Hey treeclimber,
Just to start, I didn't even audition for mt, but for straight vocal perf. I was going to audition for MT but got stuck in traffic and got there too late
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Scholarships are usually mailed early april (I applied and stuff last year but turned it down..foolish me and now I'm trying to transfer back into there)
I do know that the MT program has a great reputation in the southern florida (like regionally miami) area for its great, professional performances (and there are suchhhh good internship opportunities--like Disney, Busch Gardens, etc.)
UM is becoming a prestigious university in recent years. Way back, it was known as like a basketweaving school haha. But, as of this year, the acceptance rate falls probably in the mdi 30's, just to give you an idea. Soo, it's not a bad sdchool! It ranks within (well you probably know) the top 60 universities, having a rank of 54 last year and 52 this year...And it'll continue to climb I'm sure!
About the mainstream crowd...Well, I haven't actually spent enough time at UM to make a judgment completely. However, I do take notice to what you're saying. When I was there last year, I was intimidated by the wealth and this and that. But they actually, once you get past materialism, are very nice people!! Not everybody, like it is in the real world, but a lot are very nice. ESPECIALLY in Frost, people are very supportive, and laid back.
And yeah, there is an alternative scene (well I'm guessing you mean people that aren't wealthy, or at least are down to earth, normal, etc. etc. lol?)
Good luck!! Hope I could help.