Questions to ask at MT Admissions Visit

College Majors Musical Theater Major
1

Hi Everyone,

I am preparing my list of questions for our first admissions visit, and I know that I have previously seen a fantastic set of questions in this forum. That said, I cannot find it! I wish I had book-marked it or copied the questions when I saw it initially. Can anyone point me to that previous post or give me some pointers on things to ask? I’m afraid I will miss asking about something important.

Thanks in advance!

2

I did a quick search and could not find it. There were also good threads for accepted students. In any event, I can start a list and hopefully, others will build on it. Generally, I would caveat the questions with - if a question could be answered by researching a school’s website, don’t ask it!

  1. Type of training (e.g., Stanislavski, Meisner, a mix?).
  2. Do MTs take the same acting courses as Acting majors (this seems to be a very important question for D2).
  3. Can MTs audition for straight plays?
  4. Do students perform/audition freshman/sophomore year.
  5. Type of crew assignments freshman/sophomore year. This was an important question for D1 - she would ask if crew assignments were flexible since she had a bit of costuming experience and would like to continue to grow her experience. She was able to request costume crew as part of her freshman crew assignment.
  6. Do MTs dance 4 years and is it leveled?
  7. Can BFA courses be converted to honors courses (if that is important to your student).
  8. Are masterclasses offered and who attends (casting directors, agents, industry professionals) and who performs (just seniors/juniors?).
  9. Is there a showcase? Are students guaranteed a slot in showcase?
  10. How are juries/evaluations handled? Are students ever asked to leave a program? Under what circumstances?
  11. Does the school assist with summer placements (summer stock, etc). Some schools invite programs to audition on campus/some will assist with arranging slots for students at general auditions (Strawhats, Midwests).
  12. If you are meeting with general admissions (vs MT admission), you can ask how APs or dual credit classes will count/transfer and whether it would open your student's schedule for a minor.

I ask the “Mom” questions (safety, food plan, access to health center and counseling, etc) at the parent sessions.

Would love to have others expand on this list!

3

Here are some past threads on this topic:

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/1859707-questions-you-wish-you-had-asked-schools.html

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/1751255-interview-questions.html

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/1624534-questions-to-ask-during-the-campus-visit-p1.html

4

Thank you so much @EmsDad and @artskids. I now feel like I’m ready with more questions than I’ll have time to ask. :wink: This will be interesting. I’m going to the admissions visit by myself. S is in a week long summer program with the school, and I’m in town so taking advantage of proximity - even though S can’t join me.

5

Thank you for contributing these questions; could you please elaborate on this one (e.g., in what cases / circumstances have these conversions taken place):

Can BFA courses be converted to honors courses?

6

@Twelfthman - many Honors programs include very few options for honors courses in the fine arts. Being able to “upgrade” BFA coursework to be included in the honors curriculum can be important, as the alternative is many extra hours required for a BFA MT student to be able to fulfill honors requirements along with all the theatre/dance/music hours required.

7

Great list @artskids . I didn’t read through @EmsDad ‘s links, so I may be duplicating, but I would also ask how many hours of vocal instruction are included in various degree programs (half or full hour per week, Studio Class, etc.) and how and when teacher assignments are made (is there a pool of “A list” teachers accessible to certain degree tracks and a different pool of voice teachers for other tracks?).

8

If you’re a sophomore or junior I would ask them about their audition process and their academic requirements for acceptance. No need to fall in love with a school if you can’t pass academic hurdles. Also ask how they consider students for aid and scholarships.