bsDBer2010

I actually know a bunch of people who won this competition and some that even got Presidential Scholar from this last year, the year before, and the year before that. Unfortunately, that doesn't help the self-esteem because (as one would expect) they are all phenomenal artists. But all of them have said that they loved the youngARTS week experience (and apparently there's a second one???).

MorganSimone

Wow, seriously???? *Gush* Well, I am crossing my fingers! I was surprised that not many people are in the selection from a novel category or in the writing category in general. I saw past finalists and a HUGE chunk of them were from music/instrumental. The competition must be much more cut-throat in that category than in writing.

mflevity

I was a writing finalist and Silver Award winner last year. There are actually always the same number of finalists in each category (for you, that means about 20 writers); there just happen to be more music categories (jazz, classical, voice, etc.).

If it makes you feel better, I think this year the numbers might be down a little for whatever reason...a few weeks before the deadline, they were calling recent alumni to encourage high school friends to apply.

But anyhow...good luck!!! YoungARTS was by far the best experience of my senior year.

MorganSimone

REALLY?! LUCKY YOU! A silver award winner?! I guess you are pretty brilliant, huh? Congrats. How was the week in Miami? Fun, I suppose?

mflevity

^I'd agree with the "lucky you," part, haha. And thank you. But make sure to keep in mind that the whole thing is incredibly subjective. A great writer friend of mine from camp entered in several categories and wound up getting a Merit award instead (which is still a great accomplishment, but just proves the point--how in the world are they supposed to distinguish between 8, 9, and 10-rated portfolios? It's got to come down to more subjective factors).

The Miami week was tons of fun. I felt like I was floating the entire time. The best part, by far, was getting to meet everybody else who was there.

I know it's pretty late in the process and everything's already submitted, but if you have any questions about stuff that comes up later, feel free to PM.

MorganSimone

Really? Thanks!

POTO Mom

My D applied for voice. Do you get an email or a call to let you know one way or the other?

mflevity

Last year, the finalists got a call sometime around Thanksgiving. If you get a merit award or honorable mention, they send you a check via certified mail (so you get a mystery postcard telling you to go to the post office with ID to pick it up).

MorganSimone

Thanksgiving? They said I wanted know my scores until mid-December...

MorganSimone

*I wouldn't know

mflevity

They actually never tell you your scores. You can figure them out if you get an award, but otherwise there's no way to tell.

Merit/honorable mentions come out mid-December. They have to notify finalists earlier than that for the sake of travel arrangements and stuff.

MorganSimone

So basically would-be finalists should expect a call next week?

mflevity

I would say sometime within the next two weeks or so, unless they're doing things drastically differently this year.

MorganSimone

Ok, I hope I get in!

MorganSimone

Anyone else out there in CC-land who has sent in an audition/portfolio for the 2010 youngArts program?