<p>Unified Auditions occur in multiple cities. It is an opportunity for students to audition for multiple schools in one location over one weekend. You apply to each of the schools and make audition appointments with each of the schools directly. If you do a search you can find threads here and on the musical theatre forum that discuss the Unified Auditions.</p>
<p>VTA would be a terrific way for you to practice auditioning skills, and get a sense of the programs in VA. I am pretty sure that most of the programs that require an audition for admission DO NOT use VTA as the audition, rather as a way to see and meet students. I teach at JMU and I know that we require students to come to campus to audition even if we saw them and called them back at VTA. The VTA auditions are not as extensive as what we do on campus. As I said, I believe most of the schools that have a required audition for admission are the same way. I do believe there are a few non-auditioned schools who will use the VTA auditions for scholarship consideration.</p>
<p>Most of the BFA programs regarded as “top” schools have a 2% to 10% admit rate to the theatre major. In general, even less selective auditioned programs will have a 10% - 30% admit rate. This is why you will want a balanced list with at least one non-auditioned academic and financial safety, a few auditioned schools that have a higher admit rate that are academic/ financial matches/ safeties, and a few dream schools that have low admit rates.</p>
<p>If financial aid will be an issue in your decision making, you should have a talk with your family to find out how much they can afford to help pay. If all of the schools on your list will not be affordable to your family you could end up in March with great acceptances to schools you cannot attend. 
You, as the student, will only be able to borrow 5500 for college your freshman year. If your families EFC is low you may also qualify for a Pell Grant and/ or Perkins Loan. </p>
<p>I can’t speak for all of the schools in VA, but I teach at JMU and know that we have alums working and living successfully in NYC, DC, Chicago, LA, Baltimore, and Philly. I am sure that many of the other schools in state could say the same. Taking a closer look at the VA school options could allow you to round out your list with some in-state financial safeties.</p>
<p>If you look through threads here and on the MT Forum you also may be able to get a sense of the admit rate on the schools on your list. </p>
<p>Good Luck! Let me know if you have any additional questions about VTA? Even if your school does not attend you still may go to the auditions I believe.</p>