Thank you everyone! Doing my research on these MT Boards leading up to senior year was such a huge advantage! Couldn’t have done this without all of you and those that went before. I cant wait to read more of these stories for the Class of 2023!!! Your kids will all land somewhere amazingand perfect for them! Its not about the name of the school. It’s about the training and the fit. Their perseverance, dedication to the craft and drive to succeed will be what leads to their success. These kids are amazing, resillient and inspiring!! I’ll be following everyone’s last leg on this journey!
@NYKaren and @artandtechmom Congrats to you two. It must be a load off your mind of to pull the trigger! Thanks for sharing.
I’ll join the party since my S reached a decision this past weekend . . .
Programs Applied to (MT): Ohio Northern, Ohio University, Northern Kentucky University, Xavier University
Prescreens: None Required
Academically Accepted: All Four
Artistically Accepted: Ohio Northern & Xavier
Artistically Rejected: NKU & Ohio U
Coach: None
Summer Programs: CCM Summer Intensive & Broadway Workshop Audition Program
Background: S has known this has been his calling since about the 4th or 5th grade. He participated in Cincinnati Children’s Theatre Summer Intensive (4-week program) for 4 summers before opting for CCM’s program between his junior and senior years. His high school has a VERY strong and active theatre department so that has been a plus (he has been able to take a drama elective each of his 4 years). He has also been extremely active in the community theatre scene since his freshman year, landing quite a few roles in multiple theatre companies throughout the city.
We started this process well over a year ago researching various schools. We took a bit of a different approach. Some people have remarked it was risky, but it worked for us. One thing I have figured out during this process is that everyone’s journey is different. What works for one person may not work for others. However, I respect EVERYONE’s efforts on the part of their kids. When we initially began to research this process, we kept reading that we needed to apply to no less than 20 schools and probably more towards 30 due to the competitiveness of the entire process. Due to my S’s involvement in community theatre, we have the luxury of having mentors who have gone through this process, worked in NYC, taught at or currently teach at local universities, etc. One of the first pieces of advice we received was that if we intended to keep our sanity (and a positive balance in our checking account), applying to 20+ schools was not the way to go. One individual remarked that my S should really find no more than 8-10 schools that he REALLY wanted to attend and focus on those.
So at the end of his junior year we sat down and came up with our initial list of schools in which he was interested in attending. He preferred to stay relatively close (3-4 hour drive was the max), so that automatically put some parameters on the list. We ended up with 10 schools on the first draft. We elected to visit those 10 before we even thought about applying, so our summer was spent touring the midwest spending a day at each campus. We were able to meet directly with the theatre faculty at most of these as well, so that gave us another data point when evaluating our next steps. This was a GREAT experience for us. There were some schools that he was initially really excited about, but seeing the campus and/or facilities changed his mind. There were others that he was mildly interested in but the faculty elevated them upwards on the list. We also took a realistic look at things. Now I know that every parent thinks their kid has talent (and they all do), but we took a hard look at acceptance rates and elected to remove some schools from the list. For example, CCM is in our backyard, and even thought I think my S has talent, we both looked at the numbers and knew it would be a long shot for him to be accepted there. At the end of the summer, we had narrowed the list from 10 to 4, and began the application process to those schools. Around the same time, he was able to get into an audition workshop in NYC that was VERY valuable in his preparation process.
August hit and we applied to all 4 schools. Some of his choices specified that he had to be academically accepted even before he could schedule an audition. Of the 4 schools, 3 of them were VERY quick to get back with us with academic acceptances. The other was VERY slow, and during the time we were waiting we found out that he could go ahead and secure his audition date without being accepted so we got that on the schedule as well.
The audition process was actually a great experience. We elected to do all on-campus auditions since they were all within driving distance. We scheduled one in mid-November, one in early December, and the final two in mid-January.
He had pros and cons for each school based on his audition experience which just added to the arsenal of information we had accumulated at this point to help drive a decision.
Final Decision:
He went 2 for 4 on artistic acceptances, and it was a difficult decision as he felt that he could be successful and happy at either school. We also had a “head scratching” moment in that one of his rejections actually offered him two talent scholarships for theatre (can’t imagine what they offer their accepted kids!). He loved the smaller school atmosphere at both Ohio Northern and Xavier and also loved the connections that both schools had with visiting outside artists. In discussions with his voice teacher as well as theatre mentors, they all remarked that either school would be a smart choice for him.
Final Decision: Xavier University BA Musical Theatre / Double Majoring in Theatre Education
I think the thing that won him over on Xavier was the extremely personal interest they took in him during the audition process. He spent almost an hour in the room there and split the time getting to sing full songs as well as having one-on-one conversations with the theatre department head. That same person has been quick to answer any question we’ve had during the process. We’ve also been fortunate to attend some of their productions over the past year and they have all been terrific. Their most recent staging of ‘Next to Normal’ was phenomenal. He also appreciated the fact that they aren’t afraid to tackle some of the more edgy/non-mainstream material that you don’t always see being done at colleges. He’s also drawn to the overall liberal arts education as well as the fact that he can double major in Theatre Education. I think he’s also excited to be a part of a program that is growing quickly (both in terms of number of students as well as reputation). I am so impressed with the direction they are heading with the currently director at the helm.
Thanks to everyone for posting tips, advice, watch-outs, etc. While I may not have responded to you directly, I benefited from so many posts. My best wishes to your kids and hope their decision results in the place where they can continue to expand their art.
@Mark80 Congratulations to your son on his decision! It sounds like a wonderful program and a great fit for him!!! It’s wonderful that he will get a chance to double major as well. Wishing him the best of luck on his next four years!
@Mark80. Yay! Congratulations to your son. Xavier sounds like an amazing program and the perfect fit for what he wants. Have fun with the rest of the school year 
Congratulations to your S @Mark80 !! And thank you for sharing your story and journey!
Congratulations to everyone who has made a decision. Look forward to reading more stories!
I love this thread, it’s what makes all the angst and pain in the process worthwhile - when students commit to a school where they fit and a program where they will thrive!
@artandtechmom - wow, that a beautiful story! I am so happy for your D!
@NYKaren - when the fit is right, I guess you just know!!! Awesome.
@Mark80 - I was pulling for Xavier for you guys! Glad your journey came to such a very happy conclusion.
@artandtechmom, welcome to JMU!!! My son is an MT at JMU and absolutely loves everything about it - I can’t imagine a more perfect match for him and I’m so excited for your daughter! Please feel free to contact me with any questions or just to celebrate! Go Dukes!!!
@yaycollege! thank you! I sent you a PM
@Mark80 my s also auditioned at Xavier. What a remarkable experience we had there as well. And The head of the department was one of the best people we met on the journey your S will be in great hands at a great place! Congrats
I am LOVING all of these remarkable stories. My D is a happy MT Freshman (currently visiting a classmate in S FL for Spring Break); and I promised her I’d “leave” CC once she matriculated, so I’ll keep it brief, lol: Congrats to you all. Exciting times.
@owensfolks I can’t seem to “leave” CC either ?. I just want to support everyone on their journey however I can and rejoice with you all when you “reach the other side” and your amazing Ss and Ds have found their path - whatever it might be!!!
My S graduated MT BFA from Wright State last spring. I’m still here - especially for this thread. These stories are the best! Congrats to the early decision makers! @Mark80 - congrats on your S finding his place at Xavier, another southwestern Ohio/northern Kentucky jewel - highly skilled talent, excellent training, and terrific opportunities run deep in this neck of the woods.
@JavaJo @owensfolks - I hear you re: this sick addiction - my D is done and gone, and here I am, still meddling! I need a 12-step program!
@mom4bwayboy @JavaJo @EastchesterMom I just see it as “paying it forward.” When I went through this last year, the experienced moms who had already been through it were SO helpful. So now, I likewise stick around to hear the stories and give advice and reassurance whenever I can. I don’t think we have anything to be ashamed of!
Thank you, @actorparent1 !
I’ve also been around a while (MT D Wright State 2017 alum - Hi @mom4bwayboy!), but stuck around because of my current Acting freshman D - I knew MT but Acting was completely new! I LOVE reading all of your stories and helping out when I can, because I still needed help last year. :x
Oooh @MTmom2017 are there good threads that explain the main difference in terms of audition and the college program itself? My D is considering both ?.
@intheburbs - for Wright State, or in general?