In May 2021, I did a write-up of my DD’s application experience, and then two years later, I did an update on her experience half-way through; you can find those here:
and here:
There use to be a sub-section in the musical theater forum, where you could look at content specific to each program (I guess they did away with that section for good). I now write to sum up her experience gaining her BFA degree.
What was most important to her:
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The quality of acting, singing, dance and storytelling training offered
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Breadth and depth in course offerings and faculty; flexibility for each student’s charted course
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Ten different professional theatre studio offerings; a lot to grow from and benefit from
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16% of the coursework are electives (that’s more than most – if not all – BFA and BM programs) and the number of electives to choose from
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In addition to the electives, the professional training in junior and senior years was based on whichever route the student is interested in pursuing (understanding that an audition is required in some cases). Tisch students chart many different paths in four years and the program’s overall flexibility benefits every student in the program
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Large base of full-time drama faculty (now 42!), the extent of their commitment to the students and the degree to which students feel they have a close relationship with the faculty; moreover, the diverse points of view adds value to the program.
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She loved her classmates, faculty and the many guests of NYU in the fields of performing arts. The opportunities for interactions with working professionals is “off the charts”
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Dance and music theory training leveled from the beginning (enhancing the likelihood you’ll start off at a well-adjusted level)
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The multiple training and performance spaces in Greenwich Village (which can be found here: Performance Spaces, Performing Arts Spaces at NYU’s New York City Campus - MEET NYU and Our Campus)
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My DD felt challenged artistically and academically
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My daughter’s artistic classes have ranged in size from 1-on-1 with a professor to UP TO 16 students for all but one class; some academic classes have been that size as well. The one class size exception was Scene into Song into Dance, which was a class of 25 students.
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She feels it’s possible to engage in academic classes that allow students to develop another skillset and / or complement their artistic interests while at the same time meeting the manageable number of gen ed credits required to graduate; she ended up getting a minor in the Business of Entertainment, Media and Technology, done in conjunction with the Stern School of Business and Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development
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The wide array of artists at Tisch as well as at the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development adds to the richness of the experience at NYU
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There have been multiple opportunities to perform – she’s done established diverse musicals, a new musical, music reviews, classic plays, dance plays and film as extra-curriculars – but that’s not been the focus in course work; it’s each student working on their craft. That approach paid off ten-fold
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The administration was responsive and made improvements along the way
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There were opportunities to study abroad; my daughter decided to forgo those but it was tough decision to make (her friends had great times abroad)
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She’s been happy with the food served on campus; an EBI would be longer hours to meet the varied student schedules (but she has found ways to make it work so not an issue for her)
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She has hit a couple of bumps in housing along the way; no show stoppers and nothing that is that big a deal; but my advice to NYU students is two-fold: ensure they understand all the details of the housing process; and at least consider off-campus housing options for junior year and / or senior year (I still really like NYU’s housing options but sophomores choose rooms before juniors choose rooms and seniors select last). NYU guarantees housing for all four years so that isn’t an issue.
She performed in productions in two different regional theaters her first two summers, and then worked in NYC between her junior and senior years, helping to write and perform in a musical sketch comedy.
She has just accepted her first post graduation job as a performer in two musical revues beginning next month.
New York City isn’t for everyone, but if it is for you, do consider NYU.