<p>Second what 5boys says about authenticity and honesty–also the comment from milkshakespeare about work ethic, but that’s hard to judge from an audition. The auditors are looking for truth, not gimmicks. I do think that the pre-college programs, PA schools, and coaches help nurture those qualities, and they also help high-school kids discover and hone their own commitment to the process and the prospect of 4 years in a BFA, which requires endurance and genuine passion–you can’t get through it otherwise, in my observation. But of course it’s very possible to nurture those qualities in other ways, and many kids get in without pre-college or special coaching. Many of the BFA programs offer very clear descriptions of what they’re looking for right on their websites, and a discerning student will be able to internalize those guidelines.</p>