I think I’m addicted to College Confidential
@MomOfMTgurl our story is similar to yours. Right now my daughter has nowhere to go (rejected to MT and acting, with one waitlist). We’ve implemented plan B (or plan A 2.0), so we’re hoping that something comes along. But the schools she really has her heart set on are off the table. We are just as confused and scared as you guys are, but trying to move forward, because my d still wants this more than anything. When you have enough posts, PM me, if you need to vent or share any ideas.
@lalalovesmusic3 Thank you! I’ll shoot you a message tomorrow!
@reluctantMTmom and @fancytheatrekid I am so with you! It is so frustrating reading about people who are struggling to choose between 5 offers when we haven’t even got a waitlist. We didn’t have a coach either. We heard about them too late, but we couldn’t have paid for one anyway at the time. It’s also difficult to accept that looks matte. After years of trying to raise 3 daughters to believe that grooming is important, but perfect looks don’t matter, now I have a daughter trying to make a career in a field where looks matter a whole lot. She’s pretty, blonde, fair, but struggling with a few extra pounds and uncomfortable with her somewhat generous chest size. It’s very hard for her to still believe that her talents and hard work are more important.
This article popped up on my Facebook newsfeed today - an interesting read I thought I’d share:
https://www.americantheatre.org/2017/01/04/the-case-for-a-b-a-musical-theatre-degree/
This has been said before on this board but I think it bears repeating – many of these programs are not only building classes, they are building casts for the productions that they will be putting up over the years that our kids are in their programs. So looks do matter but looks of all types – so one school might already have accepted the thin, brunette girl they need and now they need a heavier, blonde girl. Since we do not know what the programs are looking for at a particular time, we can’t assume that if our child had been blonder or thinner, or taller, or different in any way, that would have been the thing that got them into the program. Unfortunately, they have chosen a business where looks matter. Every part they get will depend on whether their look fits the image the director has in mind, no matter how talented they are. I understand that people argue that this is school though so it should be more about talent than looks and I agree, but it still is what it is. So, I think it is important to remind our kids that it is their uniqueness in whatever way that will eventually get them one role even though sometimes it is the reason they don’t get a different role.
@DramaRama Thank you! It really does sound like a great program. I hope she gets off the WL.
@mtmom911 Love this! Our freshman opted for the BA over her BFA offers for just those reasons. She wanted to continue performance training while pursuing a second major in Telecommunications. The BA allows for both at her liberal arts university.
Has anyone heard from Texas Tech?
Just in case you don’t know: The “helpful” button means hugs on CC! I’ve pressed it quite a few times today. Hugs to all of you who didn’t have this process turn out the way you/your child wanted. No advice (other than don’t give up/let them give up if this is the dream), just…hugs.
@DramaQueen219 I’m pulling for you I know something great is right around the corner! I can feel it >:D<
@myloves I wish they had more emotional responses here, like on FB. Like the lol response, for the crazy things that are happening to our kids during this journey. I don’t want to ‘like’ things that are just so ridiculous.
@ hmichmom No. We are still waiting.
Yes, @DramaQueen219! (I would’ve given your response a heart, meaning I whole-heartedly agree!)
@jbtcat many of us have known this early on (thanks to being on these boards, or other research we have done). Logically, it makes sense. Case in point: my kid will never be in Hamilton or Book of Mormon. She recently auditioned for West Side Story (through her HS) just for the heck of it (knowing there is really no role for her, even if she was ‘good enough’). She accepts this. But it is hard to stomach that no school (that your kid is going to primarily for training) needs her type in the four years that she’d be in attendance, and it’s also hard to stomach that 5, 6 or even 7 schools may need a particular type of kid. We know the numbers are tight, but when you apply to schools where the numbers are a little ‘more’ generous (than say 12 girls), where they over-accept to meet a yield, and have a waitlist, and you still don’t get accepted, it stings. There’s no way around the sting.
I’m sure this has been discussed before, but when considering schools, how important is the amount of currently working alumni to you or your S/D. National tours/Broadway etc? Could it also be that one school just doesn’t promote their “success” rate as another?
@DramaQueen219 I absolutely agree that it stings! And it sucks! And it hurts! And it makes no sense! When our kids are hurting we reach for anything to try and make it hurt a little less for them (and for us), so my hope is that if we can explain it to them that way they will maybe take it a little less personally – and know that eventually there will be a spot for them. I am not at all trying to diminish the pain these kids feel now.
@luvmyMTgirl - I think alumni success should be factored in - but I do not think success is limited to those casts on Broadway or national tours. There are regional houses who are just as or more desirable than perhaps a non eq national tour - The MUNY, for example. But I also think a non eq national tour can be a great opportunity as well. I do not think many schools are great at touting alumni success. I have tried in the OCU CC threads to do updates of alumni work - but it is far from comprehensive. I’m sure it is the same for all schools. Once they graduate, alums may not always tell the school what they’re up to. But I do think finding out what alumni are doing post graduation should be one of the things to consider when choosing among schools. Most schools will have a range of success - one or two on Broadway, one or two on national tours, perhaps some on cruise lines or in regional equity productions, perhaps some choose to go behind the scenes or teach. Doesn’t mean they’re not successful. Just means that is their chosen path. But you do want to see people being gainfully employed. Not just one or 2 famous alums from 20 years ago. Ask about the last 5-10 years. What are those grads doing? We followed the MT pages some of the schools our D was considering on FB during her senior year of high school And many of them posted about what their alums and current students were doing. So that may be another way to get an idea of where grads are working.
Regarding alumni, one thing my D and I do is to go on YouTube and see if the school has a senior showcase posted from a few years ago, and then look up the names of those kids and see where they are now.
@DramaQueen219 We are pulling for you and your D!!! All of our positive thoughts and good vibes are headed her way! I think she is right to not change anything! Most importantly, she should be HER! Break all the legs!!!