<p>Have any of you visited a campus during the summer? We would like to but not sure if we can get a good idea of the campus since school's out and we can't meet teachers, students and such.</p>
<p>Any thoughts?</p>
<p>First let me begin by stating that I am a rising snior and probaly just as inexperienced and confused about this whole thing as you are. That having been said...</p>
<p>Its always better to visit when classes are in session, but I know for me I don't have time to visit all the schools I want to in the Fall. I went to CMU and UM for interviews in the beginning of June so that they have me in the database as being interested as well as ask questions and have them asked in return. I'll briefly describe my experinces at each below.</p>
<p>UM had my interview with an admissions officer SPECIFICALY FOR THE SCHOOL OF MUSIC where the MT program is. The admissions counselor was extremely well informed about the program, nice, disarming, yet still realistic in the odds of getting in. No faculty of students for the MT program were there, but we were free to go through the building and look at the facilities.</p>
<p>At CMU, I took a general campus tour (My dad went to UM for poli-sci so I got him to show me the main campus). This was alright, but the majority of the tour seemed tailored for computer and engineer types. The interview was with an admissions counselor from the main undergrad admissions office who wasn't as informed on the specifics of the MT program and auditions as the counselor at UM was. The thing that made the experience was when we went into the drama school building and met some faculty (It seemed like a coincidence though!) We got a private tour from an acting professor who introduced as to other faculty members as well as individualized tips for auditions. </p>
<p>I hope to try to catch some classes at each of these schools in the Fall, but I would try to go to a few schools over the summer to ease the chaos of the coming year!</p>
<p>There is another thread about this - look for it. </p>
<p>I remember posting this on the other thread - I believe that visiting in summer is better than not visiting at all as long as you can schedule to meet with someone in MT (music school or theatre - whichever area the MT is under). You can also get a tour of the campus from admissions during the summer. </p>
<p>We visited schools in Chicago 2 summers ago and schools in upstate NY last summer. We prefer the visits during the school year because you can meet more faculty and visit classes, but we wouldn't trade the time visiting even the ones we saw in the summer. It is just too hard to get them all in during the school year! In some cases, we hope to go back to campus for auditions to get a better feel for the place when school is in session.</p>
<p>I bumped the other thread up for you to see.</p>
<p>I visited all of the schools where I auditioned during the summer. I figured that was the easiest and most convenient time for me and I was planning on going back when I auditioned, so I could talk to students and faculty then. But I would suggest getting to the campuses at least once when it's bustling with kids. You get the right feel. I also suggest if you're applying anywhere where the weather is significantly different during the school year, go then. I'm going to Ithaca in the fall, and I made the mistake of not going back in the wintertime. I did, however, audition on campus at Syracuse, so I did get to experience the -15 degree weather.</p>
<p>We visited CMU last summer and had a great experience. The person in charge of the info session was from the music department and knew a lot about the MT program and spent a lot of time with my d after the session was over and the tour guide was an acting major so I think it depends on luck. We went in the summer because she knew she wanted to consider their precollege program for this summer. Based on what she saw she decided to do the precollege program this summer. We also went to American University last summer and did not have a very helpful visit. Noone seemed to know much about the MT program. They seemed only interested in political science types but again I think it was the luck of the draw in terms of who was running the session.</p>
<p>Thanks all for your replies.</p>
<p>I know we would like to visit during school times, however money and time is a factor. We were going to incorporate visits into our summer family trip. I think your right, ericsmom, about visiting now is better than none at all.</p>
<p>There is one school that is having a summer visit day. But after investigating, it didn't sound like there would be any music faculty present.</p>
<p>We're looking at schools in the midwest and south and will be stopping in some major areas (driving all the way). Would you recommend calling ahead to see if they are "open"?</p>
<p>You must call ahead to maximize your trip - send me an e-mail about where you are visiting, and I'll let you know if we have pointers.</p>
<p>We visited schools during Spring Break (ours, not the schools) and in the summer, just because of scheduling conflicts with spring productions. Our experience with FSU was most disappointing. Despite their reputation, and a two week notification, my DD felt like we were "read aloud the brochure", and given a tour of hallways and closed offices (no one had keys available for performing venues). No faculty insight! No one to answer specific questions about the program/auditions. We had driven 9 hours! I realize it was our fault planning a summer visit, but sometimes you take what you can get. Let me say the FSU admissions staff is wonderful, this was just the Music/Theatre Department. IF you have a choice-choose the school year visit!</p>
<p>i am scared to ask my parents to take me on college visits. Every time i try to bring up college my mom says i need to stop dreaming and focus on what is infront of me dont be wasting your time trying to think of college just do what you are supposed to. She acts as if planning in advance is bad. She also acts like i am a bad student which i am not i have a 3.4 and i got a 24 on my ACT. i am also highly involeved in extracurriculars. So college for me ISNT A DREAM! </p>
<p>Any advice for parents that dont want me to focus on searching for colleges but still expect me to go?</p>
<p>maybe i should start a thread on this?</p>
<p>Takehomeazak: You need to have a real conversation with your parents to determine what is on their minds. Perhaps they are worried about paying for college, as opposed to whether you get in? Planning in advance IS a good thing. If you can't get a conversation going with a parent, talk to another adult who both you and your parents respect who can perhaps faciliate a real discussion.</p>
<p>if u visit sit in on classes and communicate with people in the program first that jhelped me so mcuh!</p>
<p>Bumped for Notmamarose.
I am looking back because I think there is a better thread as well</p>
<p>There are so many summer visit threads I don't know which one to post on!</p>
<p>My opinion, living adjacent to a college campus:</p>
<p>Go in the summer if you can't go another time, because it is better than nothing. But try to resist falling completely in love with the campus until you return in the winter/spring!</p>
<p>Seeing a college campus in the summer will tell you what it looks like and feels like at its best (few students, what students there are look happy, profs too, etc etc). But just like a new relationship, what you also want is to see it at its "worst" - ie in the northeast, at its coldest and grayest. :-)</p>
<p>My two cents!</p>