<p>I’m sure many of us felt as you did, bisouu, as we began this process. It is very hard to imagine your child safely on the other side of what seem to be insurmountable hurdles to the college education they want. </p>
<p>We won’t sugar-coat the audition process: It is unpredictable and incomprehensible. All a student can do is prepare, pick reasonable schools (where the fit seems right, and where some have at least more than a 10% acceptance rate), and hope for the best. Anyone who definitely wants to be in college needs to have some non-auditioned options (BA or BFA). Otherwise there is a chance of no acceptances.</p>
<p>On the other hand, from the experiences on this forum - which is a very small sample, but a good one - most kids get a few acceptances they are really happy about, including some at their top choices. Even in this “kind of unfair” corner of the college app world, it’s amazing how positively people’s experiences turn out. Part of that is because if people make decent lists, they just do end up with good choices, but also it’s because fate seems to send kids where it is right for them. We’re consistently amazed.</p>
<p>Another thing I would say is that this field allows such varied paths that people shouldn’t worry about the outcomes quite so much. Theatre people come from BFAs, BAs, training conservatories, summer intensives, no training at all - and they can do remarkably well. College isn’t the “first cut” in whether you will be allowed to be a working actor. What is important is what the student wants, and will enjoy. After that, it’s all hard work, luck and about a zillion other uncontrollable factors.</p>
<p>My D was so torn among her choices in the spring (she had covered all of the bases, and ended up with quite a mix of good acceptances) that we finally said, “Just pick the school that seems like you’ll be the happiest in the fall. Don’t even think beyond that.” It’s all a big experiment, anyway - everyone going through the college process should at least allow that maybe once they get to a school they might realize they would like something different, and be open to transferring. It is very common, and there is no shame in it.</p>
<p>There is a thread here on non-auditioned BFAs. If your D’s heart is absolutely set on a BFA curriculum (extreme immersion in theatre, and few academics), I highly recommend finding one that she likes. There are more than you think, all over the US, and many have excellent programs.</p>