<p>I did a quick overview of every single thread until the MT Majors Forum and couldn't find anything on this topic specificially. If there was one, I'm sorry to be starting another thread! </p>
<p>I know that camps such as SDM, Interlochen, Walnet Hill, etc. are for kids of any age that want to persue MT. BUT after reading many threads, I've heard a lot of people talking about pre-college programs at actual colleges. Are these programs just for incoming seniors, or all highschool students? Do you have to live in the area to attend one of these?</p>
<p>A program such as Carnegie Mellon requires that you be 16.. brdwybound, on the FAQ is a list of many summer programs, so the term pre-college really refers to those... some of which are camp-like, others in a college. The various summer threads here have lots of first-hand info.</p>
<p>One other thing: Brdwybound, relax... You have time to make decision, time to "learn the ropes." You sound like you are on the right paths, and just by reading this forum you will know so much. But all decisions don't have to be made so quickly. As far as summer, you have a lot of time for many of these programs. Some like SDM may fill up fast. Others, such as Carnegie Mellon's pre-college don't even have an application available until February and don't let you know until April at the earliest -- more likely May. In some instances, you may apply in November, December but do not get accepted for months, so you don't pay your money -- which means all your options remain open. </p>
<p>So there is enough time ahead, you should not worry.</p>
<p>Hi Bdwybound...I'm glad you are interested in pre-college MT programs!</p>
<p>There's a fantastic one right near you that just ended. Oklahoma City University offers a pre-college MT camp every summer for three weeks. What makes ours a pre-college program is that we don't do just a show at the end of the camp (a fantastic "Footloose"!), but our students also take daily classes in acting, dance, music theory, and piano. Every afternoon is filled with master classes on vocal interp, IPA/diction, vocal technique and such. We accept students who are current high school freshmen to rising (just becoming) seniors. All students must live on campus in our nice, air conditioned dorms. This year we we pleased to have student from 8 different state join us! You might check the pre-college thread on this board for more info. </p>
<p>Plans are being formed for next year's session. If you'd like be put on the mailing list, please send an email to JoBeth Moad, the director. at <a href="mailto:jmoad@okcu.edu">jmoad@okcu.edu</a>.</p>
<p>Brdwaybound,
Although Interlochen and SDM do indeed have programs for younger kids, the high school division for musical theatre is excellent and also very competitive. I can speak from experience having been a Theatre major two summers ago at Interlochen that you will definitly get a lot out of it. I have not done Carnegie Mellon's summer program, but when I visited the school this summer and asked to view a Pre-College class the admissions director told me that they do not like to show prospective students the Pre-College classes because they are not representative of the caliber of teachers and students at CMU undergrad program. To quote her "The Pre-College program has some good students but for others it's just kind of a fun summer camp." I don't know exactly what to make of all that just wanted you to keep you're mind open because Interlochen definitly has a lot to offer</p>
<p>I would beg to differ (to some small degree!) with the comment above. My daughter has been to both Interlochen and CMU. Both programs are wonderful. At both programs my daughter found that the level of commitment and talent varied. I would certainly agree that Interlochen was more selective -- it took fewer students. At CMU many of my dauthter's teachers were regular CMU teachers and some came from Point Park. All the o nes she had were exellent. She loved her Interlochen teachers as well. </p>
<p>Brdwaybound, I think you may be too young for CMU at this point (as I mentioned you have to be 16 to live in the dorms). I heartily endorse both programs. However, you should know that Interlochen's program was revamped this past summer, so you should await hearing from those who attended this year.</p>
<p>Generally speaking, I would agree with mitchkroener that Interlochen is more selective. They just take fewer MT people, as the camp also prides itself on the c aliber of the instrumental program and dance program (as well as some other programs that are less established but good) Indeed, for theater you have to submit an audition tape. And for a younger person, the camp atmosphere is wonderful. (2000 acres between two lakes, nightly arts festival... heaven!)</p>
<p>I attended OCU's program this summer after having complications and misunderstandings with my CMU application. It was a lot of fun and I learned a lot, my voice has also taken a huge step in just 3 weeks. There were about 56 or so of us but everyone got individual attention.</p>
<p>I am home from the CMU program, having had the absolute time of my life....I see my mom updated filling people in on everything that went on. I would recommend this program to anyone who is really really serious and eager to learn everything POSSIBLE. It was all phenomonal!!</p>
<p>Daughter just returned from CAP21 summer program (not Tisch) also spent 1 week at OCU for the Vocal intensive in June and attended CMU pre-college last year. As a side bar I have to agree with nytheatermom, this was no summer camp and several of the instructors were the CMU instructors.</p>
<p>All programs are well worth the expense and were a stretch for our family but I can honestly say for my wife and I it was worth it not only from a technical standpoit but from the growth and maturation that occurs and the clarification for that child that "This really is what I want to do" factor. I would be happy to answer anything specifically.</p>
<p>I have had students at CMU summer, Interlochen, Stage Door and Broadway Theatre Project.
Question: I have never had a student get into Tisch summer musical theatre program. There is no audition. How the heck do they pick the kids?? Anybody shead some light? thanks</p>
<p>Mary Anna, Tisch's summer program is almost like a mini-college admissions process (sans audition). The application requires an essay, both creative and academic recommendations, and a transcript. Applicants must have at least a 3.0 gpa in order to be considered. Approximately 600 apply each year for 32 spots in the MT program. The two straight drama programs take 16 each, and the kids get six college credits.</p>
<p>YES, THAT'S RIGHT. i KNOW ALL THAT AND THAT IS WHY i AM REALLY CONFUSED ABOUT HOW THEY CHOOSE!
i HAVE HAD STUDENTS WITH KILLER RESUMES, KILLER GPAs EXCELLENT ESSAY, ETC BUT NEVER GET INTO THE SUMMER MT.
THEY HAVE FARED QUITE WELL IN THE COLLEGE AUDITON PROCESS, BUT THIS SUMMER MT TISCH THING REMANS A MYSTERY.
IS IT A WHO YOU KNOW THING?</p>
<p>I doubt that it has anything to do with 'who you know'. I don't know how many kids you know who have applied but with the small number accepted each year, compared to the number who apply, it wouldn't be that unusual that particular kids that one knows didn't get in. I'm sure that many of the kids who apply are qualified, just as in regular admissions.</p>
<p>My daughter attended the CAP 21 sponsored program Summer 2004 (she went to CMU pre-college this summer)</p>
<p>She APPLIED for the NYU -officially sanctioned CAP 21 program (4 weeks - 16 kids) and also did not get in. (but she was a rising junior as well) BUT - she has a 4.0 GPA and had killer EC's and great recommendations. I think they must just put all the apps on the wall and throw darts. I cannot figure out how they pick the kids without auditions. (They MIGHT NOT be able to act...or sing....or dance...)</p>
<p>She DID get into the CAP 21 sponsored program (by audition tape) and spent 6 weeks there - with the same teachers the heavily chaperoned 16 kids did (I think she only saw those kids once...or at least she thought they were the HS kids) She did NOT get college credit - but she did get a GREAT taste of what it would be like to go to NYU Tisch - CAP 21. And the admissions people came to them and gave them all the low down on the college admissions process, the college experience, etc, etc.</p>
<p>I cannot figure out HOW they pick those 16 kids either - I think the 'throw a dart' method is just as likely as not....I don't think it is ANY reflection on any of the kids talent that DON"T get in.</p>
<p>My daughter just returned from the "non-Tisch" Cap 21 program that is six weeks and doesn't provide housing. It was worth every penny saved and paid for several reasons - quality and intensity of instruction, contacts made with other kids and experienced professionals, real world experience of living on your own in a big city without a structured roadmap telling you what to do all of the time. Outside of the studio these kids are on their own. We were invited to sit in on the last two days of class, and I can tell all first hand that I was overwhelmingly impressed with every instructor and the depth and quality of the curriculum. It was trully a college level environment and experience. I felt it was a more "mature" program relative to others that we considered. I knew my daughter had grown both from seeing and hearing her performing progress but also from her demeanor and interaction with me. Happy to give more details if anyone is interested!</p>
<p>Actually, for the "non-Tisch" Cap21 program, you can apply for housing separately from your application as an MT student. There is an extra cost.</p>
<p>JohnShuler is correct - you can apply for NYU housing, which is what we did. You are not guaranteed housing and NYU students working for credit are given preference. We applied for housing before my D auditioned to give her a better shot at getting housing. One of the questions that they asked her at the audition was whether or not she had housing if she was chosen. We figured that if she didn't make it into the program then we would get a refund of our money, but there would have been a $50 charge. It was a gamble, but the only way she could have attended. Many of the kids in the program either commuted from surrounding areas, lived with relatives in Manhattan, or rented apartments together. Only a subset lived in NYU dorms, and they were spread throughout different dorms. My d's roommate was a computer science student from Philadelphia.</p>