<p>BiGismama,</p>
<p>You are sooo right. This whole process is like climbing a ladder…each year you get a little closer to the top. Next year at this time we will be thinking showcases in NYC and LA with Webster…wow!! This has been the fastest 3 years yet!! If you are just beginning the process hang in there…soon you will be where you need to be!!</p>
<p>SUE aka 5pants</p>
<p>SUE aka 5pants,</p>
<p>Showcases in NYC and LA??? Cool, I didn’t realize Webster has an LA showcase! How did I miss that?? (Guess those mad research skills of mine need a little work) How exciting, double the fun for the seniors. You speak the truth, though, the time does seem to just zoom by…</p>
<p>So, fasten your seatbelts!</p>
<p>-BiGismama</p>
<p>BiGismama,</p>
<p>Yes, Showcase in LA now also!! Last year’s seniors were the first. Fingers crossed that sometime they will add Chicago also!! :)</p>
<p>SUE</p>
<p>Last weekend we watch S perform title role of OCUs spotlight Opera Signore Deluso. He was excited just to perform and we were excited to see him.<br>
However the rest of the story tells more about his OCU experience. We arrived Thursday about 4:30 and met him as he got out of class at 5:15. (He has classes every Tuesday/Thursday 8:00 5:15) He had dress rehearsal at 6:00 and was too excited to eat but showed us the laundry he hadnt had time to do lately because of rehearsals and midterms. I sorted eight (8) loads of laundry and set up a meeting time for 7:30 AM Friday for us to come over and be shown the laundry room. (I have to interject here that our D who graduated in Physics last year never had this kind of laundry. S had his delicates dance clothes, his regular clothes and many dress shirts and pants as they require they look nice for their weekly master classes.) By 8:00 the next morning my husband and I were loading eight of the sixteen washing machines (two were broken) while S went off to his class. After we got the wash loaded into the dryers H went back to the hotel (Which was only about $69 a night for a two room suite and 1.6 miles from Ss campus apt.) to pick up my parents.
While waiting in the laundry room I spoke to a lovely young Asian woman and had an AA male assure me that we could leave Ss clothes and they would be there when we came back. My mom helped me fold laundry until it was time to walk the two blocks in lovely weather to watch my S in Master Class at the fantastic new Wanda L. Bass Music Center.
We were seated in a beautiful wood floored acoustic room with a Steinway grand piano where Dr. Ragsdale worked wonders with the students. Afterwards S spent sometime with Dr. Ragsdale going over his dress rehearsal performance of the night before, even though Dr. Ragsdale isnt directing the musical he came to the dress rehearsal! Next we toured the new building which is truly magnificent and expresses OCUs commitment. We had a chance to meet the music director of the Opera, Jan McDaniel who graciously came to meet us. My parents struck up a conversation with one of the professors who heard my parents say their hometown and volunteered that he graduated about 30 miles from them. Back to the laundry room where his towels that took longer to dry, were waiting undisturbed in dryers.<br>
After shopping at the nearby mall (less than 3 miles from campus) that contained most of the major retailers (Macy, Express, Buckle etc.) we had linner (lunch and dinner) at the Cheese Cake Factory. S likes to eat early so he doesnt go to CALL stuffed. S and a gal pal shared a few fun stories about their friends and dating experiences; Ss best guy friend an AA MT male is dating a Puerto Rican girl, S had been dating an AA/Italian girl and gal pal had been trying to date, work, do sorority and keep up with MT. </p>
<p>Saturday morning we met S at 9AM, (He said he went to bed about 10:30 after the show.) to go shopping at Wal Mart. S needed to stock up, he hadnt been major shopping since August when I moved him in. We spent $245 on toiletries, paper products and food.
After we unloaded we left and he went to work out. (I took his shirts back and ironed them in the hotel room.) We returned at 2 PM to make linner for him and his friends.
(We had pre made rigatoni and brought it the 800 miles with us.) We learned S had attended an aids benefits drag show with gay friends a couple of weeks ago on a Friday night and then gone to an OCU Beauty Pageant on Saturday. I was done cleaning his kitchen and everybody left by 5:30 so S could get ready.</p>
<p>We left Oklahoma City at 5:30 AM Sunday for the 12 hour trip home. At 11:30 S called after leaving the church where he works as a section leader in the choir. S called to find out how far we were and shared that he had Master Class that afternoon; as Dr. Ragsdale had a friend visiting who taught at the University of Miami who would be working with them and then later that day he had a scene study rehearsal for his acting class.</p>
<p>I know this is long but I really feel it is helpful to understand one MT experience at least at OCU. His college life is nothing like his sisters. So much more of his time is scheduled. Even though his sister studied Physics at a State University noted for its diversity in liberal Minnesota and her graduating class was only six, Ss experiences are more diverse and I feel his professors are much more involved with him</p>
<p>clueless –</p>
<p>thank you so much for sharing that experience. i always like hearing what a “day in the life” is like at different schools…even if it is an atypical day like that one!</p>
<p>This is the type of information we all need as we evaluate! Glad to hear how well your S is doing! And that there is ‘real’ life everywhere!!</p>
<p>Clueless! I loved reading your post! My s played Leon in the other cast of the same opera (my S says your S is really terrific!) We couldn’t make it down for the friday performance so we came down on saturday. Had a tour of the Bass center also, took him to target to stock up also, and went to the church he sings at also and I briefly met Jan also, and we got to spend some time with his voice teacher, Holleman, also! How funny, but I must admitt I left the laundry to him! He so loves this school, we couldn’t be happier knowing he is at the right place with such and amazing student body and faculty. Thank goodness we only had a 6 hour drive home!</p>
<p>I’m hoping to get some advice. My daughter was home-schooled for high-school and has a regular Maryland graduation certificate but didn’t want to take the SAT. She has some anxiety problems (taking medication) so I didn’t push it. Now she attends a very good community college and is majoring in Theater. She wants to pursue Musical Theater but has only been in a couple productions (one of the leads in one), I think she’s got talent and want her to go with it as far as she can. My question is, looking to the future, she intends to go on to a 4 year college. So far we’re thinking University of the Arts and/or Catholic University of America (Benjamin T. Rome School of Music), I’m still researching. I thought since she didn’t take the SAT, by earning credits at the community college, she will be able to apply to colleges without taking the SAT. I’m just wondering, will any of these credits transfer? I’m pretty sure her English will but she’s loving her acting and theater classes. I’m just thinking when she attends the 4 year she’ll have to start all over again with them. I don’t think she’s ready to go away to school, you see with her we have to move a little more slowly or she tends to get over-whelmed. Maybe there is another thread I should post this, I just realized this is for CURRENT Musical Theater College Students, but any suggestions or wisdom will be much appreciated.</p>
<p>Hi samdeb, another Marylander here. I think you would need to check with colleges on a case by case basis as to whether credits would transfer and how that would work. Would she want to enter as, say, a sophomore or junior musical theater major? Some college BFA programs allow that, and some don’t. I am told, for instance, that Carnegie Mellon does not accept any transfers; well, students who have had other college experience can go there, but have to start over. On the other hand, perhaps there are colleges which would give her credit for various courses, both theater-related and non theater related. One of this forum’s members has a daughter at UArts and she loves it! However, from what I hear (my D is a hs junior, so I can’t say this from first hand experience) most good musical theater programs at the college level are VERY intense, and keep the kids busy from morning until quite late at night, most days. I also have heard good things about the program at American and Catholic, in particular. You may also already know that Anne Arundel Community College and Howard Community College (both in Maryland … not sure where you are) have good theater programs at the two year level. Best of luck!</p>
<p>samdeb,</p>
<p>I strongly advocate people to follow their dreams…and I tip my hat to you allowing your daughter to do just that. The only thing I would caution you on is that many of the BFA programs can be highly intense. If your daughter does become overwhelmed with things as you were so honest to share, I highly recommend that you research prospective schools thoroughly. </p>
<p>You are off to a good start by asking questions here on this forum…and certainly others can help you with programs that seem of interest to you and your D. Best wishes!!</p>
<p>SUE aka 5pants</p>
<p>Hi, Samdeb. My D didn’t get into the musical theatre BFA programs that she wanted (GPA was too low) so she is doing a year of community college in order to beef up her grades. Meanwhile, she’s taking voice lessons at the school, drama classes in the city, and performing in a play at her college. Ironically, she is not going to take many (or any) drama classes at the school since most BFA programs do not want to accept courses from other schools, especially non-BFA programs. Instead, she’s taking some basic liberal arts classes that will probably transfer, so, although she might have to start as a freshman in the drama program, she will have some gen ed courses out of the way to lighten the load. This is a time to be philosophical; look at this year as a prep year during which they can gain confidence and acquire valuable study schools. Musical theater and drama programs will still be there a year or two later. Good luck</p>
<p>Hi, MT folks! I’m brand new to the discussion boards. My son was just accepted ED to NYU/Tisch/CAP21. Any other parents out there who can let me know what to expect? Thanks!</p>
<p>Large bills for tuition! And a great education!</p>
<p>A’smom, congratulations to your son! It is quite exciting to be accepted and even more so to one’s apparently first choice. Even better to learn this early in the year and be done with it. Bravo to him. </p>
<p>As far as what to expect…if you can ask some specific questions, I can TRY to help. I have a daughter who is a sophomore in CAP21 who is extremely happy with the program. I may be able to help depending on what it is that you want to know. She is home for a week and so if I don’t know the answer, this is one time I can actually talk to her when she is not in a rush on the phone, LOL. </p>
<p>Best wishes to your son and welcome to CC.</p>
<p>congrats a’smom, I posted my impressions of CAP as a freshman on the NYU/Tisch board and earlier in this thread. feel free to check them out or pm me with questions</p>
<p>chris</p>
<p>Wow - I just found this thread and have enjoyed reading everything on it! congrats indeed to a’smom, and thanks to Chrisnoo for the insight. My D was waitlisted at NYU but didn’t ultimately get in, so it’s nice to hear how things go there and everywhere. I loved the Elon stories!. Anyway, a word about tuition and then on to my report: If a student in Georgia wants a program that is not offered at a Georgia University, then the out-of-state tuition can be waived. It is my understanding that an OU student is taking advantage of this, but as my D is at OCU, we get no break other than her small academic grant.
Anyhoo - she is loving her experience. The MT acting classes are Meisner and that was an adjustment, but she too is in Dr Ragsdale’s studio and couldn’t be happier. In fact, she chose OCU because of him (and she may have chosen it over NYU had she been offered a spot there). The weather is a factor but the city has some nice spots. She had a couple of callbacks from the fall auditions but was not cast in anthing. To be frank I was not unhappy about that with all the other adjustments that college requires - and music theory! That class is difficult for her, but the classmates are really supportive and seem to look out for each other. A suitemate’s boyfriend is a theory whiz and pulled her through, fortunately! She is thrilled that she is becoming “a real musician.” She also enjoys the many performances by the small and large ensembles - several concerts or recitals a week - and she says the quality is really good. She really likes the teacher of her required vocal ensemble, but that class is the one that must be planned around - and it meets 4 days a week!
Our holiday visit was 'way too short, but she is excited about her second semester. A very nice Oklahoma native (music comp major) flew East for New Year’s and to drive back with her and a sophomore MT who lives in Atlanta. It’s so nice to see her make friends!
A last thing and something for your kids to think about: she is planning to go to the Disney open auditions Jan 19 to look for a summer job. The Disney website is <a href=“http://www.Disneyauditions.com%5B/url%5D”>www.Disneyauditions.com</a> . Several of her friends work in the parks and say it’s a great gig. So - our airfare budget will go for that instead of a visit with us, but that’s ok. All best wishes to all of you,
Sandy D</p>
<p>Thanks, Chris for your posting of freshman impressions. That helped a lot. I guess I mainly wanted to hear that you are glad you’re there and that you’re surviving in the big city. Did you come from a big city/big high school environment? I do have another question about scholarships - do you know many people who were offered merit scholarships at Tisch? Are they academically based or talent based? When did people find out about scholarships? I’m getting FAFSA information together but don’t feel all that good about being able to get need-based financial aid.</p>
<p>Kelly</p>
<p>a’smom,
Hi, I’m not Chris but will chime in as the more perspectives the better…</p>
<p>My daughter goes to NYU/Tisch and she has grown up in a town of 1700 people in a rural area, where she lives on a dirt road in the mountains and we don’t even have a street light in our town. She loves NYU, Tisch and NYC! It is the most opposite environment from where she grew up, let me tell ya. A few nights ago, she was back in NYC for one night (school is still on vacation) and when she called to say she got there (was traveling from FL and we live in VT), she said she was so excited and I asked why and she said, “to be back in NYC because I love it!”</p>
<p>In terms of scholarships and need based and merit…we also applied for need based aid with FAFSA, etc. I was naive at the time and didn’t realize my D’s BFA schools (she only applied to BFA schools) all had merit awards, because very few of my older D’s schools had merit, only need based aid. Suffice it to say, that opening the letters with scholarships was a delightful surprise. With regard to NYU, a very small number at Tisch get what is called a Trustee Scholarship. I didn’t know there was such a thing until we opened the letter notifying my D of receiving one and I think it either came with the letter of acceptance or within days of that letter around April 1. I won’t forget it because my eyes popped out of my head, LOL. I called to ask what this was and I was told that a Trustee Scholarship is a merit based scholarship for all four years, but the amount can differ based on need and thus it is rolled into one when it comes to how big the merit scholarship will be. But I don’t think there are too many of these. I have heard of others even on this board getting a regular “scholarship” (not this named one) but I am unclear if they mean “grant scholarship” as a part of their need based package (such as what my D who goes to Brown gets…a big chunk in “scholarship” that you don’t pay back but it is ONLY need based). So, I don’t know if Tisch has merit based scholarships beyond the Trustee Scholarships, or if the rest of the scholarship type money is just part of need based packages. A need based package can also change year to year, but the Trustee Scholarship is a given all four years. </p>
<p>Best of luck to your daughter in her admissions process.</p>
<p>Hi a’smom-
My daughter goes to CAP with SoozieVT’s daughter. (Hey, SoozieVT!
She went to a very large high school in the suburbs.
As far as need-based awards at NYU, I’m not that familiar with them. But my daughter received a “Tisch” scholarship and when I called to find out if it was need-based or academic/talent, they told me it was based on academic/talent only. It’s for 9K per year, and my daughter has to keep her grades up (to what standard, I have no idea; guess I should find out at some point!) We found out about her scholarship with her acceptance letter. Hope that helps. Congrats to your son!!!</p>
<p>HI RossJi…I was thinking of you when I wrote my post because I knew your D had that scholarship and I wasn’t sure if it was a merit one or just part of the need based package and so I am very glad you explained tha there are academic/talent awards other than the Trustee Scholarship. I wasn’t absolutely certain on that and hoped you would post. I think there might be some minimal thing my D might have to have to keep the Trustee Scholarship but I am not sure what it is. I just know she gets this for four years. I think the GPA cut off for Tisch Scholars (another thing she has) is higher so it is more moot with regard to the Trustee Scholarship anyway.</p>