My top choice school that I’m waitlisted at just informed me they cannot let me know about my official status until May 1st-May 15th and so I have to commit somewhere else then lose my deposit to switch. Very frustrating.
@allthatjazz12345 Truly, that is the typical way that wait lists work, sorry to say. But good for you that you have options and you’ll see what develops.
When I posted earlier that an acceptance is an affirmation, I was not just talking of CMU. Someone said that acceptances or rejections are not commentaries on your talent, so to speak. I agree about the rejections when the acceptance rates are so very low. But acceptances are affirmations, whether at CMU or some place else.
As far as CMU being a “golden ticket,” I don’t really see it that way. Yes, it is a top program with excellent training. Keep in mind that the accepted students at CMU’s BFA program are already a very select group of talented performing artists, and so I would expect many of them to do well after they graduate. However, no college is a ticket to success. So much rides on the individual. Just using CMU as the example, since it was being discussed, I know a couple kids who have graduated from the program who are not even doing MT now.
@soozievt - well said. The whole “golden ticket” thing sort of bothers me…
There is no golden ticket. Training helps. Networking helps. But in the end, a person’s drive and persistence, talent, luck, type, and lots else is what it takes. It’s not an easy road, even if you go to CMU or the like. College admissions is just one hurdle. There are going to be lots of hurdles post graduation and it takes time to build a career in this field. Also, the opportunities are limited. Top talented kids exist in every program. What a school like CMU has is a concentration of top talented kids. But CMU really is not their ticket. These students already made a difficult cut to be admitted and so they likely have the “talent” part in their favor now. The rest will remain to be seen in the coming years.
Also, yes, in many well regarded professional theaters, you will see CMU in some bios for the actors. But there are a myriad of colleges (and no colleges) represented in those same theaters. The next NYC musical my D is cast in has actors who went to NYU (more than one), CMU, and Pace (and others who didn’t name their degrees). Just one of a zillion examples. You can go to a variety of colleges and land at the same destination.
A ticket (of any color) is something that merely gets you in the door. I completely agree there are no guarentees regardless of what school you earn entry to. I’m always amazed at how certain topics spark such a strong reaction! To each their own - had no idea my ‘golden ticket’ comment would offended anyone. Not my intent to imply it was any better that NYU, or any other school out there. As is regularly debated there are numerous programs - old and new - with graduates working and succeeding. Every admit is earned and should be celebrated. Again, my comment is merely a personal choice of words on the acceptance rate (1.5% as soozieVT noted) and opportunities post-graduation as noted by the university when we toured…and that’s it. I’m not an expert, coach, faculty member…just a parent navigating and learning as I go, and wishing others good luck and congrats for receiving good news at a highly respected program …sigh.
@deelight - I can only speak for myself, but you didn’t offend me in any way 
I thought of “golden ticket” as similar to “lottery school” which is often used to describe CMU and other programs- meaning there are FAR more qualified applicants than spots- so who is actually holds a touch of randomness/magic/mystery. I know 2 kids who have been accepted in recent years. They are madly talented - but not necessarily more madly talented than kids who have been denied at CMU and ended up at places like Michigan, CCM, NYU, Ithaca etc…
^^^completely agree and would add many more schools to that list.
As would I - but was trying to be succinct (not my natural state)
Whenever anyone says “golden ticket,” I immediately think of Charlie and the Chocolate factory and THOSE golden tickets. Which are, of course, totally random, unless you believe in karma. And I think some people view some college decisions (especially the top tier schools) as totally random. But, I am sure it is anything but random. Look, CMU is a great school. They have said there are enough talented kids to fill their incoming class several times over. Who knows how they pick from among that pool, but they do. They have their reasons (and that is the part we don’t see, and therefore don’t understand). It doesn’t mean your kid isn’t talented if they don’t get in; it doesn’t mean your kid isn’t going to make it if they don’t go to CMU (just like, as others have said, it doesn’t guarantee success if your kid DOES go to CMU). In fact, CMU might not be a good fit for your kid, for whatever reason. There are a LOT of good programs out there, as @toowonderful said. Congrats to all for your acceptances. If your kids got into a decent program, they have something. The rest is up to them. They need to not only work on their talent, but they have to have drive, be humble, be nice, and be persistent. Throw a little luck in there and they are all set. May the odds be ever in your favor.
I agree @monkey13 well said! I have no idea how they see that many kids and decide! There are so many factors…but I can venture any of our kids would love to get that call whether they accept or not. This whole process is so crazy!
@monkey13, I love the references to Willy Wonka/Charlie and the Hunger Games in the same post. This entire process has elements of chance, skill, and survival instincts(hard work and ability to accept rejection). I think we all just want our child to be a victor and have an opportunity to pursue their dream.
Yes, @SongnDanceMom, victory without killing anyone from the other Districts!
As I have said before, CMU is not a golden ticket to success. What CMU does offer is what I would call the “Halo Effect” for lack of a better word (Michigan and CCM have this same effect). This Halo Effect lasts for about a year, two max, after graduation and will get you in some doors (or at least make it easier to get in doors) to be seen. But no one is going to get the job because of the Halo Effect. That is done by talent, hard work, type and a myriad of other things. Of course CMU grads get a lot of representation offers/work. But it’s because they are very talented. This is, after all, a talent game. I’m sure a professional director has not gotten down to two actors for a role and the tiebreaker on who gets it is CMU. And as @monkey13 said, it might not be the best fit if you do get an offer. If CMU was truly the golden ticket that guaranteed employment and success then you can bet my kid would be at CMU. He made a different choice due to “fit” and he has confidence that his talent and hard work will get him employed after graduation. Bottom line is that CMU is outstanding but doesn’t guarantee anything. CMU may be right for you but so might somewhere else. Get the training, get out there in the world and go for it! This is our kids passion. They (and we) knew it would be tough when they started this path.
going through this for the second time - last year, 16 auditions, 6 acceptances and he is not happy where he is, so off we went for a second round of audiitons, 4 schools, one acceptance, waiting on 3, and he fell in love with one of the 3, perfect conbination of program, campus, faculty…so we wait. Anyway, i have to comment on the “goldent ticket” reference - there is no such thing. CCM sees 1500 kids, takes 12-15, worse odds than harvard. Carnegie has 2100 my son’s first time around, more like 2500 when you double count the kids who said they would go MT or acting. they took 12. so, if you kid is not one of the 12 - 15, it means nothing other than the schools, which cast to type, didnt need your kid’s castable type this year. your 5’ tall blond soptano who can belt like noone’s business was never, ever, in competition with the 6’ tall dancer who can kick herself in the face. never. ever. if they do not need your castable type, you can be the best actor singer dance in the history of the world, you arent getting in. I spoke with students at every school, some of the things that go on at the “top” are horrific. one boy at one of the “top” schools grew taller after acceptance, and seemingly his castable type changed. he was told to either lose 15 pounds or gain 30 to fit a type. when i asked him what would have happened happened if he had done neither, he indicated that was not an option. period. nice life. and, there is no work that falls into your lap just because you go to a particular school, you fight for it in auditions - and many actors who trained at places not the goldent ticket school are case, often over goldent ticket holders - example Tony Cast - Book of Mormon - Josh Gad - CMU goldent ticket actor, Andrew Rannells - dropped out of Marymount Manhattan to take work in NY, so he had no degree at all. So, to those whose kids had their heart set on a particular school, I feel your pain, but if you were accepted at a school that offers reputable training, work your tail off to get trained.
It is not fun and extremely awkward to be in between different casting types. I’ve been in the situation that was described above. I either have to gain or lose weight. I’m not fat enough and a little to tall to be a Josh Gad or Alex Brightman, but I’m chubby and not in shape (or tenor) enough to be Aaron Tveit or Jermey Jordan. I have to fit one of the molds and become unique within. There are times I wonder why can’t I just be me?
Has anyone heard anything at all from Webster, UWSP, or BoCo?
@ParachuteBoy You mention Alex Brightman. I know him. He is a friend and former classmate of my D’s at Tisch, as well as they were in an a cappella group together throughout college. Alex is a thin guy. He had to pack on weight for the lead in School of Rock.
@SingerDancerMom Webster letters went in the mail yesterday.