Arts supplement applicants have often received significant awards and honors at a state, national, or international level.
The OP said:
many district-level awards and multiple nominations and a top finalist for state-level awards
None of us know for sure. We only have a surface amount of information. The OP’s child could become world famous in the arts. For the limited information we do have, district level awards, and being a nominee for a state award, seem to be below the lofty standards put forward by Duke.
Then definitely she should submit. Does she have a really good Jimmy entry recorded already, that she could submit, or something similar? Every campus needs musical theater kids, since virtually every school is going to put on musicals, for the fun of it. If she’s good, this could really help her application, since the admissions committee will assume that she is going to contribute to the musical theater scene on campus.
After my kid got into a tippy top, I had reason to speak with an administrator from the school about a different matter. He told me that he had also been my kid’s admissions officer. So I asked the obvious, why did you take my kid, out of the >20:1 applicants for each spot? Sure, kid had maybe top 5th% grades, and an overall 36 on the one shot they got (but only a 34 in math, so not a perfect 36), but nothing other than their performance instrument accomplishments to really set them apart. The officer said, “Is kid still playing _____? We were hoping kid would, when we took kid. The entire committee listened to kid’s 3 minute music supplement.” And of course, since that instrument was kid’s life, they are known as the top player of that versatile instrument on campus, has been extremely involved in it since day one, because they love playing music, and that had come through on the application.
From what you describe, this is the situation for your daughter. She could have gotten into a MT program, but wants a different career. Her academics meet the “good enough” bar. Her MT submission may be enough to vault her over the bar.
I would not overfocus on the “state, national or international award” business. That is very specific and I think misleading. Summer and pre-conservatory programs are often well-respected by admissions. Unusual activities or accomplishments that kind of stand out. Helping to write a musical. Community involvement. Directing kids. Precocious things like getting a role in a touring musical of course.
It is hard to predict but competitions are certainly not the only or even the best path for this purpose in my view.
And please, I again suggest reaching out to the appropriate folks at Duke…the folks who direct their MT productions, etc. Express an interest in learning about what opportunities there are for her to continue her craft. These folks will likely be helpful.
Please move the conversation forward from analyzing the verbiage on Duke’s website. Opinions have been expressed. As suggested, the OP should contact Duke for clarification as no one here can answer definitively. Thanks for your understanding.
OP: Since you are seeking merit/talent scholarship money, are you aware of any such scholarships offered by Duke University ?
Also, to which other schools has your daughter applied that offer such scholarships ?
Thanks in advance.
P.S. The reason that I ask is that if Duke offered a talent based scholarship, then a submission would be required.
I ask about other schools to see if there are any that I can suggest that are not on your list and to suggest you use any feedback received to judge whether or not to submit to Duke.
I am not aware of any arts/talent scholarships at Duke. They give out very few non-need-based scholarships of any kind. The arts supplement is not submitted for scholarship purpose as far as I am aware.
A list of their scholarships is available here:
I’m comfortable with my D’s list of schools - some have talent scholarships some have merit but not talent, and all are clear about whether an arts supplement is required or welcome. Duke was the only one that seemed to provide the opportunity for a supplement but then actively discourage sending it, hence my thread.
There are a couple of hail-mary reaches on her list with little chance of $$ (Duke, WashU) but the rest are liklies or safeties, all with merit scholarships, some with additional talent scholarships.
She is class of 2025, so has not applied anywhere yet. She does plan to send it to some of the schools on her list, no we haven’t made it yet. She has lots of recorded performances, but most want a fresh recording outside the context of a show. She will do that late this summer.
In our state the Jimmy Award performers are chosen by judges from live performances, so her “submission” was live (originally at her school, then at the finals)
Forgive me for not remembering what you ultimately decided about her list, did you look into the performance based merit scholarships at Emory? It is extensive for music performance but i don’t remember if that includes acting or MT. American or GW also has a specific scholarship for arts but it may not be enough to bring it into budget.
This story is interesting and is a little similar to our situation. I think it makes sense for OP’s D to submit the supplement and be thoughtful about how the video is put together, not so much for the theater faculty person but for the admissions people who may view it. Yes, many people will say admissions folks spend so little time on each applicant and don’t have time to review extra materials, but you never know who might take the time or what might catch their interest.
My S applied to 16 schools and the vast majority were reach schools, with many being super reaches. We ended up putting together a 2-minute video of my S’s fall senior season for one of his sports where his team won the state championship. The video showed some great plays by my son but was also able to show his leadership in action. We decided to send the video in January to Brown and Vanderbilt. For Brown it was somewhat related to an optional supplement that applicants could send. For Vandy, my S had previously had some communication with his admissions counselor so he took a chance and emailed it to her in January along with an update about fall grades etc. (I think he had applied in November). I’m willing to say it could be a total coincidence, and I know he was a strong applicant in other ways, but guess the only two super reaches where he was admitted?
Update - We listened to a live Duke admissions info session today and this exact question came up. Their answer was it is fine to send it if you feel it generally meets the threshold - no national awards necessary. Also they said it won’t hurt you to send.
She does plan to send it to some of the schools on her list, no we haven’t made it yet. She has lots of recorded performances, but most want a fresh recording outside the context of a show. She will do that late this summer.
