Melsmom

I looked on Expedia & there were plenty of hotels for the 24th & 25th, so far! I have called a couple of times & truthfully got the runaround & disconnected. I had more luck emailing & was told then that they had received all D's stuff. So we wait I guess...

CalifMom

My D got her letter Friday! She, too, is very excited about this summer. I've shared some of the CC posts with her, too, and she's looking forward to meeting everyone!

nytheatermom

we found a several day gap between the date their records said a decision had been made to accept her, the date on the letter and the date that the letter arrived -- probably a week in all. So perhaps, they are willing to tell you over the phone when they have actually acted on the application.

(PS The letter is thin, as they give you a website to download all the forms.)

CalifMom

We also found that there was a gap. We called on Thursday to see when we might hear. She checked over the phone...and said that the decision had been made on April 7. The letter was dated April 11 and we received it on the 15th. Very friendly on the phone, however...and offered to check on the status. Our hearts skipped a beat when we saw how thin the letter was!

BroadwayWannabe

that's EXACTLY what happened to me! lol

I am sooooo excited! sounds like an awesome summer!

I have 29 more days left of school.....oh so happpy

NOCCAMom

My D got her letter yesterday from CMU accepting her for Pre_C. Yeah!! We are waiting on a letter from CAP21. Does anyone have any advice on which to choose if that is an option for her?

janenw

NOCCAmom -

Not sure what to tell you - my daughter did CAP 21 last summer - she was a rising junior though - and is going to CMU this summer (same age as your D)

She loved CAP 21 (we rented an apt. as she was too young to 'be let loose on the streets of NYC!") (thinking of Soozievt's D!)

The program at CMU seems particularly geared to the audition process that these kids will deal with in their Senior years. CAP 21 did more scene work - improv, two vocal classes and 3 different dance classes and music theory.

A very well rounded experience - and NYU is on her short list for applications- NYC is so magical for a MT kid - we saw a show every night (didn't say it was an inexpensive summer...)but I know her experience would have been a little different if she had been old enough to stay in the dorms. she agreed to let us tag along - as that was the only way she could go.

so - maybe I am not helping but - I think both have strong programs. Maybe some of the kids who have been to both (is there anyone?) who could answer that question.

janenw

wct

Just an FYI from the CMU web site:

Pre-College Live Chat!
Have questions about our Pre-College programs? Chat live with Pre-College Admission Coordinators on Monday, May 16th and Tuesday, May 31st from 7:00-9:00 P.M. ET. Send an Instant Message to screen-name "CarnegieMellonPC" to join in our chat!

wct

NOCCAMom-

When making a decision between programs I think you have to think about what you want the desired outcome to be after the end of the 6 week program. What does each program have to offer and what will you gain form each one? Look at both programs carefully and compare curriculum. From what I have heard from students each program is unique.

It will be interesting to hear from janenw after her d has had the experience at both programs.

Melsmom

Hi Guys,

I'm sorry to say with almost complete certainty that my D will not be attending cmu's pre-c. After calling a few times to hear she was in review, the secretary could still not tell me why it was taking so long, except to say that they received hundreds of aps & that the due date was not here yet. I had visions of all my D's & her GC's hard work lost in a pile of applications.

Let's just say that my D and our family have had an excruciating year due to the loss of her big brother, and believe me when I tell you that life is much too short to waste it in limbo, especially when you have so many plans to make for an exciting summer!
To make a very long story (since the online ap went out in mid Feb) short...
I told them that I would need to hear from THEM by 5 PM Monday if they were interested in HER or she would be withdrawing her application! LOL, I'm sure they don't hear that every day!

Best wishes to you that are in, I'm sure you will enjoy it! (Don't worry we'll hopefully have more patience waiting for College acceptances

I will be sending a copy of this letter to Joel Ripka as well, in the hope that he realizes that they need to be a little more timely in their response to applicants. "A few weeks" is a little deceptive.

nytheatermom

Melsmom:
I'm so sorry to hear about this. You are right of course t hat any summer program is not worth agonizing and that other things in life give you perspective.

Having said that, it is still possible that the issue with CMU is just slowness in dealing with all the papers. I would suggest you ask to speak to one of the "pre-college admissions coordinators." I had spoken to Joel on one occasion, and the others are named Shannon and Julie (according to our CMU Letter).

Whatever you do, good luck.
-- NYtheatermom

soozievt

Melsmom, I am sorry to not be able to help but I can commisserate if that helps ya any ;-). My 18 year old who is a college freshman, applied to a summer program. She has earned and saved up the money to pay for it and has planned her other summer things around the dates of this program. As you know, it is the end of April and we are talking of something that starts in less than two months (in her case). She called to ask the status of her application 12 days ago, was told she'd hear by the end of that week (has given our home address for this purpose). So, nothing came. This past Monday I called to check on the status or what to expect and was told THIS week she'd hear. Have checked the mail every day. Nothing. Called yesterday, had to leave a voice mail. Got a voice mail back that a decision was mailed Tuesday....still nothing has come by today four days later and we only live three hours away. Have no idea what to think and how a kid is to plan both her time, other summer plans, or her money as it is getting rather late. It can be frustrating but sometimes you are at the mercy of these programs I suppose. In my D's case, it is the only program she applied to as it is a certain kind of program (not talking theater). She has plans that run right up to the start date and a job that starts right after the end date. If this program ain't happening, she needs time to redirect before she leaves on her first thing in a few weeks. So, I'm not offering you anything but being another family that is waiting and waiting ;-).

Susan
PS, hope it turns out positively for YOUR daughter!

Melsmom

Thanks to both of you, at least I know that I'm not alone. We moms of MT kids know better than most that things always work out for the best and not to pin all your hopes on one special program, play, character, and now College...etc. Luckily the kids know by now, sometimes from learning it the hard way, that if one thing doesn't work out, it's usually because something better is on the horizon. Good luck to all of us still waiting to hear good news (it beats giving the kids that little reminder speech!)
Eileen

Belle

Hello everyone! I just recieved my CMU pre-college acceptance letter in the mail and I have a few questions about the program and I was wondering if someone could answer them for me.
1)Besides the regular clothing, toiletries ect, is there anything I should bring that isn't asked. Certain dance shoes? a computer? Are their computer hookups? Anything out of the ordinary that comes up halfway through the summer?
2) Do you recieve a list of books you need, or do you have to buy them when you get there?
3) Do they tell you your roomate in advance? Also do they pair up the different sections together. For example I am going for the musical theater part so will I be rooming with another musical theater girl?
4) Do you have to bring monologues and songs you normally perform at home? Do they ask for anything specific?
5) Any other general information about this program. My mother told me about the program so I looked it up online and it looked like a great program but the website doesn't give to much information so anything you can give me would be great. Thanks

nytheatermom

the acceptance letter includes a website with the program's handbook:
www.cmu.edu/enrollment/pre-college/handbook
That includes some helpful info (as well as lots of forms to fill out.)

My daughter is NOT planning on bringing a computer (but I would guess some people do).