I have a MT D and a studio art major D (who also considered MT.) Having survived MT with a good outcome, I was hoping studio art would be easier. Nope. And guidance and HS art/ music/ theater departments were basically clueless when it came to the college application process. The MT forum was amazing and the reason I am still active on CC. The art forums on CC, while helpful, are just not as popular, so I needed to learn a lot on my own. And yes, I was amazed at the cluelessness of many of D’s friends and families. If you aren’t going to do the research, you are going to miss out on a lot of opportunities that can cost you acceptances or scholarships.
I’m thankful I realized early on that despite being a wonderful support and help - that none of D’s teachers/counselors/drama teachers etc. were going to hold her hand through the process - and that the ultimate responsibility for figuring it all out fell to us. I’m also grateful that I then found and decided to use MTCA - because they were really in tune with what the CURRENT audition cycle entailed… they didn’t do the work for D - but certainly helped us through the maze.
Just posting so the classes of 2020 and beyond know - not every school throws up barricades. We talked to our counselor and principal early on - during Junior year - and started educating them on what the process would be like for our D. Warned the counselor that her apps would far exceed her classmates. We got so much support from all of them - and we were in a small, suburban, non-performing arts HS. So, not every school is a nightmare - and I found that the more I kept in touch with them (specifically the counselor - we emailed back and forth a LOT during the year last year) the more understanding and supportive they were. Always remember - you get more flies with honey!!! I just want to caution you not to approach the school as if they are already going to be a problem - wait and see if they are before you start throwing your weight around - you might be as pleasantly surprised as we were!
I agree with kategrizz. Our school was clueless in what it takes to apply to MT schools, but once informed, they were very accommodating. I also e-mailed the counselor many times letting him know of deadlines, etc. The school also excused absences with no problem.
If you are proactive with schools they are often accommodating- they want kids to succeed/ be happy. But don’t assume they understand the process before you start- it’s unusual, and getting more intense all the time
Agree with kategriz. Son’s school is small in a rural state. I wouldn’t expect them to know the process. Son’s teachers and counselor and fellow students were his biggest cheerleaders. I have offered my CC acquired knowledge and have helped a student at the school I work at. Pay it forward benefitted me 
It never ceases to amaze me when I meet people who don’t understand. There are more who don’t understand than those who do, even in a city like Atlanta. What’s worse are the numbers of people who think that you are crazy and are just exaggerating…seriously it can’t that be as difficult can it? (Standard response) Some of the top high school directors around here will tell their kids that there is no reason to audition to too many schools. 8-}
And this is why so many of us lurk/remain on CC far past our “expiration dates” 
You must pay it forward to those who come after you, because by the time you get it figured out, you probably don’t need the information again. Help the next MT or Acting family at your school get off on the right foot.
I most certainly did not know and several of my children have been involved in high school and community theatre for years. Fortunately, we have surrounded ourselves with very knowledgeable and truthful people in our area. My child begins the audition process this coming fall and I am certain that our family will be ever-grateful to all of them. This site has also proven as a valuable resource!
One thing that surprised me was how many people we know (from a PA high school no less) who discounted schools that are not in New York, Boston, or Chicago, unless they are the tippy top well known schools. I can’t count how many times I was asked “why is your D applying to that school?, it’s not in the(or a) city.” I always answered that it’s a terrific program, and then thanked my lucky stars that one less talented kid would be competing with my kid for a spot at a wonderful program.
^^All the time, @mtflmomof1! So true! Our drama teacher tells kids they have to go to NY if they’re interested in stage or LA if they want screen…nowhere else is acceptable…
Yeah, I don’t get that notion that a theater or MT major needs to go to college in a major theater city. Their four years of college are going to be filled with college stuff and not job hunting. Once finished college, then that’s another story. My kid did go to college in NYC for MT and I saw some benefits to that once she went, but it wasn’t really to do with job hunting while in college (which she didn’t seek). The other benefits were a plus, but not a necessity. So many of the great MT programs are not in those three cities and their graduates fare just fine. I’d go to the best program that you can get into that fits you.