Im curious as to the recommended number of schools to apply/audition too. Our school counselors say no more than 10. We applied to 18, all audition oriented. When we were chatting with other kids at Unifieds, we felt that we may have been on the low side. Most of the kids there were applying/auditioning to 24 plus schools. Maybe it was because it was LA and there are fewer seats left by then? Also, none of the kids we spoke with were from performing arts high schools so that may make a difference. any thoughts out there on the number of schools to audition for?
I am glad you’re going to make the most of the opportunities given you, @hamdog123. Rejections are part of this business and I hope you can handle the ones you get after this point more easily without feeling they are a judgement on your worthiness. An actor’s life is one “no” after another and that isn’t a judgment on their talent, it’s a simple matter of supply and demand. When 1000 talented people compete for 20 slots, 980 of them will get rejected.
@CaMom13 But there’s a difference between auditions for roles and auditions for college. If you’re auditioning for a specific part and you don’t land it, it genuinely isn’t a reflection of your talent because the person who did get cast is more “right” for the role than you are.
In college, however, there are no roles. The people who demonstrate the greatest acting ability (and who’ll provide the necessary eclecticism for the class) are accepted.
That’s why this hits harder than real-world auditions.
@hamdog123, CMU accepts 12 people into their acting program. Do you truly believe that out of the 1000+ who audition, ONLY 12 people are at the level of talent needed for CMU? If they accepted 25, would 15 of those people NOT be as good as the other 12?
What if someone gets into Juilliard, but not CMU? Is that person not talented enough for CMU?
There are a LOT of insanely talented kids out there, and only a tiny number of slots at the tippy-top schools. Just by the numbers, some extremely talented people aren’t going to be accepted.
And just like in the real world, type plays an important part. If 5 tall, handsome, white leading man types audition one year, and all of them are insanely talented and perfect for CMU’s program, guess what? They’re NOT all going to get in, because CMU wants a mixture of types.
At this level, it’s not JUST about talent. If out of those 1000 people, 50 are super-amazingly talented and perfect for CMU, those 50 are still not all getting in. 12 will get in, a few more will be waitlisted, and tge other 30 or so are rejected, even though they were just as talented.
Last year, a girl was rejected from UNCSA, but with a letter encouraging her to try again next year. Then someone declined who was her type, and even though she wasn’t even on the waitlist, UNCSA called and offered her a spot and she’s there now. Her talent level did NOT change - all that changed was that a spot opened up.
@actorparent1 When I audition for a Broadway show, and I don’t get cast, I can know that maybe this role wasn’t right for me. A friend of mine’s friend has been accepted into CMU, UNCSA, and is attending the final callback weekend for Juilliard. If the schools were actually all looking for different traits, numerous top-tier acceptances like this wouldn’t happen. This girl is the best girl of her type for all of these schools, and if I were the best of my type for CMU, they would’ve accepted me.
I just don’t think it’s as random as everyone likes to tell themselves. That’s a comfortable way of thinking; but generally the more capable individuals get accepted to a higher number top-tier schools. It’s just how it works.
@actorparent1 If you could provide an actual example of the Julliard-CMU scenario actually happening, I’m all ears.
@Gapyearguru, congratulations on the waitlist! Sadly, we’ll be joining the chorus of those who were lucky enough to audition at CMU but didn’t make the final cut. This one is going to sting for my son - just one of those things. It really isn’t his first choice school, but he deeply wanted to get in because it has become something of a psychological “thing”. I’m going to give him hugs and remind myself that all of this is going into the pot of real-world life experiences and honest emotions that he’ll be able to draw on to become an even better actor. And when he goes to a school that overall is a better fit for him, this will all soon become a memory.
@hamdog123 - I offer the same to you. Hugs, and a promise that this is something you can use as a growth experience. I really DON’T agree with your logic, but I do empathize with your frustration. This too shall pass.
Hi everyone! I barely post but wanted to chime in on the discussion. This is my second go around at this. My S is currently a junior at U Mich BFA acting, and we are currently in the waiting process with my D along with all of you! So first of all, hats off to all of you and your children (for those who are parents) for going through this ridiculously lengthy and grueling process! Takes guts in my opinion!
When we first did this three years ago, I knew NOTHING about auditioning for performance programs, or even which were “top” schools for BFAs. I have to say I was SHOCKED when my kids’ vocal coach explained then that auditioning for a BFA is just like auditioning for a show. They are casting an ensemble. So while in MY mind, those who had the best auditions or were the “strongest” candidates would receive acceptances, it is true that they are also casting types, and also voice parts in the case of MT. To further complicate it, they are just not casting based on the incoming class, it may also be based on the current students in the program, which compromise the ensemble. So it MAY be the case, that if they have “enough” blonde, Caucasian women in the program,as an example, they may not need to add any this year, even if one of them has the best audition. Although I wish this wasn’t the case, it is what it is.
I almost feel like in a way it’s somewhat harder than audition for a role, since you know going into audition for a role what the type and vocal part of that role is, and chances are you aren’t going to audition if you don’t fit that. With schools, the fact is,looking at it from the outside, we may not really know which types they need to “cast” or admit this year.
Regardless, congratulations on your acceptances so far, and crossing fingers and saying prayers for all who are waiting. I trust the perfect door will open for everyone, and they will all land in a school where they will thrive, learn and be happy!
Hi there, things really are picking up…S received a yes call from Pace BFA Acting very shortly after the no from CMU. His words went from, “I feel like crap,” to “So that helped.”
@hpdbfa congrats!! My oldest is a BFA MT major at Pace-it’s such an amazing program!
@HPDbfa Congrats! Did the call from Pace come today?
@HPDbfa Congrats on Pace!
Does anyone know if the Pace BA in Acting (International Performance Ensemble) notification comes vis phone or email/Portal?
@dramamama3 the call was this afternoon
@hamdog123 - I am sorry you are disappointed, but am afraid I have to concur with @CaMom13 (who btw is here generously helping other people and their kids pursue dreams)- the whole “have to settle” thing comes off as a bit entitled. Wherever you go to school, there will be opportunities. Make the most of them. When you graduate, there will be plenty of challenges to be faced - start practicing resilience now.
@Gapyearguru Congratulations! My D was waitlisted last year for MT and she held out for quite a long time. I do think they took someone last year from the waitlist for Acting? Maybe someone else on here can confirm.
@hamdog123 CMU will tell you they can fill their ranks 3-4 times over with all the talent they audition each year. It is possible they already had your type. Happens every year.
@hamdog123
Hi. I really do think there is a huge random element to all of this. My kid for example has had some really great acceptances at top tier schools. And then, rejected at some that are not very difficult to get into. Where she had auditions that she felt really good about. Its far from a comfortable way of looking at it. It’s pretty confusing. There truly is a random element. I don’t think your 100% accountable for not getting offered a spot. I’m sorry you were denied at Carnegie. But you sound like your willingness to say to yourself “ok what part did I play in this” will get you far in this business.
Wow, crazy busy day here. My heart goes out to all the rejections (and congrats on the waitlist @Gapyearguru !) - I certainly understand the personal raw emotions right after receiving the news.
@hamdog123 I know what you mean by “settle”. Though a bit different, many moons ago I was accepted to my dream school, registered for classes but unfortunately the finances did not come through and to this day I feel a twinge of pain for the day I walked through campus to withdraw. Of course you will prosper anywhere else. But I certainly get the “what could have been” feeling. I also think you are right about the auditioning ability element and working on improving that. Some people are just better auditioners than others and I don’t believe this is 100% reflective of all the acting talent they have. Thankfully, acting is so much more than the 2-min monologue but that is the measure chosen.
@2artskidz - I saw your PM and will respond in a bit.
Has anybody heard from Pace FTVC yet? Or just acting?