<p>Forgive me if I'm being obnoxious, but I've posted a couple questions under specific schools and have either received no response or few responses. I believe it's because we can no longer see if a school has a new post like we used to; it's inconvenient to look through each school regularly. Just in case people can see the questions easier on the regular MT wall, I'll also ask them here, as well. (I already received some terrific, reassuring responses to the last 2 questions on the WS and CCM page and just am curious to a see if anyone else would like to address these.)</p>
<p>1). Elon obviously has a terrific program, and it's currently on my D's audition list for next fall/winter. However, before she applies, we'd like clarification of the gen ed requirements. Though D is an excellent student, she is looking to focus primarily on MT with as few gen eds as possible. I'm having a hard time pinpointing the exact number of gen eds required at Elon (or maybe I'm in denial because it seems like such an excellent program ). How many do MT students take each semester? Math is required, correct? (D would love for it not to be!)</p>
<p>2). It's clear from wording on their website that Wright State will cut people for artistic reasons ("lack of talent"). How often does this happen? What reasons have been given? Was anyone surprised by a cut?</p>
<p>3). What is the environment at CCM? Is it more cutthroat and competitive than many places, and are the faculty harsher and less nurturing than most others? I have heard rumors about this and don't want my D to make a decision based upon hearsay. </p>
<p>Great questions. All three are on my son’s radar as well. Sometimes schools post a sample four year plan which outlines the gen ed requirements. We are doing some school research this week (spring break). I’ll let you know if we come across anything. I’d also be interested to know if schools typically post NEXT YEAR’S audition requirements prior to the end if the current school year? </p>
<p>MTMom2015, we’ve printed out curriculums and 4-year plans, and we have Elon’s major plan, but, from what we’ve found, it doesn’t include gen eds.</p>
<p>I believe schools come out with their audition schedule around August.</p>
<p>^ Most come out in August - some don’t publish until early September - make a column on your spreadsheet for a link directly to the theater page - because you’ll want to keep checking it until they have posted the 2014-15 info. I used links in our spreadsheets LOTS! (Links to portals with logins and passwords too - for once apps were submitted)</p>
<p>Elon is a program (like Penn State, etc…) that does require a greater number of general education credits than some others (like Carnegie Mellon, BoCo, Shenandoah, etc…). </p>
<p>This is why it is important to look at curriculums and asking each school if there are additional non-required classes that can be taken inside and/or outside of the major to build the kind of program you want. It would be simpler if all BFAs looked alike, all BAs looked alike, and all BMs looked a like… but they are all so different because they are school specific, and for schools that are accredited there is a range of requirements inside and outside of the major.</p>
<p>I know this doesn’t really have anything to do with curriculum, but just a side note. Just got back from a trip to NYC and my friend let me sit in on a master class she was giving to some Elon MT students. She was the guest Broadway performer and was teaching them how to audition, worked on their songs and fine tune acting the song. These kids were Juniors and they literally brought me to tears. So talented, professional and driven. I am sure that all the schools have these types of kids, but I was so very much impressed with their professionalism and willingness to learn. </p>
<p>I had seen the document about requirements for a Bachelor’s Degree at Elon, but often, MT classes and gen ed classes overlap, and sometimes, classes such as math and/or foreign languages are not required of MT students (although the latter is clearly not the case here). It’d help to see an example of a 4-year plan. KatMT, it is helpful, though, to know that Elon requires more gen eds than places like CMU or Shenandoah.</p>
<p>Yes, at some schools the BFA general education core requirements do differ from the BA general education core requirements, and at other schools they do not. This seems to be the case at Elon. </p>
<p>I teach in an auditioned BA (which is actually very close to the balance between general education and major required courses that some BFA programs, like Elon, require), and while our core requirements are the same for BFA (Art), BM (Music), BA (Musical Theatre & Theatre), there are some small differences in additional requirements like foreign language for the BA that are not required for the BM and BFA in those other areas.</p>
<p>If you can access the catalog online for programs that interest you, it is easier to get an idea of what courses are required of all students and what are only required of students earning specific degrees. </p>
<p>My daughter will be a CCM senior next year and, while the expectations are high and they don’t cater to self-esteem and ego, the atmosphere is the polar opposite of cutthroat. It’s more like a love fest, The students love and constantly boost each other and that support continues on beyond school and into NYC when they move there end of senior year. I see FB and instagram posts of graduates hanging out together and cheering all of the successes their classmates have. The faculty wants nothing more than to graduate students prepared to take on the rigors of the profession they’ve chosen. The students feel a strong connection to them as well and vice versa and that also continues past graduation. That’s not to say that the program is for everyone. Each class usually loses a few students for various reasons although MT16 is going into junior year intact. If there are any other questions, I’m happy to help. </p>
<p>All Elon students, regardless of major, are required to take the same academic core. The program feels this makes the MT students more well-rounded. Or, as S2 says, “How can we get up onstage and mimic real life, if we don’t have some knowledge of life outside music theatre?”</p>
<p>It can be a lot to juggle, and I know students who do fine in their artistic classes but struggle with the academic ones, even fail out. There is some cross over, but not a lot. Those with AP or IB credits have more room in their schedules, and Elon offers online courses every summer, so some MT students will fill part of their gen eds that way.</p>