Thanks for clarifying. I understand what you mean and agree with you.
I disagree that those of us who did walk ins did it as an after thought. There were two programs at Unifieds that we had never heard of. If we had, we would have applied and scheduled an audition. I think there are so many programs out there that many of us have never heard of (or at least we hadn’t) that we missed. If a school really feels that walk ins are an afterthought then they shouldn’t offer this option. The New School was one of the amazing programs that was actively walking the halls asking people to audition. Their PR was great and they were super friendly.
@bisouu, let me clarify. What I mean by “afterthought” is “something that was not initially thought of, and added later.” So, if you had never heard of a particular program, yet did a walk-in, I would consider that an afterthought. I am certainly not saying schools shouldn’t offer walk-ins…indeed, there are many, many stories of kids who did walk-ins, got in, fell in love with the program, and lived happily ever after. But most of the people research a ton of schools and decide which to apply to carefully, as I assume you did, too. The fact that you had never heard of the schools until you saw them offering walk-ins at Unifieds means that - for whatever reason - they were not one of your top choices. How could they have been, if you had never heard of them? It isn’t a judgment. Just a fact. If someone does a walk-in, it is b/c that school was not on their radar when they applied. And the schools know it. That’s all. There are happy unions via walk-ins. Obviously they are worth it for both the kids and the schools. But the kids who do walk ins should not have an advantage over the kids who knew enough about the program to apply.
I think the bigger point (that @monkey13 already made) isn’t about “afterthoughts,” but rather if you audition as a walk-in, you should not expect to be told if they are interested in you artistically BEFORE you pay and mail in an application. Others have sent an application in, paid a fee, and then have the audition. The walk-ins allow you to audition before sending in an application, but in order to be truly considered, you are expected to then send in the application and fee, like everyone else. An actual application is showing you are an applicant, not merely attending the audition. A walk-in candidate is no more entitled to finding out they are seriously under consideration before paying and mailing an application than those who did it in reverse/normal order. I think schools that allow walk-ins truly do consider these candidates IF they follow up with an actual application. I don’t see how you can be seriously considered without filing an application.
On another point, every year people lament about the wait to hear results (and yes, it is difficult!), and people on the MT Forum say that their non-theater friends already have results or know where they are going to school by now (Feb.). I beg to differ with that general sentiment. I don’t doubt that those non-theater applicants who applied to rolling admissions, ED, EA, or some state schools, or even some less selective schools, may have gotten some results already by now. However, MANY universities in the non-BFA world notify candidates on April 1 or in late March in the Regular Admissions cycle. My MT kid did not have to wait any longer than my non-MT daughter. My non-MT daughter who applied to very selective colleges heard from almost all of them on April 1 or on the final days of March. So, in my opinion, this is early in the season for both non-theater and theater applicants to have a lot of results already. Frankly, I like the schools that tell every applicant all at once and not in dribs and drabs. The latter way induces more anxiety, in my view.
@soozievt- you are absolutely right that there are lots of schools that make you wait- esp competitive ones. But at an “average” school- like the one where I teach- very typical high quality suburban HS, the majority of the kids are applying to rolling admissions schools. 98% of the kids at my HS go on to college- and 75% go to an in state public to do it. Now, Ohio has a BUNCH of public colleges- OSU, OU, Kent State and Miami are the most popular choices for our seniors. All of them have either rolling admissions or EA. Of course, lots of kids from my school are waiting to hear back from various selective colleges- but it is far more common for an “ordinary” kid to have heard back from at least one of their choices. I was talking to a girl today who has acceptances to Case, OSU and Pitt- she’s waiting on BU and U Chicago. So she’s still waiting, but already has really strong choices. I guess it all depends on your list!
^^Right…it depends on your list. I tried to acknowledge that kids are likely to have heard from Rolling Admissions, Early Action, Early Decision, many public colleges and a number of less selective colleges by now. But it is perfectly normal in the college admissions cycle, particularly with more selective colleges, to not hear until late March or on April 1. As I indicated, that is when my non-theater applicant daughter heard from most of her schools. So, the MT kids don’t necessarily have it any worse with the waiting!
Sometimes it’s just fate. My daughter is at one of her two walk in acceptances. We just didn’t know about those schools prior to Unifieds but immediately starting researching after the audition. Please be aware that some schools do have application cut off dates. Don’t dally.
Reading this after my kid had a VERY positive walk-in experience today–his only one. We knew about this school way back last year, but decided to bump it off our list due to our perception that the school is dance-heavy, costly, and not always generous with scholarships. We also bumped it to save on fees, since there were already a lot of schools on the list. The great experience today shifted that walk-in school to the one of my son’s top three. He would be thrilled to attend there, but would not have auditioned if it were not for the walk-in opportunity. Right now, he is busy working on his formal application and essay, still on a high about a school that was not even on his list until today.
My daughter did one walk-in at a school that was on her radar, but a little later. The school required everyone walking in to (1) submit the common app (and pay); and (2) submit the audition request form (and pay) before auditioning. I think that made sure that the walk-ins they got were truly interested in the school (especially as this was in NYC, and some folks were stranded by the blizzard and may have been looking to fill some time with extra auditions). She had one of her best audition experiences, and since then has done even further research on the school. It’s moved up her list, and to make sure they knew she was interested she (1) had her school send her transcripts and recommendations right away; (2) requested her SAT and ACT scores; and (3) sent a thank you note to the person who auditioned her, who had given her his card and asked her to keep in touch. I think, if you’ve got a walk-in that your child is truly interested in, that kind of stuff goes a long way to demonstrate that interest.
My D did 4 or 5 walk-ins (Acting). Two of the programs are well-regarded on this thread. One program told her - we like you - go back to your room and submit your application materials - tonight if you can - and “we’ll be back to you” in the next two weeks. She got her materials submitted (and asked her HS to send her transcripts and rec letters) but it is unclear what she will hear in the next two weeks. Guthrie told her they expect to notify students who are invited for callbacks in the next 2 weeks. Only 2 of my D’s schools have stated rolling admissions policies. I really don’t expect she’ll have a full picture until April 1! She does have her BA safety acceptances so the question of whether she’s going to college has been put to bed :-).
An interesting note on walk-ins: Like @CTDramaMom , one of my D’s walk-in schools is now among her top choices. She felt the auditor did an excellent job of describing the program and, after further research, agreed it would be a great fit for her. Walk-ins ended up being one of my D’s favorite experiences at Unifieds. It didn’t hurt that we didn’t have to pay any walk-in fees (I heard from one of the coaches that it was an unusually accommodating year).
My D just got an email saying she was on “priority hold” ? What does that mean? Is it the same as waitlisted? I thought they weren’t making decisions for a few weeks.??? Appreciate any advice.
@ballet97 I assume that is from Texas State as they are the only school I know that uses that verbiage ( might be others I don’t know of). Take a look at my explanation of that status on the Texas State thread. Basically means you are in the final group under consideration.
D auditioned for Hartt at NYC Unifieds and got admission notice today. I have a feeling that things will start to pick up speed shortly.
When I auditioned at the NYC Unifieds (January 23rd and 24th), I heard back from University of the Arts about a week later. I got accepted!
I also auditioned for Point Park, Viterbo, The New School, Ball State University, SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design)
Point Park- I was admitted academically but no news on my audition yet. Hopefully soon.
Viterbo- accepted into ther MT program just LAST WEEK!
The New School- no news yet.
Ball State- emails stating that they are “highly interested” (does everyone get these?) but no news. I heard they call people to tell them if they are accepted into the MT program.
SCAD- no news, but a lot of promotional letters and booklets in the mail.
Hope this helps!!