mom4

I have to vent here. My son applied to McGill Schulich School of Music on November 25. Cello auditions (on their website) are February 28 and 29. We still don't know which day! Am I nuts? I have emailed them twice, explaining that we have to travel 10 hours or fly (very expensive) and stay in a hotel, and could they please tell us which day? Today, they emailed me back, very politely, and said they think that posting the two days on the website should allow for early bookings. Not the way I need to do it: ONE night in a hotel, so which night? Cheapest airfares if we fly at all--but they are long gone. Anyway. he liked the school when we visited. I'm just looking for confirmation that my wish that we'd know the date maybe 3 weeks in advance is a reasonable expectation. Now I wonder how long it's going to take them to send an acceptance or rejection. I do recall that it was REALLY late for some posters last year. Argh.

violadad

Doesn't seem to be enough time. Driving to Montreal in late February can be a nightmare if the weather turns nasty. Any way you can email/call the string department chair and see if they can intercede?

Worst case scenario, Montreal is a pretty town. You could fly in early and see the sights. Maybe a hockey game?

I know it's ending up costing more than it should have. I would like to see a three week lead time at the very least.

Good luck.

binx

Is there any chance that they really want you there both days? Like maybe for call backs? And that is why you aren't getting a more specific answer? - because they don't know yet which students will need the second day.

My s is taking professional auditions right now, and those auditions are almost always two days - the first day for everyone, and the second day for call backs. So he flies in the night before the first day (because they often start pretty early in the morning), stays two days in a hotel, and flies out the night (late) of the second day. Usually ends up having a sight-seeing day the second day ...

mom4

Thank you all for your ideas. I have emailed the admissions office twice, and the same woman has responded, twice. They just haven't scheduled it yet. If they need him for two days, they have not made it clear at all. I don't even know what time or where to take him. They simply haven't scheduled him, yet. I also have called, twice, but only get recordings and no return phone calls. Apparently they don't begin to schedule auditions until after applications are due, which is Jan. 15. The fact that my son got his in almost two months before that apparently doesn't mean a thing. By contrast, Oberlin scheduled his audition (for next week) within three days of receiving his application. I still don't understand why they can't schedule people as applications come in...Although I am very very frustrated, I'll try not to let this part affect how my son feels about the school. Usually, the admissions office has nothing to do with your college experience once you're a student.