<p>Jamimom,</p>
<p>As Broadway32nd says, CCM definitely does have rolling admission and I'm pretty sure Penn State does too. My D got an acceptance letter from the PSU chair last year before all auditions had ben completed.</p>
<p>Contrary to what is written above, I remember that PSU DOES have rolling admissions, but I'm sure the many PSU'ers on here can confirm one way or the other. I remember being told last year that we would hear in about 2 weeks after the audition - either an acceptance, deferral or rejection. However, we ended up canceling my D's audition when she was admitted to UMich. Maybe things were different this year.</p>
<p>fingers_crossed -
Your welcome, and I say go for it! Just like jamimom said - let them know you are very interested in their program. I know people last year and this year who have written letters and had directors, teachers, etc... write letters to schools that they were on the waiting list for. We never did and I can't say how much it helped because we know people that did get in and others that didn't, but I feel it certainly couldn't hurt!</p>
<p>MTaussie-
I think this top 5 or 10 list is about as hard to nail down as stats are for college acceptances. MT programs for the most part are very new to many college curriculums. Over the last several years when my 2 daughters were auditioning - we read and heard (way to long ago to say where and when) about the top 5 as being: UM. BoCo, CCM, Syracuse and CMU.
NYU was considered one of the top drama schools - maybe because the degree is in Drama. Since last summer when I found this site, there seems to be a lot of talk about OCU and FSU and Penn. I'm convinced that a lot depends on where you live or perform, dictates how you become aquainted with some of these schools.<br>
Again, I am going to say. there are a lot of great programs. The main thing is their mission statement, focus and curriculum that I truly believe is the key to finding the right fit for your child. I have read that your son is an accomplished dancer. Both my d's spent most of their life in dance - classes, teaching, choreographing, conventions, performance, etc. As a result, it is hard to feel challenged in many of the mt dance auditions. But there are programs that do try to accomodate the advanced dancer and I would suggest from your list that you may want to look into some of these programs first. Good luck!</p>
<p>Rolling admissions at PSU</p>
<p>I can confirm that Penn State does indeed have rolling admissions. Dancersmom's experience of receiving a letter within weeks of auditioning is the current practice. This includes a letter informing someone they are waitlisted. The "no thank you" letters are sent after ALL auditions are completed.</p>
<p>Regarding the "top 5" schools: I don't think such a list can really be formulated, as it does depend on how one becomes acquainted with these schools. Also, as studio7 has stated, several very strong programs recently on the radar screen of talented students, are relatively new ( 10 years or less ). </p>
<p>Also, I think the reference to "Penn" was meant to indicate Penn State. Penn is the short version of the University of Pennsylvania - not to be confused with the Penn State University ( PSU )</p>
<p>mtfan, yes actually I received a LARGE scholarship from BW for academics and also the "heritage award." Talent scholarships don't come out until like regular decision time... I believe? Regardless, I've basically decided not to attend BW next year for a number of reasons. I private messaged crossed_fingers and for anyone else on the BW waitlist, I'm not going so that should be good news for you! :) </p>
<p>My voice teacher who works there is NOT pleased with my decision, and I am sad to leave her bc she really is wonderful. But for one, I need to get away from home. I feel that staying in the Cleveland area for another 4 years could be counter productive. I'm so familiar with the theatre world here, the "infamous" directors, etc. Oh btw, there are some GREAT opportunities here!! If you do decide to go to BW, PM me and I can tell you about the local theatres (many BW students do shows in the area, I've been in shows with MANY of them!!) and there is a mailing list here that literally every single person in the Cleveland/Northeast Ohio theatre district (and beyond) is subscribed to (something like 3000 ppl i think?). It's a great source of audition info, show info, theatre news, and so much more. </p>
<p>Anyway.... so I need to branch out. Secondly, BW offers a Bachelors of Music, and what I reaaly want is a BFA. BW is very classically based which is good for many reasons and you definitely get a solid background in music. But I need more dance training than the program has to offer. BW teeends to train singer/actors. Unless I took outside dance, I dont feel I would really have the chance to become a triple threat, or even become prepared enough to go to a Broadway dance call. (I also feel that same way about CMU) That is NOT to say the programs aren't incredible bc they ARE, which is why I auditioned for them. And the students are doing really well for themselves; the head of MT at BW, Vicky Bussert has TONS of connections and really looks out for her students. For me, I'd just rather attend a program that really values triple threat training. Everyone wants something different and I feel so lucky to have so many choices about my final decision.</p>
<p>Hope this helps, and sorry for the lengthy response!!</p>
<p>jamimom and studio7,</p>
<p>I have rough drafts of letters to BW in the making. However, I don't want to write saying that I would fully commit to going if I was admitted because although I love the school and the program, I do want to see what other offers I get. But I will be doing some major butt-kissing, just no commitments yet.</p>
<p>Fingers-crossed,</p>
<p>If you can't commit to going to BW if an offer is forthcoming, I would suggest that anything other than a "thank you for the opportunity to audition and for your consideration" will be seen as just as you have described it: kissing up. And I don't think that is a good thing. These folks have been at this long enough to recognize sincere commitment and if you don't have that to offer right now that's understandable and absolutely fine. I just don't want to see you sabotage your chances of getting in off the waitlist by being disingenuous. Send a sincere thank you note if you haven't already (and may I suggest that a handwritten note as opposed to an email will really get you some positive attention) and then just hang tight until you've gotten the info you need to feel sure of your decision.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>I am posting this for the benefit of all those looking into MT programs right now. This process is such a personal search, almost like a marriage. If this post sheds light on this whole search/audition process for one person, then I will not have typed in vain.</p>
<p>Dear Broadway32nd,
I sat here and read your post this morning, and I had tears in my eyes. BW was the ONLY program my D really wanted that she did not get into. (We've not heard from Hartt, but I'm rethinking that one....read on.) She is a strong dancer, and really wants to keep up and improve her dance and choreography skills, and I wondered if it would be possible at BW. After reading your post, I am now convinced that she did not get into BW for a reason. It was NOT the school for her, although as we both felt, it is a wonderful program with wonderful people. (That's why she loved it so!) The master class I observed at BW was packed with great info on auditioning for professional dance auditions and overall hints which would have been great for her. However, the actual dance itself was difficult and impossible for most of the students there to do really well, and I felt it would have been less than challenging for her to do "full out" within the first 3 or 4 tries. Your post confirmed something I probably knew all along, and was ignoring.
I kept telling myself, "These schools are where the pro's are coming from, so they have to be good for her!" Well I am now convinced that in the rush to apply to MT schools, (she made the final decision to major in MT late) many of the schools she applied to were not a true match for her since the beginning. We did not understand how each program has its own "personality", and is totally different from any other. Although MT is exactly what she wants, she needs a strong voice program, and wants the music background, (BW and others) but, she NEEDS a strong dance program, too! She is not able to attend southern schools due to the fact that she suffered from heat stroke and now is unable to handle the heat. (We lived in Texas for 9 years, so I understand the climate in places like Florida and Oklahoma, and these would not work for her.) The perfect place for her will be a northern school where the MT students are allowed to test out of beginning levels of dance, and may take upper level dance classes with dance majors for dance performance. Unfortunately, most of the schools she applied to did not fit this description. Amazingly, the two schools she was accepted to fit this more than any of the others.
For those of you beginning your search, ask yourself what you REALLY want in a program. Don't do what we did, and think, well, these programs are turning out great graduates, so they have to be good for ME. Think where your strengths lie, and what skills you REALLY need when you get out of college. If you were going shopping and purchasing skills, what would you want to BUY. Because that is really what you are doing.
I'm still not sure my D won't be a transfer student after her freshman year, because knowing what I know now, I wonder if there's a better match out there somewhere. She'll have to decide that. But of the programs she has applied to, she has naturally found the ones which seem best for her.
By the way, someone along the way made an interesting comment. They said, "You're a really good dancer, our dance here isn't THAT good." I wish I had paid attention to that comment. People along the way will say things that will HELP you in your search. Be aware of these things so you can find the absolute BEST program for you or your child.</p>
<p>theatermom,</p>
<p>I definately see your point, and anything that I do write to BW would certainly not be anything besides me talking about how much I love the program etc, not showing any kind of false commitment, and I certainly wouldn't be saying anything that isn't geniune. I probably wouldn't send anything if it wasn't in my top 2 or 3 schools. The "kissing up" thing I mentioned was a joke, not to be taken seriously. I'm a very sincere person who understands that these people know exactly what they are doing.
Thank you for your input.</p>
<p>Your post is very well written and I just want to reiterate your message. Each performer has individual strengths and areas he or she seeks to improve upon. Therefore, while you can gain so much knowledge of the various programs on this forum, it is EXTREMELY important to figure out what it is you want in an MT program AND in a college, in general, rather than focusing on a school because it is a big name with famous alumna. In the beginning, my d, just like many of you who are just beginning their searches, wanted to know what the "top 10" were, what schools were listed in bios in playbills, etc. and only wanted to apply to those schools. However, after further research, and most of all, after VISITING the individual schools/cities, talking with their students and faculty, and most of all, examining what her goals were, was she able to make informed decision regarding her college career. Things you mentioned, like climate, had not even been a consideration in the beginning, but after visiting some places, it became something to think about! In fact, one of the school my d auditioned for EA(and did receive a rejection from) was not even tailored to her primary interest, which was classical voice training...and we really didn't realize this until the audition. What I think I am trying to say is, there are a lot of very fine programs out there to consider, so try to focus on fit rather than reputation. In the long run, it will serve you much better! Good luck and break a leg to all those who are waiting, auditioning, or just beginning the process!</p>
<p>The advice that theatremom gave you is seconded by me. One of my son's close friends was waitlisted at one of the MT "Ivies" and he sent a personal note to the program director and followed up with a phone call. He got in... the program director told him that they appreciated his commitment and maturity. He's graduated and is working...hope the same thing happens for you...</p>
<p>Best of luck to you and to all those who are waiting. To hear it is true that you often end up exactly where you belong for the time. If the time comes that you want a change, each of these schools audition transfer students. My s's class added 2 kids at the beginning of their sophmore year.</p>
<p>By the way.. I've heard very little about Ithaca'a BFA in MT when my s applied to schools, it was very good. We saw there 2000 senior showcase during a visit and they were everybit a good as CCM and UM ( I'm a layman-so its only an opinion.)</p>
<p>Back to the rolling admissions question: Webster does NOT have rolling admissions.</p>
<p>mama02girlz and lexasmomkbj -- good words of wisdom. I've been very glad through this process (which for us is still unresolved) that my D based her decision to apply to this school or that not on its perceived "marquee" status but on what we learned of the program and how she responded to our initial visit to the school. That's another point, by the way: if it's at all possible, visit!!! Considering how much of your kid's time and your money will be spent at the school where s/he ends up, it's absolutely worth the extra investment to check these places out in person. Three schools that were high on my D's list at the beginning dropped right off after we visited. She simply couldn't see herself being happy at any of them. (I'm talking here more about the overall ambiance of the school rather than the MT program in particular.) However, all three have gotten raves on this board from students who are currently there as well as from parents. It just re-emphasizes the point made so frequently here: there's a right school for every kid, and it's not the same school for every kid! Look at it this way: we don't all fall in love with the same kind of person, buy the same kind of house, drive the same kind of car, savor the same kinds of food. No matter how fabulous the alternatives might seem to others, we have to choose what's right for us. It's exactly the same for our kids and their MT programs.</p>
<p>mygraddad, I do plan on writing a personal note to the director, but not one showing any kind of false commitment. Maybe the thing for me to do is wait until I hear from some of my other top choices and wait to write to them until I am truly commitment to accept if I get off the waitlist. But I don't see the problem with writing a nice note about the program and thanking them for their consideration, but with no commitment connected. I doubt that would hurt me. I'll wait for now and see how things start to turn out.</p>
<p>artsymom....
I TOTALLY agree with what you've said about the importance of visiting schools. The summer before my D was a senior, we took a trip to visit three of the schools she had on the top of her list. They looked like great MT programs on paper. They are frequently listed as "ivies" for MT. She didn't audition for any of those three. The further we got into the process, the more she knew those schools weren't what she needed. (The visits also helped us decide this.) Each one of these schools has its own personality. Some are more Music based, others more Theatre based. Even though they all are working to develop triple threats, they have different ways of getting the kids there. Research, research, and research some more. Visit if at ALL possible before auditions.</p>
<p>Great point, artsymom, which is why I referred to it as almost a marriage!</p>
<p>...but more expensive than most weddings.....</p>
<p>I also noticed that what I liked was hardly ever what the kids liked. Considering I wasn't the one going, I let them make the final selection.</p>
<p>Broadway32nd, you say that BW doesn't really focus on dance too much. Would a person who's never had much training in dance be good there? or will I end up maxing out my dance potential there. I thought there dance audition was pretty hard, but not impossible. Is that about how hard their dance aspect of the program get to? And do all freshman start in the same level class, cause I do have tap training and feel I would probably be able to advance at least one level if possible. Thanks.</p>
<p>mtfan - BW dance - I'm probably not very qualified to answer your question, but I have the impression that BW offers better dance than at some of the other programs (examples - CMU & Ithaca). No doubt, their primary focus is on music, but we know 2 recent graduates who are fabulous dancers and who tap for sure. Also, when visiting there recently, we had lunch with a student who considers himself primarily a dancer. He is very pleased with the program. Hope that helps. It seems like I read you were accepted there - congrat's! It is a very impressive program. My suggestion is that you call the school about your dance questions. Good luck! I congratulate anyone who is accepted at BW because it is so competitive, just like many of the others. Send me an e-mail through the forum if you want e-mail contact info. of the dancer student I mentioned. I'll ask him for permission first.</p>
<p>Fingers_Crossed, I'm still trying to remember you but to no avail, but I did think of a way for you to remember me. At the end of the dance audition I was the guy who did the flipflop when they had people do special skills. I'm sure that helps</p>