<p>Gosh, I hope nobody thinks I am suggesting a kid does this all on their own; no way! I think it is best if parents are very involved. I know I was with my own kids. I just don't think the parents' involvement can substitute for the kids' involvement. The student needs to be involved and own the process and drive the decisions. A parent can be a great resource who guides the process and finds out information and so forth. Believe me, I think kids do need help with this process. After all, families hire me to guide them through this whole process. So, I would not advocate that the student does this on their own. But I have seen cases where the parent is doing everything and the kid is not doing that much. And I think for those particularly who are pursuing a BFA, they need to be invested in it and involved in the process and eager to be doing this and also time managing so that a parent is not doing ALL of it. I have seen a wide spectrum in my line of work. In my personal opinion, the best case scenario is a balance of the student being invested and involved and the parents facilitating the process and guiding it. However, I realize every child is very different in this regard. But if you have to push and prod your child to do the college selection and application process and audition prep, I would rethink a BFA path. A BFA is very intense and it takes a certain kind of work ethic to succeed in it. I am finding that the kids who are good students tend to be on top of things and are succeeding in this admission process more so than the kids who have been prodded and nagged and who are not as invested or on top of things. But it is definitely a TEAM effort with the parents and students. I think it would be rare to have a kid handle this entirely on their own. I also don't think it works well when it is all handled by the parents either. A happy medium whereby the student and parent work together on this seems to work quite well. That is just my opinion, albeit based on observations of many families with whom I work regarding college selection and admissions.</p>
<p>Soozie -- I think we are in agreement. I think the extent a parent gets involved depends a bit on the individual child. As a parent, you know that each kid is different and some are more savvy than others at this stage of their lives. As parents, we need to try to carefully navigate a course that keep our kids moving in the right direction without taking the wheel out of their hands. I think you will agree that this is largely an art rather than a science.</p>
<p>It is definitely an art, LOL.....and can be a difficult one. I will admit that it is easier with a kid who is driven and motivated than one who needs constant pushing. But we can't control which type of kid we are dealing with. Still, making them own the process is important. </p>
<p>I'm glad you are starting in junior year and also doing visits. I have seen too many wait until senior year and that is even more nutty of a process, particularly for those seeking audition based college programs.</p>
<p>My parents would never come on here. I do all the researching. If it was up to them I would go to community college or UGA. I just have to get a scholarship.</p>
<p>I also help my older brother with finding a culinary school, lol. I like Yahoo Answers and that has helped me a lot.</p>
<p>Even with motivated students, they don't often have a sense of how fast the time goes between junior and senior year. My D was very motivated, but for a long time didn't get moving because she thought she had SO much time. For them, a year seems like forever. Where I had to nag is to get her started and help her see how much needed to be done over time -- and if you start backing up from the end point, you start getting the picture of why you need to start earlier than you think. We ultimately worked together to put together a "plan" for what needed to be done when -- and then I let her own that plan, only checking regularly to see if she was on track on her "critical path". It was basic Project Management 101. Now, after it is over (and we are just awaiting results), she is now very appreciative of the early nagging, and has learned a lot about how to manage a big "project".</p>
<p>WellMeaningDad - The best time to visit UArts is between March 16 and May 1 if you are thinking of visiting this semester. That's from right after spring break to just before students get wrapped up in finals and juries. From April 1-5 Cider House Rules (straight drama) is running and Bat Boy (musical) from April 24-May 2. Both are mainstage productions and Cider House is being staged at UArts Meriam Theatre which is an 1800 seat proscenium theatre. Also, in the warmer weather, you can get a better feel for student life in Philadelphia as the multitude of restaurants and cafes open their outdoor seating and the streets become crowded at night. Try to get reservations at the Doubletree Hotel at Broad and Locust Sts. Location is perfect for visiting UArts and I think they offer a discount for UArts visitors.</p>
<p>Thanks MichaelNKat -- I know he'd love to see Cider House Rules but it conflicts with a production of West Side Story that he is in... Maybe we can catch Bat Boy though... Are there any UARTs insider tips that would make our visit more valuable (or give my son a better idea of what the school/program is like)? Thanks.</p>
<p>rutgers also has a strong program that you should look into.</p>
<p>WellMeaningDad, I am not a UArts "insider" (my kid doesn't go there) but we visited twice (once during my D's junior year and once, senior year, when she auditioned) and I don't think you need "inside knowledge" to hav a productive visit. Contact Charlie Gilbert (or a designee) and get advance permission for your son to sit in on some classes and tickets to the musical or play if one is going on then. My D did both and had a wonderful time and felt that UArts was a place that she definitely would have been happy at. She was fortunate enough to be accepted but, for various reasons, ended up choosing NYU where she is now a freshman. Your son will likely love UArts, too, and especially the very friendly and helpful students who go there.</p>
<p>tracy5790 and NotMamaRose -- thanks -- both Rutgers and UArts are on our list. NMR -- we followed your advice for the schools we've visited so far and it's worked out great. Thanks for the UArts recommendation -- it sounds like exactly what he's looking for (i.e. an urban campus in the center of the "Arts" action, enthusiastic support from current students and family members, etc.).</p>
<p>WellMeaningDad, NMR's advice to contact Charlie Gilbert (Interim Head of the School of Theatre Arts) is a good suggestion. Charlie is very willing to meet with prospective students although his schedule may be less flexible this year given his duties as the head honcho of SOTA than it was when he was "only" the head of the MT program. If Charlie is not available, you may want to try to meet with Johnnie Hobbs who is the head of the BFA Acting program. Do not expect to be able to sit in on core Acting Studio classes, however. They are generally closed to visitors to avoid disruptions and distractions. Other classes, including non-core acting related classes are usually open to sit in on.</p>
<p>When you take a tour, make sure to see the Terra Building which house the School of Thetare Arts and the new Caplin Theatre, The Arts Bank which houses one of the mainstages and the new Beechman Caberet Theatre, the Merriam Theatre which is UArts 1800 seat Broadway quality proscenium theatre and one of the dorms (Spruce is a good one to get a flavor for what a studio apartment for 2 is like and an appreciation for the neighborhood restaurants and cafes that students often enjoy. Also have your tour guide tell you about the many non-UArts theatres in and around the UArts campus neighborhoods. Justing walking down Broad St from the Terra Building to the Arts Bank takes you past 4 major professional venues and there's loads more 10-15 minutes off campus.</p>
<p>Thanks MichaelNKat but I was really hoping for a cheesesteak recommendation... Just kidding -- thanks, we'll take your advice.</p>