We were very naïve when we started this process, but having gone through it twice with my D (she is a transfer this year) I would add to the list of preparations a bit of mental management and spiritual strength to keep yourselves grounded for the environment you will encounter at the unified auditions. It is a high energy competition situation. Some people compare it to the “Olympics” for MT aspiring students. If you have never been exposed to something similar, and you are not prepared, you could crumble. No amount of singing/dancing/acting lessons would compensate if you let the stress, the surroundings and the actions of others get in the way of your audition. I think the fact that some schools use the college entrance auditions to score the kids and the score determines the amount of scholarship awards they get also adds to a vibe of negotiation in the air.
That being said, I think the unifieds is an excellent idea. Otherwise we wouldn’t have done it twice! The main advantages being that you can schedule many auditions for one weekend, your kids don’t miss much class and your expenses do not become astronomical. And I think that having the faculty judge you for your audition performance over your resume for department scholarships is fair.
Make sure your kids know the reasons why they would like to attend each and every one of the universities they are auditioning for and remind them to have fun. After all, it is a special chance to sparkle and own their stage.
It is a unique experience and a big thrill! Enjoy it!
