College Discussion - View Single Post

soozievt · 02-22-2006, 10:33 AM

AlwaysAMom, yes, the student at Chicago Unifieds was not a walk in and had no idea that a callback on campus was one of the possible outcomes (nor did I know that). I think someone in that position very well may have opted to audition on campus had they known it was possibly going to be needed anyway. The way this was done was with last minute notice to have to travel to campus. It seems, therefore, that this school may be using the LA and Chicago Unifieds more for "screening" but not in the usual way we think of for Unifieds which is meant to be an ALTERNATIVE to ON campus auditions. The NYC one is for this school but apparently not the LA or Chicago ones. They may want to publicize this more because some were taken by surprise that a second audition on campus might be required.

Melsmom, like you say, while the auditors are in the driver's seat during the admissions process, ultimately the students are the ones in the driver's seat as far as selecting where to attend once offers are made. Unfortunately with the high selectivity for these BFA programs, students have to cast a wider net and look at many programs. Lots of times, no single program fits every single one of their "ideals" but if they are fortunate to have a choice, they need to find the program/school that most closely fits what they want. My own daughter, upon being very aware of the tough odds, tried hard not to key in on favorite schools too much because she didn't know what would be her outcome and she came to like things about every school on her list. It is natural to like some things more about one school than others but in the meantime, fully explore each one because you don't know what you'll get in the spring. Then, if you have a choice, clearly go for the school that fits your desires and needs the most. I observed good things in all of these programs. Some had more appealing aspects than others. They all differed. They all were good in some way. They also all ran auditions a little differently though I would not judge a program too much by their audition day because it is what happens after you get there that matters the most.

Also, I have now attended 8 different college auditions and in some ways, I see which worked well and which could use improvement. I wonder if these schools are interested in such feedback. Again, the program is more important to consider than the actual audition day. Still, schools may not realize how much people put stock into what they see on a visit or audition day, whether justifiably weighted or not.

Susan

Edit...AlwasyAMom, my post crossed with yours because I wrote it before you wrote yours but didn't "send" it as I was interrupted by a phone call from a friend helping another friend's daughter (who I don't know) who needs an interview for the college I interview for, some mix up thing, and she is leaving the country today, so I'm off to help one panicked family out, LOL.

02-22-2006, 10:33 AM	#45
soozievt CC College Counselor/Musical Theater Counselor Join Date: Aug 2004 Threads: 131 Posts: 10,263	AlwaysAMom, yes, the student at Chicago Unifieds was not a walk in and had no idea that a callback on campus was one of the possible outcomes (nor did I know that). I think someone in that position very well may have opted to audition on campus had they known it was possibly going to be needed anyway. The way this was done was with last minute notice to have to travel to campus. It seems, therefore, that this school may be using the LA and Chicago Unifieds more for "screening" but not in the usual way we think of for Unifieds which is meant to be an ALTERNATIVE to ON campus auditions. The NYC one is for this school but apparently not the LA or Chicago ones. They may want to publicize this more because some were taken by surprise that a second audition on campus might be required. Melsmom, like you say, while the auditors are in the driver's seat during the admissions process, ultimately the students are the ones in the driver's seat as far as selecting where to attend once offers are made. Unfortunately with the high selectivity for these BFA programs, students have to cast a wider net and look at many programs. Lots of times, no single program fits every single one of their "ideals" but if they are fortunate to have a choice, they need to find the program/school that most closely fits what they want. My own daughter, upon being very aware of the tough odds, tried hard not to key in on favorite schools too much because she didn't know what would be her outcome and she came to like things about every school on her list. It is natural to like some things more about one school than others but in the meantime, fully explore each one because you don't know what you'll get in the spring. Then, if you have a choice, clearly go for the school that fits your desires and needs the most. I observed good things in all of these programs. Some had more appealing aspects than others. They all differed. They all were good in some way. They also all ran auditions a little differently though I would not judge a program too much by their audition day because it is what happens after you get there that matters the most. Also, I have now attended 8 different college auditions and in some ways, I see which worked well and which could use improvement. I wonder if these schools are interested in such feedback. Again, the program is more important to consider than the actual audition day. Still, schools may not realize how much people put stock into what they see on a visit or audition day, whether justifiably weighted or not. Susan Edit...AlwasyAMom, my post crossed with yours because I wrote it before you wrote yours but didn't "send" it as I was interrupted by a phone call from a friend helping another friend's daughter (who I don't know) who needs an interview for the college I interview for, some mix up thing, and she is leaving the country today, so I'm off to help one panicked family out, LOL.