I think in the end that we’re all just trying to do the best that we can with this process. It is definitely a confidence-shaking, nerve-wracking, blood-pressure-raising beast. I am trying to assume good intentions from all of the parents and students on here while also holding on to the fact that many of us are being pushed to our limits and are dealing with some degree of fear for our kids and their futures.
You are all correct. There is no “right” way or wrong way to go about this process. Just like there is no “right” or “wrong” school. There are many roads to success and even the definition of success is debatable and subjective. The best we can do is be the best people we can be while raising our kids to be the best people they can be.
if anyone has been accepted into Missouri State, I am interested in starting a FB or groupchat so just message me
hugs to everyone. This is ONE piece of the journey. Good things come, hard things come, but you have to keep moving forward if you want to reach the destination
@soozievt I need a LOVE button for your post! Thanks!
I have one S who is graduating this year with his MT BFA. My D is auditioning this year. Both equally talented at this same juncture. Two very different experiences. Much more competitive for my D. Both had coaches. Coaches who know program heads can help be an intermediary at times, but I do not believe the connections a coach has helps sway a program to recruit a student. A coach’s primary job is to prepare the student for the auditions. Because there are many different types of MT BFA programs, that can change the material that a student works on for each school. That is the importance of a coach who knows the programs or directors. But it ends there. Imho.
@preppytheatre I’m curious about Missouri State too, wonder why they don’t have a thread for their BFA MT ? My D has high hopes for them and they’ll be Very high on her list if she’s accepted because of several factors including the fact she’s received in-state tuition and she loved Robert Westenberg and sounds like a great program. She’s heard they are very close to “sending letters” …so guessing decisions will come by mail? I sent you a PM.
Any thoughts on Missouri State, anyone?
@heliobike THANK YOU for your suggestions. La Jolla Playhouse is close and, very affordable. Now we just need to make sure they’ll take a senior who will be graduating this year and that it’s not already full. Sergerstrom has a waitlist.
@preppytheatre Did you get an acceptance to MO State? We haven’t heard anything yet.
The federal financial aid CCPA letter refers to is Stafford Loans and Pell Grants, if you are eligible for those. Maybe work/study.
You can ask for more. All they can do is say no.
@soozievt is so wise!!! Hang in there everyone!
@MTAlabamaMom MSU offers their Presidential Scholarship for a 30 ACT! They had many OOS seniors there for the interview day in mid-January. The interview process is easygoing and applicants hear back within weeks. It covers about 5/6 of all costs, so close to a full ride! Not only that, but you can combine scholarships, so if your child auditions and earns a performing arts scholarship, it will STACK!
@momadrama …not sure if @preppytheatre knows more , But D checked in yesterday and was told they haven’t finialized list but are very close…so I don’t think acceptances have gone out @momadrama did you audition on campus or somewhere else?
I will definitely agree that is does come down to each individual in the audition room at the end of it all. I will stand by though that it can’t hurt having connections or having your child’s face posted all over a coaching site or the coach’s Instagram page. There is also nothing wrong with that. Do I believe all coaches do this? No
Is there one that definitely does? Yes and so it is like it is. Those kids still have to back up their abilities and they have. At the very beginning of this I believed and still do that every child is unique and has their own journey to fulfill. I also truly stand by that it’s not all talent alone- college acceptances included. My child auditions professionally now and has been flat out told you are too short or look to young or we want someone ethnic and that’s ok- it’s the nature of the business they want to be a part of. It’s a hard business.
I wish nothing but success for each and everyone of these kids and I applaud each and everyone for putting themselves out there- I know I could never do what they are doing. Hang in there because there is still a path even with the twists and turns but there is still a path to reach the final destination.
Also you could hire that particular coach and still not be one of the favored few…I assume they’re pushing their best, so chicken/egg problem?
@Jkellynh17 exactly
And in all fairness their business recruits more future kids by showing their huge successes and not all the kids we know got featured- you are exactly correct.
We did use a coach for my D. She helped with song and monologue selection, helped my D develop a list of schools, advised on wardrobe and generally held our hands through the process. We attended a master class weekend with representatives from Pace and Emerson. But my D’s coach DID NOT call or contact schools to advocate on my D’s behalf. My D had a fairly extensive resume, with lots of dance, voice and acting training and significant credits, including four professional regional theater productions and a lead role in an Equity national tour. And guess what? She still got plenty of rejections. I know at this point in the process we’re all second guessing ourselves, wondering if we did all we could to help our kids and if they would have had better results had we only done something more. I’m here to tell you there is NO magic formula. Even the kids you think have it made because of coaching or credits are still getting their share of knocks. My D was crushed when she didn’t get into what she thought were her top schools, and guess what? She’s happier than a pig in you know what where she landed, even though it wasn’t where she thought she’d be. I’m hoping there’s the same light at the end of the tunnel for all your talented kids.
@aquarose26 - Great! Two others in that general area: UC Irvine usually has a summer program for teens and there used to be a youth program at The Globe in San Diego. Best of luck!
@jkellynh17 I think you’re absolutely right. We did use a national coaching team but definitely didn’t feel like my son was one of the “favored few”. Their coaches did do a lot to help my son prepare for these auditions and I’m pretty sure it was worth the money to work with them, however. We would have been much more overwhelmed with this whole process without their experience and insight.