<p>Now that this most agonizingly stressful season is finally coming to an end, I just want to thank every parent and student whose words of kindness, joy, compassion, pain, wisdom and unselfish advice have been our guideposts throughout this odyssey. I stumbled upon CC late in the summer while I was researching information on MT colleges. I do not exaggerate when I say that a day did not go by when I was on CC. Do to extenuating circumstances, we have to travel quite a lot, and I did not miss logging onto CC even from Cairo, Tel Aviv and Paris--never missed a single day! I touted CC to my husband, two MT daughters, my D's best friend (also MT) and her mom. They pooh-poohed me for so long--I mentioned things I learned from CC daily, and they would roll their eyes. Needless to say, ultimately EVERY ONE OF THEM has been reading and/or contributing to CC for some time now! CC has been the place I went to for comfort and reassurance and facts and hope. It kept me sane during surely the most insane period of my daughter's life so far. As I prepare to cut myself free from what has definately become a true addiction, (CC is my blankee so to speak!), I thank you all again from the bottom of my heart. I know all of our talented, bright, remarkable children will meet on the stages of professional shows someday, and that makes me very happy. </p>
<p>julie</p>
<p>Though my family has yet to embark on the college applications journey (my D is a sophomore!), I, too, greatly appreciate the wealth of information and just plain caring that is shared here daily. Like Julie, I stumbled across this forum almost by accident, and have been addicted to it ever since! What an incredible resource this list is, in so many ways, from information to support. Though the info is impressive and invaluable to many of us, the support is even more appreciated. Thanks to everyone.</p>
<p>Julie: DON'T YOU DARE! As in: don't you dare cut yourself free. Now it's your turn to give back info about the school your daughter chooses to attend, summer stock searches, your other MT daughter's foray into the after-college audition circuit, etc. I figure you know this already and plan to already, but I'm just reinforcing LOL . . . .</p>
<p>I can say that I am like Julie - I found this forum by accident last winter. At that point my d was MT BFA or bust. I remember the agony of soozie's d's accident..and the joy and sorrow of last year's class. My d has chosen a path slightly different - and once she knows that her letters have been received by the schools involved - i'll be happy to say more. One thing that has stayed with me...I chaperoned our school thespian group at the international conference in Nebraska last summer. I attended a seminar, where a woman who coaches mostly mt applicants asked the group, "Do you think you or your student should be in a "triple threat" program?" Of course, the response was yes. She opened my eyes by saying....that isn't necessarily the right answer. She is a very unconventional woman and has worked in casting, tech, toured in musicals, among other things. She let us know...as many of you have...that the strengths/weaknesses/emphasis..or whatever of a program may fit a student in the "just right" way. As my d has looked at her options...her comments have been very valuable and allowed my d to look at options that she never would have otherwise known existed. No one program has the fast track. One of the most ethical CEO's according to USA Today, was a sorority sister of mine at Augustana College (IL, about 3000 students) circa late 1970's early 1980's. Who knew?</p>