<p>I was very active and involved with each of my kids’ college searches and app processes. I told them that this was likely the last time I would be so involved in their lives. Going off to college was a “letting go” experience for me and for them. So, yes, I did get heavily involved. </p>
<p>One son did major in MT, got a BFA and is now the poor starving artist. Yes, it 's tough. This board has a great forum with MT and theater advice, and I suggest reading it I wish I had had that resource at the time, because it was all new to me and I made a lot of mistakes not knowing how to navigate the process.</p>
<p>I do want to tell you that grades and test scores will be an issue at a lot of these programs in addition to the auditions. Yes, if your kid is literally the one in a million who blows them away at the audition, the academics may be given a pass, but the truth of the matter is that the most competetive programs look at BOTH, and can afford to do so. There are soooo many talented young people going for limited spots at these programs, so that the admissions process can afford to give heavy weight to the academics as well. NYU Tisch, Steinhardt will tell your right out that they academics are also very heavily weighted. Michigan won’t even let you audition without looking at your academics and making sure you meet college standards. At a number of the programs, you have to apply to the school AND the program, and yes, it is possible to get into one and not the other. Also any merit money will often involve the academic numbers. </p>
<p>And then comes the financial part of all of this. The fact of the matter is that there really is not a lot of money out there, and you do not want to send your kid out into the Performing Arts fields with debt. My son might be living hand to mouth but at least he has no outstanding school loans. You will likely have to give some handout those first few years out of school. </p>
<p>So, yes, help her out, give her an opportunity to give it a go. Let her apply to the schools that are lottery tickets, but as a back up, look for performing arts opportunities at schools that you can afford and that she can gain acceptance.</p>
<p>My old college roommate is force in theater in her city. She runs a major theater and produces, directs , peroforms in many productions. Absolutely NO training in theater. She started this as a pasttime 20 years ago,a nd ti became a passion, and with success as become her vocation. I have another very close friend in the same situation. So, there are many roads to getting where one wants to go. I am trying to get that through my son’s head right now as he feels he is stuck in mud. Successful enough to barely make it, but not make it enough to be what he feels is successful.</p>