<p>We are new to this process, and new to college searches in general. We plan to visit every campus where D receives an offer. What questions should we ask? I know that there are obvious answers to my question, but what other less obvious questions would apply to MT BFA majors?</p>
<p>How many productions a year? Can Freshmen audition? Is there guaranteed casting? Is housing guaranteed all four years? Safety? </p>
<p>Are there extra charges for mandatory voice lessons? Do undergrads compete with grad students for casting? </p>
<p>Partly that depends on the kind of environment she is looking for. Some others I can think of that bisouu didn’t cover are; Is it largely a commuter campus? or do a great deal of students go home on the weekend? When dorms are closed for break and you have to be back early for production rehearsal how is housing handled? what kind of transportation is available to get to town/stores if they are not in walking distance? If it’s important to her-what is campus ministry like? Are there churches nearby or on campus?</p>
<p>oooh the dorm question is a great one! </p>
<p>Very timely thread!!!</p>
<p>When visiting campuses, make sure you get an MT department tour. General campus tours are great to get a -feel for the entire campus, student body, gen ed classes, campus activities, etc… But most general tours cannot answer all the specific questions we all have about the MT program. Most programs will arrange a meeting or tour with you to learn specifically about their program. Some will let you sit on on classes, even take a lesson. You should have different questions for the general tour than the program tour. Also, try to see a show if you can. They can help you get an idea of what to expect. Some questions we did not know to ask are: are there additional expenses for MTs outside of tuition (required software, dance wear, accompanists, etc…). How many hours of voice? How are voice teachers assigned? How many hours of dance? Can you level in to classes? Is there time to participate in campus organizations and activities outside of MT? Who can audition for what ? (Musicals, straight shows, operas). </p>
<p>Do they level students for dance or are they required to start at a beginning level? Can they take extra dance if they can fit it in? If piano is required, do they test for level as well ( D tested out of piano at her 1st MT program-she ended up transferring to another program- and since the more advanced level classes were filled with music majors, she could not take piano. We had asked about this prior to her accepting and were told that she could definitely take advanced classes.) Is there any cut program? Do they offer any Master classes? Are they required to audition for shows? (some scholarship offers may require the student to audition for every show).</p>
<p>Some really good advice in this thread.</p>
<p>Some other non-MT college questions: How’s the food? If you can eat in a dining hall on your visit, do it, so you have your own answer. Considering the physical rigor of the MT and drama programs, food is fuel and it is important! Health Center…where is it, what are the hours, how often is there a doctor in the house? Same reasons as the food. Fitness center hours…sometimes an MT just gotta get their yayas out or get a workout in. How is the academic support, tutoring, etc. (for non-performing arts classes and even some acting and MT classes, whch can get academically tough like theater history, etc.) </p>
<p>Agree with vvnstar regarding getting the MT dept tour. And it isn’t so bad if you can get an MT or acting major to do your whole campus tour. They have the perspective you probably want. And, they will give you honest answers. Since the tours will be at accepted schools, your daughter can probably attend a class or two. That was helpful for my son when he visited schools.</p>
<p>OK, I just gotta jump in here - You guys on CC are absolutely awesome. I started this thread less than two hours ago and you could write a parent prep book from the answers so far. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!</p>
<p>D and I are driving to an all day college visit tomorrow where she’ll sit in on classes and go through a 1-2 hour voice lesson with faculty. I plan on consolidating this thread into a list tonight, and I couldn’t have possibly done it without y’all. (Wisconsin twang)</p>
<p>Ask about Senior Showcase, particularly if there is a selection process for seniors to be a part of that showcase. We’ve had two friends who were not selected to showcase even though they have both been cast in leads in the their respective schools this past year.</p>
<p>See if they teach the business aspect of this career and if they support the students when auditioning for summer stock.</p>
<p>If your D has AP credits can she get out of some gen eds?
Maybe also ask to see a sample schedule and/or curriculum guide.</p>
<p>All good questions…here are a few more:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>How actively involved is the program director? Does the director know every student from the moment they step foot on campus? Does it take them a semester? A year? More? </p></li>
<li><p>Is there a system that assigns a professor in the program as a mentor or advisor so they connect with an adult? Are there enough advisors so your D will feel there is a true interest in her well-being by a caring adult who understands the nuances of the program? </p></li>
<li><p>Is there a mentorship program for the upperclassmen to help acclimate the new students? Do the MTs feel they have been welcomed and helped by the older students? </p></li>
<li><p>Regardless of Freshman performance opportunities, will there be plenty of opportunities to perform as she continues on in the program? Are there student-directed shows? Is there a casting guarantee in any way?</p></li>
</ul>
<p>Once you summarize the list, would you please post it for us here?</p>
<p>^ What she said - Yes, please YES!</p>
<p>For students not cast in the MainStage productions, what other performing opportunities exist during the year? (Cabarets, student-directed work, etc.) </p>
<p>If school is far from your home, does the faculty recommend health professionals in the area if your child has an illness (i.e., doctor who works with singers)? </p>
<p>What if any master classes does the program hold? Who has led master classes this year?</p>
<p>If you haven’t done it all ready, ask for the four-year curriculum plan so you can compare it to other schools’ plans. You might be surprised. </p>
<p>Ask about numbers of faculty as not all websites are up-to-date. How many students are in each theatre department class? </p>
<p>Who is teaching voice lessons (I’ve heard some schools have under-grads doing it.)?</p>
<p>How are seniors prepared for the transition to the real-world? Are their internships? Are there “business of the business” classes? ( I see this above as well.) If there’s a showcase, do seniors have to audition, or do they “take everyone.” </p>
<p>Do the students dance daily, and for what duration? </p>
<p>What type of evaluations/assessments/juries are done on the students and how often?</p>
<p>Are guests artists/directors/agents brought in for master classes? If so, how often? (Just saw MTTwins posted this as well.)</p>
<p>Someone can finesse this question better than I . . . I’d be curious to know how they are preparing their students for the contemporary musical scene. I think this question may perhaps work: How are you keeping up with current MT trends? Is there ongoing training for teachers and opportunities for their growth? (For example, at Otterbein, faculty are offered sabbaticals to spend time creating and learning as well.)</p>
<p>Great and timely thread! Please, please not only post the list but let us know after your visit if you have any more thoughts for getting the most out of a visit. We’ll be doing ours in a week and a half and I don’t want to miss the opportunity to learn all we can! </p>
<p>What is a typical day like for an MTer?</p>
<p>What do the students do on the weekend?</p>
<p>Is the school social scene ruled by fraternities and sororities?</p>
<p>What is the best thing about going to school here and what is the worst thing?(I ask the students this, not the faculty)</p>
<p>What is the drinking situation on campus? Do the MTers indulge in underage drinking? (Again, I ask the students, not the faculty). The students answered this very honestly and most of you parents would NOT like the answers that we got.</p>
<p>What kind of tech requirement is mandated - how many tech hours are required in order to graduate as an MT major?</p>
<p>Great info so far. I dropped D off at Drake University’s fine arts center at 8:15. The MT program director has a full day planned for her:</p>
<p>8:30-10:45 Sit in on Voice II and Acting II classes
10:45-11:30 Q&A with me, D, MT students, and the program director; campus tour following meeting
11:30-12:45 Participate in Dance II class
12:45-2:00 Lunch with MT students
2:00-2:30 Private voice lesson
2:30-3:00 Observe other voice lesson(s)
3:00-4:00 Studio class</p>