Colleges for Musical Theater Major - Part 30

College Majors Musical Theater Major
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<p>NOTE: The following question was e-mailed to me by a young lady who's having trouble getting registered on CC - she asked that I post it for her. - Bruce:</p>

<p>I am a 16 year old junior in H.S. just starting to research colleges. I've been reading the musical theater thread on collegeconfidential.com for the past couple of weeks, and I'd really like to be able to post but I've tried to register two times without a confirmation email. Based on your posts, I think I am in a similar situation to your child (esp. in the Having it all-academics and performing arts thread). I know that this is a lot to read and respond to, so if you can post this message for me on the musical theater thread for others to see, I would really appreciate it. </p>

<p>Basically, I'm stumped. I'm in love with performing- I've done it since I was little. I've gotten a good number of roles in community and regional theater productions, and I've gone to programs such as Stagedoor Manor ('03-'04) and CAP 21's precollege summer program ('04)- where I felt comfortable with the levels of talent- at CAP I got all A's in acting and voice and all B's in dance (...not a dancer by any means). But I also know the difficulties actors in this field face. I am a very academic person- school and theater have always shared my top priority. I have a 4.0 GPA and take honors classes, and APS. I haven't taken the SATs yet but I've been preparing and I'm hoping to do well. Basically- I can't imagine being put in the position where I could have a "dry spell" in an acting career, and just, well, not being able to work. I need to have some sense of security and a sense of working towards goals- not just working whenever and wherever I can to make money. I'm therefore verrrrry hesitant to enter a conservatory-level program, such as that at NYU. I'm scared that it will limit me in future endeavors, and that it will prepare me for onlyyy an acting career, and if that doesn't work out- I'll really have nothing. I understand that NYU has top-notch, Ivy caliber academics. But the truth is- it is conservatory level training. Based on my experience at CAP21's summer program- I know that the emphasis (to a VERY large degree) is placed on your training as an actor/singer/dancer- not as an overall, well rounded person. Although I loved my summer program (my voice teacher is one of the CAP 21 professors who I met and fell in love with over the summer), I don't think it really provides a well rounded education, as many people claim.</p>

<p>I also recently spoke to the former department head at Cornell, who was my mom's theater T.A. at UMich. What he said to me was very interesting, but is contradicted by some of the things on the board. He said that B.F.A. programs- such as that offered by NYU are only realistic for already developed triple threats who think of college as training for the skills they already have. I am not a triple threat by any means. Although I've achieved many musical theater roles- I consider my strengths in acting; I am an actor who sings and moves. Let me rephrase that, I am an actor (still in need of training) who sings (but is insecure about singing) and moves (can pull off a dance move or two). The Cornell guy I spoke to said that the best thing for kids like me is a B.A. program in a college that offers a very strong theater major (such as those at Northwestern, UCLA, Cornell, Duke, and perhaps (?) UMich)- and that DOES NOT offer a B.F.A as well (because if it does, the emphasis will surely be put on the B.F.A. theater kids and not the B.A. theater kids).</p>

<p>My only problem with this idea is thinking that it will limit myself in terms of actually achieving my dream to be an actor. The most prominent alumni come out of conservatory training, don't they? The fact that you don't have to audition for schools such as NWU and Cornell also strikes me as strange... does that mean the theater majors are less talented at liberal arts, B.A. programs? Basically, I just want some thoughts from people going through this process that are in a similar situation. How have kids who have a need to be intellectually stimulated fared at NYU and similar B.F.A. programs? How have kids who dream to act fared at liberal arts colleges with great theater programs such as Northwestern and Cornell? I know that you don't have all the answers! But any insight you can give me (or if you can post this on the board for others to give me insight) would be greatly appreciated!</p>

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<p>Gadad, that was nice of you to post that for her but she has succeeded in registering and has been posting as dizzidani88. We have tried to guide her with some advice, as well as correcting some obvious misconceptions she had about BFA programs. Hopefully, she has found the information she needs. :)</p>

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<p>Dani, just as I sat down to reply to your post, I got a call from a local mom whom I don't know (much younger kids in her family), who has a daughter very into musical theater and heard my D went to SDM and wanted to know more about it as she thinks she is going to send her child. In fact, it was funny cause I was about to write you about the "sessions" thing at SD when this mom was asking which was the best session to go! </p>

<p>Anyway, I understand what your experience was like third session. Obviously there are talented kids in each of the three sessions. But I am aware of the situation with third, particularly this past summer. My D went many summers sessions two and three. A few summers ago, she switched to first and second (reluctantly at the time I might add due to friendship groups from third) due to being contracted to perform at Lincoln Center during third session. Since that time, she has only gone first and second because most friends switched over. Third session used to be great. But I know that this past year and even somewhat the year before, it turned out that almost all returning campers, or all the ones who had gone several years, all went first/second and third session turned out to be a majority of first timers. Naturally first timers can be just as talented, but the dynamics were different. There was a clear difference between first/second and third the past year. Like you said, most of cabaret was new. And that differs from when you have this core of talent over the years that holds the show together and then new talent joins in, learns the show and takes off in the future. The level of the shows does seem to differ. It did not used to be that way so much there as it turned out this past year or two. By the same token, many opportunities for more and more leads and to get into cabaret open up during third session. I have seen so many shows over 15 sessions at SD, that I have a sense of what it is like. My D has been in OTC since age nine (normally the cast is ages 13-18) and so I have seen the differences in sessions and so forth. I think in your case, if you went back for first/second session (I know that is hard because you made all your friends there in third), or convinced a few friends to also switch, your experience might differ (plus there would be some third year kids in your group and now you guys would be more the experienced ones so to speak). I know the place practically cleared out after second session and so it was like a whole new group third for the directors and so forth to deal with. It sounds like your summer was fruitful, however, in that you ALSO did Cap21, you lucky girl! I have a feeling that my own D might not be too enthralled in doing Mikado either, as she loved West Side Story and Nine so much this past summer, as shows themselves. I can't imagine what OTC was like with all the key soloists having left and all the kids who knew that show backwards and forwards. Normally there are some new cast members each session but there is a core to learn from those who have done it and really know it. </p>

<p>As far as your mom and how you wish she knew more about this college stuff and so forth....please realize that I am on kid number two (I have a freshman in college as well) and have learned along the way about this stuff. You are the oldest in your family? and you are a junior and JUST starting the process. If you asked me two years ago, I would not have known too much either. What you can do is have your mom buy a book or two on this college process and invite her to read this forum which to me is a WEALTH of knowledge that you can't get in a book! And the musical theater threads alone are one of the best resources I have seen anywhere on this topic. The more you guys investigate schools and so forth, you will learn along the way and this time two years from now, your mom will be helping others, wait and see. Basically you gotta just jump in because this is a process you are going through so you learn along the way. </p>

<p>Best of luck with it all.
Susan</p>

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<p>DizzyDani88,</p>

<p>Thank you so much for the contact names. She is really looking forward to going if we can find the accomodations (most of her friends will be 17). We are in the process of college searching now (last spring visited NYU - (wouldn't let us in Tisch) and Boston Consevatory. Her dad is taking her to UM, CMM & Northwestern during February (havn't heard too much on this site about Northwestern). She's a CA. girl wanting to go East but hasn't a clue about the weather.</p>

<p>Thanks again</p>

<p>I would still like to hear from anyone who had similar experience (cap 21 unable to stay in dorms).</p>

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<p>Since we seem to have a few new people here, I thought I'd mention that on the first page of this part 30 thread, thesbohemian has kindly linked to the FAQ page which has an amazing amount of good information, as well as the discussion on drama programs. Happy reading to all of you newcomers! :)</p>

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<p>BA vs BFA for actors </p>

<hr>

<p>DizzyDani88-</p>

<p>I read your post on the MT thread and my suggestion would be this.....</p>

<p>Do as much research as you can on schools in which you have some interest.</p>

<p>As someone else posted, interview with an alumni or current student. I know that CMU gives prospective students a list of graduates from all over the country that you can schedule to meet with.</p>

<p>Read and research the curriculum that colleges offer. I know many students who don't take this step and go to a particular college because of where the college is located just to find that they aren't happy with the program. Compare the BA and BFA offerings. I know a student at a particular college, (actor) who is in the BA program but feels the BFA program is stronger.</p>

<p>At some point, after applications are turned in, when you find out where you have been accepted, or anytime for that matter, get a real feel for the college by visiting. In our experience, and yes it was a stretch for us financially, it really helped our S know whether a particular college was a good fit for him or not. That is the most important thing in my opinion. You will spend 4 years of your life in this "place" so you want to be happy there.</p>

<p>In respect to becoming a well rounded person (BA vs. BFA). I have heard this from many people. I would agree that those in many BFA tracks will not have the knowledge base in regards to high level math, science and some other subjects, but actors in BFA programs do learn about human nature, behavior, and anything in relation to their role or subject matter in a play/film because their job is to study people, places,and circumstances, (and in most cases different time periods). I happen to believe that if an actor takes his job seriously, and this is just my opinion, that these are wonderful lessons that will be learned in the course of an intense BFA program. I happen to believe this provides a great deal of exposure to many subjects that help to build a well rounded person.</p>

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<p>soozievt-
spoke to skylar last night and he said he felt like last year was good closure for him, and he isn't returning to stagedoor this year. also told me he basically has to get in to nyu, because he's hasn't really planned on applying to ANY other schools (other than michigan... and he scheduled his audition date later than his early decision response from nyu, so he'll only audition if he doesn't get in) i'm pretty confident about his application to nyu... but you never know. in terms of my mom not knowing information about colleges- i didn't mean to put her down in any way shape or form! i have a wonderful mother who's allowed me to expose myself to all the things i've wanted, and she is a very invested, intelligent woman. i just think she has certain pre concieved notions in her head that need to be checked out by thorough research. (for example, she's convinced that NYU's reputation exceeds what it really is academically... i think she read some articles about it; she told me that she'd seen an article saying NYU is hiring a lot of new professors because the applicants they're getting are superior to their faculty?) Other than this, she hasn't really made it clear why she thinks this. I told her that from the information I've gotten so far, Northwestern was my favorite; and she asked... why not Cornell? When my dad saw my pre pre preliminary list of schools... he immediately asked why Yale wasn't on it (his alma mater) It seems they're set on me going to an Ivy... which I'm starting to resent. My mom also has hinted at the fact that she wont LET me go to a b.f.a program (which may be why she was putting NYU down) which really got me upset. All she really knows about B.F.A's are what she learned from a half hour conversation with her friend, the former head of the Cornell theater dept... So who is she to judge it? I know eventually she'll pull through and support whatever decision I make, but its a frustrating process, as you probably are aware. Thanks again for all the advice!
-Dani</p>

<p>wct-
hey! thanks for the suggestion! do you have any books that you particularly recommend for research? I have the Princeton Review's "Best 357 Colleges", The Performing Arts Majors Guide To Colleges, and the Fiske College Guide. My problem none of the books really answer the majority of my questions. I think that I do have to start speaking to alumni, getting the real inside scoop- But I'm in two shows right now, working after school from 3:30-6, Taking SAT prep classes, schoolwork, etc etc... Basically time is very limited. Lists like the one you mentioned for CMU would be helpful.. so I'll have to check that out. I was wondering if the student you know who feels the B.F.A program is stronger then the B.A. goes to a school where both are available. Apparently, schools that offer both usually focus more on their B.F.A students, but schools such as Northwestern and UCLA that only offer the B.A. have equally strong programs. Based on the info I've gotten off this site, I'm still going to check both out. From all I've read and heard... it looks like Northwestern, Cornell, NYU and Michigan are my favs. No doubt that'll change by the time I'm actually supposed to be applying to these schools. Thanks again for your help.</p>

<p>-Dani</p>

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<p>OK - Dani, you seem to have figured out this format long before I did! :-)</p>

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<p>Thanks so much for your help though, gadad!! :)</p>

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<p>Dani, hi again. I knew Skylar might not go back. I mean for him, and my daughter and just about all her closest friends there, this past summer was going to be their last as they were graduating. For my daughter originally it wasn't going to be her last but when she chose to graduate early, then we told her it was. But she is dying to return and a few people are going to, many will be graduating and some who are entering senior year. And actually she is younger than most of her friends and so she just turned 16 so she surely is in the age to continue going as it goes up to age 18. I just thought she would be home the summer before college and work but she will go now for three weeks only. It is funny cause when I was talking to Skylar's mom last summer (in line for Nine), and was saying that this was it for my daughter and she was the one telling me to let her come back again since she can! I also think Skylar will get into NYU ED, though I surely think any student when applying to such selective programs should be looking to apply to more schools, actively. He is very talented and I feel that he will get in. Now, when others say that about my daughter, I cringe, lol, and people like Skylar's mom do say that about her, lol. And now here I am doing that! My daughter was going to apply ED to Tisch for the longest time (before she ever looked into colleges!) and came very close to doing so but now feels she wants to be open to a couple possibilities and not commit fully at this moment. Even so, that program remains one of her first choices. Several friends who were going to apply early have now chosen to apply RD, except Skylar and a couple others stuck with the ED. It was a very hard decision for my daughter but the way I see it, she is still an applicant, and did not lose anything other than the boost that ED gives someone, but she still will be applying and trying to get in and we'll see what happens. </p>

<p>As far as your mom, I surely knew you were not putting her down and obviously your parents have supported you in your endeavors right along! I just was saying that you are early in the process yet and it is only natural that your parents might not know that much about it yet because you learn as you get immersed in it and you might want to share articles/books with them and even this forum!! Also, in your latest post, it appears that your parents have preconceived notions or hopes concerning your college education and this whole BFA thing is a new thing for them to consider and it is more of an unknown to most people. Your parents are well educated and want the same for you. And if you should go the BFA route, sometimes these very very selective and well regarded BFA programs are not so called "name" schools otherwise. The general public would not have a clue if you said you were going to Penn State or Syracuse or what not, just how difficult getting into those BFA programs are, because the university as a whole is not as selective as these programs that take 5-10% of applicants. For example, for the kind of student you are, or even my own D, a person might say, "of course you can get into Ithaca or of course you can get into Carnegie Mellon" meaning the colleges themselves because of the kind of student you/she is, but the typical person would have no idea that it is as difficult that it is to get into the BFA degree programs at those schools, unlike the level of selectivity to get admitted in to the rest of the college. So, if your parents care about "name" recognition, the top BFA programs do not always fall under the same "names" that one might think of if looking widely at colleges (disclaimer....of course these colleges are very good ones, simply mean that they are not the very top schools in the country outside these programs). Your parents might be more open to NYU or UMich because both those BFA programs have a significant value on the liberal arts component and happen to be strong schools outside this major and in fact, are quite selective in and of themselves. Both these schools weigh your academics more heavily in admissions than many of the other BFA programs (i.e., CMU weighs the audition 90%, academics 10% in admissions but NYU weighs each factor 50/50). </p>

<p>Then thing you can do (and I can tell you already are doing it) is to research these options thoroughly and then share with mom and dad what you found. You can open up more possibilities to them by presenting them with lots of very valuable information. There are kids like you in some of these BFA programs who happen to be not only talented but very strong academic students. </p>

<p>I am sure your parents want to see you happy. If you can open them up to very strong selective programs that are not the Ivy League, and really substantiate why these schools really fit you, hopefully you can influence their outlook. If they really have "Ivy" on the brain, let them know that the acceptance rates at the well regarded BFA programs are in the single digits, which is HARDER to get into than an IVY!!! Really, I thought it was daunting odds with my recent grad who applied to very selective colleges (including some Ivies though the prestige of a school was not anything she cared about), but the odds with this second child with these BFA programs is even slimmer! Your parents just might not yet know that much about this stuff as they form opinions based on what they know and for now, they are familiar with Ivy league schools. So, your "job" will be to sort of educate them about some of these other very strong possibilities for you that you researched. If your parents could talk to other parents of students like you wanting this field, that might help too. I am sure it will work out. I am impressed by how much you have done so far at this point in your junior year. </p>

<p>I thought of you in the car a little while ago because I was returning from a very long drive taking my D to rehearsal and her I Pod was in the car playing some random play list and I was alone and on came Skylar's recently recorded "single"! </p>

<p>Susan</p>

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<p>Hi Dani,</p>

<p>I really appreciate your desire to gather info and the degree to which you seem to have engaged in self assessment as you begin this college search process. Not many kids your age take this kind of time or care in trying to figure out what they want AND need from their college years. So congrats to you.</p>

<p>I'd love to know who your parents' friend is who was the head of the Cornell Theater Department as I was a Theater major at Cornell although too long ago to give you much info that will help you now. (Cornell BA in Theater, class of 1972) At that time, Cornell was reputed to have one of the stronger, non-conservatory programs in the country. They offered an undergraduate BA but also had a fabulous MFA program in Acting and one in Directing. I was fortunate to audition (once in school) and be accepted into what was then called a "special majors" program that, starting in my sophomore year, allowed me to begin taking the studio courses offered to the MFA's in acting. When I graduated, I had essentially taken the MFA curriculum as an undergrad along with the other requirements of an Ivy liberal arts curriculum. Challenging? You bet! Thrilling? And then some. But I use the word "essentially" in describing my education because when it came time for casting, it was clear that the MFA's were there to work as the lead roles in all mainstage productions, while undergrads were fortunate to get mainstage supporting roles and the occasional lead junior or senior year in studio productions. I relate this story because my understanding is that there is currently NO MFA program and Cornell and when I looked through the course catalog when my D was getting ready to apply to college for MT last year, I thought the Theater offerings looked quite slim. But I do confess that this is the only knowledge I have. My guess is that the "reputation" the ex-head of the department speaks of is based on this older, well respected program. But do check it out directly with the folks at CU because it is an outstanding school in a great college town (My son is currently a junior there, in Arts and Sciences, majoring in American Studies - he's happy as can be.)</p>

<p>With regard to opportunities to be both a well-trained AND a smart performer, I cannot recommend UMich highly enough. My D is currently a freshman MT BFA student there and while I'm not sure that she is quite the devoted student you appear to be, it was VERY important to her to be in a school with other smart people and especially with other performers who are as passionate about their craft, but who also thirst for knowledge in other areas which will only enrich their development as artists. We found UMich to be that place. I'm sure by now you've read that UMich screens their applicants for the performing arts programs for academic qualifications FIRST, before they are invited to audition. It's not a matter of the faculty deciding that someone is very talented and then asking the admissions office to "relax" the standards so that candidate can be admitted. Academics first, talent ON TOP of academic qualifications. Also, UMich REQUIRES that their BFA's take 25% of their courses in the liberal arts and with very few LA core requirements, allows the students to choose those courses. My D feels she has the best of both worlds.</p>

<p>Hope this info helps.</p>

<p>As always, if you have any more specific questions, feel free to email me.</p>

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<p>Soozie-
Ohhh Skylar's song. hehe. I'm still trying to figure out those lyrics... "Rise like the sun"??? any insight? very poppish and boy bandish... doesn't really sound like him at all. But its fun. Gotta love him for it.
Thanks again for all the valuble information you've given me. I'm going to do some more research... hopefully talk to some alumni from different programs, and come back here with some more questions. You've given me a great knowledge base from which to start researching. I also gave my mom the name of the site, so maybe she'll start chiming in with some of her own questions. Thanks again for all your help!</p>

<p>Theatermom,
I'm in school and the period just ended so I'm going to write to you when I come home! Thanks so much for the info though, and I do have some questions... so I'll post later!</p>

<p>-Dani</p>

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<p>Theatermom,
So you went to Cornell for theater! That's awesome! What do you do now? Are you an actress? It's funny, because my mom actually went to UMich for theater (transferred from BU). But like you, she said the program has changed a lot since she's been there.<br>
My mom's friend from Cornell (the former theater head) is Bruce Lovett, he now teaches acting and directs plays at the school; but he didn't want to handle the politics involved with being head of the dept., so he stepped down. His wife is an acting teacher at Ithaca, and a working actress (as is he) and I spoke to her as well. So the program he was describing to me was in fact the program they have now, not the one you went to. He described it as very very strong, he said it was the 3rd ranked non-conservatory theater program in the country (preceded by Northwestern and UCLA) I'm not sure if they still have the M.F.A. program, I don't remember what he said about that. But this is what he told me about the program- i took notes, hehe... - remember this is not my opinion (in terms of what he said about B.A.s), although it was quite persuasive: 'In B.F.A's you go in as an actor, and it is essentially all you focus on. I would recommend B.F.A's only for strong triple threats in a musical theater B.F.A. setting. In a B.A. for acting, such as that at Cornell, you need 30-34 courses to graduate (8-9 courses per year)- 1/3 of that is required distribution (GE?), 1/3 is your major (required and elective) and 1/3 is electives. The difference between coming to Cornell as a theater major or just taking theater classes is majors are cast in the productions.' [this lead me to believe that the difficulties you had getting cast bc of MFA students no longer exists]. So basically, thats the info I got on the program, from the way he described it, it sounded great. He said that he's gotten student transfers from Julliard etc., and that the huge benefit of Cornell is that it's a solid university with NO B.F.A program. It seemed that although he painted his school in a quite positive light- he wasn't trying to persuade me in any way to apply. He told me how to go about looking for good programs, and he also recommended some others to me. He said to look for a program where there aren't hundreds of majors, there is a good quality of productions, there is professional, working faculty, and there are frequent guest artists/workshops. He told me some good schools for a B.A. theater program were : Northwestern (however, he mentioned that there are 300-400 majors there, which is a negative aspect, not too sure why), UCLA, Duke, Cornell, Brown (but there are 'student decisions' in terms of productions and such which he said leads him to believe that the program isn't particularly stable) and Brandeis (but the program has been under construction). He also mentioned Michigan. I'm planning on visiting most of the above programs. From what I've heard on this site about Michigan, it sounds great, it probably will be one of the only B.F.A programs I look into. Is there a drama B.F.A. as well as an MT B.F.A? Is your daughter a actress/dancer/singer? That's the other problem- although I've really only done musicals in the past, (and I love them) I'm not a dancer. I mean I can move, but I can't dance dance. So if it really is necessary to have all three in these types of programs, I don't think they're for me. But I know that even if I go drama major... I'll take voice and dance on the side, to keep it open. I mean musical theater is all I've really done, and a drama major, although its the next best thing, almost seems like foreign territory. I'll definitely check all these options out though. I think I definitely have to speak to some people in the programs. In fact, if I can email your daughter, that would be great! Also, ask her if she knows Amos (my friend whos a freshman at UMich for MT). Thanks so much for the info!</p>

<p>-Dani</p>

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<p>Hello everyone,</p>

<p>I've just scheduled a capus tour etc. for my daughter (January). I've heard so much about OCU I thought she should check it out. Also, their scholarships seem to be abundant. She wanted to check out an event, however, doesn't seem to fit our time there. Any suggestions on what airline would be best from OC or LA. We don't have a lot of time 3 days. Also recommendations on where to stay. Any recommedations for other colleges around the area we should check out while there?</p>

<p>She has toured NYU and Boston Consevatory during last spring. As a Jr., we're starting her search. This site has been very informative and helpful.
I would appreciate any advice.</p>

<p>thanks
lexismom</p>

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<p>Dani,
Yep, when I heard Skylar's CD cut of this pop song he wrote, while it is a good boy pop song, I did not recognize his voice at all! I am so used to hearing him on the musical theater stage that I could not believe it was the same person. </p>

<p>While I don't have a kid in UMich, I can answer the question on whether they have a BFA program in drama/acting. Yes, they do. In fact, my daughter's boyfriend (one of Skylar's roomies this summer) is applying for a BFA degree program in acting and just returned from a visit to UMichigan's program. He also is applying to NYU and Northwestern, not sure where else. When we were recently at UMich, we visited the building where the theater department was, not just where the musical theater program is in the Music School. Also UMich has a dance department and you could take dance in that even if not majoring in dance. I know my D was interested in more dance classes in that, in addition to those offered in MT, for example. Given that your mom attended UMich, I might think she would buy into your applying to that one! LOL </p>

<p>Do look into Brown. Not only is there a strong theater department with a BA degree, but there is a LOT going on in extracurricular theater opportunities, including student run musicals and so forth. Lots of talent there. Kids like you who are strong students who did not choose to pursue a BFA degree but are very involved and experienced with theater. Like I mentioned, a boy who played leads at SDM is there now and loving it. If you ever need a student to stay with for an overnight or to just chat with on a visit, let me know as my older D is a freshman there. In fact, just last week she hosted a student who met her briefly when she was on vacation up here last summer and my daughter was working where she was vacationing (we live in a resort community). She said she was very happy to host someone and spend the time taking her to things because it was payback for all the times others have done that for her on college campuses. So, if you go, let me know how she may be able to help you. As I mentioned, she not only knows the SDM boy who is a junior there double majoring in theater, but her peer advisor (a senior) is a theater major. In fact, I think her advisor himself is a theater professor! </p>

<p>Susan</p>

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<p>Any information on University of Arizona - know a few kids from MT that are going there. What is ther MT program like.</p>

<p>thanks
lexismom</p>

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<p>Lexismom...
There's a Courtyard by Marriott within about 5-8 minutes of OCU. I believe it's on Northwest Expressway. They frequently have great deals on rooms...if you mention OCU, it might help. We stayed there this summer (my daughter went to OCU camp) and it was great. We'll stay there again when she auditions. It's very convenient. If I can answer any other questions, don't hesitate to ask...or e-mail me privately.</p>

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<p>Musicalthtrmom:</p>

<p>thank you for the information. Is your daughter planning on OCU as her first choice? What grade is she in? Has she studied piano? If so how long? When will she be auditioning. If you could share her audition experience we would be greatful. Sounds like a great program. We were wondering about foriegn language. She will be in her 5th year (sr. yr.) of French. She would like to continue her studies in college (to keep her language). Any information you can give us or</p>

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<p>Lexismom--I would check out University of Oklahoma.</p>

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<p>Looking at OCU's web site, I was unable to get any stats (how many apply/accedpted. Does any one have any information on this as well as GPAs ,rank,SAT, etc. My daughter currently has a 4.0 has not taken SAT's yet. Just wondering on her chances.</p>

<p>thanks</p>