<p>From my own reading, many colleges do consider the question of “where else have you applied?” to be inappropriate and do not want their interviewers to ask that of the candidates. If you read the many links I provided of other CC discussion on this topic, I would say that more people thought this was not an appropriate admissions question than those who thought it was. Now, the adcoms can ask anything they want! That doesn’t mean that others can’t question the appropriateness. </p>
<p>In your earlier posts, I also thought you were talking of a musical theater audition and I now realize you were talking of a flute audition and that your D might cross paths with that flute teacher in the future and it is a bit different. In music, you are not just deciding on a PROGRAM, but you also are choosing which teacher you want to study with. For two years, I guided someone who applied to BM in Vocal Performance and I understand fully about the meetings with individual teachers and taking sample lessons too. My student applied to top VP programs. She got into one well known one in December and kept some other auditions intact and cancelled a few. She got into others in the spring but chose to attend the one she was admitted to early in the process.</p>
<p>mtpaper, by the way, I can appreciate your point that your D decided to apply to BM programs sort of late in the game.</p>
<p>My musical theater daughter applied to BFA in MT programs as a junior in HS and it pushed everything up year! I had assumed we’d visit all of her colleges during junior year before applying as a senior, just like we did with her older sister. But then she applied to college in junior year and we only got to visit four of her 8 colleges before applying and then saw all 8 at auditions. Still, my D was willing to attend any college that landed on her list as she only picked ones she was willing to attend. But yes, it is better to see them all first before they land on the list, as my other D got to do.</p>
<p>I have met people who have said that X school on their college list is one that they would never want to go to and I do wonder why it is even on the list. But I understand how this came to be in your child’s case. ;)</p>
<p>As a lurker on this topic, I appreciate the conversation. I never thought of the questions that will be asked in the interview and how to tell her to answer. My older D had a LAC interview and I hadn’t thought of the questions the MT could ask. Thanks! Any advice is helpful for the audition season next year!</p>
<p>@soozievt - It was a very hectic senior year and all worked out better than anticipated.</p>
<p>@fourkidsmom - as an FYI, I’m working towards a different approach. Attempts I have made to coach my kids about situations has added more stress than value as the situation was always slightly different than the one I presented to them. I work at letting go and trusting their ability to talk on their own. Rather than telling my kids how to answer questions in an interview, the practice and preparation, in my mind, comes from having them experience interacting with adults on a day-to-day basis, making appointments, fixing schedule problems, resolving conflicts. The idea is for applicants to answer questions impromptu, on their own, not parrot back what I have told them to say. The interview is to learn about the applicant, not about me… Which is not to say I don’t grill them after the interview about questions and answers, and how they felt about their answers, and what they would like to learn from the experience for future interviews.</p>
<p>**</p>
<p>Does MT have anything comparable to NAAC? If not, perhaps it is something to pursue for those who are concerned about control issues.</p>
<p>Music does; we printed it but haven’t read it yet.</p>
<p>mtpaper- actually when I mentioned the conversation on this thread, she said she had heard they asked and didn’t know what she could say. We talked about an idea, she liked it and who knows how she’ll answer in nine months when the situation is in front of her! She’s a debater so I’m sure she’ll be quick on the draw!</p>
<p>I rarely chime in here, but wow–quite a passionate and enlightening, as KJGC has already said, discussion.</p>
<p>My kiddo:
Was asked at one of the programs that is generally considered a “top” (I so dislike the categorization but am using it to make a point) program to write down a list of other schools he was applying to on paperwork that was collected at the beginning of audition day (early in the audition season). In the subsequent interview that day an auditor asked kiddo “Have you looked into school x and school y? Based on your list they may be also be schools you would be very interested in.” The answer was yes to school x (also one of those “top” schools) but no to school y (an “up and comer,” again hate the categorization). In the end, kid was not one of the very few admitted to the “top” questioning school. Kid was one of the very few admitted to “top” school x and one of the very few admitted to “up-and-comer” y. Kid chose y which would very likely never have been considered had questioning school not suggested he look at it. Thank you questioning school for caring about the process enough to know that you can play a role to help kids maximize their options when you ask “unfair” questions. </p>
<p>However, many auditions are in Jan/Feb (most of my kid’s were) and so the idea of a college suggesting another college to the applicant would be fruitless because it would be too late to apply at that juncture.</p>
<p>I said I wouldn’t chime in anymore and I’m going to regret this. But the point is that the schools are not using the information in a negative way. </p>
<p>No matter what is said on this topic (and I need to keep out of it) we- the schools-are charged with training the next generation of artists. We-better than anyone- understand the nuances of programs, talents, auditions, etc. Trust that we have nothing but the best interests of the art form and the student at heart. </p>
<p>From the bottom of my dark, twisted, cynical and oh so sarcastic heart I promise you that is the truth. Don’t treat the process as an us vs. Them confrontation and I’m willing to bet the majority will end up in a good place mentally, emotionally and artistically. The toll taken by the art form is enough, you don’t need to believe that there are ulterior motives during the audition process. </p>
<p>I truly believe that college educators have the the best interests of the student at heart. I’ve been in the field of education my entire adult life, including having taught at five colleges, as well as having been a teacher of children. I also have trained teachers. Caring about students is the priority. </p>
<p>At the same time, those who are in charge of admissions, also have to balance the needs of the institution in how they go about admissions decisions, the process, and so on. I don’t believe that colleges don’t think at all about their own needs in this process. It’s a balance, as they are trying to do best by the applicants as well.</p>
I had assumed we’d visit all of her colleges during junior year before applying as a senior, just like we did with her older sister. But then she applied to college in junior year and we only got to visit four of her 8 colleges before applying and then saw all 8 at auditions. Still, my D was willing to attend any college that landed on her list as she only picked ones she was willing to attend. But yes, it is better to see them all first before they land on the list, as my other D got to do.</p>