<p>D is just past the halfway point for her auditions (4 on campus and 1 video audition done, 3 on campus auditions to go!) and I marvel from the sidelines at both the audition process and the growth I’ve seen in these kids as a whole. I have also questioned how the auditors are able to choose 16 kids from 400 applicants, 60 from 2000, or any of the other crazy statistics I’ve seen. But aside from the amazing talent I’ve heard and seen, I’ve also realized that these schools are not just looking for talent, but for students who have the drive to complete 4 years of grueling training. At every BFA/BM program D has auditioned for, the current students emphasize the long hours and the lack of an outside social life. The auditors might only spend a few minutes interviewing each student, but they have enough experience to make good guesses on who will make it through their individual programs. Someone said in an old post that a good rule of thumb is that students should only go the BFA/BM route if they can’t picture themselves doing anything else. If a student goes into an audition with reservations regarding the intensity, that can come through in the interview. So raw talent and shear desire can sometimes make up for the lack of extensive training. BAL to everyone in this last month or so of the audition season!</p>