ErWill

Hello everyone! I am deciding between Syracuse's musical theatre program and NYU's acting program for the Atlantic Acting Company. I have visited both and LOVED both, and I never thought that deciding would be so hard. My issue is that I know I would get amazing acting training at NYU with great networking opportunities and I would be in the amazing NYC, but at Syracuse I would get amazing musical theatre training in a smaller program with more personal attention. Add to the mix that NYU is so expensive where we would have to take loans out and at SU I have a very nice scholarship...
They are insanely different, but so so great in their own ways. Does anyone have any ideas in order for me to finally decide where I am going next year?? I would appreciate it more than you know.

ErWill

also, does anyone have insight into how alums do from each respective school? I havent heard much about how Syracuse students do after graduation.

onstage

I can't give you specific percentages or even names. However, I have a number of friends in the industry in NYC -- agents, performers, directors -- and all have told me that Syracuse graduates have a good reputation and work frequently. The program is well-known and quite respected among professionals in the city.

NewbieMTMom

I do not know anything about NYU but what I've learned about Syracuse in recent months is the following:

Syracuse Drama has some very famous alums like Aaron Sorkin, Taye Diggs, Vanessa Williams, Frank Langella, Jerry Stiller, Suzanne Pleshette, et al, and a host of other working actors less well known but currently on Broadway, in movies and on TV.

What's nice about Syracuse is that you get a very strong acting program when you're in MT. Jim Clark said the BFA MTs get as many acting classes as the acting BFAs. Also, you benefit from the professionals working at Syracuse Stage all the time -- and one of the musicals during the school year is a collaboration with Syracuse Stage and Syracuse Drama -- students working alongside professionals. Finally, you get the Tepper semester in NYC as well as the Globe Theatre semester in London plus a senior showcase at a theatre in Times Square (the name escapes me) but it is the same theatre that CMU does its showcase in.

Another piece of good news we just learned about Syracuse -- the chancellor is "arts friendly."

KatMT

Grads from both of these programs are successful as performers after graduation. The training is strong at both...

I went to Syracuse for undergrad as a BFA MT and we did take all of the same acting classes as the BFA actors. This was one of the reasons I chose Syracuse many moons ago. I too was deciding between NYU and Syracuse... at that time CAP21 was not a part of NYU (and there was not a musical theatre studio that you could enter before your junior year), so I was deciding between an acting studio at NYU, and musical theatre at Syracuse and a few others. In the end I decided that Syracuse felt like the right place for me to be, the environment, the training, the people, the finances. I have many friends who graduated from NYU and they felt it was the right place for them to be.... it is a tough decision, but in the end only you can make it... it doesn't matter if everyone else thinks you should make one choice... if you feel right about the other, it is the right choice.

Ultimately, you have to decide the kind of educational environment, location, you are looking for... also consider the specific classes you would be taking.... what will your academic days look like at each school... how much of your day in studio classes, how much in academics, what kinds of studio classes will you take. Obviously, going to college in Syracuse, NY will be a different college expereience than going to college in NYC... do you have a sense of which one you might prefer?

Get a little more feedback from people, make pros and cons lists, then -- go with your gut!

You have great options! Congratulations!

Mary C

My daughter is also trying to make her final decision about school. As a friend in the "business" said to her, "You can't go wrong with any of your choices. Each one will give you great training and give you a good foundation for work after college. You need to go where you think you will be happy. Otherwise, you won't be able to pour yourself into your training. If you aren't happy at college, you won't get out of the school what you need to." This really hit home with my daughter and with me! So now, we are going back to visit a couple of schools so that my daughter can really get a feel for the students and the campus environment as a whole.

Just a thought in decision making process! I know that it really helped us turn a corner in our decision making process.

Good luck!

PS - We are headed to Syracuse next week! It is one of our top choices.

ErWill

Thank you so much to everyone for their input! It is so valuable to hear from people going through the same situation, and I am taking all of your advice to heart.
Good luck to everyone still making a decision, and congrats to everyone on a great year! Hopefully my decision will be final soon : )

LocoMom

My daughter had choices too and picked Syracuse acting. She is very happy with Syracuse in every way as she finishes her freshman year. She love her teachers, friends, and the program.

NewbieMTMom

Good to know LocoMom. My D is going to attend for MT in the fall. If there are any others who attend or are parents of Syracuse Acting or MT students on CC, I would love to hear how you like the program. Thanks!

LocoMom

Let me know if u or your D have any questions.