<p>Hi all,</p>
<p>I have been fortunate to be invited to an interview for Performing Art Technology (Curriculum D) at the U of Michigan. Now I feel I am walking a little blind in terms of preparation. Do you guys (current student/past alumni etc) have any advice in how I should prepare myself? Is it a very technical interview? </p>
<p>Many Thanks in Advance </p>
<p>Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all!</p>
<p>Hi,</p>
<p>I’m not sure if you would see my reply since this forum was posted about a year ago, but if you do, could you please tell me about your interview experience for the UMich PAT program last year? I have been fortunate to be invited for an interview for the Curriculum C which is the Bachelor of Fine Arts (Media Concentration). I’m pretty sure they would ask the basic questions like “why do you want to study PAT?” or “why do you want to study at U of Michigan?” but were there any unexpected questions that you had a hard time answering?</p>
<p>Thanks so much for your help!</p>
Hi there. My son successfully interviewed for PATB a few years back. In his case, they discussed his production techniques on particular pieces in his portfolio, and his influences in terms of composition. The former dept head has since retired, so its possible the structure and focus has shifted slightly. B and C are similar, but there may be more emphasis on composition in B. But be prepared to discuss your portfolio, artistic process, areas of experience, and technical aspects of your work. It may also help you to take a look on the website to familiarize yourself with the dept profs so that you get an idea of who teaches what and an understanding of the context of their questions as it is typically a panel interview (3 or 4 in his case.)
Best wishes. He enjoyed both his interview and his time in the program. Don’t be shy about expressing your passion for music/multimedia as an art form itself ( as opposed to strictly vocational production study.). They are looking for people who are both innately musical and creative and at the same time highly technically accomplished. If they’re interviewing you, its a pretty sure bet that there are elements of your portfolio they really enjoyed, and that overall they view you to be technically accomplished. Don’t be afraid to identify areas of weakness as well.
I think it matters less to them why you’re interested in Michigan overall as a school than why you’re attracted in particular to their individual curriculum, which is highly unique, and their particular mentorship. The SMTD is kind of its own entity, and PAT is even moreso as it straddles departments like composition, AD, Film etc., each of which belongs to its own school within UMich. Historically, the department seems to have valued people who are both highly accomplished but also very collegial in terms of working collaboratively.
Hope that helps you prepare, and relax. Its not a test, per se, but rather an effort to get to know you and your work more deeply, as they have the difficult task of selecting just a rare few for the program. So above all else, they’re trying to identify not only fit, but very best fit.
Auditions/interviews are tough in a way for selective programs because you cant make it mean anything about your talent or your work…rather its just about where you’re at in your development at that point in time and fit. Eg., i will also say that I know of a few other applicants over the years who were very well qualified but ultimately not accepted. Some did very well at other prestigious programs, and one I know applied the next year after studying at a peer conservatory and eventually was accepted in. Its not unusual in that program to have some older/mature students who’ve either studied elsewhere then decided to specialize, after acquiring some additional experience.
So, Congratulations on your invitation…it already says something about your work 
One more note – a poster on the music thread a few years back successfully interviewed for Curriculum D. He didn’t end up attending as he received a generous scholarship at another great program, but he may have more direct insight about the interview, and more recently, than my second-hand info from my son ;). His handle here is @RoKr93 – he hasn’t posted in a long time, but maybe you could pm him or he will see the tag
(And rokr93 if you see this, hope it finds you well and ready for a great 2015! Cheers!)
@kmcmom13 Thank you SO much for your very detailed advice! I had a hard time thinking about what the questions would be like, and this really gave me an insight. You are ever so helpful, thank you for replying!