<p>Hi everyone! I’m new here–I finally figured out how to get the site to let me post! Ha ha! Everything I’ve been reading for the past few months has been informative beyond anything, so thank you all so much to being so dedicated to your children and potential careers!</p>
<p>But on to my question: I was wondering if anyone’s seriously looking into Penn State’s mt program. I see a lot of NYU’s, a lot of CMU’s, a lot of UMich’s and the occasional Ithaca or Syracuse on this site, but my mt voice coach is seriously steering me towards PSU and I want to know what anyone else thinks.</p>
<p>I scheduled a visit to PSU on May 27th–I got an interview with the theater director, then another one with one of the voice teachers, Mary Saunders-Barton, and then I’m going to take the tour! I’m really excited because this will be my most interactive campus visit yet.</p>
<p>The reason I’m interested in PSU is because I want a really good education along with majoring in mt, and at places like CMU there’s really no time for other classes. So…anyone go to PSU? Looking at it? What do you think? I hope to start posting a lot more now because I look at this every day :-)</p>
<p>Dianne...when you have time, try to read back on the many threads on this forum and there is lots on Penn State. Or use the search function to narrow it down. There are two parents on this site who have soph daughters in the program (BdwayMom and Monkey) and they love it. My own D auditioned at Penn State and was accepted and so did Freelance's D (she auditioned at Unifieds). My D really loved it and observed a class and saw a musical production. The auditions were run very well. The program seemed very good. My D spoke to many in it (including the D's of the two posters I just named) and would have been happy to have attended. </p>
<p>At Penn State, yes, they do value and include an array of liberal arts along with the BFA training. They seemed to have the most "required" courses than other programs we visited. However, I think there are a number of programs where a student could take a significant number of liberal arts credits, not just Penn State (the difference with Penn State was more with the structured required courses)....for instance, NYU, Syracuse, Emerson, UMich come to mind. A student getting a BFA at NYU/Tisch could conceivably double major if they wanted to. Just sharing so you know that some BFA programs do have a significant liberal arts component and some have way less (as you mentioned, like CMU or Boston Conservatory). </p>
<p>Dianne,
Feel free to PM or email me with any PSU questions. My D is a rising junior in the MT program and has had two successful years. Bdwaymom would also be a great resource for you.
You will likely learn a lot on your upcoming visit. Although the program is not up and running now due to summer break, Mary Saunders-Barton is one of the "jewels" of the faculty, and the vocal training she provides is almost enough of a reason to attend Penn State!</p>
<p>Dianne,
We visited PSU with our daughter (currently a high school junior) this Spring Break and loved it!! Large campus in a small town with a variety of activities. Very impressed with the program and people (faculty and students) we met. I think you will enjoy your visit!</p>
<p>The BFA program structure is changing at Penn State. Instead of being one of 3 options within the Theatre BFA program, Musical Theatre will have its own separate BFA program. </p>
<p>For anyone needing accomodations in PA during the month of January, this site is offerering 2 nights for the price of one at select hotels, might come in handy if the weather gets bad.</p>
<p>Flying from Chicago, then driving to PSU, I'm looking at either Harrisburg, or Pittsburgh. HBG is 2/3 the road mileage of Pitt, but flights are limited and VERY expensive from Chicago. Anybody with good local knowledge have any advice on the pros/cons of driving to and fro either of these cities, or any other city/airport suggestions (Scranton?)? Any advice would be greatly appreciated! </p>
<p>MWparent</p>
<p>PS, I know Univ Park has airport, but the mult-hop flights into there are also VERY expensive, and limited. I prefer a direct flight, and some road driving, but I'm open to suggestions :-)</p>
<p>Hi MW parent,
Don't forget about the train. There are 2 stops near PSU, Lewiston is the closest but it doesn't look to have the ease of car rentals. I believe Harrisburg is also a stop from Pittsburgh & it might be a bigger station? Just a thought...</p>
<p>I would not count on the train being a reliable form of transportation to get to State College. They are almost always late - sometimes VERY late due to the fact that the commercial trains always take precedent over the communter ones.
Many people fly into Harrisburg ( 1 1/2 hours from SC ) or into Philly ( 3 hours from SC ) and rent cars there. I am not as familiar with the Pittsburgh set up ( 3 1/2 hours from SC ).</p>
<p>OOOPS...... I meant to add that there are several flights a day from the Phila. airport to State College. I don't know how expensive they are but it only a 45 minute flight.</p>
<p>MWParent--
I've driven to and from both places--Pittsburgh and Harrisburg...Harrisburg is much less of a drive to State College and prettier scenery I might add! From Harrisburg, you drive along 322 West and driving into SC is so pretty with all the farms and you get a good view of the mountains surrounding the Valley. (I know, I'm corny!) The drive from Pitt to SC is about 3 hours, whereas the drive from Harrisburg is about 1.5. (Depending on how fast you drive! :o) ) The train is a hassle, I don't know of anyone who takes the train here. You can also take a bus from either place. The bus station in SC drops you off right in town. But I'm sure a car is the easiest way to go from an airport. My advice is to fly into Harrisburg, then drive.</p>
<p>Hi Monkey :o) I didn't see your post before I posted! I forgot about Philly--thats a faster drive even than Pittsburgh. Its the way I go to school.</p>
<p>My D loves Penn State.She is signed up to go to the L.A. Unifieds. They will have no dance auditions there. She is a wonderful dancer . Does anyone think she should go to Penn State or N.Y for her audition?</p>
<p>Locomom
Yes I think you should seriously think about going to campus or NYC (if they are having dance auditions in NYC--we're going to campus so I didn't really look at NYC). I believe there was some talk last year about some kids who auditioned other places and then had to go to campus anyway for a "callback" audition with Penn. State. So you might end up having to go there anyway. Also, my impression from our visit there last year is that Penn State DOES care about dancers (some programs don't really) so I'd want to give her the best chance to really shine if dance is a strong point. But my D is a senior this year too, so what do I REALLY know,not much! LOL. But good luck to your D! It's all so stressful! You can second guess this process to the max!</p>
<p>I agree with NyDanceMom (you know, you may be a parent just starting the process but you know plenty to be giving out lots of tips, don't underestimate now! :) )....</p>
<p>Last year, I had a client do an audition in LA for PSU and then for his "callback", he had to go to PSU...to dance, and be seen by others, etc. I also communicatd online with a parent of a kid who did Unifieds in Chicago for PSU and same thing happened. There was LITTLE notice to have to travel to PSU (let alone the unexpected expense) and the way that school does it, I can't see applying in Chicago or LA because if you make it to call backs, you have to go to PSU anyway and on short notice (when you likely have auditions to the wazoo on your calendar) and have to pay when you didn't count on it. They do not hold dance auditions at those sites but they do want to see kids dance. So, those unified sites are practically like a screening the way they are doing it. If you audition on campus, you sing, dance and act and then there are callbacks, on the same day, a little later, after everyone has done round one. In my view, if they are going to hold the unifieds which is meant to make it more convenient for families and less money too, this procedure defeats the purpose. I mean it works for THEM insofar as they can screen and not bring them all to campus. All I know is that neither family I spoke with had any idea this process could happen when they went to LA or Chicago Unifieds so having to go to PSU was nothing they had remotely considered. One kid chose not to go to her callback, in fact. Just could not do it. </p>
<p>So, if it is like that this year, I would suggest auditioning at PSU or in NYC. I realize those are far and expensive for you but perhaps you can link that audition trip with other east coast auditions to make it worth the while. Also, then you would not have all the auditions at LA unifieds, which can be a good thing in case she gets sick or also just to spread them out some. </p>
<p>Dear Diane please fill me in on Penn State, considering for my D for next year, for all the reasons you stated, let me know did you go, and how is it, if not why, any advise would be appreciated,thanks</p>
<p>My daughter is heading to Penn State tonight for auditions tomorrow in the a.m. I will report back to everyone after we see how it goes. Hopefully I will have something to offer that might help others in later auditions. Good luck everyone!</p>