I’m just too hesitant to have my D narrow her list very much, since we won’t know if the interest is requited until after auditions. THEN we will definitely compare curricula, costs, locations, etc. to see what she finds is the best fit.
If there are alumni parents reading this thread, do you recall when Ithaca, Shenandoah and Syracuse updated their audition info/prescreen guidelines last year? Those websites all still have last year’s info. We’re trying to make a master list of prescreen requirements to hopefully record them all on one day and those are the only unknowns still on our list.
I think I’m ready for this adventure! My S just started his senior year this week at his private Catholic School in Atlanta. They have a pretty good theatre program, but he has been with a community theatre since 5th grade and working professionally since he was 14.
He is a singer 1st, then actor, then dancer.
He has been taking voice lessons for about 5 years and has a very “rocky” voice. Dance for about 2-3 years, and learning acting on the job.
We were going to get a coach, but with so many people he can reach out to, I think we will save the money and ask for help.
He, of course wants to go to New York, but we are looking mainly in the northeast so he can be close to his dream city.
In my opinion right now, he will go where he is accepted/ feels right/ gets plenty of aid! LOL
I can’t wait to “meet” you all and maybe IRL at Chicago Unifieds!
@mindatwork Although the webpage had last year’s information if you click on live audition and then link for Shenandoah Conservatory Undergraduate Audition Guidelines, the PDF is for 2019 and has their current info and dates.
Thanks @MTSongbirdMom - found some info on Shenandoah. Application goes live August 25 for the college. Prescreen on Sept 14. Here’s the link - https://q8rkuwu1ti4vaqw33x41zocd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/admissions/files/2018/07/CON_Guidelines_2018-19_lr.pdf
Was the Shenandoah PDF updated this afternoon? (That would be pretty funny if it’s the case!) I really thought when I looked at it earlier today it was still last year’s dates and I think I remember reading that recorded/Skype auditions were strongly discouraged, not eliminated altogether. At any rate, thank you for the updated link!
@mindatwork we printed it about a week ago and it was updated then. However link wasn’t obvious when we first looked.
Can anyone provide the audition dates for Carnegie Mellon? I’ve looked and looked, and can only find the months, not the actual dates. I can’t seem to find the magic link to the dates! Thank you!
Many schools don’t update their websites till Labor Day weekend, so maybe try checking then.
Does anyone know if when you actually apply to the school do you need to have your prescreens done at that time so you can upload immediately or do you apply first and then can wait to upload the prescreens? I hope this makes sense. We are feeling overwhelmed a little by this process. We have my D’s common application done and ready to start applying, but we don’t have the prescreens filmed yet. Should we wait to apply? Thanks for any advice!!!
@KAT67 I don’t actually know the answer to your question, but was thinking that S should at least start submitting the commonApp to schools that don’t have prescreens, since he wants to try to get a fall audition or two in. But I think the actual answer may be a mixed bag. Some schools i’ve looked at say you don’t need to finish your application prior to submitting prescreens, some say you do, and only 1 or 2 on our list say not to apply to the school until after you hear from them re: your prescreen.
@KAT67 As with all things to do with the MT college application process, each school handles the application process differently, so you will need to review the process for each school you are applying to see what they require. A few years ago, many schools, especially those who accept the common app, were happy for you to go ahead and submit that part of the application prior to submitting any pre-screen or audition materials. Many schools had supplemental arts department essays and other information that was required so be on the lookout for that. Early academic acceptances can be nerve racking. I remember this well because D got accepted to a number of schools academically in the Fall, but it was difficult to get excited as she didn’t know if she would be accepted to the MT program itself. Be prepared for that. When friends are rejoicing over acceptances, your child may have academic acceptances that they toss aside, not wanting to be too invested in the school until they know if they got in the MT program - and it may be months before they find out that answer.
My best advice is to go back to each individual school’s admissions page and determine the process for each school. But for any school you can go ahead and submit the application for, please do. Some require the application be submitted before auditions can be scheduled. And you want to schedule those asap!
@lithpool, thank you! Good luck to your S as well. I like the idea of ranking and might have my daughter give that a try just to see what happens. At this point too, we’re just trying to narrow down the prescreen criteria, so many schools want different things - it’s crazy! 32 bars, 16 bars, one song, two songs, Shakespeare, this dance, that dance, no dance, etc… Best of luck to everyone at keeping their sanity through it all.
@vvnstar thanks for that solid & practical advice
Carnegie Mellon dates for musical theatre are: 1/12 (Pittsburgh), 1/19-1/22 (NYC), 1/26 (Pittsburgh), 2/4-2/7 (Chicago), 2/9-2/10 (LA), 2/16 (Pittsburgh)
@Kat67, you do not need to have your prescreens ready to upload when you do the common app. In almost cases, the prescreens get uploaded onto Accpt’d and submitted through a portal with the drama/MT department at each school. Obviously every school is different in the details but at any rate, the Common App is a separate process that your daughter can submit when she’s ready.
@mindatwork Thank you! I still can’t find the dates for CMU, so I truly appreciate it!
CMU prescreen opens Sep 1 - https://admission.enrollment.cmu.edu/pages/drama-audition-portfolio-requirements-by-major
Thank you all for the advice. This is going to be an interesting process!!!
Okay…random thought that I just happened to think about regarding prescreens. Do we still have to pay the application fee if we have to apply prior to submitting a prescreen? So say that my daughter applies to Shenandoah but doesn’t pass the prescreen…am I out that money for the application fee? This might add up with more and more schools requiring prescreens!
@carriemc95 like everything in this crazy process, the answer is 'it depends". There are some schools that will view prescreens before the application. Some (and for us, it was the majority last year) require you to complete the entire application package before the school will review prescreens. There are a few schools that refund application fees if you don’t pass the prescreen. The application/prescreen fees DO add up quickly!