Northwestern vs Yale for Musical Theatre

[strider]

Posted: 4/29/09 at 11:40pm

Help!!! I have 36 hours to decide.

Northwestern has a great program, great teachers but crowded classes.

Yale has a great new (2 years) musical theatre program and class size is small.

Both have their pros and cons. Any suggestions/thoughts?

[Juliash]

Posted: 5/1/09 at 4:57pm

Northwestern.

[skb2010]

Posted: 5/1/09 at 7:02pm

Northwestern

[SamanthaisFierce]

Posted: 5/2/09 at 9:41am

Psh. Go for Yale. If you get to take acting classes from the same teachers that are in the acting program at Yale, then hell yeah!

[jake6970]

Posted: 5/2/09 at 11:14pm

Yale. Don't turn down Yale.

[skb2010]

Posted: 5/3/09 at 3:26pm

What did you pick?

[strider]

Posted: 5/3/09 at 4:49pm

Sorry, it's been so crazy I forgot I even posted on here. It was very very hard to decide because I loved Yale so much during their admitted student days but the truth is the structure for MT at Northwestern is really what I want/need for the next four years. I want to walk away from college graduation knowing that my book for songs and monologues is what is should be, my auditions are ready to go, etc.

I'm happy with my decision, but it was hard to let Yale go.

[erinrebecca]

Posted: 5/4/09 at 12:07am

Northwestern has a great BA Theatre program but it should be mentioned that there is no MT major there. Students apply at the end of freshman year for the MT certificate program. It's competitive and there's no guarantee that you'll get in.

[Juliash]

Posted: 5/4/09 at 3:55pm

Hey congrats either way. But I have to say that it takes a seriously well-adjusted person to turn down an ivy league school for a program that really suits them. It shows a lot of maturity...

[strider]

Posted: 5/5/09 at 9:25am

Thanks - it wasn't easy but it was the right thing to do.

Erinrebecca - Yes, it's not a major (or even a minor) but is very similar in coursework to many college programs that are. Northwestern can do this because they're on a quarter system so you take more classes each year. Also, if you don't get in you can try both Freshman and Sophomore year and you can also take all the classes with "permission of instructor" and pay for your voice lessons, so attitude can get you around an audition.

[B3TA07]

Posted: 5/26/09 at 9:01pm

Should of gone with Yale. One year so close to NYC will teach you everything you think four years in Chicago will do. But whatever, good luck.

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 5/26/09 at 11:07pm

I just can't believe you would turn down Yale under any circumstance. I don't care if every Yale faculty member molested you as a child.

[membername2]

Posted: 6/18/09 at 5:17am

i'm a northwestern theatre major right now and I just wanted to say how excited I am for you! NU is an AMAZING place, especially for music theatre.

you're not alone in turning down prestigious theatre programs (i have friends who turned down some tremendous B.F.A. programs for northwestern). mostly, I am excited that we are welcoming such a thoughtful person to our community; it takes a lot of self-awareness to turn down yale! also...evanston is about a million times nicer than new haven! we have a beach haha! and you aren't competing against grad students for roles!

the theatre community here is wonderful - challenging, innovative, supportive, and totally perfect for undergrads!

[membername2]

Posted: 6/18/09 at 5:23am

also...let me assuage any fears about the class sizes: i have never felt crowded. all of my teachers know my name. the department chair - rives collins - is both a brilliant theatrical mind and the sweetest, most nurturing person I HAVE EVER MET. the number of theatre majors simply means that there is more talent to work with, more friends to make, and more to learn!

(wow...i'm turning into QUITE the cheerleader here! i need to relax...you're already planning on coming here. ...yay!)