Relative newbie to CC. S20 had requested the February weekend at IU Jacobs, but got the March weekend. In addition, he has a major conflict on the audition date. We would need to fly there. He is into the music program (and university) at a relative safety school, into the university at his top choice but worried about how audition went, and into IU. 1. Does getting the March date indicate a low likelihood of acceptance, as we presume? 2. Should we contact the school to see about an alternative date? Site says no video auditions for his chosen path. Wish I asked y’all earlier about this dilemma.
Hi and welcome @fansofpudge. Generally, audition date has no connection to likelihood of getting in. It’s just scheduling…maybe a certain professor is only there on one date, or maybe a bunch of other people requested the earlier date before your son. I’ll let folks more familiar with IU comment, but if you have a conflict I would absolutely call and try to change it. If it can’t be changed, and if this is a top choice, I would try to get there.
@fansofpudge : I don’t believe there is any correlation between audition date and an acceptance. I know that at one school, the only audition date available was based on the professors availability. We did not have to reschedule at IU/Jacobs, but did that for a couple of others (NEC and NW). Call them for sure - if you don’t you’ll never know. From meeting them, the admissions office was very nice, so I think they would try to help. Good Luck !
We’re DONE ! Last live audition (maybe) was today in Pittsburgh . On our way back home cause the kid has a concert tomorrow and probably needs to make that recording, if he chooses to go forward with it . But trips wise, we’re done 
And no official notification from today, but from what I heard from the enrollment director, who had gotten reports about his audition and interviews, he’s sitting at 7/7 music schools acceptances !!!
While I’m ecstatic that it’s all over and he can relax a bit, (he wants to finish his senior year with a bang , so no senioritis here! He was on the honor roll for the first time in high school this past term and would like to continue!) … part of me is also super sad that it’s come to an end. The trips have been priceless time with my kid and very much an adventure . And being done means the big end, when he leaves home for college, is closer. Clearly I’m not ready !! ?
In two weeks, we head to New York City, NOT for any audition, but a belated birthday trip and a “You’re DONE” celebration. No instrument allowed in the car ?
Thanks to you wonderful CC folks on this thread, especially, for educating and supporting us through the process . Grateful beyond words.
Now we just wait and play with numbers . Speaking of #’s, I was the only one who stayed for the financial aid session today. ?? I was like - ? Wow!! Must be nice not to have to worry about $$. Not judging … just thought it was odd that nobody else ( of maybe 30 or so families who were in the general overview Q & A afternoon session stayed after a 3 mins stretch break) came back for the session. Worked well for me cause I had a personalized session and got more/relayed more info and left a serious ‘show me the money’ impression, I’m sure ?
Spotted on a highway sign - “No Valentine this Holiday ? Your seatbelt will hold you “‘? Happy Valentines Day - I had forgotten that it was, in Audition crazies . Another one I just saw To: Driver From: Seatbelt “ I think we click ! “ 
Ha
@fansofpudge - there is absolutely NO correlation bx audition date and likelihood of acceptance at IU. The reason for the date would be for scheduling purposes only. It may not be possible to re-schedule bc the school is large. But you have nothing to lose. Before simply canceling, I would encourage you to call and see if there could be an accommodation. There could always be a small chance. Good luck.
I saw that a lot of folks were going to Frost this weekend, a few to Eastman and elsewhere. Any
updates? How was it?
We are at Peabody waiting for his interview. Driving back tomorrow. Once I am home I will update. Good luck to everyone.
D auditioned at Frost on Friday. It was rather low key for her since it’s a local school. I think she enjoyed hanging out with friends the most. I’m kinda glad she had an easy one this weekend. We’re off to Carnegie Mellon on Friday. We’ve never been before so we’re excited to see what it’s all about. Not sure if she’s going to like it or not. Anyone else who can talk about it?
My kid LOVED LOVED the old instructor there when he went for a lesson and loved the whole music department vibe, but absolutely hated everything else. He said the campus and people there were cold and he just couldn’t imagine living there for four years , which was unfortunate cause he lived the teacher . He said “Mom, I got absolutely no warm fuzzies “ ? For him, a place without warm fuzzies is not for him . But that’s my kid - all about “how it feels”. I had a friends kid and my nephew that had the same feedback . Folks are different and what works for Peter might not work for Paul . So , you and your daughter go and I hope you have a great visit !!!
By the way, the lady at the front desk in the music department at CMU told us we should go check out Mary Pappert at Duquesne . We did, and he LOVED it there ! Figured if someone at one school was recommending another, it was worth checking out . Glad he did ! Great instructors, wonderful staff, and lots of warm fuzzies 
What I gleaned from the two places is that at CMU, it we got that “You need us, we don’t need you “ kinda vibe and at DUQ, it was more of a “We’d love to have you!”
Go form your own opinion ? May you have a great visit and happy Audition day !
My daughter loved the campus and vibe there. it is an amazing school.
Bienen went very well. D was about 90% voice and the faculty was very friendly; accompanist was complimentary. Everyone put her at ease. She was with mostly grad students since we had to reschedule because of illness. She had a lesson today with a faculty member which also went well. The campus is stunning and facilities extremely impressive. The practice rooms are not in the basement like many schools- they are on the higher floors. No sight reading or theory test as given. Tons of performance opportunities for undergrads.
University of Houston tomorrow.
@coloraturagirl Now I understand why you didn’t have a presentation and reception as part of your experience-- Your D was rescheduled on a grad audition day!
The Bienen facilities are excellent. D never has issues getting practice space. The pianos are great and many rooms have mirrors inside, which is terrific for a vocalist. Only thing I wish is for them to have lounge chairs facing Lake Michigan in the lobby by the windows. I’d sit there all afternoon… 
@bridgenail your list of pros/cons sounds a lot like something I’ve been trying to put together. I don’t suppose you saved a template?
@SweetStrings - FWIW, my daughter loved CMU. It was one of those schools that we visited by chance because we happened to be nearby during a junior year college visit, and she clicked with it. Where are you staying for the audition? We stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn, and it was a good choice. The hotel shuttle is convenient, and there are lots of restaurants in walking distance. It’s basically on Pitt’s campus, which was nice to see, as well.
@cellistamadre - No it was too long ago so no template. It wasn’t so much a pro/con list but a list of important factors for choosing a school. Some personalized to my D’s desires (like theater opportunities). It helped me look at schools holistically…and see that each school DID have a lot of the factors we wanted. There is always a bit of give and take…so that list showed that too. While one school may score lower in one area, it could be quite solid in all other areas. So that helped me to not simply focus on the ONE thing missing! It just gave me a way to “evaluate” schools as a whole. Still my D made her decision based on gut and teacher enthusiasm. I was fine with her choice bc I could see that the school had all the necessary factors for her education.
Hello CC folks. I know a lot of our kids have taken a theory test at their auditions - Bennie had one at all of his. Only ONE of his acceptance letters (out of 7) from the Music Schools had the results in the letter. Is it normal NOT to see that in the letter IF you took that theory test? Here’s what his letter said… “As a result of your score on the Theory Placement Exam, you will be placed in MUSI 104 (Language of Music II) for the Fall 2020 Semester. This course precedes the Kodaly Solfege, Harmony and Analysis Sequence, which will begin Spring, 2021.” I have no idea what all that means, but he said he sat in that class which had mostly sophomores and juniors (folks he went to lunch with) in it. Does that mean he placed OUT of Theory 101 or something? Just curious, but more curious if something similar is stated in some of your acceptance letters or that’s something that comes later, as nothing mentioned in the other 6.
It wasn’t mentioned in my son’s letters; generally they get their theory level with their schedule. So I wouldn’t worry about it! And yes, if he’s had theory in HS he may start at a higher level. Kids come in all over the place so this is a way of evening them out. At Eastman, there was a similar test for piano after S arrived.
Some kids opt to do the intro even when they place beyond it. Every school teaches theory a little differently.
@Doransa I’m interested in hearing your take on Peabody. I was there yesterday for my UG voice audition, and I am still processing. I traveled by plane and expected to get a much better sense for the program, facilities and faculty than I did. The audition itself was very impersonal. I showed up early to the audition room (as requested) and 3 people ahead of me were no-shows, so I ended up going into the audition almost 30 minutes early for my 15 minute timeslot. I was in and out of there in 9 minutes; no small-talk, discussion or feedback. The group interview was enjoyable but I wasn’t even expecting to have to do that because of my major. I tried going on a tour but with over 100 in my group it was very challenging to get any commentary. In general I felt like there was very little to do and I was kind of bored. The facilities were gorgeous and I left still wanting very much to be accepted, but I wish I had gotten a better sense for the program while I was there. What was your experience?
My older D placed into the 2nd theory class but opted to take the first. She wasn’t confident that she knew what she needed to know. It was very easy for her but it gave her a little confidence her skills that she was previously lacking.
My younger daughter will no doubt take whichever theory level she places into.