Hi. This is my first post. My MT D was just accepted into the Emerson pre-college Summer program. She is very serious
and excited. She will be a Junior next year.She has also applied to BUSTI’s summer theatre program. Does anyone have any experience with this Emerson Summer intensive? It is very expensive but looks great. I am a single Mom and not rich and of course want to make the best choice? Emerson is also a school that she is very interested in (I know that the summer admittance does not mean anything there). Anyone ??? Thanks 
!
Anyone ?
No direct experience with either, but both are nationally known. Most of the pre-summer theater programs tend to be expensive (BU’s is only a bit less than Emerson after all the costs are factored in). Emerson has a strong reputation in theatre and the arts. Northwestern and Carnegie Mellon also have highly rated programs.
thanks renaisancedad.
There is a Musical theatre forum. You will find people there with all sorts of experience and opinions! I have no idea how to link to it… but there is a thread there on Summer Programs.
When did your daughter send in her materials for Emerson? We are still waiting to hear back but we didn’t send ours in until February 5th or so.
Hi Spike27. We sent all of her stuff the first week of January. About 2 weeks ago I called to make sure all of her materials were in and it turned out that her school had not sent transcripts. So I got on that and last week she got an email saying that she was accepted. I think you shouldn’t read anything into not hearing yet as you just submitted ( and it is still early) but it is good to follow up and make sure all is complete . With BUSTI I called to make sure and my daughters application had somehow landed in their spam folder even though we had received an automated confirmation . She hasn’t heard from BUSTI yet. Hope this is helpful. My D is leaning toward Emerson so let us know if your doing it !!
D has been accepted to BUSTI (yay!) and her application to Cherubs at Northwestern is pending. Does anyone have a sense of whether there is any real difference between the reputations of the programs in terms of (1) whether the kids really enjoy themselves, and (2) the prestige" factor between the two with PA college admissions? The curricula seems fairly similar as are the costs. Are the kids at one or the other more supportive (humble) or competitive than the other? Northwestern seems to have to have the “top” billing, but BU offers college credit. She’s an Acting student (vs. MT) and a rising Sr. who needs to prep for college admissions, too.
Congratulations to your daughter!! From all I’ve read and heard …all great programs. My daughter is choosing Emerson over BUSTI because she is all about MT right now (she’s a rising Junior and this could change). BUSTI looks amazing and I regret a little bit letting that go because I’ve only heard and read amazing things about it and I can’t get anyone to way in on Emerson : / . I know that Emerson is smaller which is appealing to my D but I love the approach of BUST’s program. Heard great things about Cherubs too. Next year we’ll be looking at CMU vs Cherubs…I think… unless my D’s interests change. I wish there were more current conversations going on these programs. It is still early though …
Laylamom, congratulations to your daughter, too. Emerson is actually high on my daughter’s list for college. We visited at an Open House in the fall and it’s a great school for PA kids who want a city. I’m sure your daughter will enjoy her summer.
I highly recommend TPAP. Many MT college programs across the country are represented through the faculty that comes through to teach classes during this 3 week camp. They do more than teach though. A big portion of the camp allows the kids to create and pushes them to explore areas that are not in their comfort zone which is a great precursor to the upcoming audition process. The atmosphere is absolute acceptance for who you are. Kids are comfortable being themselves and this allows them to branch out and take risks. Great training, great mental preparedness, great confidence builder, great staff. I can’t say enough…
Thank you MimiCat and shootmenowplease. I will check out TRAP right now. For this year I think my D is overwhelmed with school and musical and finished applying but maybe for next year. I have been reading many Musical Theatre threads here. I am a single Mom /widow and it is freaking me out. Audition coaches or not ? So many schools ? We are on the East coast and she is from a small school so ALL of those Unified schools …it is freaking me out!! So thank you for replying. The road ahead looks daunting!!!
TPAP just wrapped up their auditions. The deadline for online submissions was February, 20th…
I saw that but maybe for next year. It looks completely amazing. I will keep track for next year. Very vibrant and creative atmosphere. I can’t believe I’ve just discovered it. Thank you again. what a faculty!!
Can someone tell me what TPAP stands for? TIA
I believe it’s The Performing Arts Project : )
My son attended Emerson last summer and it was the best experience of his life. I can’t say enough good things about it. It’s very pricey, but I worked lots of OT so that he could attend.
Thanks P3Mom. My daughter is going this summer (we will be pinching pennies!) She is very excited and I am so happy that your son loved it!! This is extremely helpful to know so I thank you very much. These are big decisions!
We are excited for Emerson we heard so many great things about it and Boston is so great for the summer we are paying out of our college funds. We put the deposit down this week our D is super excited! She is a triple treat and she got into other program but this is the one for us.