<p>I know you’re not focused on prestige - sometimes I like to use the word “quality,” because it depends more on the actual experience and what an individual thinks is best for them.</p>
<p>Prestige is a hard thing to define. There is no doubt that a well-known degree impresses people, and often there are very successful alumni who can help you along. It’s like going to an Ivy for college - sometimes it does help open doors. But it’s impractical to base your own choices on prestige, because only a small number of people can get prestigious degrees (like going to Ivys), and clearly the rest of the world also has very rewarding and successful lives, too.</p>
<p>If you think the program at Mankato would give the training you want, and you like the school and location in general, go ahead and apply. What will be important in the end is how you absorb your training and what kind of actor/person you become. That is what will help you have a good career and be happy. </p>
<p>I will tell you that while my D had absolutely no issues with what kind of experience she’d have in the Minn BA, she ultimately decided against it program-wise because she had an opportunity to be in a small, defined group of people and in a structured, defined curriculum. She knew she could get all of the classes and experience she needed in the Minn BA, but she would have to be more of a self-starter and advocate (note: these are good skills) to get what a BFA sets up for you automatically. Since they were the same cost, and the BFA gave her the opportunity to be near NYC, she went with that. The cost, location and program were just right; Adelphi isn’t a “prestige” school, but she will come out a well-trained, well-educated, skilled and experienced person. And all schools give you some connections, since all schools have theatre professionals as faculty, alumni, and associates.</p>
<p>If a BFA appeals to you for these reasons, it’s good to have schools that can offer you that opportunity, that are a bit easier to get into than the Guthrie program, or even Ball State or Webster. You can’t really have reach-match-safety in auditioned programs, but if Mankato gives you a little better chance of having an auditioned BFA among your options in the spring, I’d go ahead and apply.</p>