<p>I am helping out my D's friend who has been accepted to Penn State and Indiana U, BFA in MT. She is aware that Indiana's program is only a year old, which comes with its own pros and cons. One factor that may influence her decision is that Penn State is not guaranteeing housing at this point; apparently they accept more kids than they can house. (Last year it was 1,000 more!) They mentioned "supplemental housing", which consists of 6 beds stuck in the common area at the end of the hall (?). Anyway, thank you for any input any of you may have!</p>
<p>All I know is my D would have killed to get into IUs BFA program!!! :) But to be more helpful, I do not know of one person who has not loved IU as a school. (I have about 7 relatives/friends kids who went there.) True, none were MT BFA, but IUs past BA is nationally recognized. I can only imagine that the new BFA is wonderful.</p>
<p>IF her child truly prefers Penn State, I would have her call Cary (the head of the BFA in MT program) and say she wants to come but her only hesitation is that she is worried if she would get housing. I can't imagine him wanting to lose a BFA admitted student over this. Further, while Penn State (the NON BFA part) has rolling admissions and thus BA students got admitted some time ago and put in for housing on a rolling basis (that is how Penn State operates), I BELIEVE (but can't guarantee) that because the BFA in MT program doesn't put out its offers of admission until much later due to the audition process, that some rooms are allocated to allow for these students admitted under a program that notifies of decisions much later than the regular U's rolling admissions process. In fact, she could check with students IN the BFA program to ask how that worked for them or with Cary directly. I really think this is what happens but a call to him to check on it would help if that is her ONLY hesitation in going to PSU which is the only reason you provided here on her behalf.</p>
<p>soozievt, when you say to check with students in the program, regarding this issue or any other, it makes sense...but how does one contact students within a particular program? If the school officially allows a student to communicate with prospective admissions possibilities, the odds are that this student is a happy camper. I'm unsure as to where and how to find a student contact in a particular program within a particular school.</p>
<p>I would suggest calling the Musical Theatre office -- I believe that Cary has a graduate assistant that can help you and forward you on to Cary if (s)he is not able to answer your question. This person may also be able to connect you with undergraduates in the program.</p>
<p>Also-- if Penn State is not guaranteeing on campus housing, do they require freshmen to live on campus? Possibly not ideal for a freshman, but there are many "dorm like" complexes very close to campus... right off College Ave. These complexes are set up very much like dorms -- I do not know if they wold have spaces available, but they may... it could be worth looking into.</p>
<p>Congrats on exciting decisions!</p>
<p>Riesen -- many schools will set you up with a atudent to talk to either on the phone or via email... contact the program or the admissions office and they should be able to help you out.</p>
<p>I think what Riesen is saying is that the school is not going to set you up with a student to talk to who is not going to represent the school in a positive manner. In other words, just as an individual would do on a resume, the school is going to give you references that they are sure will give a glowing report. How does one find an objective student if he does not know any current students at the school?</p>
<p>melsmom09,
I sent you a pm.</p>
<p>ABOUT TALKING TO CURRENT STUDENTS...
First, I was originally suggesting that about something rather factual and not to garner their opinions of the school but I was talking about finding out from PSU students how housing worked for the MT students since they are admitted later in the process at a rolling admissions school that handles housing on a rolling basis and so it would not matter if you got a student who was happy or not with the program just to garner that factual information. (AND I also suggested contacting Cary)</p>
<p>However, in a wider context, beyond the scope of what we were discussing about Penn State housing and how it works.....I DO think it is very very very important to talk to current students at a college or program about other sorts of questions and to get their views on the school and their experiences. As Kat mentioned, one way is to ask the school to provide the contact information of students who are willing to talk to prospective students and answer questions. Yes, I agree that the school will almost surely provide the names of happy campers. It is a start in terms of having some questions answered from the "inside." But it is not enough. </p>
<p>It is CRUCIAL to garner the PERSPECTIVES of several students at a college because you don't want to put too much stock in what any ONE person says because each student's perspectives will differ and in fact, each student's experiences will differ from how you might experience the college and what appeals to you vs. what may not appeal to them. The way to do this is on a visit. Don't just attend formal presentations (though those are also good to do). Approach RANDOM students and ask questions. We did that on all of our visits. Talk to as many as possible. If you can't visit (though I think a visit is essential), then rely on the students whom the school provides for you to talk with AND....try some other things......ask here on CC if any current families/students can answer your questions, ask people on facebook from that program, ask friends of friends of friends who know someone in the program, and so on.</p>
<p>EDIT, cross posted with ttmom....there you go! Current PSU MT Parent! :D</p>
<p>Riesen,
If you have a particular school you would like to find a student in the program to communicate with, go to the thread for that school on the big list and post. Surely someone will see it from the school or who knows someone and can put you in touch with a student in the program if the actual dep't does not.</p>
<p>As a parent of a soon to be PSU student, all the inof we have received states that freshman are required to live on campus. No mention was made of inadequate numbers of rooms or that there was a chance that my son would live in a makeshift room. If she is convinced that PSU is the place for her than she should talk to the MT office for guidance-Paula or Cary would be able to help.</p>
<p>I do not want this to come across as negative, simply as an observation of behaviour that puzzles me. I am amazed by the amount of play IU gets on these boards. I admit I am ignorant here - I have not been to the IU campus, I had a good friend who worked there many years ago - but then left, and is now at Michigan. So I do not know much about the IU MT program - but how can anyone know much about a program that has no graduates? Again, I am happy for IU and their MT program - I just don't get how they can, at this level of their developement, be compared to any established programs that have a proven product. I imagine there is an excitement and energy in a fresh, new program. I am also very aware of the excellant music training at IU. I know everyone needs to begin somewhere at sometime - but it seems to me that IU MT is an unproven commodity at this point.</p>
<p>mtdog - George Pinney has been putting out MT trained students for over 20 years without it being labeled a BFA MT program. He did this under a IU category of individualized major. You can research the resources of the impressive voice, theatre and dance departments at IU. Put them together and you have someone trained to do MT. What IU has now done is offer a BFA MT label, created a specific curriculum and designated people like Ray Fellman to the BFAs. Terry LaBolt, previous teacher of MT at CCM, is IU's new Musical Director. I am not alone in believing the writing is on the wall as far as the future prestige of IU's program - I have even heard comments from some of the so called most coveted MT programs that IU is making them nervous. </p>
<p>I can appreciate your position because as you say you have never been there. As is true of any school, IU might not be for everyone. But if you find my post announcing my D falling madly in love with IU (she's going BA) you will find it followed with a barage of IU praises. Not including all the PMs. There is something very strange about Hoosier love. Princeton Review ranks IU students among the happiest. At no campus we visited did I see so many students wearing logo wear - again I think that is a manifestation of this crazy way IU just gets to you. </p>
<p>Finally when I asked the current BFA students why they picked IU over their other choices there was a unanimous response of George Pinney. Like IU and the campus, you'd have to meet Pinney to understand.</p>
<p>One quick way to communicate directly with Penn State students is to go on facebook and join the group of admitted students in the Class of 2012 and if you can, VISIT the school! My D was accepted into PSU's wonderful MT program and we both chatted with many students during a visit and without exception, they ALL raved about how happy and challenged they were. There was no effort on the part of the administration to try to hand pick students to explose my D to: they just let her sit in on classes and talk to whomever she wanted to talk to. I challenge anyone to find a nicer, more talented group of kids anywhere. They call PSU "Happy Valley" for a reason. I also urge any prospective student to talk directly to Cary Libkin, who is a professional and gentleman of the first order and who is very articulate about what his program offers. After my D's visit, several PSU students "friended" her on Facebook and offered to answer questions and so on. She ultimately decided to attend NYU/Tisch (decided she wanted a larger program within an urban environment), but believe me when I say it was an agonizing decision NOT to go to Penn State. That program, which is very small, has something like 9 faculty dedicated ONLY to MT, which is remarkable. (I am afraid that I don't know anything about Indiana University other than that it has a good reputation and that "Breaking Away" was filmed there, but MOAP above also has some good points and I have heard students there rave about the program.)
The OP's friend cannot really make a bad decision here, but if she/he were my child, I would make sure he/she visited the campuses and departments in a hurry.</p>
<p>I have very little knowledge of PSU so I can't speak to it but I agree the person has nothing but great choices. I never visited PSU and one of the things we would do if we had to do it all over would have been to add PSU to the audition list. From what I have heard PSU has a lovely campus, good academics and an awesome MT program. Judging from the PSU MT students I have seen perform on youtube PSU obviously does it right - the proof is in the product and they are very well trained.</p>
<p>Momofaprincess - Thank you. I wasn't really taking a position so much as asking the question. Now I understand that all the pieces were there in the various departments and they have now formalized a degree program - makes sense.</p>
<p>MomofAPrincess, I'm glad that you mentioned Terry LaBolt. I met Terry several years ago when he participated as Director and Musical Director of The Last Session in Cincinnati. The composer/writer of TLS is a friend of mine and it was a special production of the show because Steve (my friend) was going to be performing the lead role. Terry, in addition to his directing duties, also had a small role in the show! He's a wonderfully talented and experienced man, in addition to being a great inspiration to all who know him. He's one of the longest AIDS survivors in the country and he has shared his story and inspired many, speaking at schools and conferences, and participating in numerous volunteer and fundraising events. He is a terrific addition to IU's program and proof that they are doing this right! Best of luck to your D there.</p>
<p>Thank you all for your insight and discussion regarding IU and PSU. As a mom of a junior, I have been anxiously watching on the sidelines as my friend and her D have experienced the auditions, the acceptances, rejections - the random nature of it all. I know everything will work out for them - it seems as if both schools have outstanding programs and she will receive wonderful training, as well as a great college experience no matter which she chooses. (How nice to have a choice!)</p>
<p>And thank you, ttmom for your pm - I have given my friend your info!</p>
<p>IU is high on my daughter’s list. She is going into her junior year. Any tips about the audition process since your daughter did well? Did you use a coach? Is her strength dance?</p>
<p>Elphabac</p>
<p>Sent you a PM and an e-mail. Let me know if you did not receive. I was timed out.</p>
<p>We live in Indiana and my daughter elected not to apply to IU for MT. Several reasons, not all related to the MT program. She didn’t really want to go there because she wants a new experience in college, and felt there are so many kids from her HS that will go there that it would essentially be an extension of HS (I don’t agree, but then again there’s many times I find myself in disagreement with a 17 year old girl). And it is a gigantic campus, where she was ideally looking for something smaller. As for the actual program, what she had heard is that, because it is a relatively new program, there were still some issues between the MT folks, and the straight music/voice folks and straight dance folks that were perceived as a negative. Not that IU isn’t right for many, and I’m sure some will come on here expounding on the program. And if you want to do voice performance it’s one of the best schools in the world; we know several kids from my daughter’s HS that are going there for VP and love their program and experience. But everyone has different tastes in what they’re looking for, I guess.</p>