Muhlenberg and others

College Majors Musical Theater Major
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<p>Recently visited Muhlenberg College and their theater department. Was very impressed. Wonderful campus, faculty and theater facilities. Successful alumni. The summer musical theater program alone is amazing. Is this college a secret, or is it just downplayed because it is a non audition BA program? Any comments from the gallery (parents, students, contemporaries) on Muhlenberg’s program? </p>

<p>Have read comments on the forum about a few of the other “lesser known” schools. Hopefully we will read more from parents, students, alumni, etc., on those schools, to include some that are on the current forum link list of MT Schools (BFA, BA, BM), and even more that are not on the list or strictly MT. I know this is a MT forum, but many get there—to the musical theater stage—through strictly Theater and Voice, or Voice Performance and Acting, and with very strong dance training thrown in mix. You know…the road less traveled sort of thing. Not trying to exclude those pursuing technical, writing and directing fields in theater performance. Program history, current status, significant changes and projected growth/improvements in program stature, or the possible decline, distinguished faculty/alumni, strength of voice/dance/acting programs, etc. </p>

<p>Information is a good thing. And it can be so hard to find! </p>

<p>Thanks to everyone (parents, students, alumni, etc.) for their reports and questions on visits, auditions, etc. I have personnally gained a wealth of knowledge on a career field that I knew VERY little about. Ok, I knew NOTHING about. </p>

<p>Be well and best wishes to all the students, and their supportive, nurturing and in my case rapidly graying from the stress parents!</p>

2

<p>Welcome rappmtdad!</p>

<p>Muhlenberg is a hidden gem! Very strong program- lots of good stuff happening there - and at least a few cc'ers with current students who I am sure will chime in. My D has several friends there (she was not interested as it is our backyard!) and they all love it! </p>

<p>I can answer more locale type questions and hope others with more intimate program knowledge will join in!</p>

<p>Regards,
MikksMom</p>

3

<p>My niece graduated in 2001 and the performing arts center opened soon after, so perhaps the Musical / Theatre arts programs took off since then.</p>

<p>My D is now a sophomore at Muhlenberg, but not a Theater Arts Major. We attended a play last year and were quite impressed.</p>

4

<p>A few comments about Muhlenberg (my son applied ED - deferred). It's a tough school to get into academically (45-50% admission rate) so that's one hurdle for some kids including mine. </p>

<p>We were told that approx. 250 kids are in the theatre program. That's a lot and makes me wonder about the type of attention they will get. On the otherhand, they do have more faculty and more classes than other programs. S reported that the size of acting class he attended during his visit was 12-15kids (I believe that's pretty large compared to BFA programs).</p>

<p>It does seem to be a place that blends the academics of a good liberal arts school with the scope of theatre education and performance of bigger name schools. That's what S thought anyhow and why he applied ED. BTW, it was a CC Mom who tipped me off to the fact that Muhlenberg takes half of it's freshman class from ED application. Sadly, that fact is probably a sign that S will receive a rejection letter in April :(</p>

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<p>From what I heard, your GPA and SAT scores do not seem to matter at Muhlenberg if you have the talent. I still think De Sales has a better program if you want to go for theatre. De Sales is a non audition theatre program also. De Sales also has a summer theatre program. My child would not look at either of these. We know of too many kids from high school ect, with only high school musical experience that have been accepted to these programs.</p>

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<p>isn't Muhlenberg one of the schools that doesn't emphasize/ require SATs? almost sure about that....</p>

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<p>They do require SATs and if you look at their profile of the average student the SAT score is pretty good.</p>

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<p>ok, sorry. i thought ( it was true a few years ago) an essay was an option in place of scores.</p>

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<p>That does seem to be the major problem with these programs, anyone can major and audition for the productions. Though I don't think that it should be dismissed easily for these reasons.
The major problem I feel is that with so many majors you have much more competition for roles in the shows and may not always be cast. But, on the plus side it really exposes you to the real world more so than a program with the same 80 kids in a program going after roles. </p>

<p>I have a "former" friend from high school who went to DeSales for theater. Personally, I think that Muhlenberg has stronger emphasis and better training with musical theater while DeSales seems to be more geared toward straight theater, especially with their connection to the Renissance Faire. </p>

<p>Also if I'm not mistaken 12-15 in an acting class seems to be average, even for the big name conservatories.</p>

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<p>I think Muhlenberg is an excellent option for a musical theater student. It might fulfill a slot on a BFA candidate's list who needs some BA non audition options. Or, it may be a fine option for someone who truly wants a BA school with a Theater Performance (Acting) Major and Minors in Dance and Vocal Performance with musical theater production opportunities. It may appeal to someone who wants a more selective (but not most selective) academic environment, as well. I have suggested this school to many applicants and have had several apply. My daughter also has a friend who had Muhlenberg as a first choice (didn't want a BFA) for musical theater and now happily attends.</p>

<p>
[quote]
From what I heard, your GPA and SAT scores do not seem to matter at Muhlenberg if you have the talent.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I disagree. Muhlenberg surely is going to care about the academic end of the acceptance as it is a BA school for starters and doesn't require an audition to be admitted. They offer an optional audition that can only help you, but is not the determining factor as it isn't required. The audition is needed for scholarship consideration, however. Muhlenberg itself has an acceptance rate of 45%. I doubt they "relax" their academic standards for theater students who will have to take numerous liberal arts classes and be capable of succeeding in the classroom. </p>

<p>
[quote]
They do require SATs and if you look at their profile of the average student the SAT score is pretty good.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>This is incorrect. Happycollegemom is actually right. Muhlenberg is an SAT Optional school (it is on the list of such schools put out by Fairtest). SATs are NOT required for admission. Read their own admissions website as well. Standardized tests are optional (but if you do not submit test scores, then you must do an interview with admissions and submit a graded paper from grade 11 or 12). Interviews are highly recommended in general (small liberal arts colleges like to ascertain "fit" as well as your interest in them). The mid range of SAT scores for admitted students is CR 560-660, M 570-670, Combined CR/M 1120-1320. However, not everyone submits scores if they opt to apply using the SAT optional alternative. The average GPA of admitted students is 3.5. </p>

<p>Hope that helps.</p>

11

<p>Good information Soozie.
Muhlenberg often is a safety school for students, and you might want to look at the ED rate if someone is serious about the school, and ED is an option.</p>

<p>Also, last year more students attended than expected, which led to a housing crisis, which may be corrected by the new dorms which are to open soon. </p>

<p>But, given the better yield, they may be adjusting the acceptance rate.
Something serious applicants should ask about.</p>

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<p>Just wanted to chime in here. I have been out of town for a month (see, empty nesting isn't so bad!) and hadn't read this thread til now. My D is a freshman at Muhlenberg, and I will be happy to answer questions from my persective.
A little background...she auditioned for 7 BFA programs last year, was accepted at two of the lesser known ones, but decided that Muhlenberg was a good fit based on it's proximity to NYC, and based on advice we recieved from people who knew her options.
She has just declared a double vocal performance and theatre major. She is able to take as many dance classes as she can fit in, and is currently taking two dance classes. She is in a performing class this semester that does shows for elementary kids, and is also in a student directed production of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the musical.</p>

<p>I am pleased that she is in a BA program, rather than a BFA, as she doesn't know much about the world, and I like the fact that she will study more different kinds of things than a strict BFA might allow. I am also pleased that she will have time to study abroad, and hopefully do the Summer Musical Theatre shows.
If you have questions about the program, I would be happy to try and answer them.</p>

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<p>Muhlenberg is selective enough that it probably doesn't classify as a true safety.</p>

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<p>My D, who is much stronger in academics than performance, asked me if she can opt out of the Muhlenberg audition. I told her I thought she ought to anyway--the way some interviews are "optional," but insiders tell you to never turn down an opportunity to interview. She says optional means optional. Can anyone comment on whether it might hurt her chances if she chooses NOT to audition? Or if there are other benefits (scholarships, etc.) that she might miss by not doing an audition?</p>

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<p>First of all, at Muhlenberg, you must audition to be considered for a scholarship. So, that is the answer to that part. I agree with you that like with an optional interview, it can't hurt you but it could HELP you. It can't hurt you because it was optional to begin with and not everyone will have one. For instance, at Tisch, when my D auditioned, there was an optional dance audition but you had to be experienced and advanced in order to do it (this is no longer part of their audition process). Let's say she had had a bad dance audition. Why should that be a strike against her because not everyone had to dance to get accepted? Also, I am an interviewer for applicants to my alma mater. The rule of thumb is that the interview can help but likely not hurt much. I suppose if it were truly awful, it could hurt. But basically there is a chance it can help. My feeling is that the audition at Muhlenberg could help but not hurt as it is not required. I think it would be worth doing. On the other hand, I would not make a kid do it. Is she applying to any audition based programs? If so, I can't see why not at Muhlenberg as well. Also, the audition is a chance to also make a personal "interview" type impression with the theater faculty, and not merely act a monologue or sing. It can't hurt her to NOT audition (well, other than the chance for a scholarship). It also can't hurt her TO audition. But it has the potential of HELPING her.</p>

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<p>My daughter applied and was accepted to Muhlenberg but after much soul searching concluded she wanted to be in a BFA program. If that had not been the case, there is no doubt she would have attended Muhlenberg. We were extremely impressed with the school in terms of its academics, quality of its theater program, atmosphere of congeniality and educational values. Now to your specific questions.</p>

<p>Deciding to major in theater at Muhlenberg is no different than deciding on any other liberal arts major. If you are admitted to the school, you can select your major. The audition is absolutely optional. That being said, there are 2 benefits to auditioning: 1) if you want a talent scholarship (which is different and can be in addition to a merit scholarship), you must audition and 2) even though the audition is optional, if you wow the audition faculty, I would not be surprised if they put in a "good word" with admissions indicating this is someone they would like to have in their program. However, there is no question that you can be a "stealth" theater major and get in based on the same criteria as any other applicant and then declare your major.</p>

<p>I would strongly recommend that you interview with admissions however. Muhlenberg is a small school and they are looking for a good match not only in terms of academics but also in terms of who you are as a person. Interestingly, when my daughter auditioned, the head of the acting program strongly urged her to interview with admissions and the message was clear that a good interview enhances an applicant and is weighed.</p>

<p>(Just saw that I am cross posting with soozievt. You type a lot faster than I do :) )</p>

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<p>We did cross post but I totally agree with your wise advice. You added another point in your third paragraph with which I also agree....interviews and visits at small liberal arts colleges do matter. They are looking for that "fit" and they are looking for expressed interest. </p>

<p>As a ten year veteran of conducting interviews for another college, I can tell you that a good one can enhance an applicant and correlate with other positive recs and messages about the candidate and validate them. It is considered and I think it is worth doing. I know my kids never turned down the opportunity to interview at colleges when offered the chance to do one. They had nothing to lose and all to gain. I guess if someone is just very poor at presenting themselves, maybe it could be rethought but the personal connection is typically a good thing and brings the applicant alive beyond the paperwork. I imagine if a theater faculty person likes what they see, they can pass on the good word to admissions. It can only help. But you can be admitted without the interview too.</p>

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<p>Artesia - I think the audition and interview are beneficial to parties on both sides. If your daughter is seriously considering Muhlenberg, then she needs to have as many interactions with their staff as possible - it may or may not confirm her interest in the school.</p>

<p>That being said, we used the audition/interview trip as an opportunity for D to sit in some classes, and to observe a rehearsal for Urinetown. It was those experiences that really gave my D a sense of the program and the talent of its students. Frankly, she felt the theatre class she observed there was more engaging and advanced than ones she attended at other BFA schools; however, that could also be due to timing and luck of the classes she attended. But it stuck with her.</p>

<p>I'd like to add a couple of more things about Muhlenberg that I think any parent whose student is applying might appreciate knowing, that speaks to the environment of the school. Rushing a sorority or fraternity is not allowed until sophomore year. Many parents appreciate this approach as it allows a new student, in a new environment time to connect to the school on many different levels before making such a huge commitment to Greek life. I like that my daughter has a chance to find her niche without it being so defined for her.</p>

<p>Secondly, Muhlenberg institutes what's called the Red Zone for the first two weeks of school. This means that freshman are not allowed at frat parties, off campus parties or upperclassmen residences during this time. I can't tell you how many parents I've spoken to whose kids were going to parties during orientation, before school even started. I didn't know about the Red Zone until it was almost over, but when I heard about it, I felt reassured from a parent's perspective. My D did not complain about it; after all, she didn't know otherwise. Since it's been over, I know she has attended frat parties and visited upperclassmen residences (she's in an a capella group that rehearses three times a week where she's the only freshman girl, so interacting with upperclassmen will be part of her routine), but for the most stressful first two weeks of the transition, one temptation was temporarily removed. I appreciate the compromises the school makes to help its freshman adjust, while not completely sheltering them.</p>

<p>Regarding admission, I do know that many of Muhlenberg's applicants are ED, and students have a higher chance of admission with ED than RD. However, if academics is your students' strong point, then RD should be fine. I will add that the ED students who get there deposits in on time are given priority for housing. So even though we sent my daughter's deposit in within a week of getting her acceptance letter, she got third choice in her housing. I will say though, at this point (about six weeks into her freshman year), she absolutely loves her dorm, her roommate, and has made great friends with her neighbors next door, so it all worked out fine. If you are interested in what kinds of scholarships she was given, please PM or e-mail me, and I tell you what her stats were, audition scholarship amount, honors college scholarship amounts, etc.</p>

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<p>"Red Zone" --- that is a really interesting idea.... How does the school enforce this? Most particularly in terms of off campus residencies?</p>

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<p>We had Muhlenberg on the list, then removed it b/c it looked "iffy". My D is a JR this year so we have time but your comments have been incredibly helpful and it sounds like it is certainly worth a look. Thanks, parents, for taking the time to contribute your thoughts! MichaelnKat - where did your d. end up?</p>