Lucie55

Just wondering, do u think that auditioning earlier is beneficial? Are there more spots open when u audition earlier? Do they decide who gets in as they go along, or decide at the end once everyone has auditioned? I was told it was better to sign up for the earlier dates. Opinions? Thanks so much!

musicalmom

This was one of the questions that kept going through my mind last year as my d was auditioning. I don't think there's a concrete answer. My d did some auditions early and some later on - this was necessary to fit them all in. I do know it has been said before, and I agree, that if you have a 'favorite', go later on or at least not as your first one or two auditions, because you will get better at auditioning the more of them you do (typically).

In answer to your question, though, some schools decide as 'they go along'. This is called rolling admissions. Some schools see all auditions before making any acceptances and then do them after all audition dates typically in March or April (sometimes Feb.). The schools will tell you which way they do it. Some schools use a wait list and some schools will do deferrals if they are rolling (meaning they have decided to wait until later to decide about you).

As far as what the colleges are thinking, each may be different and its a tough question. If it is rolling admissions, it would seem to make sense that there are more spots available early on. On the other hand, they may put more kids on the wait list early on to hold off and see the rest of the talent later in the audition season.

Even though I wondered alot about this question last year, it ultimately did not affect our scheduling (maybe it should have) because we had to schedule around my d's important conflicts and all the schools schedules, so we did what worked. Looking back, a couple of the schools she auditioned at early (she did 3 before the end of November), were schools that ended up being ones that she really liked (one in particular) and I wish she had done that one later in the season. But going into the auditions, the ones you think may be your favorites, may not be and vice versa. This is what happened to my d.

So I have probably confused you even more. I guess my advice would be not to worry too much about this issue and do what works for you. (otherwise it could drive you crazy). Hopefully you are auditioning at several schools if you are talking about BFA's. I also think this issue has been discussed before, but I'm not sure of the thread. Maybe you can find it.

Good luck. I'm sure there are others that have been through this process that may have further insight as well!!!!! Good luck on your auditions Lucie55!!

sheerviolette

I think it's beneficial for schools with rolling admissions. Otherwise, I'm not sure that it matters...

notfromme

I think it would be best to keep you favorites in the middle of the process. We found last year that with the first d had the nervousness of the WHOLE process, not just the audition. The next few seemed to go more smoothly, more relaxed. By the end, d had some acceptances in hand, and she was ready to be done!

trill

I think it's a good idea to save your top choice for sometime after some other auditions. Our friend's son auditioned for Point Park (his top choice last year) first and he was nervous and recked his chance. He did get into another good school so it worked out.

However, we have also been advised about the quality of scholarships for students who apply early.

So..I guess it's up to the individual!

And...do most schools allow you to re-audition?

Lucie55

re-audition? I've never heard anything about that? Some schools let you do that??

BreakIntoSong

I know that you used to be able to re-audition at Point Park. But if you get rejected again, you could never audition for the school again; even in a different school year. I don't know if they still allow that but it was the only school that I ever heard of doing that.

mtdog71

This is just me, but I always think earlier is better. When casting a show - or a freshman class - the persons casting begin, on day one, mentality filling in their slots...."What if this were the casting pool?". After day one the next auditioner needs, not only to audition on their own merits, but also, "beat out" the person(s) the auditors already have in their heads. For example, if you are a diminutive lyric soprano - and they have already seen 16 of your type - subconciously the auditors might be dismissive of your audition being already secure that they have that "position" covered. I do not maintain this is universally true - but I do think it is a factor.

Also, I think, sometimes, a late audition is percieved as "We are a back-up or secondary choice" or "They are auditioning for us now because they have been rejected from another school".

Obviously, if you are auditioning at a lot of schools, someone will be first and others will be later on - and auditors understand this as well.

mizmom

I have always been told the earlier you audition, the better scholarships you can get.

musicalmom

I have heard of 2 students being told they could re-audition at Point Park. One was sick with a pretty bad cold that obviously affected her voice and she was told she could come back a later date and audition (I might have suggested to her that she reschedule before she went). She did not go back to re-audition so I can't comment on how this went for her. This was a couple of years ago. Last year, a boy we know was also sick and told that he could re-audition by submitting a video tape. He did so, but no luck getting in. I'm not sure if these students told the school at the audition that they were sick or if the school picked up on it themselves. But my advice would be not to tell the school you are sick if you have a cold at the audition. And if the cold is so bad that it is going to affect the audition ALOT, I would call the day before, explain, and reschedule the audition if possible. I know people who have done this successfully.

sheerviolette

Re-audition as in audition twice for the up-and-coming school year? Or re-audition in the sense that if they reject you for the school year of, say, 06-07, that you can audition again at the same school for 07-08?

I've never heard of a school doing the former, but I was under the impression that plenty of schools do the latter. I know my school does...

musicmom1215

Unless they have changed their policies, OCU allows you to audition again. My D auditioned in February (could not do it in Nov because of all-state competition conflict) and did not get accepted into the BM program. She then auditioned again in April and got in. She was more confident of her song choices the second time, as well as more rested, etc.

musicalmom

Sheerviolette,
concerning my recent post about PPU re-auditions, I meant re-audition for the same up and coming school year. BUT from our experience last year, most other schools we looked at do NOT allow this.

srw

I know a girl who auditioned in November for MT at OCU, she had a bad cold so they let her audition again in February, and she got in.

2DsnMT

Last year, Elon allowed re-auditioning...if you didn't get in on the first try you could schedule another audition later in the spring. My D did not get in when she auditioned in September but was told she could re-audition...we just had to call and set up the appointment for one of the regular upcoming audition dates. Ultimately, she did not bother to reaudition as she had 5 MT acceptances...but it was a possibility. I don't know if this is true, but I felt like even if she was accepted the second time around, she might be viewed as a "less talented" MT student because it took her two tries to get in....probably wacky thinking, but she wasn't willing to risk it.