<p>Hi! I'm a current junior in an online school in Wisconsin. I'm 365 days a year involved in theater with an edge in classical. I also costumes apprentice and apprentice direct. Outside of theater I'm a Girl Scout, a dedicated student and am part of an outreach group that performs scenes of Shakespeare at schools around my community.
Anyway, I am currently up to my neck in college searching. I've already decided that I want to double major in Psychology and Theater, so I've been looking at schools that have very strong - incredible - theater and psychology programs. A few months ago I stumbled across Muhlenberg, and I've fallen completely in love with it. Granted, I haven't visited it yet (I'm going to be visiting in and am going to set up an interview for April), but I've been doing very thorough research and love what I find. Every day since then I've been studying it's website, these forums, anything I can find. The info I requested from them should be coming soon as well. Everything I've found has made me love it more and more. </p>
<p>Does anyone have any personal experience (either from going here or having a kid go here) with Muhlenberg? Because I've really fallen in love with this place and - if I still feel this way after seeing the campus - may actually apply early decision. </p>
<p>I guess I want to know (as someone that isn't actually visiting for a couple months) if this school is worth it to apply early decision and go to. Also, do you have any advice that would really make me stand out in the Muhlenberg application/audition process? :)</p>
<p>If you think you are in love with it, do whatever you can do visit it, and if the visit confirms it, apply ED. Somewhere along the lines of 2/3 of their freshman class is ED. But a visit is very important on your application, no matter whether or not you’re ED. Also, a visit from someone in the midwest stands out even more… you’ve REALLY gone out of your way to show interest in the school.</p>
<p>Have you read all these threads to see how your stats would measure up to your peers who would also be applying and being accepted? </p>
<p>You don’t have to audition for the theatre program, but if you are interested in scholarship money from them, you will have to.</p>
<p>Also, next fall, there will be a series of college fairs across the country for high schoolers looking to major in the visual and performing arts. There is always one held in the Chicago area, sometimes on the campus at Northwestern University, and sometimes at a location downtown. If you’re in Wisconsin, but close enough to Chicago that you could make it down for that fair, you could meet with the reps from Muhlenberg and use it as an opportunity to get some questions answered. My daughter actually attended the fair about two-three weeks before we scheduled her trip to visit/audition in her senior year. </p>
<p>Thanks for your reply! I’ve looked at these threads and other statistics for Muhlenberg and my stats seem to measure up very well. I’ve got a GPA higher than 3.7 (I can’t remember the exact number - when I have time I’ll recalculate it). My grades have definitely improved this school year, and I’m taking a more rigorous course load, so I think it has also improved since it was last calculated. I’m taking my SAT/ACTs in a couple months, but when I took the practice tests in my Sophomore year I was already on the higher end of the range that Muhlenberg seems to be accepting. </p>
<p>We (that is, my mom and I) are travelling to see the school this April because I’ll have a lot of stuff to deal with in the fall that will prevent me from travelling half-way across the country. </p>
<p>Do you know the best things to do while visiting? I’m going to try and arrange a day visit in the next couple weeks as well as a personal interview (and walking around the campus with my mom). I want to make sure that I can learn everything I can and make an impression with my visit.</p>
<p>Hi! I’m in a pretty similar situation to you I think. I’m a junior in CT, and though I’m not sure Muhlenberg is my first choice, I’m definitely looking to apply next year. I have a friend who is a freshman, majoring in theatre and art, and she really likes it. Her dorm is nice, her roommate (just one!) is a sweetheart, and overall everything seems pretty good. Just to compare myself against peers-- what sort of classes and such do you take? I have pretty similar ECs to you (if you sub out Girl Scouts for a couple of church groups…) and am looking into going into a theatre/english double major, so I think we should be comprable.</p>
<p>Hey ItsAshMal!I’ve got several honors (in English, math and science) classes under my belt from the freshman/sophomore year, and AP Psychology and APLit.&Comp. classes this year. I’m currently taking APPsych and APL&C, Precalculus, Physics, Sociology and Government, as well as logging hours for Service Learning and PhyEd. I’ve also taken a drama course (in school and a couple acting classes out of school) and am planning on studying math, English and maybe science all four years - more APs next year, too. I’ve also taken drawing, photography and art history courses. The only thing I’m lacking right now is a foreign language, and that’s because my online school is unable to offer it (by law they have to have a certified teacher in my district, and they had to cut the French program for financial reasons :/). In Freshman year I took French I. However - the Madison Area Technical Colleges offers foreign languages that I can get high school credit for. They also are set up by semester so I can complete French II and French III next year. Grade-wise I’ve never gotten below a B- (and that B- was one time). </p>
<p>Sorry for the huge paragraph… I guess I decided to be thorough… :P</p>
<p>I would highly encourage you to contact someone from the theatre department BEFORE your visit so that they know you’re coming. Often they will arrange so you can sit in on one of the acting classes, if it’s feasible. Even if you’re there on a weekend, there are often stage combat classes that meet on Saturdays. It might also be very feasible to arrange for you to sit in on a rehearsal of one of their main stages if one is in rehearsal while you’re there.</p>
<p>Both sitting in on a class, and watching a main stage rehearsal were two of the things that really stood out to my daughter when we were visiting. She really got to see the calibre of the program in these venues. </p>
<p>Another thing you might not necessarily pick up through visiting their website, but Muhlenberg is exploding with a cappella groups! For the size campus it is, it has plenty of groups! If you are a decent singer and enjoy a cappella, see if you can also be set up with a current student to hear more about the a cappella options, or even better, again, see if you can manage to sit in on a rehearsal. Only problem with that is that most a cappella rehearsals are very late at night because a lot of people who are in evening rehearsals for mainstages/2nd tiers and black boxes are also in an a cappella group, so they can’t rehearse until stage rehearsals are over with, usually by 10 or 10:30. I think my daughter’s group had rehearsal from 10:30 - midnight, or 11-12:30AM two nights a week and late afternoon on Fridays, or something like that.</p>
<p>teriwtt, thank you for your advice! I emailed Charles Richter last night saying when I’m visiting and asking if it is at all possible to sit in on a class or rehearsal/tour the theater department more in depth.</p>
<p>I also, unfortunately, love to sing but don’t have a strong voice (I can sing very basic things and sometimes I sound alright, but I just am not a singer :/). However, I ADORE a cappella, so that’s great to know!</p>
<p>In the past years, Charles Richter is the one who has represented Muhlenberg College at the Visual and Performing Arts college fairs that I linked above. If something happens and your trip falls through and you can’t get out there before next fall, it might be worth it to come down to the Chicago area to meet him there. He usually has a couple of students or alumni with him there. My daughter has helped him out a few times (the fair has often coincided with the Muhlenberg fall break), but next fall she will be living in LA; but I’m sure he’s got his list of people living around here who would love to help.</p>
<p>Hi lovingtheater! My D is a freshman theater major at Muhlenberg.</p>
<p>It sounds like Muhlenberg would be a nice fit for you. I am sure you have heard the advice that if Financial Aid is an issue for you think hard about applying ED as it limits your ability to compare packages. Having said that, Muhlenberg does have a relatively transparent FA process and merit aid is also available. There are also talent awards that are available by audition. I don’t know if you can audition your Junior year. My D auditioned her Senior year and received an award.</p>
<p>My D is enjoying her experience at Muhlenberg. Its size and welcoming community mean you can dive right into lots of activities. As far as theater goes, in the fall she was in a “2nd tier” production and did tech for the mainstage musical. This spring she is directing two “3rd tier” productions, acting in a “3rd tier” production and teching for a mainstage. The Muhlenberg Theater Association website explains the different tiers. [Muhlenberg</a> Theatre Association](<a href=“http://sites.google.com/site/muhlenbergtheatre/]Muhlenberg”>http://sites.google.com/site/muhlenbergtheatre/)</p>
<p>There are a lot of performance opportunities at Muhlenberg, both mainstage and 2nd and 3rd tier productions, as well as several improv troupes. There is a lot of support for student written and directed projects. But there are also lots of kids auditioning, very talented kids! As Muhlenberg’s theater program gains an even stronger reputation that competition will increase. For example, my D was one of many who auditioned for Midsummer Night’s Dream this spring. She was called back for two of the roles. 7 other girls were also called back for each of the roles. That gives you an idea of the depth of talent. So while she has had success with getting called back quite a bit, she hasn’t gotten a mainstage yet. I think that’s pretty normal but its frustrating. And terriwitt is right that if you aren’t used to it already you will need to get used to late nights. My D attended a casting meeting at 11 p.m. last night after auditions all afternoon.</p>
<p>As Terriwitt said there is a lot going on with music at Muhlenberg, both a capella groups, bands and solo performers. Plus lots of dance performance. There is some type of student performance going on every weekend. Its a very creative and energetic atmosphere. </p>
<p>I hope you enjoy your visit. Muhlenberg is a school that wants to “feel the love” so I am sure making the effort to visit and interview will be a plus. And most importantly it will give you a chance to see if Muhlenberg feels right for you. </p>
<p>Feel free to ask any questions and I’ll see if I or my daughter can answer them for you. Good luck!</p>
<p>Thank you (and teriwtt) for your helpful replies! I have heard back from Charles Richter and he will be sending me more info and giving me a tour/info session of the theatre department as well as let me sit in on an acting class. My mom also has a friend who used to be a Psychology professor (and whose husband is currently a Communications professor) at Muhlenberg who is helping answer questions (and may be able to pull some strings to let me see more of the Psych department as well!)
The availability of productions is such a plus - it sounds like there’s always something going on onstage!
Late nights, I think I can handle - I’ve been in some crazy productions that have had us performing past 12:30 am. :P</p>
<p>I guess one big question I have is the religious environment. Everything I’ve read about the school says it’s very accepting - from the school’s site to discussions here. I’m still curious though, would someone who doesn’t identify with any religion feel at ease (I’m not agnostic or athiest either, I just don’t identify at all)? I have no problems at all with religions, I just don’t want to feel like I’m out of place because of it…</p>
<p>Besides that everything seems great - I’m also really impressed with the efficiency of the school in terms of sending out info. I set up the tour and interview and less than a week later got the papers and parking pass for it - faster than any other school I’ve requested info from! :P</p>
<p>I think that my daughter would identify herself as agnostic; she had no problem with the fact that the school is affiliated with the ELCA. I’m guessing that you have read on these boards what the breakdown of self-identified religious affiliations students claim to be… 30% Roman Catholic; 30% Jewish; 30% Protestant; and 10% other. Does not mean these students are all actively practicers, just how they affiliate themselves.</p>
<p>Oh, that’s good! I’ve been emailing with a student at Muhlenberg, too, and she gave a similar answer to yours.
I’ve also got less than a week! I’ll be on campus on Tuesday for my interview, a campus tour, a meeting with Charles Richter and getting to sit in on an acting and (hopefully) a Psychology class!
Is there any advice for anything? What should I expect for the interview? I really want to be prepared. :D</p>
<p>My daughter doesn’t remember much about her interview. She says that in her meeting with Charlie Richter they talked about theatre and her views on theatre. She thinks in her admissions interview they may have asked her what she hoped to get out of college and what she expected to do at college but she can’t remember specifics. Overall I know the interview was warm and low key, not something you need to stress about!</p>
<p>LeftofPisa, thanks for your response! I got back from my day at Muhlenberg a couple hours ago, and, may I just say, WOW!!! I honestly can’t express how much more I love the school after seeing it. The interview was very comfortable and informative, and I think the interviewer was impressed with me (I hope!), the tour was wonderful and interesting, Charles Richter was fantastic, and the acting class blew me completely away!! I didn’t find anything that I was nervous about, everyone seemed incredibly welcoming and polite, and the buildings/campus are/is just GORGEOUS! I can’t gush more about it, so I’ll shut up now.
I think it’s pretty much decided that I’m going there should I be accepted, and early decision is more and more likely with us. My mom and I have already discussed flying me out from WI in the fall to audition for the theatre program in person. I just KNEW as soon as we entered the campus that I should go here.
I especially could go on and on about the class I sat in on - it was a wonderful thing to watch, and I learned so much just being a spectator.</p>
<p>On a side note, my mom and I were amused at the amount of double-takes we got every time I said “I’m from Wisconsin.” </p>
<p>Congratulations… Being there early (as many seniors are still undecided), being from Wisconsin, and having had the chance to interview already should put you in a very nice position for early decision. Sometimes the stars do align.</p>
<p>I’m so glad you had a positive experience. That is pretty much what happened to my D when she visited as well. It’s nice when it all clicks. Good luck!</p>
