Is it pretty common to go shadow a MT program? My dd wants to shadow, but was not sure if that was pretty common or not!
I don’t think it is common to shadow an MT program until the student is admitted or waitlisted. I am sure there are exceptions. We were told professors do not like to allow non-students into studio-type courses as it stifles the current students in the creative process. In some cases, even waitlisted students are not permitted to shadow.
My D shadowed at two schools - once, after she was admitted when she was making a decision, and the other was during the audition process. The 2nd school created a whole day for her - classes to sit in on, campus tour, lunch, personal audition and then seeing a show in rehearsal in the evening.
It’s definitely not typical to shadow at all.
Definitely not typical to shadow until perhaps auditioning, but usually after being accepted/waitlisted. Some schools - like Wright State - set up specials masterclass days for auditioning students. The classes are run like “typical” studio classes and are taught be the program faculty. Sometimes current students also participate or facilitate. At WSU, these masterclasses are offered on Fridays before Saturday auditions in November and December. It may not be exactly like a real “day in the life of” experience, but HS students do get to interact with actual faculty in a way that mimics the college experience.
Montclair has prospective student days where they learn about the program, take workshops, and see a production (fall and spring available).
Muhlenberg will let you sit in on/observe classes–my son did this before he was admitted but when he was on campus for their scholarship auditions.
BW had a prospective student day where you sit in on a MT Workshop class, have lunch with MT’s and I think sit in on a dance class. There is also some time with Admissions that day. If I remember correctly it was geared for juniors, but check to see if that’s still a thing. One of the Northeast schools had a similar day also (sorry, trying to remember back to 2014 when my S was a HS junior). I’m thinking BOCO, but someone will correct me if I’m wrong.
Just a suggestion to be cautious if you are considering shadowing programs. MT programs are great at putting their best foot forward. But remember they have the whole shadow experience planned to show them at their very best. It makes it easy for us to fall in love with them and their schools.
However, the odds are most students will not be accepted to the majority of programs they apply to – that’s just a fact. So if they are the kind of student that is going to get really attached to a place, or a group of students, or a faculty member after getting to spend time with them – you might be setting yourself up for a lot of heartache if you do such intensive visits prior to being accepted to the program. How will they handle it if they don’t get accepted to a school where they thought they had a strong connection with the faculty or the student group they met? Will it adversely effect the rest of their audition season/decision making? Just do a little soul searching for your particular situation. Some kids are able to shadow without forming any deep feelings. But for others, it can be love at first sight at certain schools and they can be really thrown for a loop if not accepted.
I also think many times you get different information and see a different side of people and the school once they know you’ve been accepted. They just treat you slightly differently.
Shadow visits can be very helpful and informative when deciding between programs, but personally, I think it is best to do these “shadow” days after acceptance.
Thanks for the replies! Makes total sense!