<p>I’m interested in the fact that so many kids audition for so many schools and get into very few of them - or don’t get into auditioned schools at all. I know that those schools are super selective, but also in most of those auditions there is a tiny interview that follows, in which the student can show how much he/she is interested in the program and what is he/she looking for in a school. I believe that choosing schools that match your “profile” is very important. As I said before, I talked to a lot of students currently enrolled in the schools I’m applying to and they all told me that it’s more important to show interest, passion and willingness to learn than to deliver your monologues perfectly. Auditors don’t expect to find 18-year-old Meryl Streeps. You do have to show that you have worked hard and, if any instructions are given to you, that you are able to take directions.</p>
<p>I’m talking to a girl from my home country that attends one of the colleges I’m applying to and she said that she auditioned for 5 competitive colleges. She got into all of them except Juilliard.</p>
<p>For me, it is not a question of “how many eggs in a basket”, but which eggs. If you find a safety that you love, then it’s almost a miracle! Sometimes all you need is one “safety”, though. I agree with skewlcounselor: you should visit all the schools first. I didn’t have this opportunity, but that’s what I would have done.</p>
<p>I’m a very “picky” applicant and I knew exactly what I was looking for in a school, so my number of applications was very very low. We’ll see if it was effective in a few weeks. If you “kinda” know what you want in a school, then I guess it’s easier to find 10 colleges that you like.</p>
<p>But now more specifically to your daughter: she knows what she wants. So I’d say don’t apply to colleges that don’t have the curriculum that will fulfill her needs. What’s the point?</p>
<p>Madbean said some important things, which are also being discussed in the “No notable alumni” thread. Why is it important to go to a good college for acting, or to go to college at all? To have a name on your resume? To make professional contacts? To get an academic education?
I think people have different reasons for doing so. I know mine. But regardless of what my reasons are, I don’t think any young girl should face having to become a waitress right after high school so she can try to get acting jobs.</p>
<p>About the gap year: we talked a lot about that, but I can say that taking a gap year (I was training during this gap year, though) was one of the best things that ever happened to me. I grew up and could think about what I wanted to do in life with less pressure. I’m glad I could take a year off to see what it’s like in “the real world” and have some sort of notion of what my life will be after college. Also, my parents wanted me to be totally independent, so I learned how to do things on my own as well (even silly things like opening a bank account and paying bills, cooking the things I like and buying groceries).</p>