Specific Interlochen Questions?

Prep School Admissions
1

<p>Hi Everyone!
I've been prowling CC for quite a while...I just decided to join today because I have some specific questions about interlochen academy. </p>

<p>I would be appyling as a motion picture arts major for my senior year, or maybe for the second semester of my junior year (if they do that!)</p>

<p>Here are my questions:</p>

<p>I know a lot of people say that everyone is immersed in their 'art', but I am a pretty regular girl. I love film, and making movies, but I'm a cheerleader at my current school. Is it a pretty good balance of normal stuff and art stuff, or would a semi-normal/artistic girl get bored and or homesick?</p>

<p>I have a twin sister. She doesn't want to go to interlochen. If I were to be accepted, how are relations between family members during the school year?</p>

<p>Did anyone who went miss out on the normal high school experience, or feel that it lacked in some way? Like prom, homecoming, powder puff, driving, etc. How do interlochen parents feel about 'missing out' on certain things? </p>

<p>Is it worth it for senior year? At my current high school, by senior year, I'll probably be captain of the cheer squad, editor in chief of the school newspaper, and founder/president of the film club. Would the knowledge I'd learn in that year and scholarships from colleges be worth giving those up? </p>

<p>Also I have ADHD. It is very hard for me to focus on things, and finish proejects. Is the enviroment structured, i.e., study groups, strict curfew, or is it more loose? Would there be any kind of special programs for me? </p>

<p>Lastly financial aid. My mother is out of a job, my dad is in the military making about 60,000 a year and we just bought a house. Calculate in student loans that my parents are paying off, food, cable, and utilities and that doesn't leave much to pay for that 40g tuition. What kind of aid would I get? </p>

<p>Any help would be greatly appreciated right now.</p>

2

<p>Anyone?</p>

<p>bump.</p>

3

<p>I’ll try to help you out! I don’t actually attend Interlochen, but I looked into it for dance and creative writing. I was pretty far along in the application process, and I had my interview and everything.</p>

<p>Unless you’re VERY passionate about filmmaking, going to Interlochen wouldn’t be the best idea. For starters, about half of your day will be spent in classes that relate to your major. The kids in there will be extremely talented, so if you don’t love filmmaking, they’ll be more motivated and prepared for the classes. They don’t have organized sports… at all. So that means no football games, senior homecoming, etc. They don’t even have a prom! Well, I suppose they kind of do- Interlochen has an “anti-prom” called MORP.</p>

<p>The family relations is kind of up to you. You won’t be living with her, but you can always call, Skype, and email. And it’s not like you stay at IAA all year long- you visit home and everything. So your relationship with your sister (and other family/friends) depends on how much time and effort you put towards connecting with home.</p>

<p>As I don’t personally know an Interlochen student, I can’t really answer your question. If you’re a sentimental person, I can imagine that you’ll miss not having a senior year with your friends.</p>

<p>If you’re looking to go into college specifically for filmmaking, Interlochen looks very impressive on an application. But if you’re not planning on studying film in college, it may not be worth it.</p>

<p>Interlochen’s classes are very similar to college- they attend lectures, have highly educated teachers, and write a ten page paper every three weeks. Students who are not independent and self-sufficient will have a tough time keeping up. This is something you really need to think about- are you able to get things done without someone reminding you? Are you mature enough to take on this kind of work?</p>

<p>If you apply early, it’s very likely that you will get financial aid. IAA gives out tons of financial aid, and your father’s income qualifies you for a full scholarship. And do some research- there are TONS of scholarships for military children. My grandfather was in the guard, and my dad paid for almost all of his undergrad degree with it.</p>

<p>Basically, Interlochen is the place for highly motivated, passionate students to pursue their art. If you’re crazy about film, go for it! Best of luck to you.</p>

4

<p>I went to Interlochen and most of what bamagirl said was right!</p>

<p>A few corrections, though: </p>

<p>-There is an organized soccer team that travels around to different schools for tournaments and such. The “Fighting Blueberries” (IAA’s mascot) generally win because the team is composed of Latin and European students who are AWESOME players. In the past some of the dance majors have gotten together to create a cheerleading team that went with them (which was pretty interesting haha). </p>

<p>-I was a competition cheerleader at home and played on the volleyball and tennis teams at a very “normal”, athletic driven high school. I found a place at IAA very easily and loved every minute of it. I never missed “normal” highschool activities because there was SO MUCH other stuff do at IAA. There were sports every night at “The Shed” (our gym) which were really fun. You should really visit the school, because there are alot of kids that were on sports teams and were “normal” high school students and then there are super super artsy kids- a wide assortment of people.</p>

<ul>
<li><p>We do have prom, but it is called MORP, and like most things at IAA, it’s pretty backwards.</p></li>
<li><p>Although a majority of the students at Interlochen pursue their given fields in college and beyond, there are a lot of kids that don’t pursue their arts majors outside of IAA and alot of kids who pursue Ivy Leagues and other Liberal Arts colleges. </p></li>
</ul>

<p>You really should visit to understand the feel of the place and talk to more students and teachers!</p>

5

<p>My sister went to Interlochen, so I’ll say something as well.</p>

<p>I agree with BRbway in that going to Interlochen does not force you into a box in terms of choosing a major for college. Interlochen has had the most presidential scholars of any high school in the nation, and is known for being strong academically in addition to artistically. More students than you would guess go to top colleges.</p>

<p>IAA, however, lacks strong support for kids with ADHD. It is very easy to fall behind.</p>

<p>And, there are a wide range of people there, many of them “semi-normal” many not. And while there is a lot to do at IAA, there isn’t much to do off-campus. Its kind of in the middle of nowhere in Michigan.</p>

<p>I think you have enough going for you at your current high school that you shouldn’t go to IAA just to look good on college applications. If you’re really into film, then go.</p>

6

<p>Thanks everyone for your help so far! I think everyone got the impression that I only sort of like film-I love it. I love everything about it. Also, I do plan to major in film in college (I really want to go to NYU). </p>

<p>Also, I was wondering if the people are friendly? I consider myself pretty social, but at the same time, if I’m only going for senior year, I don’t know if people will already have their little groups of friends and whatnot.</p>

7

<p>Probably the friendliest and most open people you’ll meet! You’ll be totally fine…also, there are A TON of new one-year seniors.</p>

8

<p>Have you considered attended Interlochen’s summer program? That might be a way to spend time doing what you love without uprooting yourself as a senior.</p>

9

<p>Yea, siliconvalleymom, I was thinking about doing that, but I’m not sure if it would be enough of a boost. I really want to get into NYU and they look at complete immersion in film. I’m not sure if a summer camp would be enough. </p>

<p>Maybe the postgrad-year thing would be more my speed? Does anyone know anything about that? </p>

<p>Thanks for your help so far, everyone!</p>

10

<p>I am a parent of Interlochen grads who also attended Camp. They are not the same experiences, though there can be some overlap in people…
I encourage you to speak with Admissions with your list of questions. Interlochen is a life-changing experience for most, so it is hard to break it down to a few points…and everyone’s experiences are a bit different, too. Sounds like Academy and/or Camp could be a match for you.
It’s helpful to visit Interlochen to be able to grasp what it’s all about (preferably during a period of action). It is costly, true, check out scholarship opps early, and one lives in a somewhat isolated place, but for most proves to be “worth it” in terms of intangible life experiences, Arts experiences, and often with Academy very good scholarship offers. The networking (around the country and sometimes the world) is excellent. This happens naturally and easily, it is not high-powered in your face.
A few other misc. points–
I recommend attending Academy for jr and sr yrs - yes, there are plenty of first year seniors, but they have a VERY fastpaced experience, fast-tracking through. Most benefits come from a multi-year affiliation with Interlochen (whether Academy or Camp).
We were not affiliated w/MPA program, but it appears good to me. Has nice facilities. Just saw student film 'Box" at Honor’s Convocation - seemed to be great work (realize I am not a film expert). I have read in past that grads have knowledge about strategy about where to apply undergrad and grad for a future in film - like most things in the Arts, it’s not easy and there is a lot of competition. Therefore, I can say IMO that Interlochen will assist with a relevant education, interesting/ambitious colleagues and friends, and plenty of opportunities to advance in your area of emphasis WHILE simultaneously taking in hundreds of performances, readings, etc. of related Arts areas.</p>