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<p>I well remember those feelings! Even though my son had been accepted to a wonderful school that he was excited about attending, I initially felt so burnt-out by the audition/acceptance season that I hardly wanted to look at the materials I had to deal with. </p>
<p>The suggestion of a short “dry run” trip is a good one. In addition, there are people here who can provide guidance. Best of luck to you!</p>
<p>@octaviar just got back from Pace, maybe she can help.</p>
<p>Pace parent here!!! PM me with any questions.
Having my kid move out to NYC was terrifying for me but it has been the best thing that ever happened to her.
She has so many opportunities open to her. Discounted or Free Broadway or Off Broadway shows. Complete comfort with bopping around all of NYC from Uptown to Brooklyn when necessary for coursework or to see shows or research shows or take dance or voice classes of campus. She goes to Lincoln Center all the time to do research at the Performing Arts library and to Times Square to various bookstores and events. I was the kind of parent that wanted my kid to have what I had which was a campus feel with green grass to throw a frisbee around and sports. But honestly, the experience she is having becoming so accustomed to NYC and everything that it offers. At Pace, Union sq and Times Sq is quicker to get to then most people at other campuses can get to their student union in a large university. The independence and self confidence that they achieve through this experience is unparalleled. They are mingling with kids from NYU, New School and Marymount and the other colleges in NYC. Pace kids are taught to maneuver around NYC safely and efficiently and produtively. They are making contacts and networking with all aspects of people working in the entertainment industry. They can audition for a project and make it back to class same day. They are being exposed to acting opportunities and projects of all kinds by their professors, their professors friends and their own colleagues throughout the Performing Arts Department at Pace. And the bonus is visiting your kid in college just doesn’t get much more fun than hanging out in NYC.</p>
<p>It looks like someone removed those posts from “Burke Moses.” Which is good, because there was so much wrong in there about acting I didn’t know where to start!</p>
<p>Pace is right in the middle of the big ol city. I am not a city girl so the campus didn’t really appeal to me but it sure did to my son. My son was very impressed with the caliber of the faculty and the dedication of the students. He thought the facilities were nice too. On our visit they took the kids to see a show that had some alums involved. He was very impressed. </p>
<p>In my conversation with Wayne I was impressed with the teaching philosophy ( largely student led) that underlies the schools program. He mentioned kids doing things in the community and streets that I could totally envision in that environment as being full of learning experiences. He also talked about faculty getting to know their students and being working faculty, could and do recommend they audition for specific works or parts. It sounds very integrated with the theatre scene of the city. </p>
<p>The dorms are very small. Also got the impression they were not that nice ( I didn’t see them myself, son did) but then again we had just seen CCPA’s brand new fabulous dorms so… </p>
<p>It is in a part of the city that seems rather safe, although the program security itself was a little scary. We showed up Thursday and thought we’d just poke around and get to know the campus… wrong! without an appointment we were not allowed to enter any of the buildings! We had to beg just to be allowed into the general administration building. We also heard they do dorm searches from time to time. Not sure if that is typical or not? </p>
<p>I too, am facing the prospect of my kiddo packing up and moving far far away. For us, he has made it clear that the closest he is willing to be is Pittsburg. 
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<p>We still don’t have a decision made though, so I haven’t had to face it head on yet. Not sure I want to!</p>
<p>The dorm security is tight. They really don’t let anyone into those buildings without going through the security procedure. It is annoying but very comforting as a parent to know that it is so secure. The dorms are in line with all the other dorms you will find all over the country other than spanking new dorms that some universities have newly constructed. My D is in Maria’s Tower and the convenience is unbelievalbe since many of the classes are in that building. There are numerous bathrooms on each fllor for each gender including private unisex bathrooms and showers and I believe there are 2 sets of single sex hall bathrooms and I believe 2 sets of lounges. Its very social and there are nonstop activities offered for the students to mingle and meet other students on the NYC campus so they get to meet kids outside of the performing arts cocoon. The impression you have about the faculty getting to know the students is true since the class size is extremely small. There are no large classes. I believe 18 is the class size maximum, I may be wrong, it may be 25 in some classes but I believe most of the classes are between 13 -15 students throughout the NYC campus. There are none of those classes where you can put your head down and check out in la la land and get the notes from a friend. If you are not in class your Prof knows about it and is concerned.</p>
<p>kbsmom my daughter just got a call in the last hour inviting her to join the BFA Acting program at Pace. She is over the moon ecstatic. Would love to have our girls chat. </p>
<p>Msdchick, That is awesome!! I am so excited for you both! And yes, I will PM you with info. 
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<p>Anyone else getting a second rejection letter from Purchase? I guess they were afraid we didn’t get the point the first time!</p>
<p>geez Bissou. and “thanks” Purchase… maybe she should send them a polite rejection letter back about how she’d rather be at Drew anyway. </p>
<p>Never even got the first rejection letter!! They are horribly disorganized. </p>
<p>Has anyone else noticed a marked maturity in our kids now that this process has come to an end?</p>
<p>Our kids are AMAZING. I could never have done any of this when I was that age. (or now)</p>
<p>I have noticed a calm, a feeling of being “at peace”. It’s funny, D is not all that sentimental about the end of HS/graduation things, she is too excited for what happens next</p>
<p>I noticed the same thing in my D last year. Just wait until Christmas and Spring break. They continue to grow and mature quickly their freshman year. I think it may have something to do with the fact most are so far from home and have to learn to navigate so much on their own, along with their rigorous schedule.</p>
<p>I’ve noticed a generally happier and more peaceful attitude. We still have two weeks of school, including finals, prom and one more AP test, so she is busy, but so much happier. It’s like a weight was lifted.</p>
<p>^ Same happy, calm feeling at our house too, Yay!</p>
<p>You are going to be blown away by who comes home next summer.</p>
<p>That’s what I’m afraid of….I made my last school lunch today…I was a puddle…</p>
<p>ok, i am freaking out on separate topic but it falls under a vent or confusion. i plan to take out parent plus loans on behalf of my son. i also planned, once the loan amount went over $30000 to elect the 25 year repayment option. I realize that may not be wise and do not need counsel about should i do the 10 year or 25 year plan. Here is my concern. i read something today that the 25 year repayment plan is not an option if there were outstanding student loans in 1998. uh, yes, I was repaying my own student loans at that time. Does this mean I am unable to use the 25 year repayment option for parent plus loans? i am hoping they meant my son could not have outstanding student loans in 1998, not me. Anyway who knows more about this than me, please help. thanks… and if neccessary, I was a model loan repayee. never caused problems on my own students loans and they forgave my loan one month early because I was so responsible about paying it back. i called fafsa, student loans, etc and got the classic beauracratic runaround so if someone knows the answer, please let me know, thanks </p>