| I am sorry to be discussing this on the Otterbein thread, I agree. I was responding to a post and like many discussions go, one thing then leads to another and the conversation often strays from the original topic and for that, I'm sorry. Perhaps I should have posted a response, but when I keep reading the "only if there was this school or this program, than that", wanted to point out the variations of backgrounds that exist with kids who go into this field and that no one thing led to the other. I agree with Mrs.Ark in that training like voice lessons, etc. is indeed helpful and in fact necessary to get into a college program. But I think every kid on this thread had that. I don't think you can pinpoint one program or opportunity as having been better than the next one, that's all.
I happen to believe that MidgetMom's daughter was VERY successful in her college bid because she applied to one competitive program and got into a related one in the same field at that college and on scholarship. That result in a selective admissions process is very very good. As I said, if my child had only applied to her first audition school, she only got into the college, not the BFA program there and then would have not had anything. She increased the odds by applying to several schools because the odds are so slim in this field. I feel confident had this other child done that, she might also be sitting with some acceptances and a choice. I feel for MidgetMom in the sense that she went with the advice from others that her daughter would definitely get in if she applied, because I have heard that kind of feedback from well meaning friends who would say, of course, she'll get in. But I always explained to them, from my own research into the programs and armed with knowledge from sites like this, that when we are talking 5% admit rates, we will never ever count on getting in and in fact, prayed she would get at least one acceptance of the 8 tries. We felt she was in the ballpark as much as anyone to try for this, but the odds are what they are and talented kids do not always get accepted. We know kids who got into the very top programs in the country this spring and rejected at other fine programs that are not as competitive. It is something you have to go into the process knowing and not expect to get in but increase the odds by applying to several places. Luckily for some, like in FL, NYC, Chicago, LA, there is an option of unifieds where one might accomplish this in one location. Not the case here in my neck of the woods.
I just think that there are a lot of assumptions floating around as to which "piece" one must have to get in, or how much money, or having a parent in the "know". There are parents like myself who just have learned about their kids' interests along the way but have no experience in the field of performing arts.
I don't think it is helpful to make comparisons and get into what ifs. I think, from reading of everyone's kids on here, that most of them sound like very talented kids with bright futures. There is more than one way to make it on stage. No one thing is the key. If it was, then you could say a BFA is the way into a role on Broadway and we all know that ain't so. A kid with no college, a kid in a BA program, can all have a shot at that stage and the kid with a BFA might never get there.
I would second what AlwaysAMom said in suggesting to rejoice at the good fortune of each of your kids and that they all seem to have something to go to next year that will fuel their passion and training in musical theater. Move forward. There will always be someone who got to do x, y, or z that you did not do but that person might not go any further than the next person. I know I certainly don't start thinking about what if my kid had the performing arts high school or the private school with drama classes or a parent in the field and so forth. It just is not productive. From what I can tell, every kid on here had some form of lessons/classes and theater experiences. They all varied but they all seem successful in one way or another. Lots to rejoice about!
Susan |