soozievt

Jacksdad, I do think you are trying to be helpful to those who come next. I also think the discussion here is hopefully helpful to those folks too. And like you say, there will be some who are hesitant to post such tallies for themselves and so we're only going to get tallies from those who feel comfortable sharing such information. So for those who are reading, please realize that the tallies are from a self selected group of people who are willing to share such results.

soozievt

Snoggie, I didn't see your post 14 when I just posted. But it would be nice if those with results like your D or the many others who have had less acceptances DO post results as that would be a FAR more accurate picture of the overall BFA process for the population of those who apply. I hope some will post, but I know from experience that some may be reluctant.

snoggie

Soozievt,

My D applied to Pace, Wagner, Elon, Hartt and IU. She got into 4 schools academically, but not the MT programs. The thing that makes her stats a little different is that she applied as a transfer from another program. As hard as it is to know why/how freshmen are accepted, I think it is even harder to know why/how transfers are accepted.

Again, and I can't state this too much, if we had been knowledgable, had known about CC in September instead of February, I think things for her might have been different.

soozievt

snoggie....it is helpful and brave of you to post your D's results. It is definitely harder to get into a BFA as a transfer! So, that is important to share. I obviously know nothing about your D or her qualifications or where she was transferring from but the odds for anyone are going to be tough and she also had just five programs, making the odds even tougher. It is hard to know what you could have done differently without knowing your daughter and what she did do on her applications and auditions but thank you for sharing as it demonstrates the difficult odds. Is she transferring to one fo these academically or staying where she is now?

musicmom1215

Since my cup seems to be half full most of the time, I don't see listing your results as boa****l or hurtful. In fact it could be the opposite. I think I would be uplifted if I were rejected from school X, but I see that your student was accepted to Great school Y and Top school Z (so you must be talented), but was also rejected from school X. That would make me think that even extremely talented kids were rejected from the same school I was, so that does not mean I am not talented. It just means I did not have the right list. Does that make sense?

jacksdad

Exactly-I want people to appreciate that good people don't get in everywhere and it is very important to have a broad list of schools from safe to reach.

snoggie

I do understand in a misery-loves-company sort of way. It is just hard when you can't say you got into ANY programs to read about all these kids who got into 8 and now have to choose the right one. I realize that we were not completely smart in what she applied to, but that still doesn't make it any easier for her (or me) to read!!!

We already have the Acceptance threads, and the final decisions threads and so many well-meaning accepted somewhere folks who came on the rejection thread to share advice (which really was helpful)... so how often does she have to celebrate the success of others by feeling badly about herself. I think the number of auditionees/accepted thread is helpful, and fulfills much of the same info in a bit more anonymous way...

Again, just my thoughts

SEATA

So after reading all of the posts, I feel a little mixed on the issue of "post results, or don't post the results." I do see the benefit (however, I feel my daughter was blessed with some wonderful results so I may not be objective about it all). If I were a junior, I would see that varying the school choices is paramount. CC posts advised that over and over in the past and my daughter took it to heart, and I believe it was one of the reasons why she experienced a successful audition year. So here it is... good idea or not...

Applied to: CMU, CCM, BoCo, Elon, HARTT, BW, Webster, Roosevelt (CCPA), Viterbo, Otterbien, Fullerton, NYU, Ithaca, Emerson

Results:

Accepted MT: BoCo, Elon, HARTT, BW, Webster, Viterbo, Fulleton (although no audition so it doesn't really fit)
Waitlisted: Roosevelt
Accepted Academically only: Otterbien
Rejected: CMU, CCM, Otterbien, NYU, Ithaca, Emerson
Final Decision: Webster

Final note... We did all of this from California homebase. Audition for all in person (at unifieds or school) with the exception of Ithaca where we sent a DVD.

Take it for what it's worth. I hope it's of some help because CC and all of you have been an immeasurable help to my family though this journey, and I wish everyone success.

MichaelNKat

There was another thread started as a central place to post information and insights for the h.s. classes of 2009 and 2010. Same purpose but different approach as this thread. I'll bump it up. Between the 2 threads, hopefully there will be some good guidance and helpful advice.

snoggie

BTW, just wanted to say that some other members have PM/emailed me in the past, so I also chose to sort of speak out for those who choose to remain silent!

MichaleNKat, I have found the thread you bumped to be helpful, as so many folk on this site really do have such helpful information!!! Thanks!

sualabama

This is the sort of information I found very helpful and so I am happy to post.

Applied to: CMU, PSU, Syracuse, Ithaca, Emerson, Point Park, Otterbein, University of Alabama (audition BA) Birmingham-Southern (non-audition BA), Webster and Millikin

Accepted: PSU, Syracuse, Emerson, UA and BSC
Rejected: Point Park, Otterbein, Ithaca, CMU
Cancelled auditions: Webster and Millikin after accepted to PSU.
Waitlist: none
Final: PSU!

She was accepted into her #2, #3 and #5 choices. She was rejected from a school that all her directors saw as a safety school for her, and had encouraged her away from. This is just one example of what MOST people experience...what you perceive is a safety audition program may not be at all! There is no way to figure out what your results will be. There is no safety school except a non-audition program. Even the most talented will face some rejections, but with a well-rounded list appropriate for you or your child, you will find a fit, and most certainly one you are very proud of and happy with.
These kids amaze me!

soozievt

Sualabama...I am glad you posted because you are showing an example of what can happen......to be accepted at some of the top programs and be rejected at one that many would perceive as an "easier" (BUT NOT EASY) BFA program. I have seen this happen with many others. I had a student this year get into one of the programs most on this forum consider at the top "tier" and was rejected at several others, including some that may be considered a couple tiers below. So, like you say, NO audition based program is a safety and in fact this kid had BAs on his list and so should others.

kimoki

I just wanted to add to any newbies that you must keep in mind when you are looking at these lists of acceptances and rejections that an acceptance also has to so with what the school is looking for. So even though a student may be very talented and academically sound they may not need their "type". This comes into play especially in a smaller school. I understand the reason for this thread but talent and academics are not the only reasons for acceptance and rejection.

jacksdad

Another really important point. BW made that very clear at their intro meeting by saying that not only were they looking for the best talent but that they wanted to put together a class of different types that would not compete against each other AND that they could cast from for the next 4 years. BW had a very good idea of what shows were planned and who they needed to flesh out their program.

soozievt

The point that jacksdad and kimoki are making is true of ALL highly selective admissions processes....be it BFA in MT admissions or elite college admissions. In these situations there are more qualified students who meet their criteria for admission than they can take. First, obviously you must be qualified and meet their criteria. But after that, it does come down to building a class....and they want different types in the grouping (I don't believe all schools know what shows are planned at all but simply want a variety of kids in the class). This aspect is one you CANNOT control. So, if you are rejected, this may be the reason.

What one must look at is their OVERALL results and as long as they get into one or more programs, they will be fine (make sure to like every school on your list). A rejection at any one particular school on your list is not a testament to your qualifications. If you have an appropriate list for your skill set, you should be admitted some place. You can only attend one school. Having a choice is always nice. The overall success of being admitted to college is what counts and not a tally of how many you got into. If you do not get admitted to any college on your list, then you either don't currently have the requisite qualifications or else have not built an appropriate and balanced college list. Every student should end up with at least one acceptance if qualified and if they have an appropriate list.

Back to the point that jacksdad and kimoki bring up....if a program accepts 20 MT kids, for example, it doesn't mean necessarily that those 20 were the top 20 qualified on some ordered list of kids who applied. It means more like they considered a final narrowed pool of applicants (more than 20) and picked 20 of them to build the class of varied types. This same thing happens with the Ivy League. They don't just take the top SAT scores and GPA, etc. off a list, but rather consider anyone who has the qualifications in the ballpark and then build a class of kids. So, kids who have a 2400 SAT are passed over for some who have a 2200 because they are building a varied class of kids who all met the qualifications to get in.