<p>I apologize in advance for what may seem an easy, perhaps even silly question. My D is concluding her sophomore year, and next year we'll be making the pilgramage to the various MT schools, to take their tours, meet with anyone there willing to discuss their program, etc. I assume this can be accomplished on the weekends? If so, will it matter whether a Saturday or Sunday? I ask because we have to sign D up for her MT classes soon for next year at her after-school/weekend program, and this will involve a weekend (probably Saturdays) commitment.</p>
<p>During the weekends, you will not generally get to see the school in action.</p>
<p>I think it depends on what you want to get out of the visits. My D is just finishing her junior year. We have visited 13 schools so far. Some of those we have done in depth--we sat in on classes or our D took or sat in on classes without us (mostly dance, but some acting or MT performance), we have done formal campus information sessions and tours, we have seen productions at several of the programs, met with department heads, faculty, etc. None of this was accomplished on a weekend visit. A few we were able to combine a Friday of classes, etc. with a Saturday campus information session/tour, but you can't usually meet with faculty or sit in on classes on the weekends. So if you want to do that, plan a Friday/Saturday visit. We also found a Monday/Tuesday or a Thursday/Friday worked well (over Feb. and April breaks so she didn't miss as much school). Other schools we visited on a less formal basis because we were already in the area for something else. Those we did mostly on weekends, and drove around the campus to get a feel for it, stopped and picked up whatever information we could get from admissions without an appointment (Saturday is usually possible, Sunday would not be open), sometimes we were able to at least view theater facilities, sometimes not. But at least it gave my D a feel for the school from a facility/campus and location standpoint. Some of them she decided she wouldn't even apply to because she really didn't like the location or the feel of the school. But certainly a Saturday visit will tell you very little about the MT department. You will get information on the campus and admission process that isn't specific to MT, but you won't get much that specifically relates to the almost overwhelming MT process itself or the MT program itself. And the programs are all very different! Hope that helps. Let me know if I can do anything else.</p>
<p>I really encourage you to go on weekdays so you can visit classes and meet faculty when possible. Some schools do not let you see much (Emerson comes to mind) but schools that allow classroom visits really help you get a better feel for what the campus culture is.</p>
<p>Weekdays are by far the best. Check the school calendar to make sure they don't have a school break during your chosen time.</p>
<p>I would simply contact the school. We contacted Tisch, and found out they don't let you sit in on classes (due to the high amount of prosepective students wanting to do so/space). But, we were able to set up a meeting with a guy there who explained his story (he was a CAP grad), and the whole program, and answered all my questions easily and concisely. The same thing happened at Michigan, where we had a meeting with a dean of some sort, and she explained the program, but once again weren't allowed to sit in on classes. I'd just call the school up, collegeboard.com will give you starting numbers (or check the respective college's MT program website), and see what they can do for you.</p>
<p>Chris</p>
<p>Thank you all for this marvelous start! In all of your wonderful experience, should we start this visitation process in the fall of junior year, or wait until Feb/April breaks? How far in advance of a planned visit should the school (and MT dept) be contacted?</p>
<p>It's unusual not to be welcomed to sit in on classes at Michigan - I've not heard of that as a rule, although occasionally - very infrequently - there are specific classes that are closed to outside visitors on specific days, depending on the work that is occuring in the class that day. But usually Laura Stroszeski (sp?) in the School of Music, probably the person with whom chrisnoo met, is able to set up many wonderful class visit for prospectives, and the current UM students embrace those visitors, invite them to tag along for lunch, etc. So don't assume you won't be able to sit in on classes at UM - again, I've never heard of that happening in the 5 years I've known the program well! :)</p>
<p>Yes, I talked to Ms. Strozeski, and she was very helpful.</p>