<p>Hi,
I'd really like to hear from some of the people who sent their kids to these kinds of programs. Do you think that they gave your child an "edge"? Was it worth the money?</p>
<p>I dont know about the 'edge' thing - I think CC gives you that :))</p>
<p>But from the perspective of - will this really be something my kid wants to focus 4 years on and study in college - YES! It is worth it...the cost of programs is less than the cost of a semester in college. We decided it was a way to see if this was really "it" or should the focus shift to a more Liberal Arts education. </p>
<p>Of course, this also makes them a double-edged sword in that you are then going to be living what so many here are right now - auditions, decisions on MT programs, rejections...etc..... </p>
<p>Good Luck
MikksMom</p>
<p>PS- My D attended the 6 week CAP21 program in NYC last summer.</p>
<p>I went to northwestern's National High School Institute, and my neighbor got significant financial aid to go there. No, I would say no student "needs" to go, or that it has any significant factor on getting into college, but it is a great time to see if the intensity of the Music Theatre/Acting major and career is the right path. Plus, it's an amazing life experience.</p>
<p>I've never had a child attend a pre college program. However, my children have attended summer programs away from home for many years. I never ever thought about any "edge" it gave them. They never attended with college admissions or preparation in mind. They attended for the experience itself and the strong desire to do it. They loved their summer programs and for that, it was worth it. </p>
<p>For my kid who attends a BFA in MT college now, she went for 8 summers to a theater camp. She chose the camp when she was only 9 years old and attended right through to the summer prior to entering college at 16. I never saw her attendance as pertinent to a college "resume" or to prepare for college. But the experience of a theater immersion, and this particular one in any case, was a HUGELY significant experience in her life and has impacted her very much. She not only lived for those summers (the rest of her year wasn't too shabby either, LOL) but the immersion in classes and performance opportunities with others who shared her passion, strongly influenced who she has become as a person. For that, it was worth it. I don't know or care if it had anything to do with college admissions. I think all one's experiences make up their background and impact who they become and what they are ready for next. Clearly, the summer programs in her field contributed to her training, experiential level, and passion. Her program did no preparation for college auditions, or anything related like that. I never thought of where her summer program might lead her later. After all, she picked it when she was only nine and wanted to return every summer (badly!). That said, most of her friends, and most of the cream of the crop from all those summers, have gone on to pursue theater and most have attended or now attend all the top BFA or BA programs in this field, and many have gone onto professional success. How their summers at theater camp affected that, I have no clue, except that every experience builds up one's skills and background and so on. I think the experiences at that theater camp impacted their lives in a big way. How it impacted college admissions, who knows, nor do I truly care, to be honest, as it had nothing to do with the decision to attend in the first place. </p>
<p>Moving away from my personal experience, I think that a theater immersion program in summer is a good experience for anyone (though not a necessity!) to really have a chance to see what it is like to be immersed in something intense in their field, to be with others who share that passion, and also to fuel their own passion. For those who have never been away from home, it also is a great experience in that manner, as well. It is different than just being immersed at home after school or on weekends. It is like living it. It is a little like going on to a BFA program, going at it night and day. For some kids, I have heard that it helps them discover if they truly want a BFA path or not, by trying it out. My kid knew she wanted it but some are not sure and so a summer pre college program would be a way to discover if they want to commit to a BFA path. Plus, let's not forget that the training and in some cases, quality performance opportunities (if offered), contribute to one's skill set in the long run. I certainly believe that the training and experiences my D got to have in her summer intensive have helped her to become better at her craft. That can be accomplished in other ways besides a summer theater intensive, of course. But a summer theater intensive is one way to get that training and experience. We don't have performing arts high schools in my state. We don't have a drama program at school (though we do have productions). My child got training outside of school and also did many productions in school and in the region but the summer intensives were surely a major factor in her background, for the experience and training, not as a ticket to something else. I also cannot emphasize enough that the friendships and contacts made from those summers still greatly impact her life today in this field and also simply personally and socially. My kid goes to college today with people from her summer program, gets work in the city through contacts through that program, will live this summer with pals from those summers who attend other BFA programs, and will likely do shows with them as well in the near future. </p>
<p>I would not choose a summer program to get an "edge", but for the experience itself. My other D did both performing arts summer intensives for many summers, as well as summer travel programs, and these also were enjoyed greatly and have impacted her life. Once in college, she did do a summer intensive at another college in her field to try out the intensity of that field, to help her decide if she wanted to go down that path now and for graduate school (kinda like going to a pre college in MT program, but in this case, a summer intensive in architecture at Harvard Graduate School of Design) and indeed, she loved it and it solidified her decision to pursue the field eventually in graduate school. A summer pre college program in theater is sorta the same thing and can help those who haven't done an intensive program to try it out first before making a long term commitment. Some people already know they want the BFA path and a summer pre college program isn't needed for that reason (such as my own D). Still, my child's summers, while a financial stretch, have been worth it as they truly have impacted her life in a big way, which I don't define as college admissions. However, I am sure the experiences she had every summer at a theater camp helped her in some way to become an artistically viable candidate come audition time for college. ANY training will do that, however.</p>
<p>Also, I would not attend a certain pre college program with the hopes that attending that program will help you to get into that college's theater program later. I know many students who attended pre college at CMU, CAP21, Northwestern's Cherubs, BU's theater intensive, Emerson's, UMichigan, OCU, etc. who then did not get into the program at those colleges the next year. Go for the experience itself, nothing more.</p>
<p>I went to CMU's pre-college program, and Im sure that other people on this site that went there will tell you the same thing. I feel as if it helped me A LOT in preparation for the college auditions. Seeing as that's the entire focus of the program, that's always good :) I feel that if I hadn't gone to CMU, I would not have been even half as prepared as I was for college auditions. Even after CMU I did not fully understand how hard the process was, so I can't imagine not doing the program. I'm not trying to sound mean, but I saw a lot of people at various auditions making mistakes that I learned about at the pre-college program. Not only was I more prepared, but I FELT more confident, and that definately helped in the college audition process.</p>
<p>Thanks! A mom in my community had asked and since we didn't do the camps because of the expense, I thought I'd ask.</p>
<p>Thanks eva for posting a student perspective. Like you, most of the kids I know who have gone to summer programs in theater, including the various pre college ones, have loved the experience and found it to be very helpful to them. One doesn't HAVE to attend one, but for those who have attended, they have found it to be very worthwhile and very enjoyable as well.</p>
<p>A lot of CCers have advised me that a summer theater (pre-college acting) program will benefit my S, as he just started acting. We view it as merely a way to get him up the learning curve faster so that he has a shot when it comes time to audition for colleges next year. He has gotton into a few and at first we fretted over which one to go to - might one enhance his credentials more than another. But we decided that it matters little where he goes, as long as it develops his skills, helps him to figure out whether a BFA is for him, and allows him to work with talented kids.</p>
<p>I wholeheartedly agree with your above perspective. My S had no professional training (just coaching within the H.S. program). He attended CMU pre-college with some specific objectives: (1) to BFA or not, (2) to prepare for the audition season, and (3) to catch a glimpse of the national talent. All objectives were met and he experienced the growth of living on his own with more freedom, budgeting his money, figuring out public transportation, being very far from home, and working with true professionals. In the end he decided to study theatre (BA) in a liberal arts setting. I'm not sure precisely what sent him in that direction, but at CMU he was encouraged to consider directing. He did mention when he returned home that he "hit the wall" at the 4th week. I think the BFA intensity took him by surprise. Finally, the national talent pool may have given him some perspective as to potential success in the BFA audition process. All-in-all, a very productive (and pricey) summer.</p>
<p>ElliottsMom brings up an excellent point that I forgot but agree with. And that is, one objective in attending a summer theater intensive is an opportunity to mix with a larger talent pool and often a VERY talented and stronger group of theater kids and to self assess amongst that pool of kids because it is going to be like that times ten (in quantity) when you audition for BFA programs and it is simply a benchmark to ascertain where you stand amongst talent from all over....often the most talented kids coming out of every community, as opposed to only having experience and self evaluation in one's local community. That is another helpful aspect to attending a summer theater training program. It is good to get a sense of how you fare amongst a stronger talent pool than you can do in simply your home community.</p>
<p>It would be late for this summer, but I'd suggest people investigate whether their states have something like the Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Arts which my son attended last summer. It was an amazing, intensive, BFA style program. About 20 kids from the state got into theater after a two stage audition process. They also had programs in dance, music, visual arts etc. for a total of about 200. No musical theater, but many of the acting students were interested in pursuing that. The best part is, it's free. Full scholarship for everyone who gets in. It made my son realize he definitely wanted to pursue this, and he has remained friends with many of the kids he meant there.</p>
<p>My daughter attended 2 MT summer programs, UArts in the summer 2005 before her Jr year and Syracuse in the summer 2006 before her Sr year. Both experiences were extremely worthwhile for her. I would summarize the value of each as follows:
1. Both provided an excellent educational/experiential opportunity to receive MT training from respected professionals in a college enviroment. My daughter's desire and interest in having this kind of experience is what primarily drove our decision to let her enroll.
2. Both resulted in her forming close friendships with other performing arts students from around the country, many of whom she remains close friends with today and whom she visits and they visit us. This has provided her with a social circle/support group that "understands" my daughter and her perspectives on the world in a way her non-performing high school friends do not.
2. The UArts experience was a "litmus test" for whether my daughter wanted to pursue MT in some form in college. Her immersion in MT 5 days a week, from 9-5 enabled her to measure the depth of her interest in this field. Because we live in the suburbs of Phila, my daughter was a commuter, which made this program different than Syracuse's.
3. The Syracuse program was the "litmus test" for whether my daughter wanted a BFA program and could thrive in that kind of intensity. Because Syracuse was residential only, it was inherently more intense than UArts because of the expectation that involvement would continue outside of the classroom/studio with nightly homework, evening seminars and even a termpaper. It was more of a "residential college experience". Classes were from 9-4:30 5 days a week and there was frequently a few hours of readings, practicing etc at night.
4. Both programs provided my daughter with the opportunity to take stock of herself compared to other talented students and gave her some measure of whether she fit in with other performing arts students.
5. Both programs gave her the opportunity to form close relationships with college professors which I think will give her a beneficial perspective and foundation for navigating college.
6. She feels strongly that the programs prepared her for the rigors of college auditions and that she walked into the process with her eyes wide open, knowing what to expect.
7. Both programs gave her a wonderful respite from the rigors of her high school academics, doing something she loves and on which she thrives. In a day and age of "No Child Left Behind" and the increasing encroachment of standardized testing on high school curricula, often at the expense of the arts, these programs were food for her soul.</p>
<p>Soozievt is right, though. Do it for the inherent value of the experience, not because of an expected "edge" down the road.</p>
<p>I agree with all that MichaelNKat wrote. He also brought up another new point...his FIRST point #2 (lol...you have two #2s, sorry)....like your D, my D has made lifelong theater friends from around the country through her summer program....kids she travels to visit and so forth and with whom she is in frequent contact even now in college. While she had many friends at home who she also adored, she always had two sets of friends, the theater camp ones and the home ones. Some home friends also do theater or the performing arts, but not all of them or not with the same intensity or lifelong ambitions. This is absolutely fine and there is no need to only be pals with theater kids, but she definitely has a kinship with the theater camp friends that is different. Being with others who share a deep passion that other friends can't comprehend or don't have a desire to talk about, etc. is simply different, plus valuable.</p>
<p>I guess the real question is this... Has MT turned into a program that only the rich can attain? All of the voice, dance and acting lessons are expensive and that's if you don't attend a private arts academy. What if top notch dance/voice/acting training isn't even available in your rural area? How many colleges are saving spots for kids that have real potential but didn't necessarily have the same opportunities as others? I think those spots are getting fewer and fewer and I think that it's really sad. It used to be that kids played with their dolls or roller skated on the driveway with their sibs. or neighbors after school. Now kids are carted off to take private pitching lessons or go to a soccer workshop or to take dance classes four days a week because they won't be able to compete when they get to HS let alone college. We were so naive. We spent our summers visiting relatives in the midwest, creating our own plays with our cousins and taking long bike rides on the rail trail. That all sounds great as I type it, but my D's choices for college are slim and it leaves me feeling that I've let her down.</p>
<p>Sarahsmom, I cannot emphasize enough that one does NOT have to attend a summer theater intensive program to get into a BFA program~! A student needs training and talent (let alone academics, etc) and this can be had many ways. Some get it at school, some in the community. Some supplement with a summer program. The point is that some experience in performance, along with voice, dance and acting training help prepare a student who goes down this path...just like kids who study instruments, etc.</p>
<p>While my kid went to a summer camp in the arts, she grew up in a rural area. Kids here are not pursuing BFAs. We don't have drama or dance programs at school. Yes, my child took voice and dance lessons in the region and they did cost money. But she also did shows and those didn't cost money other than gas (often long commutes). But there are several kids from Vermont (our rural region) who are attending BFA programs and others from other regions like this. </p>
<p>It does take parent support and it does take some training. But it need not be at a summer program. As long as your child has talent and attains skills it matters not where she got it. As you can see, your child didn't go to a summer program and has been accepted to BFA programs. I would call that a success. I know of many others who didn't do summer programs who now attend BFA programs. The thing is that the student must do something to gain training and production experience. How or where is not as critical as to being prepared. </p>
<p>Same could be said of all sorts of college admissions. If you go to other forums, you might think a kid had to go to the finest public high schools or private prep schools to attend an Ivy League college, for example. I have a child who went to a rural public high school that might send one child per year to any Ivy, and she attends one and got into others. From our unknown rural school, a girl is going to Brown and another to Harvard this year. No pricey high schools for these girls. There are many ways one can achieve their goals. There is no one direct path.</p>
<p>Sarahsmom42, first of all, PLEASE do not feel that you have in any way let your daughter down. I just don't believe that, and I doubt anyone else on this list (or in your real life) believes that, either. It's clear from the very fact that you are on this list, gathering information, etc. that you are very involved and care very much about your daughter. Summers spent visiting relatives, taking long bike rides, and doing things as a family are memories that you and your D will cherish always. That wasn't being naive at all. That was being a family. Despite the frantic pace of modern life and its increasing competitiveness, childhood should not be about building a resume or getting ahead later. If your D wants to pursue musical theater/drama in college, she will do it whether she attains admission to a "top" BFA program or not. Many fine actors never earned that degree, and, in fact, there are "experts" (I always put that in quotation marks, because what comprises an expert in this field is up for debate! :)) who believe a kid wanting to be an actor is better off, in the long run, attending a strong liberal arts college, studying (for instance) English lit or political science, and doing a lot of theater while there. (Meryl Streep apparently took this route, not studying acting until she went to -- and I hope I have this right! -- Yale for her MFA.) I just hate to see you (or any of us) beating yourself up about the road not taken. xoxox</p>
<p>I agree with what NMR said too! :)</p>
<p>My kids didn't go to summer programs to get a leg up for college whatsoever. That is not what got them into college. </p>
<p>They would have gone to the summer programs even if they never went to college. They just wanted to do that for the summer and we let them. They asked. We never even thought about college. I have a child who spent four summers at performing arts camp and she is not even pursuing performing arts in college. Their attending really had nothing to do with their college aspirations. </p>
<p>I think one should spend their summers doing anything that is worthwhile. It need NOT be related to their eventual college major. For one of my kids, she went away every summer but not at all related to her eventual college major (architecture) and never to an academic program in summers either. She still got into most of her favorite colleges. The summer should be spent doing activities the child wants to do and within the means of the family. For its own sake, not to get into college. </p>
<p>As far as those with BFA aspirations, as long as they find a way to train, it can be during the school year....at school or after school or on weekends. </p>
<p>BFA admissions involves very long shot odds and that is the reality of it. Even highly talented kids who HAVE attended summer programs, can be denied at several BFA schools and many whom I know have had that happen....often.</p>
<p>PS....as far as having to be rich to attend a BFA....not true. It so happens that in my D's year at HS, and it is so rare that anyone from our town goes to get a BFA....there were two...my D and a very close friend who landed at Emerson. That friend has a single mom, lives in a subsidized apartment, and is a refuge from a war torn country. She was salutatorian of the class and got into a BFA (only applied to two) and took some dance and voice outside of school and had been primarily only in school shows. We are not poor by any means, but not rich either and my kid got into BFAs and receives financial aid as do many others whom she knows. Some are rich though. But certainly not all.</p>
<p>A little anecdote....my D has a rich friend in another state who has a famous father and he flew in his father's private jet for a private meeting with the person for whom the BFA program was named after. He did not get in. He is attending another fine BFA however. That said, my other D is a tour guide at Brown. Two days ago, she met and had on her tour Steven Spielberg and daughter. I wonder if she will get in. :D</p>
<p>Like everything in the US, if you have money you have an advantage and training for MT is just the same. My D's boyfriend, who is a graduatig senior cannot afford to go to any summer programs - away camps or local courses, or even summer voice lessons. During the last two summers he has had jobs to cover his clothing. He is at a performing arts school so he does get some training and from the school he recieves a scholarship to pay half the cost of voice lessons during the school year. The quality of these is ehhh. With money he would be much better prepared and trained.
however, he has been accepted to a local university with a good non-audition program. He had money to pay for 2 auditions but once accepted felt auditioning would not be the best use of the money.
Money is important in the US and in college admissions, and although colleges may look for potential, past training does matter and does put some students at a greater advantage than others. But this does not make MT different than anything else. And it doesn't make summer programs more or less valuable. There are many routes to the end and having extensive training may smooth some bumps, but that may be all.</p>
<p>You know, I am beginning to wonder who this process is harder on: the kids applying, or their parents? Having a child is like having your heart walk around in someone else's body. It is amazing and wonderful, but it can also hurt -- when they hurt -- like nothing else. We are accustomed to wanting to get for them whatever it is that they want, and that's not possible in college admissions! We cannot control the outcome, much as we like to think we can. We like to believe that, if only we had provided more voice lessons, or another, better teacher, or been willing to drive three hours to a rehearsal, maybe the outcome would have been better. But that kind of second guessing is just painful and counterproductive. In any case, my heart goes out to sarahsmom42 and everyone else struggling through this very, very difficult process. I think it is especially tough on kids who have been fortunate enough to be successful through high school. They are used to hearing "yes," (you got the lead/you are the soloist/you are class president) and suddenly are hearing "no." Hang in there, everyone. (And remind me I said this when I am posting in need of commiseration next year, OK? ;))</p>