was a notification of a merit award/scholarship. I spoke with the Emerson admissions office today, and during that call I asked them about your question -- are there separate artistic awards to be sent out later? They said that all the scholarship awards at Emerson are based on the overall picture -- academics/artistic achievement/extracurricular activities, etc. Also, she said that all scholarships have been sent out, so if you have not received a notice of one yet, you likely won't be getting one. But if you have any questions, just give them a call -- they were very nice and willing to help.