@KatMT @claire74 I’m a graduating senior for the class of 2020 deciding between the two. Thanks for your help guys. I really appreciate it.
I say skip school all together and go straight to Broadway 
@complacent - 17 school offers? Extraordinary. I have never seen a number that high in my 3 years of reading CC. Forgive me for thinking it unusual that: 1. someone could have auditioned and been accepted at CMU without realizing the overall strengths of the program - even if you auditioned at unifieds their information session should have given you an idea of the caliber of artist they have produced. 2. applied and been accepted to Northwestern without understand the strengths of the university as a whole - there are a LOT of hoops that you jump through to get that done. Your original post on this thread (#2454 I think) made it sound like you knew very little about either program, as did your follow up questions in #2467. That may be entirely untrue.
@toowonderful haha yes I did sound a bit naive, I guess I was looking forward a gut reaction or if there was a general consensus. I know most of the differences between the two, and I’ve visited both. I just don’t know if a terminal conservatory BFA degree will limit me if MT fails… Perhaps that’s not the way to think about it but there is that fear.
@complacent I think that the fact that your bfa will be from a highly regarded university will certainly help even if you later chose another path. People in other fields will see where you went to school and make judgements about your educational background without necessarily delving into what classes you took or what criteria were used for admittance. In the end, with either choice, you would be graduating with a four year degree from a top, nationally known university.
It’s sort of like deciding if you take your winnings in a lump sum or over 20 years. There is no wrong answer and either alternative is pretty sweet!
CMU and Northwestern are both wonderful programs with very different campus cultures, curriculum, and overall experiences.
I personally do not think you could go wrong with either in term of excellence of the program. Opportunities coming out the other side at graduation will be up to you. Both CMU and Northwestern have very strong reputations.
The questions I would ask are… What kind of educational, academic, and training experience do I want over the next four year? Which group of students and faculty did I feel more in tune with? What do I love about each of these schools/ programs? What do I not like about each of these schools/ programs?
I would not let others opinions cloud or way you too much. The only “votes” that count are those of you and your family. You are going to be the one going to the school, your family is (likely) helping you pay for it, and they will be the ones walking with you on your journey. Unless someone else is going to go to school for you ;-), or pay for it, they don’t get a vote. Their opinion (while valuable anecdotal insight) is just an opinion. You need to pick the school/. program that you and your family feel is the best for you right now, for the next four years. No one has a crystal ball. No one can know what experiences and opportunities you will have over the next four years, and how those will shape you as a person and an artist. No one can know what opportunities and exciting challenges may come your way at either of these schools, and how those may lead you on the path to your professional career and adult life.
How wonderful to have such terrific choices to consider! Good Luck!
Most CMU kids don’t graduate because they get work before the 4 years are up ;).
Wondering about the authenticity of this as well but assuming it’s real, isn’t Northwestern the smarter play for someone who is concerned about keeping doors open for other fields of study and not sure if they should be going all in for theatre? One of the impressive things about Northwestern’s program is that you can dial up or dial down how “theatrey” you want your 4 years to be and still get the degree. @Momcares has pointed this flexibility out in numerous posts.
As far as whether or not people work coming out of Northwestern the answer is YES. Momcare’s daughter for one already has an impressive list of credits and she graduated only a year ago.
CMU is an extraordinary program for people that absolutely know they are entirely ready to be marooned on the theatre island and are cool with where the island is located and the sea that surrounds it. One should consider which school/city feels more like you.
Sorry…but if after auditioning, applying and visiting both schools your solution on how to come to a decision is to post for the very 1st time asking strangers for their opinion …my red flags are still flying. I seem to be alone in this, and that’s ok.
@toowonderful, you’re not alone–flimsy information + exorbitant claims (17 acceptances) = time waster
Still, the responses provided by our wonderful posters may be helpful to someone down the line.
@claire74, it’s why posting in generalities and hypotheticals minus the mazel tovs seemed like a safe bet.
Chiming in to say that I am not at all wondering about the authenticity of the person who posted.
In comparing the two, I agree with KatMT as far as environment and the “feel” of the program. Given that those are the two programs that you have gravitated towards, it would appear that there are competing foci, if you will: rigorous training in MT and a rich intellectual environment that will provide opportunities to explore as an artist outside (and within) MT. Perhaps those who have experience with the two programs can comment on the rigor of the MT training at Northwestern, and the opportunities to grow as an artist outside acting, singing and dancing at CMU? I have met quite a number of artists who are very strong performers, but also write (music, plays, films) or have started companies who graduated from Northwestern, perhaps due to the qualities inherent in the student who is drawn to that environment. CMU has rigorous, top-notch preparation for professional performers- it draws students who are looking for a school that will partner with them to maximize their talent in a way that will yield employment. It all comes down to what you want the journey to be like. Best wishes with your decision; I look forward to hearing where you land!
Michele
Switching gears seems needed. Aside from complacent how is the rest of 2020 doing?? With 7 days of HS left time is clicking by!!! And Friday is wear your college choice shirt day!!!
17 offers can happen assuming a lot of things are true. It helps if you are male and have a type that is not usually seen in the MT world.
Switching gears seems needed. Aside from complacent how is the rest of 2020 doing?? With 7 days of HS left time is clicking by!!! And Friday is wear your college choice shirt day!!!
Thank you guys for all your help!! I will really read and respond after school. If you guys question my situation you can private message me haha. Sorry I am new to CC and I suppose have to earn assumed validity!!
@MTDadandProud nailed it on the head, I am both
@Joyfulmama Speaking for my D (an Acting major), she wants to layer her shirts! She’s on 4 waitlists - got some feedback that she would be accepted off one this week but until she has offer in hand, the shirt is on the bottom :-). We will wait until the last possible minute to deposit just in case.
Fingers crossed for your daughter @artskids!!!