Pace University
Pace University is located in New York City. Haven’t heard of it? I bet you have if you’re interested in theater. You probably know about “The Actor’s Studio.” You certainly know Pace’s alumni, people like Marlon Brando, Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Bradley Cooper, Kevin Spacey, and Julia Roberts. For people who want to go into acting, Pace is the place.
Pace is a middle sized university with about 13,000 students, 5,900 undergrads offering undergraduate and graduate education in a variety of fields including health sciences, law, education, and computer sciences and information systems. But what Pace is most famous for is its performing arts programs through the Dyson College of Arts and Sciences. Ranked number 1 in New York State and in the top 25 in the country, Pace is also in a literally enviable position as they are located in Manhattan where access to theater, music, dance, and performance are part of the landscape like nowhere else.
In the School of Performing Arts which is a part of the Dyson College of Arts and Science, students can get degrees in acting, directing, stage management, dance, musical theater, and acting for film, tv, voice over, and commercials. This is an audition process application for entry and they are looking for a diverse and talented group of students. There is a GPA cut off (although they do not cut students for talent reasons). There is an International Performance Ensemble group that acting and directing students will be a members of of as a part of their education and these groups tour.
Pace offers between 40 and 50 opportunities per year for its theater students to be in shows and performances. They put on at least four full musicals per year, four full length plays, at least two major dance concerts, and many more shows of varying length and type. Students who are seeking a BFA (Bachelor’s of Fine Arts) are required to begin auditioning for shows the fall of their freshman year. Both the shows and the classes here are directed and taught by industry professionals so that what students are learning and doing is based on cutting edge work and technique.
One of the unique aspects of Pace is the way in which they advise their students to create what they call the “Pace Path.” This is an individualized plan developed between a mentor/advisor and student starting their freshman year that maps out not just the classes the student will take, but internships, professional experiences, clubs, and other activities for the student to engage in which will help her to gain the kind of skills necessary to be ready to enter the professional world upon graduation. Pace likes to think of this as “tearing down the wall of the classroom” and opening it up to the real world.
The Manhattan campus for Pace (there is another campus in Westchester) is in the Financial District so those who want to focus on entertainment and business have very easy access to it. And it’s also right by the Brooklyn Bridge for that quintessential New York feel. Easy access to Broadway and its shows, as well as Off Broadway, film, commercials, and more make it ideal for students who want a career in theater or the performing arts.
Pace has two dorms for freshman, Maria’s Tower and 182 Broadway (I mean it’s on Broadway!). Maria’s Tower has lounges, a cafeteria, classes, a fitness club, even a library in it! You hardly have to go anywhere (but it’s New York, so you will). 182 Broadway is new and the two bedroom suites come with private bathrooms and common room as well as a fitness center and only a five minute walk to campus. These places are awfully luxe.
You’re hard pressed to be bored, but there are always things going on at Pace just in case New York is closed. They field DII sports like basketball (M&W), baseball, football, cross country, volleyball, lacrosse (M&W). And they have the usual activities such as a literary magazine, yearbook, student government, super active film society (they put on a number of really excellent film festivals), Model UN, and more. But really what there is to do is go to their productions which are incredible, and enjoy being in New York.
Is Pace for you? It’s a perfectly good university with an amazing stand out program. Would you go for other reasons? Sure, but New York is not cheap and while Pace is a good school, you could get the same education in state at JMU for a fraction of the cost. What you cannot get here is the performing arts program. And that is why you should consider Pace. Because when you are number 1 in a state that also has Julliard and Tisch School of Performing Arts? Well then you are a kick @$$ school indeed.
Pros:
Cons:
Pace University is located in New York City. Haven’t heard of it? I bet you have if you’re interested in theater. You probably know about “The Actor’s Studio.” You certainly know Pace’s alumni, people like Marlon Brando, Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Bradley Cooper, Kevin Spacey, and Julia Roberts. For people who want to go into acting, Pace is the place.
Pace is a middle sized university with about 13,000 students, 5,900 undergrads offering undergraduate and graduate education in a variety of fields including health sciences, law, education, and computer sciences and information systems. But what Pace is most famous for is its performing arts programs through the Dyson College of Arts and Sciences. Ranked number 1 in New York State and in the top 25 in the country, Pace is also in a literally enviable position as they are located in Manhattan where access to theater, music, dance, and performance are part of the landscape like nowhere else.
In the School of Performing Arts which is a part of the Dyson College of Arts and Science, students can get degrees in acting, directing, stage management, dance, musical theater, and acting for film, tv, voice over, and commercials. This is an audition process application for entry and they are looking for a diverse and talented group of students. There is a GPA cut off (although they do not cut students for talent reasons). There is an International Performance Ensemble group that acting and directing students will be a members of of as a part of their education and these groups tour.
Pace offers between 40 and 50 opportunities per year for its theater students to be in shows and performances. They put on at least four full musicals per year, four full length plays, at least two major dance concerts, and many more shows of varying length and type. Students who are seeking a BFA (Bachelor’s of Fine Arts) are required to begin auditioning for shows the fall of their freshman year. Both the shows and the classes here are directed and taught by industry professionals so that what students are learning and doing is based on cutting edge work and technique.
One of the unique aspects of Pace is the way in which they advise their students to create what they call the “Pace Path.” This is an individualized plan developed between a mentor/advisor and student starting their freshman year that maps out not just the classes the student will take, but internships, professional experiences, clubs, and other activities for the student to engage in which will help her to gain the kind of skills necessary to be ready to enter the professional world upon graduation. Pace likes to think of this as “tearing down the wall of the classroom” and opening it up to the real world.
The Manhattan campus for Pace (there is another campus in Westchester) is in the Financial District so those who want to focus on entertainment and business have very easy access to it. And it’s also right by the Brooklyn Bridge for that quintessential New York feel. Easy access to Broadway and its shows, as well as Off Broadway, film, commercials, and more make it ideal for students who want a career in theater or the performing arts.
Pace has two dorms for freshman, Maria’s Tower and 182 Broadway (I mean it’s on Broadway!). Maria’s Tower has lounges, a cafeteria, classes, a fitness club, even a library in it! You hardly have to go anywhere (but it’s New York, so you will). 182 Broadway is new and the two bedroom suites come with private bathrooms and common room as well as a fitness center and only a five minute walk to campus. These places are awfully luxe.
You’re hard pressed to be bored, but there are always things going on at Pace just in case New York is closed. They field DII sports like basketball (M&W), baseball, football, cross country, volleyball, lacrosse (M&W). And they have the usual activities such as a literary magazine, yearbook, student government, super active film society (they put on a number of really excellent film festivals), Model UN, and more. But really what there is to do is go to their productions which are incredible, and enjoy being in New York.
Is Pace for you? It’s a perfectly good university with an amazing stand out program. Would you go for other reasons? Sure, but New York is not cheap and while Pace is a good school, you could get the same education in state at JMU for a fraction of the cost. What you cannot get here is the performing arts program. And that is why you should consider Pace. Because when you are number 1 in a state that also has Julliard and Tisch School of Performing Arts? Well then you are a kick @$$ school indeed.
Pros:
- Unbeatable Performing Arts Program
- New York City!
- Amazing advising and mentoring
- Cutting edge instruction by industry professionals
Cons:
- You cannot have a car here. Ever.
- New York City?
- If you don’t want to do performing arts it’s better not to pay this money
- Not much in the way of traditional college feel (but you can get that on the Westchester Campus)