<p>My D is a Junior and we are trying to fine tune our list for next year’s applications. Can someone speak to the culture of the program and CCM? I know it is an intense program that likely leaves little time for a life outside of the training, but do the students feel a part of the larger community or very separate?</p>
<p>shaun0203, I am curious to see how current CCM families respond to this, too. My son will be a freshman this fall at CCM in jazz studies. During our campus visit a year ago, our tour guide said that some CCM students take part in a lot of UC activities, attend games, etc., while others pretty much never leave the CCM area of the campus, almost like they aren’t attending UC at all. If you don’t get a response in another day or two, you might want to repost your question as a thread on the Music Major forum. It is very active and full of helpful people.</p>
<p>I’m a CCM parent and I’ll share with you what I’ve observed. Like jazzpianomom1 said, it will depend on the student. I know some that don’t venture past the CCM area to participate in other areas of the school. However others attend as many football games as possible, are in UC clubs, have study groups for their academic classes, and do other campus-wide events. The CCM students are busy and have full schedules, especially when cast in a production, however it’s possible to enjoy the full college experience if you want it–as long as you have time management skills to get everything done. Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions.</p>
<p>Thanks! Do the CCM students room with non-CCM students their Freshman year? It’s so interesting to me that like 275 people have viewed this, but only 2 have responded! I will also repost on the Music Major forum as jazzpianomom1 suggested.</p>
<p>At our CCM Admissions information session, they told us that there are two floors in Siddall Hall reserved for CCM students, and that the CCM freshmen are housed there. I recently saw a floor-by-floor diagram (can’t remember where, since my son hasn’t signed up for orientation or housing yet!) that seemed to confirm that.</p>
<p>While there are floors in Siddall for CCM students, those floors fill up and so put your request in now. There are far more CCM freshman than the designated floors will hold as it includes MTs, drama, jazz, dancers, etc. As far as roommates, you can select your roommate for the floor assignment or have UC do it. </p>
<p>For MT roommates, many end up rooming with other MTs that they met on facebook, however several say it’s easier to not room with another MT in the dorm as they are with the MTs all day and for rehearsals and living with a non-MT gives them a break. It just depends on the person. The advantage of rooming with an MT is that they understand each other and the demands of the schedule.</p>
<p>Thanks, cawrd. Signed up today with a CCM floor request. Will see if it goes through!</p>
<p>My son is finishing up his Freshman year. He was a transfer student, so he had no “gen-ed” classes, which he was thankful for because it afforded him a time to eat lunch. Most of the rest of his class had English Comp and some other classes.</p>
<p>CCM is as integrated as any other specialty major. The campus is compact so the CCM Village flows seemlessly with the rest of campus.</p>
<p>When I was an education major (back in the day) I spent a majority of my time in the School of Education facilities on our university campus. I sent a majority of time with other education majors and tended to see a lot of the same people throughout campus. The difference with CCM (especially MT majors) is that instead of several hundred in your major there are less than 80 in the whole department. Sprinkle in about that many of the acting majors, you have less participants in two entire majors that could be is just one class of “Intro to American History 101.”</p>
<p>Also, the schedule is brutal at times. My son is generally busy from 8:00 to 4:30 with an hour break in there. Then, if they are in a show or supporting a show, or working on Freshman Showcase they will put in another 6:00 to 11:00 shift in the evenings, that includes Saturday and Sunday calls. My son was in two shows and his Freshman Showcase this semester. He has barely had a scrap or “spare time.”</p>
<p>He loves it.</p>
<p>shaun0203, Your initial question in this thread is a great one & as the mom of a junior MT, I can certainly answer it. However, I have to share that when I read your question,it made me laugh. I immediately thought of a phone call I received from my D. her sophomore year. UC was playing a team from our home state in football & D. called & said, “Mom, is it really bad if I don’t go to the football game? I have auditions coming up & I know I’ll scream at the game.” It was really funny & such an illustration of the focus of the MT students. So to answer your question & reiterate what ManVan has said, a University experience is absolutely available and often enjoyed but you will also see students choosing to be immersed in their craft. It’s the nature of the beast. Please feel free to ask any questions!</p>