I agree not all students can visit although it is very helpful!
If you can't visit here are some ideas...
1. Call and ask if there are two or three students that currently attend or just graduated that you could talk to via email or phone. Be sure to get students in the program you plan to go to school in. For instance, don't take to the BFA in musical theatre students if you plan to do a design/tech major.
2. When you call or email the students have a list of questions ready. Ask them to be honest with the biggest problems/challenges/concerns that they have had in their time at the university. Also, ask them about the university beyond the department: housing, the Greek system, the meal plan, whenever you are worried about. Consider becoming Facebook friends so that you can follow them a bit and see if what they say is what they really feel. You can always un-friend later.
3. Email the professor over the program you plan to go into. There is usually one person in a department that is contacting all the prospective student (it is part of their teaching assignment), but if you are going into tech you need to talk to the head of the tech department, musical theatre the musical theatre professor, etc.
4. Prowl the university, college, and department website. You can find out a lot about a higher ed institution by the organization of their website, the emphasis they put on the things you are interested in within that website and the information on shows including past history and photos.
5. If they have a department social media site (and most of them do) see if you you can get an invite onto it. You will be able to see what students and faculty are posting including pictures, comments on current shows, and casting of their current plays. Because these sites are not monitored by the university there is no lag time between things happening and seeing them on Facebook.
6. See if they will do a virtual tour of the facilities or if there is one on their website. It is very helpful to see the theatre, backstage, greenroom, classrooms, etc.
6. Take note of how accommodating and helpful they are when you call or email. If they don't have time for you when you are looking at the university...will they have time for you when you are a student?
7. Ask about scholarships, housing stipends, work study in the department, etc. if they are not talking about these things and you REALLY need them, this may not be the place for you.
8. Ask them if you will be able to perform or work tech on shows as a freshman. If not you may spend an entire year not working on a show which may not be very helpful in getting to know the department or the students/faculty in that department.
9. Ask the number of majors in theatre in comparison to the number of full time faculty. This ratio will tell you the typical number of students in your theatre classes. If it is 50 to one you may want to look else where for more individual instruction.
10. Consider the cost of the university. If you are not going to be able to pay for it and have to leave after your first year, it may not be worth beginning there. High price doesn't make it a better school. Also ask about tuition increases. Some universities make tuition increases every year, others freeze your entering tuition for the four years it should take to graduate.
Remember that looking for a university is a little like dating! You and the university want to look your best, make the best first impression, and pay attention to what the other person is saying and doing so you get to know them better. However, once you have decided to attend that university you want it them become more like a good boyfriend and think about you when you are not around. Good Luck with your higher ed romance! Leslie
-------------------------------------------
Leslie Van Leishout
Theater Education Coordinator
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
-------------------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 11-27-2013 10:53
From: Lindsay Shields
Subject: College Students: Why did you choose your school?
Awesome advice! I would also like to reach out to those who have applied "blind", as in, they didn't visit the school. My students aren't financially able to visit colleges; I was in the same boat when I was in high school. While most of my friends were making campus visits, I was working to pay my rent!
Suggestions on how to choose schools?
-------------------------------------------
Lindsay Shields
Drama Specialist
Flushing High School
-------------------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 11-26-2013 15:00
From: Spencer Lawson
Subject: College Students: Why did you choose your school?
Auditioning and choosing a school was a very difficult thing to do. I did my research and found the programs where I thought I personally would thrive. I attended High School in Utah which made it impossible for me to visit the every school that I applied for before auditioning for them. I decided to wait until I was accepted to some schools and then make the effort to visit them.
I was accepted to a number of programs and decided to narrow them down and visit the schools. THIS WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP. Honestly, almost every program is the same, aside from slight differences in techniques taught or focuses. Getting to visit the school helped to get the feeling. I visited a school that was "more prestigious" than some of the other schools that I was accepted to, but I did not get a vibe. Its just a personal thing that you will know when you feel it. I visiting Hartt (where I currently attend now) and was able to sit in on classes and meet students and professors. I always attended a mainstage production. I knew then that it was right for me.
So... how did I choose? VISIT THE SCHOOLS and get your own vibe.
-------------------------------------------
Spencer Lawson
-------------------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 11-25-2013 15:32
From: Ginny Butsch
Subject: College Students: Why did you choose your school?
This question is specifically for the college students and pre-professional members (many of whom are brand new to the beta test group today). Tell us about your college selection process. What made you choose your current college or university? What criteria did you look for in your search?
With application deadlines just around the corner, I'm sure it would be helpful for our high school seniors to have some expert advice!
-------------------------------------------
Ginny Butsch
Community Manager
Educational Theatre Association
-------------------------------------------