@Walker1194 As someone who is 12 points away from their equity card, I’m fully aware
Then you’re obviously getting something out of the program! Yay for you!
@Walker1194 Hm, no I’m getting something from the private lessons from NYC teachers I had to go seek out (as you said, making my opportunities). Wouldn’t it have been nice to have learned something from the teachers who I was already paying $20,000 a year to teach me?
Well, it seems like you are doing great. Might be time to just quit the program and move to NYC since you’re so close to getting your card and all of your connections are there. Seems like a legit move.
@stageman181 - Ummmmm if you don’t feel like you are getting value out of your program, and kept paying for it… that’s on you…
Oh c’mon, I think everybody gets frustrated from time to time with what their program offers and what it allows/forbids them to do outside. @stageman181, don’t know what year you are, but if it’s junior or above, wouldn’t it make sense to stick it out and get the diploma? It sounds like you’ll do fine when you get out, but there’s a big difference in the survival job world between having a college degree and not.
^^^^^
Oh I agree that getting a degree is important- I just don’t like to see someone running something down that they are choosing to be a part of.
Well @toowonderful like I tell all prospective students, the first 2 years are good, and when you hit junior year and start working with the program director, everyone realizes the mistake they made and it’s too late to get out, and then everyone is miserable for a year and a half because like jkelly said, at that point its about getting the degree and getting out ASAP.
It’s funny what he has said in his other posts about how great the program is. Sounds like sour grapes to me. You’re also a senior and not a junior. Own it.
As a parent whose D is considering this program, it would be helpful if we got back on track re its merits; or constructive commentary of its opportunities for improvement/growth.
Yes @Walker1194 Those posts were made Freshmen year. I now have a moral obligation to tell the truth about this program to save these kids from a lot of heartbreak, sadness, and wasted money/effort. I’m not sour as, like I said, I have been very successful in my own career ventures. I am exposing the truth of this program from the goodness of my heart and concern for the next generation of performers, and from the feedback I have received from other parents, they are very grateful for my honesty.
I know nothing about Utah - so no help there. But I do want to point out that not all people have similar experiences with the same circumstances. For example - when I had posted that my D was thinking of attending NYU - a CC parent contacted me to share concerns about the program (and specific studio) that had NOT been a good fit for her kid. I appreciated the info, and it did give me pause - parents want to think that college will be all unicorns, rainbows and joy. In the end, the decision was D’s, and she picked NYU… the problems described have NEVER materialized for my kid, in fact, her experience has been quite the opposite. So I think it is challenging to paint ANY program by saying “everyone” feels X way…
Ok but I will say that pretty much all the messages I receive from users on here come to me ONLY because they want to confirm bad things they have heard about the program.
I’m just going to ignore all of that because it’s baloney.
Pros:
- excellent classical vocal training. They believe strongly in teaching technique to keep your voice healthy for the long haul. Ability to add on lessons that are reasonably priced for work on audition pieces etc.
- great symbiotic relationship with the Acting Program. Opportunities to be mentored by acting profs and audition and be cast in straight plays. Acting profs willing to spend extra after class time with students to work individually.
- Dance is a major strength. Classes are leveled. Lots of opportunities for even the most advanced dancers to be challenged.
- Two equity houses in SLC, one is housed on the campus of the U (LORT-B)
- Program evaluates and changes frequently to address needs as they come up. Listens to the students concerns.
- In-state tuition with residency after one year.
Cons:
- Far away from home for us. Travel costs add up. Also really need a car. Can get by without one freshman year but plan on that expense.
- Dorms/food on campus suck. Apts are expensive. Food costs seem reasonable.
- Changes in the program sometimes create temporary issues. Can seem chaotic at times. I think that is evening out though. It’s a growing program. It’s nothing we did not anticipate.
- facilities are bare bones. That’s another area that is being addressed.
Hope this helps!
I saw that students get a TRAX pass and transportation across SLC is free. Why do students need or want a car? I also heard that on-campus parking is terrible!
What facilities are bare bones? How is that being addressed?
I’m disappointed to hear the dorms are not better. I had heard dorms were part of the Olympic Village housing. Is that not true?
@CATenorMom As a student I can vouch for having a car simply because most of the great semi professional Theaters in the area are not easily accessible by the public transportation (there are great theatres in Ogden and Provo that lots of kids work at that require a car). Other than that Trax and Busses are great in getting around the downtown area and most of the valley. They actually just built a whole new massive parking structure on the north side of campus that has solved TONS of the parking issues (although on college football game days yes, it will be a mess). The dorms were part of the olympic village housing, but only Sage Point (one of the 3 dorm units) was built specifically for that, so I highly recommend living in sage point if you attend. It is very new and clean with great views of the mountains.
@stageman181 Thanks for the info!
The TRAX doesn’t run late enough at night. Buses are fine and the system is pretty safe but it can take a ton of time to get around if you aren’t on a direct line. We were able to lease a car for a nominal amount after freshman year when transportation became a real impediment to working at other theatres. The dorms are just ok for the most part. The honors dorm is brand new and very nice but it’s really the only new dorm. My daughter was always jealous of the food offerings at her twin sister’s school. The mini fridge came in handy. Not many eateries open late other than pizza and burgers and close to the U for hungry theatre kids at midnight.
The Theatre is small. They do a lot with the space but it’s not as impressive as some spaces we saw at other universities. A few shows have been done at Kingsbury Hall which is a very grand old lady and can seat close to 2k. The dance dept is getting a new performance space so negotiations are ongoing for Kingsbury to be the full time theatre space as far as I know. Renovations in the theatre building seem to be never ending ;).
Do they offer Zipcar? That’s what my daughter uses at Drew and it’s a lifesaver.