<p>My D. is auditioning at U of M on November 16th. I was thinking of going down a day early so that she can sit in on a class or two and we could tour the Center campus. It looks like a meeting with the faculty and Music/Theater department tour is scheduled along with the audition on Friday. Is anyone familiar with Uof M. Would it be appropriate for her to sit in on a class the day before audition? I would like her to get a good feel for the university while we are there.</p>
<p>They are very friendly at University of Michigan, but you do need to arrange for the visit ahead of time, so that the professors will know to expect visitors. You need to get in touch with the School of Music, Theater and Dance to arrange this. Have fun and good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks, but does it make sense for her to sit in on classes? Will she get enough exposure to the faculty and such through her auditions?</p>
<p>It makes a lot of sense to sit in a class if you can manage it and are allowed. The exposure in the audition setting is very different from what can be observed in a class. Also -- most schools do have students help at the auditions, but having the opportunity to observe and meet in a less stressful setting is a great idea if possible. Remember in the audition your D will most likely be nervous... not necessarily picking up vibes the way she will in a less stressful situation.</p>
<p>Not only will she get to see faculty, your D will get to see the students work and therefore get a sense of what her peers would be like, both as people and as artists. :)</p>
<p>My D actually eliminated some schools from her list by sitting in on classes -- at some schools she just didn't care for the atmosphere. On the other hand, it also really solidified some of her top choice schools. It's a great way to narrow down your list if you're having trouble choosing!</p>
<p>Last year when my D auditioned at UM she asked to sit in on classes as soon as her date was confirmed. Others who were there at the same time were not allowed to bc UM only allows a certain # of guests and only allows certain classes to be visited (my D wanted to go to a class with her friend who was a jr MT at the time but that class was not approved for visitors) so be sure to call the School of Music and schedule class visits as soon as you know you are going. They are very helpful, and my D ssat in at all the schools she went to, even if it meant going a day early.</p>
<p>My D also has sat in on U of Michigan classes on a visit but it was not the visit for college auditions, but a prior visit to the school. She found out the schedule of classes and contacted the professor directly via e mail to get his persmission and he wrote her back. She also knew which classes to ask about as she had a friend in the class she observed which I think was a sophomore class at the time (who just graduated). They also allowed me to sit in on the class, though I had not asked. As well, when the class was over, the professor invited my D and myself to attend their weekly workshop for all BFA in MT students from all four years and we went to that and that particular day the speaker was the guest director for their production of A Chorus Line (who had been in A Chorus Line with Michael Bennett as well as other shows with him and discussed these experiences). She was able to meet several BFA students that day but also spent the night on both trips with BFA students and attended their parties and so forth.</p>