I’m a male high senior auditioning for MT schools this year. I’m the first one to go to college in my family. My parents are divorced and my mom, who I’m living with, is extremely busy trying to make a living. I’ve been blessed with some great teachers and counselors at my school, but it just seems overwhelming at this point doing all the pre-screens and stuff…
Because my parents can’t help me with this process, I’ll be the one booking all the auditions, writing essays, filming prescreens, booking flights, booking hotels, figuring out Unifieds, EVERYTHING.
If you have any advice, I’d greatly appreciate it. Thank you so much.
There were at least two very inspiring young people who went through this process pretty much on their own last year, and both ended up at highly regarded programs (one is a classmate of my daughter’s at Point Park). I’m hoping they will weigh in here. It’s not easy, for sure, but it can be done!
@ParachuteBoy might be able to give some direction. I think (?) he was one who did a lot on his own.
@ParachuteBoy is “king” in this department. I believe his circumstances are similar to yours. Check out Mary Anna Dennard’s book, “I got in” ASAP. Where do you stand as far as submitting applications and prescreens? What schools are you applying to? Which unifieds (NYC, Chicago, LA)? Are you able to audition on-campus at some programs? Are you in the running for merit-scholarship money? Are your school counselors aware of how tight your deadlines are likely to be? Do you have teachers for your letters of recommendation? The more info you can share, the more specific help the CC forum participants can give.
So this is a great place to ask questions. What do you need to get started?
Also if there is anyone in your theatre community who has been through it in the last 5 or so years ask them they are probably happy to help.
When should I have all my applications & pre screens submitted? I’m trying to get spots at Chicago Unifieds!
@Ludici2 Do you have a list yet? Are they all at Chicago Unifieds? I know that it’s daunting, but I would shoot for 11/15 for your favorite/preferred schools on your list, and 11/30 for others.
I’m planning to audition for
Pace
U of Michigan
Emerson
Ithaca
At Chicago unifieds and Elon on Campus!
I’m concerned about auditions slots being full. Is November 10th a safe deadline for all these school to secure a spot at Chicago unifieds (except Elon)?
Again, thank you so much! I feel like I got many “moms” here 
I would get them in as soon as possible but November 10th should be ok. The later you submit them the less selection of dates and times for auditions there will be. But don’t submit them until you are happy with them, especially if they have a prescreen.
I would say from looking at the list you’ve put here, that you currently have only highly selective schools on your list at this point. I think if you can squeeze in some more applications/auditions, you should definitely apply to some schools that perhaps accept a few more people than these. If you can tell us a bit more about what you hope to find in a college program, we could give you some suggestions. So let us know if there is a certain geographic area you hope to stay within, a certain type of program (conservatory vs a more traditional school), certain academic range – whatever it is you can tell us about what you hope to find in a musical theater program.
There are lots of great schools out there. If you cannot get to another audition, you may want to find schools that might let you submit via video. I know Oklahoma City University will accept video submissions in certain cases. And there are students there who were admitted from their video audition. You might research it and see if it is a program that interests you. I’m sure there are some other schools for which this may be true as well.
I would also plan on doing some walk-ins at Unifieds to some schools which perhaps, while not easy to get into, may have better odds than those on your current list. You have wonderful schools on your list and I hope you get into all of them! But just to make sure, I would try to find a few other schools to apply to via walk in audition if at all possible. Some schools I have heard of that do walk ins at Unifieds that might fit this category are Ohio Northern and Utah. I’m sure members of this group can tell you many more that do walk ins as well. Just know that when you get to Chicago you will need to sign up for a walk in slot on posted walk in lists at each school’s audition room that is offering walk ins. Do this asap as the slots do fill up quickly. And if there is a school you for sure want to audition for, go ahead and apply and have a scheduled audition. Do not assume you will be able to walk in. You don’t want to miss out because all of their walk in spots are filled.
You may also want to have a true safety school (non-audition) as well. This could be a BA program at a university whose academic stats are well within your range.
Best of luck to you. I know it is hard work but sounds like you are doing a great job!
If you are going to Elon to audition have you considered UNCSA or Western Carolina? You might be able to do a 2nd audition while in NC. (not sure where you live)
I don’t want to be an alarmist, but is November 10th a “safe” deadline for getting Chicago unified spots? My S did not do unifieds, but when we toured CCM his junior year, they told us their Chicago unified slots filled up by mid-October. Are any of these others schools likely to follow that pattern?
Nov 10 should be ok for most on the list. Michigan may fill fast - I am not sure. CCM filled all spots (including on campus) very quickly last year. Obviously, the sooner the better as it could change year to year. But we got all our spots last year and did it early Novemebr for most (might have been late oct to early nov).
If you live a long distance away, U Arts will
Accept video audition.
I agree with above comments to expand the list a bit to include some schools that may accept more kids than those on your list. Colombia College in Chicago has a non audition BA MT you start in and can audition for the BFA MT once there. (May be able to audition for BFA before freshman year - used to be able to but it may have changed). Anyway - the BA may be a safety of sorts.
If you are in the Midwest I have heard good things about SEMO in Missouri. They audition at some state thescon festivals if that is an option for you. They are reasonably priced and give aid too.
For Michigan you will not pass a prescreen if you don’t meet their academic prescreen.
@Attraction21 do you have any safe schools?
I do have safe schools, but I’m just not doing them at Chicago unifieds. All my safe school either don’t require an audition or it’s within driving distance.
Does anyone know when Michigan’s Chicago or NY unifieds slots fill up?
Michigan acting goes to NYC but not for MT. MT is in Chicago only I believe. Don’t know how fast it fills up
@Attraction21 I believe Michigan MT only goes to Chicago; Theater and Drama goes to all.
@Ludici2 Hey! I’m a freshman MT at PPU and last year I went through the whole process by myself! Message me if you have any questions I can help!
@Lucidi2
How are you doing? We are in the middle of all this and I realize the hours spent are overwhelming. Impressed by any student navigating it themselves.