<p>I don’t think there is anything unfair about it (and for the record, I do not use this coach and am not involved in Moonifieds). It is certainly helpful for the people who live near Dallas, and it’s nice to get a bunch of auditions out of the way early…but what makes it unfair? It’s not like a significant number of slots - if any - are filled up by offers made at Moonifieds. Schools would be stupid to do that. Why would they make offers to a bunch of students not knowing what else they are going to see in NY, Chicago, LA, Las Vegas, or on campus? Again, some of these (e.g., Pace, TSU, Otterbein) are like live prescreens. And I’m not sure how other schools view the Moonifieds, but I can’t believe a school like UArts, for example, is going to be able to make final decisions at Moonifieds, given that they have on-campus auditions the same day in Philly. You would think the head of the department would stay on campus and see the kids coming all the way to their campus, and send someone else to the Moonified auditions. </p>
<p>Bottom line: I think Moonifieds are great for the kids who get to do them…if they want to do it that way. My D didn’t…for a variety of reasons. But any kids who get real offers from Moonifieds were going to get real offers anyway…it doesn’t affect your child’s chances at any particular school. </p>
<p>There are a ton of discussions on this forum about the use of coaches and whether it gives an “unfair” advantage to kids. I think the consensus was that many kids who do not use a coach get into great schools. Similarly, some kids who do use coaches don’t get in to great schools. Some people think it helps, others think it hurts. It’s a personal decision, and if you want to use a coach, and can’t afford one, that is really unfortunate…but there are ways to get good advice without spending tons of money. (Note, also, that there is someone new posting on this forum who seems to be offering free advice through (maybe?) a non-profit? Worth looking into if you are in this latter category of people.)</p>
<p>So, I view Moonifiieds as a great way for students of this coach to be seen by schools early in the audition season, and convenient for people who live in the Dallas area, but certainly not as an unfair advantage to any of our kids. Just my two cents…</p>
<p>monkey, you’re right that whoever is going to get in is going to get in and in that way, it is not unfair. However, many opine that all auditions for admissions should be open to ALL candidates and this combined/unified audition is only available to those working with a particular private coach. In other words, there is not a unified audition in November open to all candidates. As well, some likely feel that there is an appearance of a “connection,” when a private coach is lining up auditions for applicants directly with the programs themselves. I am surprised colleges are willing to do this. They are not transparent about it, however. It is a real audition that counts (except for the few schools that have a pre-screen process). It is not truly unfair, but it gives an appearance that likely doesn’t go over well with those who are not able to participate. </p>
<p>In any case, to reassure those auditioning this year, the majority of students are admitted at either on campus auditions or at National Unifieds. My own kid had no connections with any colleges ahead of auditioning on campus and got in the regular way, as did so many kids I know. In the end, this is not going to matter, as monkey and halflokum states but I can see how it is an eye opener to many.</p>
<p>I just find it strange that CMU has master classes for her students. It says in CMUs application booklet that they do not recommend the use of audition coaches yet they do special things for this coaches kids. Huh?</p>
<p>Ir’s very strange to me that schools are willing to work this closely with this one coach. And, with some very much in demand programs the relationship is uncomfortably cozy beginning with master classes in high school. Now, I don’t think this directly affects the chances of anyone else getting accepted but it sure looks weird and definitely boosts the odds for her students. Of course, that’s the point. I’d love to hear from some schools as to why they participate.</p>
<p>Are these reps from schools getting paid for holding master classes and private auditions? If so how much do you think they make? </p>
<p>Do college coaches get paid by high school coaches to come to their school and scout talent. Do college coaches get paid for holding sports camps around the country. I’m thinking the same sort of rules and ethical standards should apply to all school departments and programs.</p>
<p>There are many forms of auditions attended by representatives from various college programs:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Unifieds</p></li>
<li><p>The International Thespian Conference</p></li>
<li><p>State and Regional Thespian Conferences</p></li>
<li><p>Regional and Area Auditions hosted by various entities</p></li>
<li><p>School-specific auditions at Performing Art Schools and I think some comprehensive high schools. For example, some colleges directly recruit at performing arts high schools, holding master classes, attending performances, and holding auditions.</p></li>
<li><p>Private coaches (there are more than just Mary Anna that host auditions)</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Regarding colleges auditioning students at locations other than campus and the National Unified Auditions, please be aware that there are consortium auditions held in November in a number of locations. For years, college theatre programs have attended many Thespian Festivals, including the North Texas drama auditions. Additionally, many performing arts high schools have big showcases (Interlochen/Booker T. Washington/Pebblebrook to name a few) attended by college reps, not to mention that some colleges attend the National Musical Theatre Awards aka “the Jimmy Awards.” To imply there is something inappropriate about colleges being out in the communities meeting and potentially “discovering” students is absurd – Colleges can, and do, establish their own recruitment plans and visiting these auditions and events are part of that. </p>
<p>Frankly, I think colleges would be incredibly out-of-touch if they weren’t out there in the world of high school theatre students seeing them in action. And I speak as a mom of two sons who attended a private high school that participated in NONE of those opportunities. I knew they existed, but I also knew my kids would get their shot at Unifieds or on-campus. </p>
<p>As for Master Classes, I sense there is an anti-Mary Anna bias on here. Just know that there are many other coaches (Dave Clemmons / Susan Mascall / MTCA / Get Accepted) who offer Master Classes with college reps, as well as most performing arts high schools and performing arts education organizations (Broadway Dreams Foundation / USPA / Broadway Student Summit / The Jimmy Awards, etc.). Master classes with college reps are hardly out of the ordinary these days.</p>
<p>Lastly, I’ve shared on here that my sons worked with Mary Anna last year. We could not attend her private Moonified auditions last November due to a scheduling conflict. While it would have been nice to do some of the schools early, it didn’t matter. In the end, my sons had many acceptances to select from, including several of the schools that were at Moonifieds. </p>
<p>Keep in mind that even if schools accept or “wait-list” students at Moonifieds or at a Thespian Festival, those students are probably still going to Unifieds in February, and they will probably still do some on-campus auditions. Everyone’s list of schools is different, after all. Until all the acceptances some out, and all the students commit to their final choices, it is anyone’s game. So don’t get distracted by all this early auditioning.</p>
<p>To clarify – the audition at moonifieds counts, either as your in-person prescreen (if it is a prescreen school) or as your actual audition. So students who audition for, say, Rider at Moonifieds, would not get to audition for the school again later on at Unifieds.</p>
<p>I feel inclined to post a reply here, both because my name brought up and because I do have an opinion on the subject. </p>
<p>The debate over whether or not to use an audition coach is tricky. Not just between folks like you all who have children going through is process, but also between the schools to which those students apply. My personal feeling on audition coaches are that they are a bit of a bite to the pocketbook though they are extremely beneficial. On one hand, if a kid is extremely talented and has excellent guidance, they should find they are competitive throughout the process, though I have met students with loads of talent who don’t get in anywhere simply because they don’t get what is required of them. </p>
<p>As for holding private auditions, I think at the end of the day, we have to trust that the schools will uphold the integrity of the audition process regardless of where they’re held, or we could drive ourselves crazy thinking about what private auditions may mean. First, if a student has a “connection” to a reputable coach (be it an audition coach, a well-regarded acting coach, etc), they will be recognised for such either by being at a private audition or by listing that instructor on their r</p>
<p>Master classes are not the same as holding auditions. I am not aware of auditions for admission with any other private coach. Do others know of that taking place elsewhere? Again, not talking of master classes with college personnel which take place in many venues and are not auditions. </p>
<p>I don’t think anyone should worry about this truly. But many are not aware of this opportunity to audition early for several schools at once that some applicants have through privately arranged means between a private coach and some BFA programs.</p>
<p>I don’t think anyone should be asking if this is fair, you should be asking yourself why YOU didn’t do it. People talk about it every year and haters start the fairness discussion- total waste of energy. Moonifieds is saving me far more money than I paid this coach. This colleges are happy to get an early look at kids they know have worked hard and are well prepared (as are yours!!- don’t get snippy). They are not going to take somebody now that they wouldn’t take in February. It’s just really nice to get feedback now (positive and negative) before moving forward with the process. Moonifieds is a great perk. Some go, some don’t. Some get interest from colleges. Some realize they need to expand their list at this point. You could have all signed on for this a year ago. It was not expensive in the whole scheme of the process. It saved me time, energy, and money. I’m done… moving on to Moonifieds stress free.</p>
<p>theatremomma, no one is criticizing you for doing this. You hired an excellent coach and it was smart of you to do so. And I wish your D best of luck. People are just wondering about the overall ethics on the part of the colleges. No one is ‘hating’ Moo either. I think she’s doing her job, and good for her. </p>
<p>Again, it’s the ethics of the arrangement on the part of the <em>colleges,</em> not on her part. It’s the colleges that receive public tax monies, that are not publicizing these auditions, that give perks to a small private group that pays for the privilege. I truly don’t think any college is doing this with bad motives–I just think they’re not thinking through the ethical implications of this arrangement, and I’d ask them to. </p>
<p>But as far as ‘asking ourselves why we didn’t do it.’ I’m not in the market now, but I can venture a guess for others-- Money? And isn’t that the crux of the ethical problem–to have to pay to have an edge (unpublicized) in what is an <em>extremely</em> competitive process?</p>
<p>I’m with “connections” on this one. I’ve looked at Moo or MAD’s website (does she really go by “Moo”?) and she seems like a smart businesswoman and a good coach. She is not hiding what she’s doing. It’s the colleges that should be more transparent. I notice that some of them do mention her private auditions on their websites, but others don’t. I was also relieved to learn that the private audition is the one and only audition-- kids are not able to repeat at the unifieds or school-scheduled auditions. </p>
<p>As for those who take advantage of her coaching–I doubt anyone would seriously begrudge you for doing what you can to support your kid. Mazel tov!</p>
<p>No one wishes anyone less than good luck on this site (at least I hope so-- after all, this isn’t quite the Hunger Games. Maybe more like the Olympics.)</p>
<p>It is not a matter of fairness. The existence of private auditions for a particular coach’s students (or performing arts school or regional group) only creates advantage to the students and schools that attend but it doesn’t in any way create disadvantage to those that do not attend. Mary Anna is not the “MT Whisperer”. She cannot get a student of hers into a program that they lack the talent or preparation to be in she is merely facilitating earlier access to 14 schools that are willing for whatever reason to make the journey to Dallas (same applies to any of the other off campus group locations for regionals etc). So if the X number of students that attend Moonifides (or regionals or go to a PA HS which is directly recruited from) are not now needing the very same audition slot that you wanted either on campus or at Unifides to make you schedules work out – thank you.</p>
<p>By the time any of you get to Unifides, there will already have been a great number of on campus auditions at most of the schools in attendance. Is that unfair? How is this different?</p>
<p>I feel sorry that this thread whose purpose was to meet some other CC parents at Moonifides went off on a tangent. I knew it would the moment I saw the title. Perhaps the fairness question should be its own thread and theatremomma can get back to the business of trying to meet some people. There is a lot of waiting around in these auditions so that I’m sure would be nice for the parents.</p>
<p>Okay, but still curious as to why the schools would be willing to make the trek to Dallas for one coach’s students. That’s lots of time and trouble for kids they would see eventually anyway.</p>