<p>NinnyNoodle- It looks like you should be arriving in Chicago today, so I wanted to wish you good luck! Let us know which shows you saw and which schools you actually ended up visiting!</p>
<p>Thanks to everyone for their replies! It really helped.</p>
<p>I went to DePaul, Northwestern, CCPA and Illinois Wesleyan. Info session/tour of the Theatre School at DePaul, info session at the communication school at Northwestern, info session at CCPA, and observing classes at IWU. All seemed to be fantastic schools, though I decided CCPA wasn’t for me. I saw three classes at IWU, talked to the head of the department and the two voice teachers, and it was practically a spiritual experience I loved it so much, lol. DePaul was great, too (I’d be going into theatre studies, not acting…I want to major in MT but am exploring other options in case it doesn’t work out), I think I’ll probably apply there as well. Northwestern sounded like my perfect “safety” but…damn them for being so prestigious academically! But I loved those three, I’m very happy that I’ve already found three that I could enjoy being at. However, I’m hoping that I don’t just fall in love with every college I go to…I’m rather susceptible to sales pitches…</p>
<p>And I saw JERSEY BOYS! Thanks for letting me know about rush tickets! Myself and my parents got partial view rush tickets. The whole limited view thing sucked, but it was totally worth it. It was a really great show, I’m glad I got to see it.</p>
<p>If anyone wants more information on a particular school PM me and I’d be glad to answer questions (considering I’ve only done asking up until now :))</p>
<p>It sounds like you had a very fruitful trip! You got to see a good variety of schools and you got to see Jersey Boys (I wish I could!). </p>
<p>I want to pick up on one thing you mentioned as I know so many read these posts. I find that sometimes students who want a BFA program think of BA programs as their “back ups” or safety schools but this is NOT entirely the case. There are GREAT BA programs out there and in fact, Northwestern is one of the best. BUT…a non-audition school is NOT a safety school and not a back up unless it is ALSO an academic safety for the particular applicant (which is in relation to their individual qualifications and not the same for everyone). So, a good college list for someone who prefers a BFA, will have primarily BFA programs on it but some BAs as well but they may have BAs that are not their safety schools too but they MUST have one or two non audition schools that are ALSO academic safeties, which again is not true of ALL BA schools. So, while the terms "reach, "match, and “safety” are in relation to an individual and not across the board, suffice it to say that Northwestern would NOT be a safety for ANYONE given their low admit rate and stats of admitted students. For some it will be a match school and for some a reach and for some a very far reach. I can’t imagine anyone where NU would be their safety. I’m not directing this at you but to anyone who is reading as it is something I have seen often when people talk of BA schools in this MT process. Not all BAs are safeties or fall backs.</p>
<p>Northwestern as a safety school? This is the toughest one of the lot that you picked! I have no idea how they choose (see Soozievt prior post) but you are going up against at least 1,000 kids!
IWU - you are right on the money with this school. There is some weird Karma when you walk into IWU like you belong there. The faculty there are so nice and have a warm confidence about them that makes you want to go to school there. I believe Webster University is the same way.
Be careful with Depaul, I’ve read that they have about a 40-50 percent cut after the first year, ouch.</p>
<p>Glad you had a good trip! If you do end up considering IWU, it’s in my hometown so I might be able to answer a few questions. I seriously considered it but ended up getting into NU Early Decision. As for NU, I’m guessing you’re looking for an auditioned BFA program and this is why you might consider it a “safety.” I don’t blame you because MT is difficult to find in any other format. However, I would urge you to make sure the conservatory style training is the type of training you want before ruling out a B.A. Like others have implied defending NU, just because there isn’t an audition doesn’t necessarily mean this particular program is less strong.</p>
<p>Oh, and someone mentioned ISU earlier, which is also in my hometown and my h.s. is on its campus (IWU probably told you that it’s a great place to have around socially, at least they did when I had my visit). From what I’ve been told by ISU students who work with us at my school, ISU is a good place to go for Theatre Ed. (or any other type of Ed.), however it’s not so great for MT. They flip-flop doing a musical or an opera every other spring, and this leaves MT students looking at community theatre to fill the void.</p>
<p>Oh, no no no! <em>waves hands frantically</em></p>
<p>I definitely didn’t mean that NU is a safety (though I realize that’s exactly what I said haha). It’s more of a…MT safety. Maybe that only makes sense to me. But it is kind of a fall-back plan, because it’s not my first-choice option. Not because it’s an easier program to get into, just because it wouldn’t be my “ideal” for training (a lot of which has to do with the audition once you’re there for the MT certificate).</p>
<p>And I’m not at all ruling out BA programs! Some of my favorite (on-paper, at least) programs are BAs. I think I want something more middle-ground: a more intense BA or a less intense BFA (which I think is what I’d prefer). That’s actually why I didn’t like CCPA, I don’t want a conservatory experience. </p>
<p>Sorry for the confusion! I didn’t at all mean to deem NU as a more-unworthy school.</p>
<p>ninnynoddle, I’m sorry I didn’t see this thread earlier. Not sure how I missed it! My D is living and working in Chicago and there are so many wonderful theatre-related things to do there. I’m glad that you had a good visit and also found time to see Jersey Boys, which, I agree, is a great show! A friend, Jeremy Kushnier, was playing Tommy. I know he’s moving to the Las Vegas cast but unsure if he’s left yet. Did you happen to see him?</p>
<p>ninnynoddle, I’m just a parent, but NU definitely is a “more intense BA”. Don’t let the “no audition until end of freshman year” put you off. Think of it this way… by the time of MT auditions, the students have had seven months of performing for and getting to know the decision-makers. Good luck with your search!
(I hope this doesn’t double-post… not sure what happened to my first one.)</p>
<p>Ninnynoddle - I’m so glad you had such a great visit to IWU. My S will attest that what you experienced was the real thing. The MT program has totally lived up to his expectations (I wondered how things would be as he turned down two other schools that are more “highly regarded” for MT). The faculty are incredible and take such a personal interest in each student. The warm feelings have lasted through the cold winters!</p>