<p>The three things NJTheatreMom listed are definitely relevant for kids who get into BFAs. I doubt she meant they were a secret key. The summer intensives and coaches definitely can give a student a lot of help crafting an excellent set of audition monologues. We’ve heard various pros and cons here of PA HSs. Presumably they have more than an average amount of teachers who can help with audition prep, and they probably give more performance experience. The very well-known PA boarding schools (like Interlochen) have very high rates of admission to BFAs, but that just makes sense, for lots of reasons.</p>
<p>My D didn’t do any of the 3, either. She did try to get as much experience and advice as she possibly could. And she’s the type who is always reading and going to plays. She cared. She definitely had to bank on her honesty, on their seeing her passion and potential. She did not get into the super-selective BFAs she applied to, but she got into a couple of slightly less selective programs and has done very well. Just as with other college admissions, not every can -or has to - get into the tippy-top schools to be happy or successful. If you work hard and try your best, you will end up at a place that is right for you.</p>
<p>I do recommend a coach of some kind, to give you some feedback and a good reality check on what you’re doing - even though we couldn’t find a seasoned college audition coach, my D had several mentors who were very helpful.</p>