@reluctantMTmom … I can tell you you’re definitely not the only one in this boat. I was pretty honest about my D’s audition experience here (with her blessing) because I knew for every kid that had 5-10 acceptances here on CC, there were dozens that were reading here anonymously thinking “what is so wrong with ME?” The kids who get shut out or only have one acceptance far outweigh the kids with choices. And I felt HORRIBLE for those kids on the other end of the computer screen who thought there was something that they did wrong - so I prolly overshared. And overshared more.
I wish I could hug you! (And all the others who are in similar circumstances.) But BFA acceptances are not the true measure of talent or future success … it’s simply one person or school’s opinion. And I would guess in LOTS of cases it wasn’t that your kiddo wasn’t up to snuff, it’s just that they had enough green eyed blondes.
Much love to all of you, both active CC members and anonymous interweb readers … it’s a rough time of year for sure.
@back2work my D was at the top of the Wagner WL last year and got her call April 19th - so did 2 other kids that day. We went to accepted students day on April 20th with some kids that were still on the WL and a few came off the following week.
I was accepted to NYU and am waiting to get my studio assignment. It was the only school I was accepted to of my original 11 that I applied to, all BFA conservatory-style. Got the NYU news on Wednesday last week, relieved but it was one of my last choice - very, very liberal. Only 48 required acting studio credits, the rest can be whatever (mixture of electives, gen eds, and general theatre). I was more hoping for a 100 acting credit with shows constantly, meanwhile NYU is very supportive of new works and experimental things, do not put on many traditional or contemporary shows. I was still considering going because, after all, it is THE Tisch, but considering taking a gap year and starting over with happier results. Then, a surprise - big packet in the mail from Hartt! I completed a walk-in for them, along with a bunch of other schools, at LA unifieds. Sent them my transcript and scores, then forgot about it. Accepted with a small scholarship! Did not even have to send essay or letters of recommendation. Such a surprise! The more research I’ve done the more pleased I’ve been with the school, and plan on visiting it soon mid April, along with NYU. Trying to keep an open mind but Hartt is such an unexpected perfect fit! Small group, London trip, senior showcase, guaranteed casting, very rigorous conservatory…it is almost too good to be true. I did not really consider it because I was doing so many walk-ins, and they mentioned they only accept max 20, so I thought, being a walkin, not very likely. I barely remember my audition, just that I vibed very well with the interviewers. I’m Swedish, so I talked with one of them, who had been there, about how beautiful it is and the culture. It was just a nice conversation! Still, I am trying to keep an open mind - NYU also is in the heart of NYC, has amazing faculty, and a lot of freedom for the path you want to take 3rd and 4th year. I am trying not to mentally make a decision before I visit. After having 10 rejections in a row (not even a single waitlist anywhere), and being very, very concerned that I would have to take a gap year and do this process all over again, I now have a very difficult choice to make! Just goes to show that some schools do take walk-ins very seriously!
@onewaytobroadway I just PM’d you. For anyone else trying to figure out how to PM people, you can click on the user’s name and then click the “Message” button from there.
@EastchesterMom - from your story, it almost sounds like when your daughter decided to sing do what SHE wanted to sing instead of what she was “supposed” to sing - that’s when the school saw who she was. My S, who auditioned for Acting, was told by a program just before an audition that they wanted the kids to wear “what they normally wear to rehearsals.” So based on that direction my S decided to wear his very distracting t-shirt (neon with words on it!) because that’s what he actually wears to rehearsals. I could have died! But he got in.
I think there might be a separate from talent skill to showing “who you are” in these auditions (of course there has to also be talent - but I think all these kids have that). Almost like an irreverent heir. And I think that’s why everyone is unprepared for how hard the process is. We KNOW our kids are talented- so we read last year’s reports and we assume our kid will have better results. But I honestly think (in addition to the type, etc), there is this separate skill that our kids haven’t ever been tested on before.
To be honest with you, @MomofJ5 - D had no clue of what she was “supposed” to sing at the time, lol!! It is true that the CAP21 auditors told her, “show us who you are.” As I have said many, many times, they went out of their way to be kind to her; there weren’t hundreds of kids waiting outside, either (it was the very last day). She was calm and it brought out her best. Pure luck.
@EastchesterMom you are so right about a coach! We got one partway through my son’s auditions. Funny that the schools he got in and a WL for were ones he auditioned with BEFORE he got the coach! I wonder if the other schools thought he was too polished and wouldn’t be more pliable? Who knows. No guarantees. Wish we saved that money honestly.
I hear you, @HopeinMT! I think if we had had a coach (I didn’t know such a thing existed), then we might not have been so naïve, but that’s as far as I go with it. I remember NY Unifieds that year. There was a handful of girls who were wearing stage makeup and glittery cocktail dresses. D was rattled by this, since she was in her leggings and t-shirt. I wonder what happened to those girls, and if some coach told them to dress like that.
Hugs out to all of the moms and dads trying to help their kids make good decisions, some much harder than others. I know that’s its been said here many times, but it only takes 1 acceptance. It may not be the one they (or you) were dreaming of, but you never know where that 1 can take you. True story: a friend of D’s who was applying and auditioning at the same time (and who is absolutely wonderful!) only received 1 acceptance last year from all of the schools she applied to (no coach btw). She is currently a freshman at UMich and loving it (of course). I think it’s funny to consider that she was rejected from ALL schools except the one everyone talks about. She was so distraught and sad and then…BAM! UMich.
I wish I had more sage words for you. Please know that everyone here hears you and knows exactly what you are going through! There IS light at the end of the tunnel, I promise. Give your kiddo a big hug from those of us who get it, and then onward and upward!!
Just think…next year, you can be here helping others through this! It seems like yesterday for me.
@EastchesterMom they probably were-
We used a coach- whom my daughter forgot to put on her resume- anyway- she must have showed her coach at least 10 outfits before the settled on the one. I think he would have advised against glitter makeup/ but she did have a full face of makeup (natural face) like her headshot and did her hair in big curls to make her look warm and inviting.
Its crazy isn’t it?!?
@birdygirl - Natural face and hair, that’s de rigueur. The girls I’m talking about didn’t look warm and inviting at all…and their faces were anything but natural. They looked like they were either about to take the stage in “42nd Street,” or were about to be streetwalkers on 42nd Street. Somebody must have told them to do that, because they were all the same (4 or 5, I think). The point is: coaches don’t have all the answers.
just a reminder - coaches can’t get your student into a program. They are there to help you navigate the process and showcase your skills and personality to there very best. They are not there to improve vocal or dance technique. But they can help select matrial that best shows off what you do best. I don’t know any of the better known national coaches who would recommend the attire you describe. Which just reminds us too to beware - not all coaches are alike. Make sure if you do decide to get a coach that you hire someone truly well versed in the college audition process. There are a lot of great actors, singers, teachers and directors who know a lot about musical theater. But we’ve seen time and again where they did t have a good understanding of what is needed to be successful in college auditions. It’s not the same as auditioning for a show. And how many times have we seen kids told they will not have any problem getting into schools only to be shut out? Please, please - if you do decide to spend $ on a coach, make sure it’s one that truly specializes in this area. And if you do decide to spend $ on a coach, know that they cannot guarantee results. There are many “coached” kids who receive a lot of rejections just like everyone else. Coaching is not a magic solution. It it certainly was helpful to someone like us wh knew nothing about these schools or this process. Just
This is regarding getting into the Acting program instead of MT, and whether the student could transfer to MT once they were in the university… the representative from the school (with the good reputation) told me 1. It’s not Impossible and 2. It’s Very difficult and 3. The student has to audition again a year later with ALL other applicants and there is no guarantee that there would be a slot for the student. So, to me … it didn’t sound too promising.
@EastchesterMom I can assure you our coach never told my D to wear stage makeup and a glittery cocktail dress! In fact I think they would advise against that. My D wore a cotton dress from American Eagle which was really “her” and accessorized to make it even more “her”.
@fancytheatrekid My daughter was accepted to Fredonia MT with two other waitlists. Thankful for the acceptance and hoping one of the others comes through in a more urban setting.
