<p>We are very fortunate that D has choices. And that our family was able to take time during her junior year to do the college tours, meet w/students and department folks, gather SCADs of paper about each school that made the cut for her to apply this year. (She considered that her year of auditioning the schools…before they auditioned her…and some schools that looked like a fine fit on paper totally fell OFF the radar once she stepped on campus and started exploring.) Not everybody is able…or wants to…do this, but it really helped her. (It was also great, when arriving on campus to do an audition, to have at least a vague idea of where she was going!) </p>
<p>Throughout this year, a maddening (if well-meaning) question has been “Where are you going to school next year?” (Am I right, gang?) So after she would explain the audition and wait process, then next question invariably is “So, which is your favorite?” Simply put, d didn’t have a “favorite” – each school on her list was picked because after her research, she could definitely see herself there. And it wasn’t just whether the MT program seemed perfect…her criteria, like every single person auditioning, was different. Kid needed programs with strong dance, preferably a dance major that she could take classes with, honor programs/strong academics, performance opportunities and a track record of graduates who work in the field. A Jimmy John’s sandwich shop near campus didn’t hurt, either ;-)</p>
<p>As acceptances have arrived, we have continued to research (thanks to everyone on CC who’s given PM input about your school, when asked!). She’s emailed and called and talked to department heads, current students, etc. She’s talked with her voice teacher, drama director, ballet mistress. This is her school’s spring break, so there are campus-revisits in the works for the “finalists”.</p>
<p>And our family has talked…and talked…and talked. We have written up pro/con lists, have continued to scour websites, viewbooks, etc. A couple weeks ago, School A really seemed to be the front-runner…but as the research and conversations have continued, she is, according to her, 99% sure she’s attending School B. We’ll know for sure after we visit and see another show this week. And it feels right. Gut feelings count, too. Everything on her list is falling into place, and she’s also realizing that some things she hadn’t considered about school choice are plusses for her – the advantage of the distance of School B (close enough, yet far enough away…) and the scholarships she’s received from the school. (Grades and test scores can equal automatic merit scholarships, which can move a school from terrifying price tag to something that a family can consider.) Each of these facets has been important, and we have logged many, many hours in the process (none of us wants an unhappy kid at school!!). One thing I think we did was work very hard not to pre-judge any school that made the “I will audition there” cut along the way, and truly keep an open mind in the process. And the gut is NOT to be underestimated…one school that she liked on our tour last summer just didn’t feel great on her audition day…and that’s something to write in the notebook, too. </p>
<p>I won’t be able to put my weight down until the ink is dry on her commitment signature…and right now, we’re going on hopes and impressions and the best information we have… No one will make the same decisions for the same reasons, and everyone needs something different to make a school fit for them and their kid. But just think…in a little over a month just about everybody’s going to know where they’re going…and we’ll all be celebrating and congratulating each other as survivers of this amazing, frustrating, terrifying, exciting, stressful, unique year!!</p>