UCLA vs EMERSON vs FORDHAM

sandkmom
Sat, 26 Mar 2011 09:24:22 +0000

I’m glad I could provide some insight as to what a student’s life at Fordham might be like! I remember wishing there was someone writing about Fordham last year and the year before when we were in the search process so while I wrote for the OP, I hope that anyone interested will come and visit what has turned out to be such an excellent choice for my S! I would also like to add that we took him kicking and screaming to the first of many visits the summer before Junior year…he had his mind made up that he would be attending NYU before he even understood the difference between a BA and BFA program! Ultimately his decision came down to the two schools (he was accepted to Tisch New Studio for MT) but he felt Fordham was a better fit and choosing the program with the right fit is absolutely priceless!

I did want to add that Fordham’s Theatre classes ARE practical training. There are assignments and even tests but the classroom work is very practical with vocal and movement labs as well. It is not simply theory. Yes, it is a BA but there is a reason that you have to audition for the program instead of simply declaring it as a major. They need to put together a class that fits and can grow as actors individually as well as together. My S hopes to start a theatre company someday and he has already talked to some of his peers about joining him in that endeavor.

[Training & Curriculum](http://www.fordham.edu/academics/programs_at_fordham_/theatre_department/prospective_students/training__curriculum/index.asp)

I didn’t want to compare the three programs for the OP bc I have no actual knowledge about Emerson or UCLA…even Fordham I really know about from what my S has told me but he has never had the time or desire to come on here and post himself. But I will say that I don’t believe that just bc UCLA is higher ranked than Fordham that it will automatically provide a greater academic challenge. Fordham students are bright, too! Particularly the LC kids! My S was a top student and while he certainly encounters some kids who do not impress him and are in college just to get out of the house and party, for the most part he finds the classroom environment to be very academically stimulating and engaging. Perhaps that has something to do with the nice merit packages offered to their top applicants. He found out about his scholarship after he decided to go to Fordham so it was a very nice bonus and just confirmed for all of us that he was ending up in the right place!

Again, though…I want to mention that Fordham has a VERY large core curriculum…it is part of the Jesuit philosophy of education. My S came in with 24 AP credits and only 6 counted toward the core. The rest were accepted as electives which doesn’t really mean anything given that he is trying to double major and won’t have room in his schedule for electives anyway!

[Core Curriculum – Fordham University](http://69.7.74.46/section8/section85/index.html)

[Core Curriculum for Class of 2013 and Beyond – Fordham University](http://69.7.74.46/section8/section85/section1696/index.html)

The fine arts requirement is the only core course that is waived for Theatre majors. Ironically, not only did my S take AP Art History which would have covered it but he was placed in an Art History class first semester based on an interests survey so the waiver meant nothing to him! He actually enjoyed the class though and felt it was much more in depth than his HS class…he particularly enjoyed all the assignments at the Met. He actually had assignments all over NYC from all of his professors, they really do take advantage of all the city has to offer…it’s a big part of their education. Yes, this very large core speaks for itself but I do want to point out that some classes WILL count for more than one requirement. And this is where I think his advisor has been so outstanding in helping him select classes so that he can actually graduate with his double major on time even if it means taking some summer classes.

And speaking about summer classes, I don’t actually think my S will ever be coming home! If you are a McMahon Hall resident…that is the only dorm and it houses undergrads and grad/law students…you can live there all summer if you are either taking classes, have a full time job or a full time internship. So basically, my S does not have to move out and move back in again…he just has to move apartments, and the cost of housing from the end of Spring finals to the beginning of the Fall session is $2370 for a double or $2790 for a single. Originally, I was going to have him commute but nobody gets an apartment in LC in NYC for that kind of $$! So my S will be taking one class for each of the two summer sessions and performing (hopefully for a stipend!) in an Off-Off Broadway play which will run for three weeks. The only thing he is finding difficulty with is finding a part time job bc all of his offers have been for full time work for the entire summer and he won’t be able to get work-study.

The only other thing I would like to add is that NYC, Boston and LA are all great but very different cities. You should keep in mind your end goals when you are choosing your school but you should also realize that they might change. So try to visit all three schools and spend some time in the city to determine if you can see yourself there for the next four years bc each city and program has its own distinctive personality. I think you can logically make your decision and any one of these schools could be a good choice but this is one of those situations where you really just have to trust your gut to make the best decision…for YOU! Then don’t look back! Good luck! :)