Colleges for Musical Theatre-Part 38

<p>Ericsmom, I'm not sure what the dates for Chicago are for Tisch. However, I do know that a friend of my D was helping with the scheduling this year in the office and virtually every spot is now filled, in every city. It's true that you cannot get exact dates and info on scheduling before those dates you were given. In addition to those dates, you may schedule an E.D. audition beginning on Oct. 1. That's when the "audition hotline" opens, both by phone and online. It's a pain because it does not take into account people having to make travel arrangements. I remember it well from two years ago, but that's the way Tisch does it so you really have no choice. :)</p>

<p>Does anyone know anyone currently at Roosevelt, or anyone who visited and/or auditioned there? I can't find out much about the school except on their own website. Thanks</p>

<p>Chrism,
Do a search in the archived MT threads. I found and copied these three threads just as a start. There are many more.</p>

<p>Question: Who can tell me something more about Roosevelt?
I checked it out - Chicago isn't so far away from Mpls. It would be a lot easier hauling all the grandparents to see a show in Chicago then say Pittsburg. But other than being mentioned I haven't heard much. Sam seems to want a real college experience - though he is so focused I feel he would do well at a conservatory. Can anyone give us feed back on Roosevelt? </p>

<p>Thanks for your help. </p>

<h2>Jenifer </h2>

<p>By Missteph (Missteph) on Tuesday, August 26, 2003 - 11:03 pm: Edit </p>

<p>Jenifer,
Roosevelt is in an awesome location in Chicago! It's right on south Michigan Ave, within a nice walking distance from the Magnificent Mile, the Art Institute, Grant Park, a Corner Bakery (my favorite)......but something didn't click right with the school. I know this is just my personal opinion, so keep asking other people to benefit from many opinions. It's in an old hotel building, which can be kind of cool. The program didn't seem as rigorous or cut-throat as the one at CCM, CMU, or DePaul. I don't know. I think the main thing for me was that I crave a really nice campus feeling, yet you're still in a city. This was just a big old building. I hope I'm not offending anyone! Have you been to their website and read about everything they have to offer? </p>

<hr>

<p>By Chrisru (Chrisru) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 08:49 am: Edit </p>

<p>Jenifer,
We visited Roosevelt this summer when we were in the area. As Misssteph said, the setting is wonderful and the architecture is amazing. They are building a new dormitory that would be there for our kids in 2005. My son's main concern with the program was the lack of musicals. I think they only do 1-2 a year with about 10 plays. I wasn't clear how they offered the general ed classes. If they are in the main building, I would think there is not much to choose from. If they are not in the main building, as the dance classes aren't, the students would have to use the el to get there. To us, it seemed the positives were the location and the negatives were the focus away from music and dance with more on drama. It's worth a visit if you get to Chicago. If you go, I would be curious to hear what you think. </p>

<h2>Chris </h2>

<p>Theatermom - thanks for the posts on Roosevelt as I too was curious about this school. If anyone out there has any current info on Roosevelt, I too would appreciate it. </p>

<p>Denvermom - I can totally relate to the sting of that skinny little envelope. I can tell you that my D got over it within a few days to a week, and moved on. On the plus side, its one more file you can throw away to make room in the drawer or pile on the desk. </p>

<p>Broadway32nd - My D tells me you were at CMU this last summer and that you have the most amazing belt and are adorable to boot. She says if any of you make it, you will. She says congrats on your CCM waitlist. </p>

<p>Is anyone going to be at the L.A. unifieds?</p>

<p>Dear wonderful CC participants,
Thanks so much for your encouraging words of support. I am printing them out for my D as she's still not willing to talk much about her feelings at this time. I did contact U of Michigan to try to get some feedback about what she could do differently and the admissions person, Laura, has a telephone appointment with my D Thursday morning. It's importnt to try to get something positive out of these negative experiences! My D has probably added Elon back into her schedule to audition there 2/18. Anyone else auditioning for Elon? We probably made a mistake to chose to audition at Miami instead of Syracuse- hindsight is always 20/20!</p>

<p>Thanks again- it's so very helpful to not feel alone- no one other than MT parents really can understand what this process is all about!</p>

<p>Sandy</p>

<p>Denvermom,</p>

<p>How smart of you to seek feedback. Laura Strozeski at UM is a special person. I can't imagine her being anything but honest and helpful to your D and hopefully will provide her with information that will be helpful in future. It is quite rare I believe for programs to do something like this. CCM, for one, in their audition material, very clearly tells candidates NOT to call for feedback.</p>

<p>When my D auditioned for Broadway Theater Project when she was 15 and was not accepted, we called Kim Slade, the project manager and she could not have been nicer about providing specific constructive criticism. It was a terrific wake up call for my D. Kim said they viewed their program as having primarily an educational mission and felt this was a great way for my D to learn from the experience. Unfortunately, having recommended this process to several other rejected BTP families, I've heard that they were inundated with calls and now no longer provide this kind of feedback. Oh well.....</p>

<p>DenverMom,</p>

<p>My D is auditioning for Elon on Friday for Acting, not MT. I'd be happy to pass along observations afterwards if you'd like.</p>

<p>Catsmom..... that is so so sweet to hear!!!! I love Dani, we've been texting back and forth, both going NUTS through this whole thing!! I've have been auditioning since SEPTEMBER and only have 2 more to go! So I have a looong wait ahead of me, which I am anything but thrilled about. Honestly, going through the audition process is ridiculously stressful, but WAITING is 10000 times worse. You have to sit there by the mailbox agonizing over what you wish you could have done better at your audition. Well maybe I just obsess unnecessarily. I'm definitely in full out panic mode, and I even have places to go! I can't help it if college means everything to me.</p>

<p>Susan, how encouragingto hear that both your daughter and friend have yet to hear! It's killer isn't it?! But I was beginning to think they had forgotten about me! I don't know if she is quite as high strung as I am. I wish I could think about anything else for more than 5 minutes. From what I GATHER, the fact that we have waited longer than others means we are most likely deferred (??). But who really knows right. As far as the friend in florida, I also have a friend who lives in Fl (auditioned jan 14) who received a rejection letter a few days ago. And as far as people being deferred..... I know TWO people who were deferred from the very first november audition, one guy and one girl. The guy told me that he received his letter after the yes/ no group heard. Sooo that is what I have to base my info off of. I analyze this nonsense wayyy too much for my own good. Time to try and focus on AP Gov'T... yea right</p>

<p>Roosevelt, Elon, other options to consider, and Chicago NYU auditions:</p>

<p>Taking the above subjects backwards - I called the hotel in Chicago and found out that NYU is in Chicago next week Tues. - Thurs. I think next year we'll plan to do NYC unifieds rather than Chicago because they cover a weekend. I'm concerned about missing so much school, especially when some school auditions, such as Elon and Michigan, will be on campus and be on a Friday (missed school). NYU is not my son's first choice, so we can't do fall auditions for ED. We definitely plan to do Elon and OCU in the fall, and maybe others. (We're planning on OCU's summer program this summer - voice teacher got sick so we haven't prepared the audition tape yet).</p>

<p>For those of you looking for other options - One of my son's friends who is at Point Park applied and auditioned there very late (maybe April) after getting rejected from some of the very top programs. Point Park is still very competitive, but this young man had been dancing most of his life. At least they must take applications late.</p>

<p>Also, check out the deadline for applying to Indiana University. We are visiting this weekend to see a play and Monday to see the campus. They do not require an audition and accomodate MT in the second year with an independent study major that combines theatre, music, and dance. I'll update you later on our visit.</p>

<p>People auditioning at Elon - We LOVED that school when we visited in the fall. It is among my son's top choices. Good luck!</p>

<p>Lastly, we visited Roosevelt on our first college visit trip 1 1/2 years ago when we were ignorant about acting and MT colleges. A young man who was a student there at the time (probably out by now) performed at our local equity theatre two different summers and was very good with his acting and dancing. Roosevelt is at a wonderful location and sounds like a good program, but my son was not impressed with the faculty we met. It would remind you of Point Park or Juilliard being at a downtown location with no campus. On the same trip we really liked both DePaul and Northwestern but were disappointed in their MT offerings. After the trip, my son told me that the young man who was a student there did not think it was a very good program. I think he went there because of scholarships offered. Remember, this is dated information, so it wouldn't hurt to visit if you go there.</p>

<p>Broadway32nd....yes, it is a stressful process. Just take a deep breath. I feel that as stressful as it is at this juncture, you will be going somewhere next year and this period will pass. You just don't know yet where you will be going. Yes, waiting IS hard. Yes, it is nervewracking knowing how many talented kids there are and how many equally talented kids are turned away as ones they can take in such small programs. I can't see agonizing over what you did in your auditions. I can't say my D has done that. She feels she did the best she could and after that, there is nothing more you can do. She knows how subjective it is and how difficult the odds are. She will be disappointed to not get into some of these programs and yes, I am sure it is on her mind. I was surprised when she walked in from rehearsal tonight that she did not ask if anything came in the mail but nothing did. She just said, good, one less day to have to deal with an outcome and think about something else. </p>

<p>I know it is natural to try to analyze what this or that means. After an audition, you can analyze if they asked you to do this or that and what it implies but I don't think that is accurate or fruitful as it can go either way and is not consistent. As well, you can analyze what it means if you (or my D) have not yet heard from UM but we don't know for sure. Your assumption makes sense but who knows. They said it would take two to four weeks to hear. Since there are many audition dates, and they accept about 12 girls, I can't see how they would have accepted more than one or two from a given audition date. They have to hold some until they complete more auditions and they even said that. They do mail "maybe" letters or I guess these are deferrals but they called that pile "Maybe" and I do not know if anyone has gotten one of those yet from the Jan. 14 date. I only know a few kids who went that day. It is conceivable that they waited for some applicants until the auditions from this past weekend were done. They said it takes a while to go down the pile. The only good news that is accurate is that you are not out yet ;-). Thank you for sharing the process you know from friends who auditioned in the fall. Information helps but again, some of this is guessing and ya gotta sit tight. At least you are in at some programs, so rejoice cause that is a nicer position to be in than those who have yet to hear. </p>

<p>I know you are a talented young lady and I am sure some places will come through for you. Feel affirmed that some programs already recognized your talent. Remember, don't anyone judge how "good" they are based on one or two admission outcomes because this is a subjective process and what one adjuticator thinks differs from the next. Also, each program has needs/slots to fill and sometimes someone can be very talented but they simply do not need more of that one "type". Don't take a single result too personally. Plug away and keep going. Something will work out. I will be happy when this part is over as well and it is hard on the nerves but it is what it is and this is truly part of what this field entails. Not for the faint of heart. Believe in yourself. Also remember, there is more than one school out there where you can be happy and flourish and at this time next year, this nerve wracking process will be behind you and you will likely be a very happy camper. Don't obssess over any one single program. It is ok to have favorites that match what you are looking for but be open minded...many programs are very good. </p>

<p>Susan</p>

<p>Ericsmom, it is good you brought up Indiana. While I don't know a real lot about it, a friend of both my daughters who graduated our high school last year, did not get into any of the BFA MT programs she auditioned for but also applied to Indiana and is going there and seems happy. My D only applied to BFA programs in MT (all requiring auditions, all seem to have such low admit rates) and it is an edgy feeling because in REGULAR college admissions (not talking BFA), one should have reach, match, and safety schools but I do not find this BFA program admissions process to be anything like normal college admissions and nothing feels like a safety. We did not put a backup option in place but I think one must try to assess if they are in a reasonable ballpark to be considered by these programs and if so, then it seems plausible to get into at least one but definitely not a guarantee. For some kids, like mine, she cannot conceive of doing anything but a BFA program in MT so did not apply for any BA programs. I hope this was not too chancy but it seemed like the appropriate plan for her. I know some might say such programs with such slim odds is nutty but that is what most of these BFA programs are like, whether they are the top ones or not...they all seem to have low admit rates. I think that if you have friends who go to some of these programs, and you can fairly self assess your own skills/talents among those you know who have gotten in, you can realistically choose appropriate schools to apply to where you may have a chance. Of course, that does not mean you will get in but you have to self assess, plus continue to hear from those in the field about your skills/chances and plan accordingly as best you can. Of course, after that, the admissions decision is out of your hands but the college list should be appropriate and then just see what happens.</p>

<p>To those still waiting to hear from UM:</p>

<p>This is not much more than a somewhat informed gut feeling and I don't want to get anyone's hopes up in error, but I have to say that I think that at least some of you who haven't heard yet from UM may indeed be getting a "deferred" letter. Last year at this time two of my D's friends from the CMU summer program who auditioned with her on the mid-January date got very anxious when my D was accepted and they hadn't heard anything. They received deferral letters 2-3 days later.</p>

<p>The really good news? Both were later accepted! One is at UM with my D, the other accepted UM and then changed her mind at the last minute to go to CAP21 (she admitted the lure of NYC was too much to withstand.)</p>

<p>My fingers are crossed for all of you! XXXXXXXX</p>

<p>Roosevelt comparison to Point Park and Juilliard:</p>

<p>I thought I'd better clarify my above likening to Point Park and Juilliard when talking above about Roosevelt. The comparison ends after noting that they are downtown schools in buildings with no campus. My son immediately crossed Roosevelt off the list after the visit. </p>

<p>Juilliard was probably the most wonderful place we have visited - fabulous facilities and an hour of personal attention from the lady that heads the drama admissions. They take 20 students out of 1000 who audition for drama. Some of these are already graduates of a college program. My son loved it and might consider doing this over an MT program if he were accepted. I'm less than enthused because of the lack of liberal arts courses.</p>

<p>Point Park is one of the 10 MT's on our current list for auditions. It is probably not in the top schools for my son simply because dance is the weakest area for him (I say this while he is out attending dance class, which he does every week night). The people at Point Park were so wonderful to us. The head admissions guy spent an hour with us, asked questions and listened to what all Eric has been doing, and advised him to take much more dance in his remaining high school time, including 2 ballet classes a week to prepare. We saw an impressive Shakespeare play they did. My son's friends who attend there are very happy and trying to convince him it would be perfect for him. The person who went there after the rejections is convinced that his training is better than he would have gotten at CMU or NYU (I don't know the other reject's). I would be fine if my son ended up there, but I'd want him in the honors program for academics. Academics seems to be the weakest area, and this is the only school on our list that is ranked in a lower tier in the US News & World Report (general rankings only - not conservatory rankings). Happy students must be a good sign, so it is worth considering.</p>

<p>Theatermom, thank you for continuing to stay and share your previous experiences. You are always very helpful. I agree that we really don't know the current status but any sharing is beneficial to hear. We just gotta wait it out and there is so much more to go. At this point, a deferral at any program feels like something positive.</p>

<p>I have to agree with you Soozievt. At first I was agravated with my deferal at PSU, but as I thought of it, I became more happy with it! Its nice to know that they're still interested in me and that I still have a good chance of getting in, a least much better than the ones I had when I auditioned to begin with! So definatly be proud of a deferal, and even if you dont end up getting in, think that you were good enough to get noticed by a great school!</p>

<p>I don't have first-hand knowledge of Indiana, but my D's best friend, a boy who graduated her HS last year, is there doing music ed and absolutely loves it. He and my D got to be friends through their school musicals, and he has begged her every day for months to apply to Indiana, telling her she'd love what they have to offer musically. She's decided against it partly because of the lack of a structured, established MT BFA, and partly because she just doesn't want a large university. But I can at least pass along that one highly enthusiastic endorsement from her very talented, musically savvy friend.</p>

<p>Has anyone who's auditioned for Ithaca heard anything yet??</p>

<p>artsymom - I auditioned for Ithaca on the same day as your D (in DC) and I still haven't heard anything, although a friend of mine found out last Wednesday that she got into their journalism program. When did your D send in her application? I think I remember someone here saying at some point that Ithaca doesn't bother sending out deferrals; they just send out the definite yes/nos right away and keep all of the "maybe"s on file until they've finished more auditions. Can anyone confirm this?</p>

<p>Alex_nicole, I don't know exactly when my D submitted her Ithaca application, but it was months ago. She stunned us by finishing all her apps sometime in October. If they indeed don't bother with deferrals...well, I guess we'll all be hearing soon! Do you think they'll wait until all their auditions are done? What is/was the last audition date?</p>

<p>Hey...im new here...my name is Mike and I was just accepted early into U. of Mich Musical Theater program. I cancelled many of my other auditions exept for ccm and cmu. I feel they are all pretty top notch, but I have the best feeling about Mich(It really is so fierce its insane) and the students there are all SO BEAUTIFUL! I am happy to go there, but im waiting to see if i am offered more of a scholarship at cmu of ccm, because that is what it will prob come down to. If anyone has questions, feel free to ask. I am on cloud nine, so I love it!
mike
some other thoughts ccm, im not about to invest lots of money into a place that could kick me out after 1 or 2 years. And as of recently cmu is not what it used to be. It has been going down the tubes, but thats it just what i heard, i would be flattered being accepted into both, as I was at MICH-GO BLUE!</p>

<p>is anyone at cmu or ccm this weekand in nyc unifieds?
my cmu-sat 1
ccm sun 1 pm
Halle- i love u....u know it!</p>