crossroadsmom

sooievt,NMR cptofthehouseand DQ...thanks for your thoughtful replies. You all touch on the issues we have been pondering these last few weeks. I have just talked to my D by phone at her break, sharing all your comments. It was very helpful to realize she wasn't comparing apples and apples. This helped her see that her gut connection to Fordham was to the theatre program, to the kids that ushered her around to the audition rooms, and to her sense of the exchange between teachers and students...may also be true in the other areas but her love is with the theatre. She knows the acting industry is brutal...has experienced that on a high school level (even though she has competed well and won lead and supporting roles in musicals and dramas) and in hearing no to the schools she auditioned for...she told me she is young and wants to develop her acting and writing in a less competive environment. She is aware that there is competition for roles at Skidmore too but feels she will be at least on a level playing field. She appreciated the comment about transfering with an audition places her once again on a level field rather than hoping and waiting while at a school that she isn't in their theatre program.
sooievt, nice pick up on her school selection. As much as she loves NYC she looked at schools that fit her sense of her self. She will give Tufts careful consideration should she be offered a spot after May 1.
NMR, it was me that picked up on the teacher tensions at NYU. D was so focused on preparing for her audition, I don't believe she saw or heard much until it was over. She had the Experimental theatre teacher and the new admissions director sitting in on her audition ( director was a silent voice in the process since he was new...or so we were told). She didn't feel a good connection with the experimental theatre director but felt a good connection with the admissions director. The E.director made more statements or evaluations rather than asking questions...for example...he stated that NYU was the only musical theatre she had applied to...she tried to answer but he moved on quickly to wondering why she hadn't gone to Spain since she had 5 years in Spanish...she went to Rome with her Ancient History class. She tried to find a thread to open a dialogue but struggled with this. She wondered if this is an area in auditioning that she needs to work on developing. She also knew she was competing in all her auditions for a small number of spots with a lot of talented kids. Being around the kids at all the schools she auditioned for affirmed her sense of belonging with this group of artists. She found them fun and supportive as they waited to audition. As an aside, she found th auditions at BU to be the most laid back. I don't know how the faculty sorts through all the auditions...so many talented kids and so few spots. However, good experience for D and a taste of what is to come in the real world.
My role throughout this process has been to support this thoughtful child of mine's good instincts and thinking and to provide her with opportunities to visit the schools and to gather information for her from as many people I could. I appreciated her struggle since I felt the same split as she as we visited and talked with students and teachers. I appreciate so much all of you taking time to make such thoughtful responses. It has helped us both see the larger picture. Will post her decision when she makes it!

NotMamaRose

crossroadsmom, your daughter sounds absolutely wonderful: smart, sensitive, aware and talented. I feel sure that she is going to do well and get the training she wants and needs wherever she goes! I *am* sorry to hear about her rather odd NYU interview/audition; that *does* sound weird and more than a little disconcerting! My D auditioned for NYU (CAP21) at Chelsea Studios and though there were several auditors there, she performed her songs and monologues for one individual who could not have been warmer or nicer. Between her songs and monologues and their little interview, she must have been in there for more than 15 minutes, which surprised me. But it is definitely true that different kids have very different experiences at various college auditions. (For instance, we heard so many times that the auditors for Ithaca College were often very cold and aloof, so that is what my D was expecting, yet that's not what she experienced at all! Just goes to show you, you can never predict how things will go ...)
In any case, please do let us know what your daughter decides. Her choices are all top notch. Best wishes!

crossroadsmom

NotMamaRose, my daughter will beam when she sees this last post, as I am! Thank you for your kind words. I think you are right about the auditions...we had heard that Fordham was not a pleasant experience in auditioning and yet D felt comfortable there as she did at BU. BU was probably her favorite...2 people watched her audition...she connected with both...and had a great interview dialogue. Who knows with NYU...new admissions director...very nice but when you introduce a new person into the mix sometimes people can act differently...all in all gave D areas to work on...glad to hear that was not the experience for all...we had heard good things about the program...will let you know her decision...best wishes for your daughter in her path and you too!

jbinca

Crossroads mom

My student this year had a great experience at Fordham, the dept. head only was in the room, so he must have much confidence in his judgement. She was put at ease and treated very respectfully. The reverse was true several years ago when my D auditioned, in and out in a couple of minutes, no talk no interest in her, one never looked up while she performed. Then it was two women who are both there still but apparently no longer in charge of auditions.
My D was treated extremely well at NYU auditions also, lovely people, different dept. head now. However I don't think she ever again had interaction with those that ran the auditions while attending NYU.
Very good point above that your D isn't really comparing apples to apples. And one can always re-audition, having that plan makes it easier to live with one's decision I think.

crossroadsmom

jbinca

My D loved her auditioning experience at Fordham. She liked the experience and feel of the teachers and students too. The apples to apples comment was so helpful to her to truly see what she was comparing. I also think hearing and seeing all of your posts has helped her put in prespective her "no's" from the audition based colleges. I agree the reauditioning plan is helping her decide especially with the knowledge that just as her voice has matured and developed so has her acting and both will continue to do so! Sure helps to process all these feelings and thoughts in a helpful community.

NotMamaRose

Yes, though no one likes to go into a college thinking "I can always transfer if it doesn't work out" I do think it is important for 17- and 18-year-olds to realize that the decisions they make now don't have to be carved in stone. Things change, and so do people and their needs.

crossroadsmom

Well said!

crossroadsmom

Skidmore is her choice! She weighed her thoughts and heart and decided. We are grateful for your comments and support!

soozievt

Great choice....best wishes to your daughter for an awesome time at Skidmore!

NotMamaRose

crossroadsmom, congratulations to your D! I feel sure she will love Skidmore and find her place in the sun there. Promise to check back in with all of us here to let us know how she likes (no, loves) it! (And hey, you are no longer at a crossroads ....)

crossroadsmom

will definitely check back in to let you all know how she does...hmmm...will keep the name crossroadsmom as I adjust to my empty nest....you all are the best...I hope you know how helpful you are! Good journeys all for you and your children!

DramaQueen0413

i am glad your daughter was able to come to a decision about schools. yes, getting into shows at Fordham is very much like the professional world. What is amazing about our department is that the encourage kids to go out and work in NYC while continuing their education. one of the seniors that is graduating didn't participate in any shows at fordham this year and instead was working Off-Broadway. I think that is great, but somehow detracts from the education at our school.

if anyone has more questions about Fordham you can ask me. I must say that the program has broadened my interests in Theatre...and i might even design costumes for a show next semester.

good luck to your daughter!

crossroadsmom

Drama Queen...glad to hear from you and congratulations for thinking about designing costumes for a show next semester! Your thoughts were helpful to my daughter. She gave strong thought to coming to Fordham and working off Broadway on shows while in school but felt it might be too stressful at this point.
Let us know what show you work on and what you are doing.

jbinca

Drama Queen and all:

I find it so interesting that your focus has broadened while at Fordham, it's a tribute to you that you got so much out of the situation of minoring in such a competitive theatre dept.
I've noticed that some kids have tunnel vision about acting-which is a good thing, necessary for what's ahead, but some benefit from learning all aspects of theatre. It's a good thing for all to think about-the most passionate 17 yr old thespian might surprise everyone and take a different route in college, I know many of our stage managers/company managers/ producers, directors, and agents began the journey as theatre majors. I wish you luck Drama Queen but I have a feeling you won't need it and will be taking charge of your destiny!

crossroadsmom

Hello all....any thoughts you have on a southern girl going north for clothing, shoes...bedding at school...will welcome it...also since we will be arriving via plane/train probably will do most shopping in Saratoga Springs...I am working on a checklist so open to suggestions...