cartera45

There are schools out there that could perhaps pull off that arrogance - Peabody is not in that league. Even if they were, it would still be rude.

Vieuxtemps5

O don't worry about it, but it's true. Much better schools than Peabody are a lot nicer in their interactions with people. I haven't seen the rejection letter, but it doesn't surprise me. Their website is weird, with these really strange "how-to" and geeky directions. They are harassing my boyfriend who sent in an application a while ago, but then cancelled his audition when he got into all the other schools.

It's just a weird, kind of provincial place. I'm really sorry to hear the letter made your daughter cry. I remember in pre-college, when my girlfriends got a rejection letter I wouldn't even let them read it. I'd just throw it away and take them for retail therapy. If I were you, I'd write to them and tell them that their way of dealing with people sucks and their rejection letters are rude.

violadad

cartera hit the nail on the head. Well said.

To those who suffered the insult, ignore it and move on. You have better options.

lorelei2702

I did not read the whole of Peabody's letter, but actually, I think the phraseology is an accurate description of the process we describe here. The total letter seems to have added up to a feeling of being put down, but the things quoted here are things I would say directly to a student auditioning for me. The other side of the equation is that a musician does not want to be somewhere their talent and accomplishment is deemed inferior.....nerve and confidence are much of the battle, or at least the motivation to keep striving. None of this is totally predictive of success or failure. I hope it is possible to accept their vantage point for what it is, a reaction to what they heard and saw on a particular day compared to everyone else they had heard when they selected the class.

Hat

I felt that the rejection letter was a bit disingenuous after their little speech to the parents about how the students shouldn't worry if their audition wasn't perfect. The judges could tell within 15 seconds the level and ability of the student. My son's audition wasn't perfect, and in fact he said it was his second worst audition because of a number of mistakes. But the clairvoyance of the judges must have been off that day because he was also accepted at Northwestern music and University of Michigan Music (within 8 days of his audition), two schools that I would consider to be a least comparable to Peabody. I doubt that the students (or faculty) at either of these schools consider that the students are at a "similar level of development" (read "lesser") than Peabody. He also passed his auditions at USC and University of Colorado.

My son said that the letter was funny, but I think that he meant funny-odd, not funny-haha. In any event, it's all academic (no pun intended) because he has been accepted at Harvard (and waitlisted at NEC). He had wanted to do the Harvard/NEC dual degree, but now he will probably be limited to taking lessons in Boston and getting a first-rate education.

violadad

lorelei, I don't disagree with you. But honestly, the Peabody wording as quoted by various posters was not necessarrily the most tactful.

I do agree that if a student is not up to the standards of a particular program, they should be made aware of it. If they've done their homework and have had accurate assessments of talent, potential, and ability to grow, they should have a reasonable idea at any audition how they stack up against the pool. If they are "reaching" at an audition, the well informed should and will know this going into it.

A rejection worded as was Peabody's should leave some room for constructive dialog and discussion, and it can benefit a margininal applicant in being able to address shortcomings objectively and seek means to improve without denigrating current talent and skill levels.

Perhaps the wording "Should you wish to talk to us about your career goals, feel free to contact us." as quoted by mom4 is an attempt by Peabody to encourage dialog and allow their view of an applicant's audition to be relayed to the rejected applicant.

I would suggest anyone not completely put off by the comments of the rejection letter actually call Peabody and see if they are willing to address audition results/shortcomings on a personal basis. You may get answers, you may get nothing, you may see a reinforcement of the tone of superiority apparent in the rejection letter.

Audition feedback is not a given in the college process or industry in general. Sometimes you can get it, sometimes not. It depends on the auditioning body. The only way to get it is to ask.

And part of this whole process is learning how to deal with rejection as a performer. The more experience, the more benchmarks are attained in sorting through valid, marginal, and undue criticism. It can make one a better performer, or it can stop someone in their tracks.

Given the overall tone of superiority in other phraseology within the letter, many applicants may not see this.

I think Peabody's rejection letter could have been phrased far more positively than it was without gilding any lilies.

Just my $.02

cartera45

Isn't it inherent in a rejection that a school feels you are not up to the standards of that institution? Saying it is redundant, a bit patronizing and accomplishes nothing. If not, there should be a letter that also says, "you are everything we look for in a musician, but we are rejecting you because we can." I assume this is the standard rejection letter. If they want to be helpful, then write a personal rejection letter and give feedback. Tell the person that they were one of 200 sopranos who auditioned and they have them coming out of their ears. Tell them their repertoire wasn't the best for them - that they had raw talent but not polished enough, etc. If they're going to offer feedback, then it should be meaningful and personal in some way. I'm assuming they don't see it as offensive since it would not make sense for a school with a large graduate program to offend a bunch of undergrads. The best approach is to simply say that they can't offer a spot and then, if they really want to hear from hundreds of people who got that letter, put in the offer to talk. If that offer is there, they should be prepared to be available.

thumper1

>>The best approach is to simply say that they can't offer a spot >>

That is what most schools do. But no matter how it's worded, a rejection is a rejection and it stings. The reality is that the student at THAT audition, didn't measure up to the standard for those auditioning that year on that instrument (including voice as an instrument).

operahorn

I just thought the letter was creepy, not that they intended to be offensive. I think Peabody really thinks that they are doing auditionees a favor by allowing all to audition. They don't screen like many schools do. And I see their point in a way. But I don't personally feel flattered that my daughter got to play for their esteemed faculty, as she plays for many more talented people on a regular basis!

cartera45

I didn't know Peabody didn't screen for all instruments - they do for voice. My D didn't apply there but one of her good friends is going there next year for voice and she sent in a pre-screening CD. I guess the numbers of applicants for voice dictate that.

mom4

I think Peabody would have done a lot better with us, at least, with a simple--so many great applicants, too few spaces, very sorry--letter.
Oddly enough, I am coming out of this experience with a lot of confidence in my son and a lot of questioning about the alleged superiority of some of these institutions.

lorelei2702

I bow to the reaction of those who read the letter, that says it all. Someone might send a link of this site to the admissions officer. I am certain they would read it with interest, especially since their site seems quite thorough in its vetting of the process of application and the issue of self-selection.

Some lovely options for those declined by Peabody...their loss. However it is not possible to know who else showed up and was accepted...that relativity sets the standard. The new dean, the location in a major metropolitan area, proximity to JHU, all of these things open the possibility if not probability of a rise of standards and stature at Peabody.

BEK

Okay, for what it's worth I sent Peabody a link to this discussion. They emailed me today answering an inquiry I sent last week as to when we might expect audition results...and I thought it might be enlightening for them to see the discussion that took place. Plus it provides some closure for me as a parent...my D, to her credit, has already moved on.

jazzzmomm

Cartera, what you said in post #22 made me want to chime in that I believe (at least in Jazz) that sometimes the style of the institution's program could be a better fit than another for the student. So, a rejection may not be simply a pronouncement of "lack" of ability. It might lead a student eventually to the place where he will find support for his unique voice. I heard that from a college-level instructor, and I do believe it, though I don't know if it applies to classical music as much as to jazz.

cartera45

Jazzzmomm - I actually agree with you completely and did not word that post right. What I really meant to express is that, if that is Peabody's standard rejection letter, then they believe that everyone they reject is not up to their standards. I think there are other reasons for rejection that don't always reflect talent - differences in techniques that are taught, style, or sheer numbers. Their letter doesn't leave room for anything except "not good enough." I don't think that is necessary to point out - even if they do feel that way.