NYU & CAP 21 summer program - Page 3

alwaysamom · 07-22-2005, 06:14 AM

Jalexis, yes, there are two CAP21 programs. They're both competitive to get into, but in different ways. The Tisch program is sort of a very condensed version of the type of study which students get during the school year. Only 32 students are accepted and you get six college credits. Usually you must be a rising senior, and have a minimum of a 3.0 gpa. There is no audition. You complete the application, write a short essay, get recommendations, and send a transcript. It is very similar to the college app process. You are provided with housing in an NYU dorm and must live there for the duration of the program. There are RA's which supervise evening outings and activities. You must be 17 to stay in the NYU dorms. Days are spent in classes. I believe that the deadline for applying is usually around March 10, and ALL materials have to be received by that date. Getting everything in earlier is advisable.

CAP21's own program is a six week program which requires an audition. There is no college credit awarded, nor is there an academic stipulation for admission. No housing is provided. No one can tell you definitely whether there will be space left in the program if you wait until a certain date to audition. That is one of the risks of rolling admissions. From reports here, and elsewhere, both programs are valuable to those who want a summer program. Good luck with your decision!

Mikksmom · 12-11-2005, 11:34 AM

I'm slightly confused on what the difference between the NYU sponsered program and the plain CAP21 program, other than the heavier supervision for the NYU summer program. Is there any difference in the training and classes taken? Where do you stay if you are not in the NYU program? Would you recommend one over the other?

TheatreGuy120 · 12-11-2005, 01:39 PM

Don't know as many details about the Tisch program as I attended the CAP one, so if anyone wants to give details about the Tisch program, I can give what I know.

The CAP program is 6 weeks long. You must find your own housing. I know people who lived in NYU dorms, which you must be 17 to live in. (There was some discussion about why there are 16 y/o living in dorms. The rules are if you are not attending a NYU sponsored program, you must be over 17! And since the CAP is offered through CAP, you must be 17 to live in dorms). I took classes in Vocal Technicque, Vocal Performance, Music Theory, Improv, Tap, Jazz, Ballet and Acting. Classes were held at the CAP 21 studio, where all your classes will be held if you go to CAP for college. My schedule ran like this
Mon: 10-11:30 Vocal Tech, 11:30-1:30 Acting, 1:30-2:30 lunch, 2:30-3:40 Tap, 2:45-5 Improv
Tues: 10-11 Music Theory, 11-1 Vocal Perf., 1-2 lunch, 2-3:30 Jazz, 3:30-5 Ballet
Wed: Same as Mon
Thurs: Same as Tues
Friday: 10-12 Acting, 12-1 lunch, 1-2:30 jazz, 2:30-4 ballet.
So I has jazz, ballet and acting 3 times a week, and everything else twice a week.

A lot of the teachers were also teaching the Tisch kids. And about the training, based on the fact that the CAP kids are there 2 weeks longer than the Tisch kids, I believe that CAP kids receive more training and I heard that since you are required to enroll in a NY Theatre compaion course, that class times away from studio time. The Tisch kids apparently did not see the teachers as often as CAP kids did. Now if that is wrong, let me know. It is only what I heard from when I attended CAP.

I know I would recommend the CAP program, and maybe I'm biased because that's the one I attended. But I applied to both last year and was accepted to both and the head of CAP 21 called me to tell me I had to make a decision. I chose CAP based on the fact that it seemed more intensive. The CAP one give you a real feel of what college will be like. You are on your own. No one tells you what to do. Basically you have to be at CAP from 10-5 and what you do after and on weekends is your own choice. If you want to stay out till 3 am doing whatever, you can, but you better be sure you are in class on time the next day!

As far as helping kids get into NYU/CAP for college, the stats they told us were that from last summer, (Summer 04) 20 kids from the pre-college program applied to NYU and 18 got in! They also had a question and answer session with the head of Tisch admissions, who enede up being the woman sitting in on my audition! And sitting in on my dance audition was my ballet teacher! So you definitedly make connections in the CAP program.

Now that I've typed a novel, I will stop. If anyone has more questions about the CAP program, message me

evasmom · 12-11-2005, 05:27 PM

dd not realze that there were two MT summer programs at NYU? But was confused when readng the applcaton that t sad 4 week program and my D's friend went last year for 6, I think. I'll have to look more closely at what she is applying to. Should she apply to both? Any feed back will be very helpful!
Har

soozievt · 12-11-2005, 05:51 PM

TheatreGuy, you're in CAP now? I think that's what you are saying because you said you auditioned after doing the summer program. Cool! I have a daughter in CAP as a freshman now too. You likely even know her but I don't want to use names on the forum. If you want to PM me, that's fine. She was telling me that 27 kids from the summer program are now in her class but who knows. In any case, there are a lot. She is NOT one of them. Funny thing is about the age limit you are relating about the dorms because when she started NYU/Tisch/CAP this fall, she was ONLY 16 and lives in a dorm, LOL. I hope you love the program. She does! Thanks for coming onto the forum and sharing what you know from the "inside" with prospective students and their parents. Good luck with final exams and final reviews.

Susan

PS, disregard some of this because I just realized you auditioned THIS FALL for ED, I'm pretty sure, NOT last year and I read your post wrong, oops.

alwaysamom · 12-11-2005, 05:52 PM

evasmom, it IS confusing but the two MT summer programs at NYU are the CAP21 Tisch program and the Steinhardt program. The one that theatreguy just described is NOT an NYU program, it is offered directly through CAP21 itself and has nothing to do with Tisch. The biggest difference, in my opinion, is that with the Tisch CAP21 program the student gets college credit, and they don't through CAP21's own program. The differences would be similar to the differences between the NYU students who are in Tisch's CAP21 classes and those individuals who choose to take classes at the CAP21 studio conservatory program without benefit of NYU. CAP21, like all of Tisch's acting studios, are professional studios which run a different stream of classes for Tisch students than for those who are taking random classes at the studio. NYU has a contract with the various studios to provide studio training to Tisch's students. All studio classes are taken at the individual studios. All other classes are taken at NYU, so although theatreguy says that all your Tisch CAP21 students' college classes would be taken at the CAP21 studio, that's not true.

Both are good programs but there are differences, most of which are personal choice but the fact that the Tisch program gives students college credit is going to be a big advantage in many student's minds.

TheatreGuy120 · 12-11-2005, 07:47 PM

- No I am not at CAP. I am waiting to hear right now!
- CAP 21 does not offer classes without the benefit of NYU. Unlike most of the other studios NYU uses, CAP only works with NYU students during the year. The only way you can take classes at CAP is if you do either the summer programs (there is one for college kids as well as pre-college)
- Evasmom - I would apply to both. Thats what I did. I chose the CAP one based on the fact that it seemed more intensive. But the NYU program is based soley on application and essays and recommendations vs the CAP is based majorly on your audition.
- Maybe I wasn't clear, but when I said that all your classes are taken at the CAP studio, I meant all you studio classes. Yes you will be taking classes at other buildings such as your writing classes and theatre history classes. But the classes you take over the summer are the same classes you will be taking in the same building year round if accepted into NYU!
- The main difference between the CAP program and the NYU program is NOT the fact that you get college credits. The CAP program is much more intensive (in my opinion) than the NYU program. Even if you know nothing about the classes and teachers or whatever. The sheer fact that the CAP program is 6 weeks versus the 4 of NYU shows you that you will receive more training. Also, the kids in the NYU program saw certain teachers less than us in the CAP program.
Again, any questions, let me know! Will be more than happy to answer all your questions!

jasmom · 12-11-2005, 07:53 PM

Hope you get good news soon! The waiting is SOOO... hard.

TheatreGuy120 · 12-11-2005, 07:55 PM

yeah it is!!! I'm dying! Rumor is they mailed them out on the 9th!! So being I live in DC...not too far for a letter to travel!

alwaysamom · 12-11-2005, 08:34 PM

theatreguy, you're right. I had forgotten that CAP21 no longer offers classes, other than their new works programs and reading series, to individuals who are not Tisch students. You're certainly entitled to your opinion as to the main difference

, but my D who is a junior at Tisch and who has many friends who did each program found the major difference to be the credits earned. The classes may have differed slightly, and it's 4 weeks vs. 6 weeks. Also, one other thing which MAY be considered the main difference between the two to many folks, is that the Tisch program costs about twice as much (but includes housing). As I said, there are kids at Tisch who have done both programs but there are also kids who have done others such as CMU and Northwestern, Interlochen, Stage Door, and many, many kids who have done none of these!

I wish all of you kids the best of news in the next few days. The year my D received her good news, it was Friday the 13th, which she has loved ever since!

chrisnoo · 12-11-2005, 08:37 PM

gosh i feel so odd...like i didnt do the summer program at any of these places due to time, finances...etc...now i feel like i have almost no shot...i know thats not true..but it just stinks realizing it now...hmm...i cant decide if that is fair or unfair? but i guess the same could be argued with people who can afford great training elsewhere and those who cant. what are you all's thoughts on the subject?

soozievt · 12-11-2005, 10:21 PM

Chris, I want to ASSURE you that it does not matter that you did not do a summer program affiliated with a particular college program. My daughter did not do a summer program at a college, and neither did ANY of her theater friends who now attend many of the top MT BFA programs, including your fave, NYU. Yes, for those who did go to these, it is only natural that if faculty met you and worked with you and LIKED you, then it bodes well as all is not entirely on a ten minute audition as they know more about you. It is like casting a show. If you have already worked at a particular theater, you have a bit of an "edge" over someone who showed up for the first time to audition for a show. Newbies are cast all the time but more rides on their audition and than those from the past, have more to go on. But that is not the same as saying, "If I go to the summer program at Podunk University, that will help me get in there." It is not a given. But sure, if you stand out when working with people, they can't erase that from their minds when you come to audition again. They know more about you.

My daughter NEVER looked into pre college programs. The idea never came up.

Yes, my daughter did go to a summer theater camp, but never for any edge or anything to do with college. She picked it at age nine and just kept going cause she loved it so much.

As I have written on this forum many times, there is no one ANSWER as to what you must do to get into these programs. Rather than pick things to get into a college, I see another path. I say do what you love. Train at what you love, Gain skills, gain experiences. Achieve. The rest will follow. In the case of MT, that means get training in voice, acting and dance. Gain stage experiences in productions of any level you can find. Classes, lessons, workshops, youth productions, school productions, community theater, regional theater, and summer intensives. Any combination will do. The bottom line is training, plus production experiences. How you get this can differ widely. Use whatever resources at your disposal. We don't have youth theaters here but my D tried out for adult shows. We don't have drama classes at school. We have schools shows. We travel to lessons and a dance studio. Try to make use of whatever resources you can. Sometimes, you can create your own opportunities. My D started her own student run musicals that she created. She started a summer program she directed in MT for youth. Just stay involved, train, immerse yourself in whatever way you can. It doesn't matter where you do it. Just do it. Like I said, I know lots of kids in MT college programs and all did a bunch of stuff but none did pre college programs. Don't sweat this part. Yes, when my D started CAP, she remarked how many kids in her program had gone there for the summer, but hey, good for them, that's truly great. But ya know, she and a whole lot of others there did not and they got in too. Don't forget that! Believe in yourself. I know this is a nervewracking time. These programs are very selective and competitive. Don't pin your hopes on any ONE college program. Like many. You can be happy at many different ones. If you have what it takes, at least one will likely come through. Keep the faith....

Susan

PS, and one more thing, Chris....you can see I'm on a roll, LOL.....please know that it is not about fairness. Make do with the resources you have. Be the BEST YOU CAN BE. I have a daughter who chose public school over a specialized ski academy in our town (though even if she had wanted the academy, I could not have afforded it). In her sport, to be at the top, most do go to ski academies. But ya know, she trained in the weekend program, plus was on her high school varsity team. She did the best at her level without an academy. Even so, while she'll never do the Olympics or anything remotely like it because you really do need to have done the academy route for that, she has still achieved a lot and now is on a Div. 1 varsity ski team, NOT as a recruit, at an Ivy League School (coming from a rural public high school) and most of her teammates ARE from ski academies and from other elite prep schools with ski programs. She made the team and in fact, was chosen to be on their squad for the National Collegiate Ski Championships. She made due with what she had for training and has fared just fine. She came from a no name school and top colleges still wanted her. Just do what you can, with what you can, be the very best you can be. I'm telling you, the rest does follow. It is not so much What you have but making due with what you have. Achieve. Go for your goals. Don't compare with who has what or went where. Same with BFA programs. Look at all the kids in those coming out of Performing Arts High Schools. So, yeah. Cool. It's great. But ya know, I know lots, including my D, who never could go to those. So what, they are all still in MT college programs, many from my rural state even. I hope this helps some.

alwaysamom · 12-11-2005, 10:32 PM

chrisnoo, I just want to reiterate what Susan said. Please don't feel that you're odd. You're not! I wouldn't be surprised if a majority of Tischies did NOT attend these pre-college programs. My D, also like Susan's, did not attend one, and also like Susan's, neither did ANY of her friends and she has friends scattered across the U.S. and Canada in drama programs. It is definitely not an essential for prospective students, so don't stress about it now!

TheatreGuy120 · 12-11-2005, 10:48 PM

First off, I only know approx. 10 kids from the CAP program that are applying early. So even if we were all accepted, that leaves approx. 70 open spots. And I feel that while it may help to have attended a summer program, if you did attend a summer program and aren't quailifed enough, I don't think you would be accepted. So what am I saying...I'm not quite sure...I have been rambling now.
In short...I think you have nothing to worry about! If you are what NYU/CAP are looking for, then why wouldn't you be accepted?

rossji · 12-12-2005, 07:10 PM

This is 2nd hand information, but my D's friend auditioned for CAP last month and she was told they're only accepting 64 this year. Again, 2nd hand information (I know last year they accepted about 80 hoping to get about 60; most accepted, however)