<p>A school said this to me during one of my auditions and a couple other ones told me to come visit the schools to meet the head and “connect with students”. None actually said that I was accepted though…well one school school said they can’t accept me until I actually apply to the program (walk in during Unifieds)…I love the schools I don’t want to get attached until I get the official letter. Have you heard of anyone in this scenario not getting accepted?</p>
<p>It sounds as if they really like you and are wondering whether to try to lure you with a scholarship. I suppose that could possibly happen with a lesser-known program that is not flooded with applications? You’re right in not taking anything for granted, though.</p>
<p>There are dozens of connections during auditions. Wanting you to come to campus shows a strong interest. Going to the campus shows the program that you have a shared interest. The road runs both ways, but right now you only have a single direction. Soon, the time will come when you have an offer or two or several and then the schools will begin to want information and answers from you. The tables will have turned. </p>
<p>Acceptance to many (perhaps even most) programs are contingent upon acceptance to the university. There are a few places where the former dictates the latter, but not often. Applying to the university is the first step in showing interest. Assume that a school takes a limited number of students. Invitations are sent to perhaps 16 potential students to enter the program with an expectation that 10 of those will accept. Perhaps some are told they are on a waiting list. </p>
<p>Now, in that situation, why would any school offer an invitation into a program if you haven’t yet applied to the university. There are factors at play outside of the audition itself. Scholarships are more readily available to strong students, many programs like students who have shown the wherewithal in the classroom as well as on stage. Or at least have the ability to handle the pressures and demands of a curriculum and a training program. </p>
<p>As for the “please tell us if you have any other offers.” Well, that is a lovely thing to say. It means they are very interested. And there is no real harm done in that exchange of information. But that is your information. This is, after all, a bit of a negotiation. Not cutthroat at all! But still, information is a tool. </p>
<p>I wish you luck on this journey. It will be over soon enough. And I’m sure you’ll find a strong fit for you.</p>
<p>I have a similar question. UMich was awfully nice to me after the audition, and I got a business card from them. Is that unusual, or is that something I shouldn’t be looking into?
March can’t come fast enough!</p>
<p>In similar fashion, my D was told muiltiple times from the adjudicator: “Keep in touch” “keep in touch”. Honestlly, what are these kids supposed to do to “keep in touch”? an email or a short note thanking for audition and expressing interest in program? and then what? an update when you get accepted to another program? What is the protocol here?</p>
<p>I’m not sure what the protocol is either, but I wonder if it would be a good strategy to tell a school (especially one that was at the top of your list) that you had an acceptance somewhere else. Do the schools worry about protecting their yield (i.e. percent of kids who matriculate versus the number of kids who are admitted)? If they knew you had another option, and thought you might end up going there, would they bother to extend an offer of admission?</p>
<p>If the school said “keep in touch.” Send us an email. Be honest, and make it a conversation. </p>
<p>Hi. I love the audition. You told me to keep in touch. I’m still interested. </p>
<p>Unless you plan to accept an offer soon, you don’t need to tell the school you have other offers. You can. But it isn’t a necessity. We know that the decision date is May 1 and if you are truly “keeping in touch” it likely means you are interested in the school and won’t move this early. </p>
<p>Yes, we do worry about getting the students with whom we are particularly enamored. Students we feel are really, really strong fits. But there is no game of chicken here. Schools can’t force you into making a decision right now, so you can’t illicit a response any sooner. What being in contact does is keep your name on our minds. We want students to WANT to come to train with us. All things being equal, who would you rather have, a student that has continued to converse with you, or a student who came, auditioned, and never followed up?</p>
<p>There is no protocol. All I can offer is - don’t go overboard. Be polite, be concise, be open. The schools will likely respond in kind. After all, this is what we do. We educate the next generation of artists. And that’s who we are talking to.</p>
<p>Good luck everyone!</p>