Decisions 2009-2010

College Majors Theater/Drama Majors
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<p>cssmom, I agree, things do turn out OK :slight_smile: Although Iā€™m touched that my parents would support my choice of study (theatre of all things! :P), I wish they would have told me so I wouldnā€™t have applied! I would never force financial strain on my family.</p>

<p>theater mom: It was really hard choosing between the two (Iā€™m still somewhat debating it). NU has the #1 BA Theatre program in the nation, and UMichā€™s theatre department (I was admitted to the BFA Design & Production program) is also strong. Both schools are prestigious (although I personally couldnā€™t care less, haha), and they both lead to fantastic opportunities. What made me choose UMich are various reasons. </p>

<p>One was school spirit. I know UMich is big on school spirit and NU isnā€™t. Iā€™m also a big fan of school spirit, and all that jazz.</p>

<p>Second was a professor at UMich. Because Iā€™m an international student, I couldnā€™t do a campus interview. Instead, I did an online webcam Skype interview with a professor at UMich. She was extremely nice, helpful, and enthusiastic. After the interview, she followed up with e-mails, and answered questions quickly and honestly. Because I was accept earlier than my other colleges due to UMichā€™s rolling system, I had more time to interact with the professor, and I felt I would be missing out if I didnā€™t have her as my professor.</p>

<p>Third was campus size. I always wanted to get ā€œlost in the crowdā€ during college, but have a small group to rely on. UMich provides exactly that, with a very large student body, but there are only about 250 students total in the theatre department, including actors, directors, and design/production students of all grades. And from what I know, the theatre kids are very close to each other. Also, itā€™s a great chance to get acquainted with future Tony winners ;)</p>

<p>Fourth was extracurricular activities. Marching bandā€™s something I had always wanted to do, but NU doesnā€™t have it. UMichā€™s ranks in the national top 10. Also, I didnā€™t see much chances for musicians at NU compared to UMich.</p>

<p>Fifth was the alumni. NU might have the Northwestern Mafia, but UMich has 500,000 living alumni. I thought itā€™d be easier for UMichā€™s alumni network to help me if I wanted to change careers. And UMichā€™s strong school spirit really keeps the alumni network going, as evidenced by Alexandre (who Iā€™ve had to pleasure to speak with on the phone) in the UMich forum at CC.</p>

<p>Six, UMichā€™s YouTube videos. I always thought it was cool how UMich was in touch with the current fads (the Youtube channelā€™s how I found out about UMichā€™s theatre program actually). And the talent displayed simply blew me away. And these kids were having fun at college as theatre students, which was eye-opening to someone who had been brought up being told the arts would be a miserable and hungry career choice.</p>

<p>Sorry, Iā€™ve rambled! But those are the basic reasons Iā€™m leaning towards UMich. If you have any questions or whatever, send me a PM!</p>

<p>ETA: If anyone has any reasons FOR attending NU, PLEASE let me know! I havenā€™t finalized my decision yet, so Iā€™d love to hear from more viewpoints and reasons I might have overlooked. Thanks!</p>

82

<p>be_someday: I think it seems like you are a better fit for UMich. The only reason why NU may be better is their ranking. Northwestern is around the 12th top school in the nation and it may look better on your resume. NU also has amazing internships. BUT, it seems like you really do like UMich and the end your happiness will matter. Also, by no means does UMich have a bad reputation. It also has a good ranking. Good Luck!</p>

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<p>be_somebody: thanks for the rambly answer. The feedback is useful because it puts your reply in context. Best of luck.</p>

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<p>be_someday, I am sure Andrew Keenan-Bolger (the guy who made the Youtube channel you like) would be excited to know he had a hand in your decision to become a Wolverine. Best wishes! Terrific school. I hope you like snow, but you would get that in Chicago, too!!</p>

85

<p>early_college, I agree with NUā€™s amazing internships. When I was talking to a NU professor yesterday, some of the opportunities she mentioned made my jaw drop. But she also seemed to imply that these opportunities were only for the best of the best. But my stage managing career has been relatively short in a limited learning environment, so I was hesitant, as I might not be the best of the best no matter how hard I tried.</p>

<p>theater mom, Iā€™m glad my rambly answer helped! Thank you, and good luck to your D too.</p>

<p>NMR, Iā€™d love to say thank you to him! haha. He really did change my life by introducing me to UMich. Thank you for the wishes! Iā€™d love some snow, as I havenā€™t seen any in roughly 10 years!</p>

<p>Thanks to everyone, and good luck to all the seniors making their final decisions. '09!</p>

<p>ETA: Oh, and how could I forget. Money! Money was also a very important factor. UMich costs roughly $5000 (or possibly more) less per year than NU. Even the NU professor mentioned the school being very expensive. And I think UMich has more merit scholarships, while NU has more need-based, and I need the merit ones as I donā€™t qualify for need-based (upper middle class).</p>

86

<p>Yes, will itā€™s up to you. 20k could be a difference if money is tight. Did you ask NU about giving you a better deal?</p>

87

<p>be_somebody, have you found Andrewā€™s Blog? </p>

<p>Hilarious!</p>

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<p>accepted toā€¦
-NYU (Adler)
-Emerson
-Pace
-University of Utah
-Fordham
-BU (they gave me 40k)</p>

<p>someone help! i have no idea where to go! I think its now between BU and NYU</p>

89

<p>Wow, 40k is great aid. BU has a great program too. They must have really liked you.</p>

90

<p>Looks like there are many in the same boat . . . . we are having a really, really, really hard time making a decision! Will it come down to a coin flip???</p>

91

<p>I hope not ImHopeful.</p>

92

<p>directormom: My D and I just spent a whole day at emerson with the head of the acting program and are very impressed. He personally studied with Adler, Feldenkrais (Sp?) and went to CMU. The program really gives the students a very intensive liberal arts education as well as studio work. They do Tai Chi and Yoga and combat studies for movement. They are encouraged to go to the castle in their sophomore year (contrary to some posts here lately). If they chose to study vocal (music) they are taught by a real teacher, not an MFA. They do have ā€œcutsā€ to get the class to 16 by junior year. If the class already has gotten to 16, then no cuts. If it hasnā€™t, then by the end of sophomore year, some students are moved in the BA program to make the BFA 16. But they have 3 reviews between freshman and sophomore year, so all the students know exactly what the problem is, and if a student is having trouble, it is not a suprise. The students are encouraged to work in their Junior and Senior years. In fact, one of the main casting directors in Boston is an Emerson grad, so this person repeatedly gets work for the Emerson students. The Emerson students are taken to NYC to meet with casting directors for a class to learn how to live in NYC, how to build their careers, get agents, find jobs once they go out into the world. (in addition to the showcase.) Many of the students participate in the Straw Hats. Anyway, I would encourage you and your student to head to Emerson and ask for some one on one timeā€¦ it was very enlightening.</p>

93

<p>So many interesting insights from hearing directly from the horseā€™s mouth, Chrissyblu! We wondered about the veracity of the student tour guideā€™s information at several of the schools we visited. It seems that poor impressions on early visits are not necessarily accurate, but that real contact with a program doesnā€™t come until you are an accepted student with questions. I now wish we hadnā€™t spent so much time previewing schools, but waited until audition time or afterwards. However, our school counselor advised going to look, so that is what we didā€¦ :(</p>

94

<p>Accepted: UConn, Rutgers, CCM all for BFA in Technical Design/Production/Direction</p>

<p>Final Decision: CCM</p>

95

<p>After seeing the facilities at CCM, great choice! I swear that production/set design area is the size of a football field!</p>

96

<p>Looks like we have a decision . . . . .(drum roll) . . . . Illinois Wesleyan BFA Acting</p>

97

<p>I recently made mineā€¦ I had NYU, Fordham, NCSA, Purchase, Rutgers, and PW at CMUā€¦</p>

<p>I dished the priority waitlist and am headed to Rutgers next year - couldnā€™t be more excited eitherā€¦ I am in love with what the school is all about and cannot wait to be involved with all of the great work going on there.</p>

<p>BY THE WAY:</p>

<p>Thank you to everyone who has posted on this siteā€¦ I must have joined a little over a year ago and have been checking frequently during each day since Augustā€¦ I have learned so much and have felt so much support throughout this entire process. I look forward to coming back on next year to shed my knowledge to the incoming class of next year. Really though, you have all helped me more than I can articulate. This has been such a milestone in my life thus far, I have really learned so much not only about what my future may hold and just the acting business in general but also so much about myself. I will never forget this time in my life. I am almost sad that it is endingā€¦ I have put so much energy into it allā€¦ My life has revolved around it!!! This stretch to late August will hopefully go fast so I can move on to the next step!! Thank you all again so much! You are all angels.</p>

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<p>awww how sweet!</p>

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<p>WOW NYQ12! What an AMAZING list! Good luck at Rutgers!!! You will be awesome. I can just tell. ;)</p>

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<p>IMHopeful - </p>

<p>Congrats on the decision - I know it was tough! Welcome to the IWU family. If your Dā€™s experience is anything like my Sā€™s, she will grow amazingly as an actor.</p>