<p>I’ve been looking at applying to the Pre-College MT program and I was wondering how selective is this program? Is it a good program for high schoolers?</p>
<ol>
<li> I think it’s very selective.</li>
<li> A friend of mine, an outstanding young actress, was unable to get into the New York program a few years ago, but was then offered a place in Tisch’s Paris summer pre-college program.</li>
<li> She thought the experience the best thing she had ever done. So, yes, it’s a good program for high school students.</li>
<li> I’m under the impression that participating in the pre-college MT program does not mean much one way or the other when applying to Tisch. I’m sure it’s a positive, but I don’t think it helps much.</li>
</ol>
<p>I’m not sure which program you mean- there is an audition based program that is directly through CAP21- admission is audition based and students are much more on their own when it comes to free time- there is also the CAP program that is directly through NYU Tisch. Admission to this program is based on grades and essays as opposed to auditions. I attended this over the sumer and i LOVED it. There are 32 people (i think) in the Cap 21 (musical theatre) section, but there are also sections of ETW and Strasberg, which are equally awesome. This program was a great experience for me- I got a really good feel for what the school is like not to mention the fact that i spent my summer in NYC and got to see like 16 shows! Granted, participating in this program does in no way GUARANTEE admission to the program, but it helps you to get to know what NYU is looking for and it gives them a chance to see what you are about.</p>
<p>I definitely recommend the program wholeheartedly as I did the CAP21 program through Tisch with Hopefulhk and I’m sure we both had the best times of our lives! Besides the great training and the awesome times, we gained much more insight about the Tisch drama department, and throughout the month of exploration and meeting people specializing in different appoaches (as I have a roommate from the experimental theatre wing and many great, “method” friends from the Strasberg Studio), many would end up be interested in another studio than straight MT at CAP21 as you may end up be drawn more to a certain approach -and don’t forget you do get dance and sing at all studios, though may be at a lesser extent.</p>
<p>Personally, I end up got more drawn in being an actor/director to get a full sense of all positions in the theatre, and chose and got into Playwrights Horizons. And though I truly think the insight you would gain to the drama department would be invaluable. </p>
<p>On the sides, the audition-based CAP21-independent program would be as great as we basically share the same faculty for studio classes. The only difference is that you won’t take the theatre studies class at Tisch, and you would not get to know in-depth about other studios in the department which are often overlooked by many MT nuts - like I did…</p>
<p>I did the audition based CAP21 musical theatre program this summer and I have never had more fun. Yes many of the faculty members are the same and I loved everyone of them. We also got to use the actual CAP21 studios. If you are like me, and considering no other major than musical theatre, I think it is a great idea to attend this program. And yes we had much freedom after camp hours (10-5). I got to see 8 different B’way shows and even Shoshana Bean in concert! I made so many new friends and many of which got accepted into the NYU/Tisch/CAP21 this year. (I haven’t had my audition yet but when I find out I will let you know!). THe program consisted of jazz, tap, ballet, improvisation, acting (scene study), vocal performance, vocal tech, and music theory.</p>
<p>You can send in a tape or audition in person so give it a shot! They accept around 60 applicants…i dunno how many applied to begin with but there were so many talented people there over the summer!</p>
<p>If you’re not much of a dancer does it work with you or is it only for those who are strong dancers?</p>
<p>While I have no first hand experience with the summer program, I believe it is run similarly to the regular college CAP21 program (with regard to dance) and my daughter is a junior in CAP. At CAP, on the first day, they have dance placement auditions and many levels of ballet, jazz and tap. Some have little dance training, some have some, and some are very advanced. You’ll simply be placed in the appropriate level. You will not be mixed in with advanced dancers.</p>
<p>wheresmyvoice - I can only speak for the CAP21 pre college program that is offered through NYU Tisch. There are only 32 kids in the program. </p>
<p>The first day they had placement classes to determine what level dance a student should be in; this also more or less happened with voice. The acting seemed to be divided in classes by “similar personalities”, not necessarily ability. </p>
<p>My D has had quite a bit of dance training and felt pretty challenged in the more advanced group. Some of her friends with barely any prior training were perfectly content in the beginning/intermediate group. </p>
<p>I definitely did not feel that this program is “dancer oriented” at all, but it simply accommodates those with prior training by putting them in a more challenging class, similar to what Soozievt describes for college (albeit on a smaller scale since the summer program is smaller).</p>
<p>Doesn’t anyone consider MPulse at Michigan? It’s competitive, too. I think 300 or so apps for 23 spots. But I think it helped our s. get into his schools. I guess it’s not very practical for easterners, though</p>
<p>Mamalot, I know kids from the East Coast and West Coast who have applied or are applying to MPulse. These kids apply to several programs and yes, many such programs are competitive and so students can’t apply to just one. Also, the programs differ in various ways. It really isn’t an either/or. Some who apply to NYU/Tisch/CAP21 also apply to MPulse, Cherubs, CMU, and many others. First, they must get in. And obviously then they make choices if lucky to have options. So, yes, they DO consider and apply to MPulse from both coasts. However, it would be foolish to apply to just one summer program, particularly if a selective one. All of these programs are very good. For that matter, one need not attend a summer pre-college program to get into well regarded BFAs. My D never went to a pre-college program and neither did many kids she knows who attend BFAs. Lets also remember that many families could not afford these programs either. I also know kids who have gone to such pre-college programs who have not gotten into many BFAs. No guarantees of course. So, all should evaluate summer options for their own sake and not as a “help” to get into college. The experience itself is quite worthwhile.</p>