@Ouiser I totally feel your pain- this whole process is horrible. It is not easy watching the same kid get into every school while your own child waits in desperation for one good yes. The reality though is that getting in everywhere is not the norm and it is completely true that it’s not all about talent. Some kids just have the “look” a school wants. For my own child I know his size was a huge factor- he’s small. I sat outside many audition rooms and I can say that I heard incredible talent all over the place. Looking back I would have handled this process differently and not had him audition to quite so many reach schools- there are some great smaller programs out there and they will give them more funding. I would much rather have him go to a school that appreciates his true talent over his overall commercial look. We are fortunate that he has gotten into some good schools and one was a top pick. He did get no’s from favorites and some waitlists as well. Hugs to your child and sadly this is not all about talent. Until he got one he truly wanted he contemplated a gap year and approaching this all differently next year. He also considered going to a smaller program to train and then apply as a transfer. Everyone will take their own route and they might not all be the same and that’s ok. Just don’t let your child give up on their dreams. ((Hugs)) this process truly stinks and it’s not fair.
Ugh it completely cut off most of my post somehow. Please feel free to PM me @beachymom -
@Theatrical I know 4.85’s who were turned down to UCI. Fact is UC’s are so so difficult to get into. The UCI mt program isn’t a guarantee either you have to audition for it after year 1. Hope there are other options. I hate that we don’t have better mt options on the west coast.
@Ouiser This makes me very sad. I’m sure your daughter is extremely talented and hard working with lots of loving support. I have a Junior so not there yet but I’m sure you are not alone in your experience and feelings. Have there been positives and negatives along the way that were growth opportunities?Any advise? I’m trying hard to find a good match/safety or two but this is very hard if your youngster only see’s the BFA route as mine seems to. Have known rare and amazingly talented kids in the past locally that have have gotten all no’s. They were deserving. This kind of makes my head explode. Also I am following the journeys here. Every one of you should be proud of yourselves for the amount of care and support you give your kids. More important than any acceptance from anywhere. You’re all amazing.
So, since today is my son’s birthday, he’s getting lots of college emails from his academic acceptance schools, wishing him a happy birthday. Couldn’t some of them be extra special birthday wishes, telling him he’s been accepted into their MT programs?! Just one?? That would be so great!
@Ouiser ugh I had typed you a whole response and it deleted. I just wanted to say I feel your pain. All these kids are talented or they would not be pursuing this field. You are exactly correct in saying that it’s not all about talent. It is extremely hard watching one child get into every program effortlessly while your child hopes for one good yes. Sadly it can be all about their commercial look as well. I know my own child was hurt by his size- he’s small and can’t do anything to change that. I sat outside many audition rooms and these kids are all incredible. He was fortunate to finally get a yes he really wanted but up until then he contemplated a gap year to approach this process differently next year or even go to a smaller program and train and then apply as a transfer student. He got some yes, some painful no’s and a couple of WL too. My point is don’t let your child give up on their dream- they all have their own journey and that process will be different for all of them. The reality is this whole process stinks and it’s not fair at all. They can get there- they just might have to find a different route. ((Hugs)) I too have gotten sick over all of this as well.
@toowonderful , @singoutlouise, @Twoboysandadog, @bwaygirl1 Thank you for the suggestions. D attended the CSSSA program a few summers ago, I highly recommend it AND if you’re a California resident, the cost comes WAY down. Wasn’t sure if that’s what “summer intensive” meant. She loved it. The UCLA program looks amazing, however, 3 weeks = $7000. Soooo, back to local theatre for her 
@Ouiser take some comfort in the fact that your child is not alone. That’s why everyone can say crap about CC & the forum being squirrelly but I can tell you it is a source of information & comfort to so many parents of MT kids who , without it, would think their kid was the only one getting the no letter! Venting is a wonderful thing !
And how many times this week have I said crap on the forum?! :))
Does anyone know how NYU notifies and is it Saturday April 1st like the website says?
@aquarose26 Yes, CSSSA would definitely qualify as a summer intensive.
@laylamom First of all, I wished I had known about this community before February of this year. I recommend reading, reading, and reading some more. There is some negative information about this sight, but the reality is for the parents that don’t have an “in” or connection to any of these programs it is the easiest way to gather lots of information quickly. There are many things I might have done differently, or “will” do differently, but school selection isn’t really one of them. My son did extensive research on the schools that he felt like were the right “fit” for him and he still stands by those choices. We have looked into the idea of other “safety” schools, but he wants a program that will move him forward towards his goals. Personally, we believe paying money to go to a school just to have a place to be won’t help him in his career. It would be more productive to take specific training classes, take auditions, and work toward next year. So IF the rest are “nos” (which they probably are but I can’t help it I am an eternal optimist), we will move forward in a different way, but it hurts and it is scary.
Things to think about:
- Apply/Audition Early as Possible (Easier said than done when you have a kid with a crazy busy Senior year that is in some kind of show all the time). This is important so that you can can an early acceptance (good for the confidence) and if they get sick you don’t have ALL the auditions the week after the flu (didn’t happen to us, but I read that and made a note to self)
2)Look at MANY different type of programs like MT/Acting and diversify/apply to multiple programs at the same school. So many of the programs cross over and lets be honest when it comes to the end and you love the program, you just want your foot in the door anyway you can get it.
3)Hire a Coach: It is more than talent. It is more than experience. They must be able to make a connection and sale themselves in less than a min. I think for some kids this takes some strategic coaching.
4)IF your child is a vocalist take acting classes and dancing classes…but mostly ACTING.
Hope this helps. As you can see, lots of kids have success here so don’t be frightened, but defiantly be PREPARED.
@Ouiser I agree 100%!
@MTmomma I haven’t been able to get into his portal. The info is all at work so I guess it will wait until Monday.
He really wants to go to Roosevelt but I’m concerned about the money. He received a talent scholarship but no word on other financial aid yet. I am afraid it just won’t be enough. I am heartened by the newer director at ASU though. It appears that the program is making lots of changes for the better!
@aquarose26 Where are you in CA? Several of the regional/professional theaters have summer programs. They are often short and don’t have room and board, but if you are close enough to drive they would work. They often bring in directors and teachers from college MT and acting programs. Segerstrom/OC Rep used to have summer classes, I believe La Jolla Playhouse does, etc. There are several in SF, too, from what I’ve heard.
CCPA aid is 100% talent, no need-based, no academic.
@Theatrical my D applied to UCI…no portal update yet. We are OOS so not really hopeful and it isn’t high on her list anyway. They said rolling admissions through next week so don’t lose hope!
Thank you so much @Ouiser. It sounds like your Son has great instincts and I am crossing all fingers and toes for him!! Taking it all in and will head your advice. Also…what is with the bad rap about CC. I’ve found so much amazing info and good vibes here!!
@aquarose26 That’s better than NYU! My D was applying to their summer program last year and we were about done with the application and then I realized the price! $11,000 for four weeks! That did include college credit but…really? we didn’t end up putting in the application.
@Jkellynh17 thank you for that. The email said that he got X amount and then said something like “this doesn’t include any federal financial aid you may receive” and said to watch for more info from the financial aid office so we thought there may be some need based aid coming. If there’s no need based, he definitely can’t go unless they significantly increase his talent award.
@lookingforarolemodel - NYU tends to like Friday afternoons- last couple of years it has been he Friday before April 1st - which would make it 3/31. Late afternoon, usually around 5:00. BAL