@M.A, congratulations on the two acceptances in hand. It’s great knowing that you’re going to have options. I agree with the others that I would focus on Bing and Purchase right now to see which one you prefer. Visiting the campuses, sitting in on classes, talking to students, etc, might help clarify which one is a better fit for you.
Thanks @tsbna44 for asking the questions about Purchase, and to @happy1 and @Lindagaf for sharing your opinions. There’s so much about colleges that can’t be determined from websites and data, so having my first-hand knowledge shared is always appreciated.
Regarding Hamilton, it accepts 1 in 10 RD applicants. If you get in, then you crossed a challenging threshold, which you may want to be careful not to under-regard at that time.
I almost applied for Montclaire, I know a lof people going there, but it doesn’t quite have what I’m looking for at the time. By the time I considered actually applying there, I realized it was probably too late into the process and Bing seemed like a better option.
I do participate in musical theater. Sorry, I should’ve stated that earlier. I just excel at non-theatee related singing, playing cello, and stage drama acting more than I do musical theater. I’d still do community theater or any clubs that do musicals.
If you do get into Hamilton, it’s game over since it’s one of the best in the entire country for English/Writing, and it’s got the resources to support all your other interests.
It’s also highly selective, meaning qualified applicants are turned down 10 to 1, so odds are never good for anyone! I’ll be rooting for you and hope you do get in!
Did you get into the Honors college/program(s)/were invited to apply at Bing? It would help with the issue of large class sizes and it’d guarantee more approachable faculty.
The Source and University Scholars would likely be of interest
Purchase doesn’t have an honors or Scholars program that I know of, but I did find this
(Not sure it fits as well as the Bing programs).
It’s probably too late, but… a college that is less highly rejective than Hamilton yet strong for your interests may be Muhlenberg. With the FAFSA debacle pushing reply date to June1 instead of May 1st, you can run the NPC and if the results are affordable for your family, it may be worth asking whether they’re still accepting applications.
I think Bing’s education is more well-rounded, strong in multiple areas. Yes, intro classes in something like psychology will probably be big. But English, creative writing, music, and theater classes will be more intimate. Will have more students that stay on campus, so there will be a lot to do on weekends. A wider variety of students from intellectual to sporty to artsy.
Purchase will have LOTS of performance art focused students. It is super strong in these areas, but less strong in general academics. The BFA arts students will mainly stay on campus on the weekends (if they are working on shows etc.) but the “regular major” students will often go home, so students sometimes complain of Purchase being “dead” on the weekends. Also keep in mind that for students who love the performing arts, but are not majoring in performing arts, it can paradoxically be a disadvantage to attend a school known mainly for its performing arts, because all the BFA performing arts majors usually have first dibs on all the choice roles! I am not 100% sure wheather that is the case at Purchase, but it may well be, because there are so many strong BFA students.
For my own OOS S22, he considered Purchase seriously, but then decided against applying. He wanted to do a lot of theater, but chose a school that has strong academics in other areas too. But each student is different.
In an case, congrats on 2 great acceptances so far, and good luck with the rest of your applications!
Check and see what Purchase is currently strong in the performing arts. It used to be the go to SUNY particularly for the technical theater side of theater, and that’s a good thing because the technical theater people can usually find jobs when they graduate. Actors, more of a challenge.
If you want to do performing more as an EC in college, you need to explore what opportunities these colleges provide for those who are NOT theater majors.
SUNY Purchase might be a great option based on your stated interests. Have you read the description of Purchase College, SUNY in the Fiske Guide To Colleges ?
However if the student was not admitted to the BFA program it would have the opposite effect, wouldn’t it?
I second reading the Fiske guide description and also (re?) Visiting.
The Fiske Guide comments offer insights & thoughts which should be considered by OP:
“Mingling with highly motivated and talented performers and artists can make some students in the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences feel a little drab and out of place, and the academic atmosphere reportedly varies between programs.” But, then points out that “Regardless of their chosen school or degree program, all Purchase students complete the same core curriculum…”
@happy1: That is a reason that I encourage the OP to read the Fiske Guide comments. Lots of information & observations.
Reading the Fiske Guide commentary re: SUNY Purchase should motivate the OP to assess or reassess interests. Not sure whether or not students can apply for the BFA program as a sophomore and not sure if OP fully appreciates the campus culture at this school.
Never hurts to read Fiske. FWIW I did encourage the OP to revisit the two accepted schools and focus on his/her particicular areas of interest and the overall residential life at the colleges.
Did your family run the Net Price Calculator for Hamilton? If so, was the price affordable? If they haven’t yet, ask them to do so now. As Hamilton doesn’t offer merit aid (i.e. scholarships), if the NPC doesn’t come back as affordable, it won’t even be a possibility to consider even if they do grant you an acceptance.
My daughter was accepted to both Purchase and Bing. She wants to major in creative writing and theater but be academically challenged and have a full campus experience. Bing wins on both counts.
