Has anyone heard from CMU pre-college yet?

College Majors Musical Theater Major
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<p>I've been in NY for a few days, and now there are many questions I have missed!
Food: Correct, it is not that bad, however, being that most people went out of the cafeteria for their food, it was easier for me to just go with them.
Money: Honestly, I spent far more than I had anticipated. My mother put 600 dollars on my credit card for the whole trip, and somehow, I spent all of that in 3 weeks. Much of that has to do with my carelessness and not going to the cafeteria enough. I did only spend 300 the last 3 weeks. I also went on a $130 shopping spree, which you can easily do without. If you budget, watch what you spend, and really edit yourself, I would say about 100 dollars a week would have been enough for me.
Nightlife: Food in Pburgh is AMAZING. There is a vibrant jewish culture, which brought in many other food types, and yes LULUS IS AWESOME! THere is a club for those under 21, its kindof in a sketchy part of town, but it was a fun experience. There are many awesome art galleries such as the Mattress Factory. The waterfront has AWESOME shopping, as I think I've already said.
Trips: You can sign up untill all the spots are filled, I didnt register for any the day of registration and I went on a few, but frankly, I didnt have much time.
Dorms: My dorm was very small, some were very spacious. Its luck of the draw really.</p>

<p>On a very sad note, I am a native Virginian and for those of you not living under a rock, you probably have heard that 33 are dead from Virginia Tech. A theatre alumni was killed, and I know of one other student from my high school was critically injured. My Director is a Tech alumni as is his wife, and there are many students from my high school at Tech. Please pray for those families and students and keep them in your thoughts. Thank You.</p>

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<p>Oh my goodness, yes, I heard about that. I will most def. keep them in my prayers. </p>

<p>Also, dramahick, thank you so much for all this helpful information! I'm getting so phyched about this whole experience! Ok, so $600 should be enough. That's pretty managable. </p>

<p>to kaylagurl: can you elaborate on this "Boal" experience at all? Or should I just wait? Haha.</p>

<p>to eva: do you know the cost of the fridge/microwave package?</p>

<p>Thanks guys!</p>

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<p>Dramachick, I'm so sorry to hear about your friends. This is an awful tragedy, and they are definitely in my thoughts.</p>

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<p>The fridge was about $10 a week, about? Me and my roomate shared the cost. It will say how much the fridge cost in paperwork you should be getting, if I remember correctly. There's a microwave in the lounge area of each floor, so there was really no need to rent a microwave. Ah..I remember the burnt popcorn incidents well..</p>

<p>Dramachick, I am SO sorry to hear about what's happened! :( It's so sad.</p>

<p>One of the best parts of Boal is the first meeting, so don't say anything about that, Kayla! :P</p>

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<p>yes im not going to elaborate on boal...cause i really dont want to ruin the surprise..the first meeting we had, came as a shock/surprise to us all...it was amazing..lol...just if its being done this summer...make sure ot go and do it!</p>

<p>and yes the microwave..i set off the fire alarm 3 times in my room because of that....the first time i was so scared that water was going to start coming down from the ceiling..lol</p>

<p>dramachick..im so sorry, you are in my prayers and so are the families...i found myself crying today because of that and thinking of my sister who is at unversity, and all my friends and me that will be going next year...its scary..and i had everybody in my thoughts and prayers today...</p>

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<p>All you veterans of CMU's summer MT program, yet another question:</p>

<p>The program booklet says that kids will do a dance audition on the second day of the program, in order to find the right level for classes.</p>

<p>Can anyone tell me how many different levels they have, and what dance classes MTers take? Are there tap classes, as well as ballet and jazz? I noticed that the list of things they have to bring does not mention tap shoes. </p>

<p>Did many of the kids in your program have extensive dance training, or was there a range of levels? </p>

<p>My D took four or five years of dance when she was younger (ballet, tap and jazz, as well as lyrical) but then stopped for awhile and just started taking intensive ballet classes again at the end of last summer. She is really looking forward to plunging herself more into dance this summer at CMU.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

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<p>Finances:</p>

<p>I loaded my Ss debit card with $350. Near the 4th week I had to add an additional $150. He came home with $50. I don't think he did many of the outside organized activities, but did more spur of the moment things with friends. He did go to one CLO musical. He did a bit of shopping. One of the skills he said he learned at CMU was to "streach a dollar." Mostly he ate in the cafeteria and didn't complain at all about the food.</p>

<p>We ended up buying some of the danceware on the first day because we didn't know what he really needed. As a Drama student (and not a dancer), that stuff was foreign to us. He had dance shoes, but not the other guy dance stuff. I think he only wore it once or twice and it was pricey. So, bring all of your dance stuff with you. </p>

<p>Finally, the book list and final list of supplies was mailed out to us very late. In fact it arrived after we left for the East. We left two weeks before CMU started in order to attend a family graduation and then we toured 5 other colleges. Many of the required books could be purchased used in advance. So if you're trying to save money, look for that book list (or call them to get a list early). Also, if you'll buy from the bookstore get there very early so that you can grab used books.</p>

<p>Parents Weekend:</p>

<p>Since we hail from Calif., there was no way to go back to CMU for Parents Weekend. My sister, who lives in north-east PA stood in for me. I booked the city tour (Duck Tour) for her, my neice, and my S to go on. Some of the official events did end up conflicting with luncheons with instructors, or other events. I did lose money on another event I booked because the times overlapped and I didn't realize it at registration. </p>

<p>The school does a class job at the presentations, organization, etc. After the orientation/registration preview, I really wanted to go to the Parents Weekend. Also the registration was so busy that I was never able to meet up with any CC parents, so Parents Weekend may have allowed me to do that. There were numerous kids that didn't have parents that weekend and they joined other families.</p>

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<p>NMR,</p>

<p>I don't really know how many levels of dance there were but the MT kids did have jazz and ballet. Tap was an optional workshop that the kids could sign up for in the evenings. My daughter did it and loved it! </p>

<p>According to my daughter there were some very accomplished dancers at pre-college (dancermom's D for one) and then there were some who were average or so. They seemed to be able to accommodate all levels of dance.</p>

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<p>Thanks, kaysmom and Elliottsmom and everyone else who is being so generous with info. My D keeps coming up with questions, and she is seldom online these days, so asking you all falls to me! :) I am glad to hear that tap is available, as she really loves it and was wishing out loud the other day that she had time to take more classes. Parents Weekend sounds like fun, and we hope to make it there. I also hope to meet any other CC parents either then or the first day. If anyone plans to be there and wants to try to meet up, even for a little bit, PM me. Thanks again, everyone. You are all terrific.</p>

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<p>I haven't gotten my paperwork yet. This is so frustrating. At least I know that I'm accepted! haha. Anyways.</p>

<p>NotMamaRose- You mentioned the list of required dance items...I was wondering what sort of things were on there? Just the basic leotards, tights, jazz and ballet shoes/slippers, or are there more specific items?</p>

<p>You all have been so helpful, thank you in advance times a million. :-)</p>

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<p>As far as dance: There was a VERY wide range of ability. I felt that they placed people in classes that most benefited them, too. Jazz classes were taken Tuesday and Thursday and ballet was Monday, Wednesday, Friday. We were in 3 or 4 levels? I forget. Tap was, like Kayla said, a workshop. They might do it differently this year, but there was a lot of confusion last year. Basically, ask around for sign ups for auditions, because a lot of people didn't know until it was too late. The tap workshop was definately helpful! I learned so much. I actually ended up taking two classes of it, because I was somewhere in between levels :P</p>

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<p>Do you have to audition to get into the tap workshop?</p>

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<p>Just as a note, take as many workshops as you can. I know that Matt Gray did a workshop on the first folio work of shakespeare and it was just about the most enlightening experience I have ever had, And I have done more shakespearean shows and written more papers than many professional actors have. TAKE THE WORKSHOPS. You learn so much about various techniques, such as the Alexander technique. There were a few that i felt werent as helpful as others, but every experience is one that you can learn from. And workshops sign up extremely fast, many had to barter and trade to get into some. I remember most people wanted to do Boal, and I almost didnt get in (something about the person leaving my name off the list by accident because I was last alphabetically or somehting like that). Check first thing every morning on the bulletin board in the lobby. There may be a desk or table next to it that will have sign up sheets. Write your name down regardless of if you think you can do it. You can always erase or cross off your name and someone will snatch your spot up immedietly.</p>

<p>As for the dance stuff, I was not an MT, but I brought my dance stuff with me anyway. They definetly didnt have enough dance workshops, so the actors missed out big time. </p>

<p>Oh, and I was remembering how cold purnell is. Bring lots of layers, its extremely hot outside, and very cold inside. So lots of sweatshirts, cut off sweatpants, anything of that nature.</p>

<p>Oh, and I know in most classes, people walked around barefoot. I rarely wore shoes, and if I did, it was becuase i was outside. Bring foot creme or any other foot things you need to take care of your feet. Luckly for me I dont have a foot phobia, but i know many many many people do, so I'm just warning you ahead of time. If you truly feel the need, wear socks, but once again, I never did.</p>

<p>Enough tips for now. Keep Virginia Tech in your prayers. We recently found out that 3 people from my High School died, Reema Samaha, an active member of my theatre department, Erin Peterson, a gifted Basketball player that had a shot at the pros, and the shooter himself, Cho Seung-hui. Im sure if Cho had had the family-like environment that a theatre has, none of this would have happened. Just remember to treat everyone with respect and kindness and never treat anyone as any lesser of a person.</p>

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<p>I'm very sorry, dramachick :(</p>

<p>I did the tap workshop and Boal, so there really wasn't time for me to do many workshops, but it definately depends on what you want to spend your time working on/doing over the summer. OH, and when people are freaking out because they think it will be too stressful to do tap and Boal, don't make that your deciding factor unless you know you REALLY can't deal with more than classwork. I did two tap workshops and Boal and I felt fine :P</p>

<p>There are auditions for the tap workshop, but only to place you in the class you should be in. I'm pretty sure they accomodated everyone who wanted to take the workshop into a class.</p>

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<p>Theperformer - the dance item list was about what you've mentioned for the girls. They had a pretty strict dress code for the girls (especially ballet class). </p>

<p>As I recall the tap class (evening additionally class) filled up very quickly. If you really want in that one, ask around on the opening day to find out exactly how to sign-up, where, when.</p>

<p>With regards to the paperwork, fish around on the pre-college site and enter some search terms in and you may find it. I was able to find much of the paperwork in pdf files before it even arrived. The final letter with what to bring and the book/supply list was the only one I didn't find (probably because it was finalized more last-minute). </p>

<p>Dramachick - so sorry to hear about your former classmates. It must be particularly hard to know that Cho hailed from your school.</p>

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<p>thanks ElliottsMom!</p>

<p>i'm getting more and more excited for this program! summer can't come quickly enough! :)</p>

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<p>OK, from the "weirdest question of all" category comes this winner from me:</p>

<p>Do most kids bring a laptop computer to CMU precollege? If so, what do they need the computers for? </p>

<p>My D has a very old (5+ years) laptop that we were required to buy for her at her old school. She doesn't use it often, as it is very slow and has not been serviced for a long time. Plus, it has not been fixed so that it can pick up a wireless connection, though I suppose it would be easy enough to get that done.</p>

<p>Is there a real academic component to the CMU summer program in the sense of writing papers, doing online research, or does most of it involve reading plays, etc.?</p>

<p>NMR</p>

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<p>Hi Lisa,
My D did not take a laptop with her, but her room mate had one for the occasional email. I think they had access to computer labs for any work they needed to do. the main thing I remember was putting their resume together, but I'll ask my D.
About parents weekend... I went and I am glad I did, but I'll report more on that later.
Harriet</p>

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<p>My D (and her roomie) each brought their own laptops....mainly to keep up with the outside world (it was nice to know the whereabouts of a then 16 yr. old and to be able to forward whatever needed...for instance her resume, music etc.). They were given CMU e-mail addresses as well. Yes, they did have a computer lab (& printers) at the dorm. They read books, but don't recall writing papers per se.
Re "parents weekend"......we visited, which was basically family time for us (worth it). ;-) Btw.......IMPORTANT.......if you do bring a laptop, bring a computer LOCK to attach to the desk..(if you forget, they sell them at the bookstore.)</p>

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<p>Thanks, Harriet and Mainstage. Maybe we should consider having D's laptop updated/serviced and letting her bring it. Hmmmm ... one more of a gazillion things to do before the end of June!</p>