<p>So I told my mom that I wanted to apply for NWSA in Miami, and my mom is convinced that it is not a real school :/. She thinks it is a “storefront” school and it isn’t worth the time or money because they don’t give a proper performance education. I told her that it’s a high school magnet school and a college and that they kinda team up with the Miami Dade College and I think Florida University, but she still doesn’t have confidence in it.</p>
<p>So, does anyone know about NWSA or know anyone that went to it?</p>
<p>Two years ago we checked it out. I really don’t even know what to say about it. Yes, it is a h.s. magnet school and they certainly seem serious. Yes, they are associated with Miami Dade and Florida U so you can graduate with a degree. I know the girl from The Notebook graduated from their h.s. program (I think, anyway). We were uncomfortable with the fact that there was no housing and my D would have had to be in an apartment with strangers on her own. Also they warned us that the area is ok during the day, but not to go out at all after dark alone. We just didn’t feel it was the place for her to go, although she did get in. Some of the students at the audition were serious, but others were totally unprepared and not serious at all. I think you’d have to have your mother and you check it out personally to see what you think. Also, they didn’t have a theatre and rented a space out for shows.</p>
<p>I seem to remember someone asking about this school a couple of years ago but I tried doing a search and nothing came up. Other than that vague memory, I don’t recall it ever being discussed on CC, and unfortunately I don’t know anything about it. I think Lynn’s advice to visit is a good idea. </p>
<p>Lynn, I think you must be thinking of someone else who graduated from the h/s there, and not Rachel McAdams. She went to both h/s and college here in Ontario. Her brother is a friend of one of my Ds. :)</p>
<p>I was accepted (with a full ride) for MT last year but I choose to go somewhere else instead. The housing was a big issue, but also (in my opinion) the training there is not strong enough yet. They only offer a limited amount of speech and movement, the dance training is SERIOUSLY lacking (which I don’t understand because they have one of the BEST dance programs in the country), they also were dishonest in saying that their alumni have been on broadway (I check it out and while they DO have a couple of alum how have been on Broadway, those alum graduated from the high school NOT the college and recieved there BFA’s from other institutions), and not to mention the school is just one floor of a building so you don’t really get to have that “college” experience you know. </p>
<p>There are some good things about the program: they DO have 2 senior showcases (in NY and Miami), you can get discounts on classes at the Miami City Ballet, Miami is a GREAT city with a lot oppotunities, it’s alot cheaper then other programs, and they also have this “senior project” where at the end of the year (before the showcase) the seniors perform in your own cabaret that they’ve written and staged themselves in cabaret class all year. Which I personally think is an AWESOME idea!</p>