<p>Do what approach works for you, of course. I’m just going to comment that this approach would not work for me and I would not advise it to others. Fit matters. Why even apply to ANY college that your kid doesn’t like a real lot or may not be a good fit? I mean the student is going to spend four years of their life there, have to work pretty intensely at the program, and it could cost upwards of $200,000 for the degree. Why go just anywhere that will accept you? While I agree one can’t get overly picky when making the college list and can be pickier later once they have acceptances in hand, I do believe that EVERY school that is on an applicant’s list should be one that they are happy to attend. They may favor some schools over others but should like every school on their list. </p>
<p>Also, if your list is excessively long, such as 26 schools (or truly more than 14), the efforts per school may be diminished (lotsa essays and other requirements). There may be too many acceptances to be able to visit them all come April, if you haven’t already visited. </p>
<p>As I wrote, nobody NEEDS that long of a list. If your child is competitive (has the skills and talents necessary), even though the acceptance rates are very low, he/she should get into at least one school if their college list (of approx. 10-14 schools) is geared toward their individual academic and artistic qualifications. In other words, if the student has the right list for them, they should not be shut out of college. The right list is very important. One MT applicant’s list should not look like the next kid’s. You should attain some assessment of your child’s competitiveness for a BFA in MT program. But if she/he has what it takes, then it is not necessary to put in umpteen applications to achieve an acceptance. If the student is truly in the running, he/she won’t be completely shut out IF their list is a list appropriate to their qualifications, and is well balanced in terms of odds, and has between 10 to 14 schools (the number will differ depending on various circumstances). Just my opinion.</p>
<p>Soozievt…I agree. My D could only find 7 schools that she felt she could see herself at plus 5 non auditioned schools. So she applied to 12. Sure hope that one of those 7 find her a fit as well.</p>
<p>bisouu…that sounds like a good mix and a good number. Fingers crossed she has some choices come spring. I’m sure she’ll get in somewhere. A choice of options would be great. Getting into a favorite would be a cherry on top.</p>
<p>OK, I feel like it’s time to jump back in here. I appreciate everybody’s feedback - it has been very helpful. I also want to thank everybody who posts on CC. This is such an invaluable wealth of information about MT in general, and MT schools in particular, that the process would be infinitely more difficult without CC. Most importantly, CC has given us the knowledge to know which programs would NOT be a fit for her.</p>
<p>While it is true that we applied to 26 schools, we have now whittled the active list down to 14. That includes 6 that are a really good fit, and her 1 safety school (which has already accepted her). We have 12 auditions scheduled between mid Jan and mid Mar, at a mixture of fit and reach schools. Still waiting to hear on most of the prescreens. I doubt that we’ll have our D audition at every school, and if not we’ll give them a courtesy heads up so they can adjust their schedule.</p>
<p>Our concern has never been about our D’s level of talent. Like most kids she is a pretty specific type, but people that we trust tell us that she’s good. She also works harder than any other teenager we know, which is half of the battle. We know that she’ll get at least a couple of goods offers, and if not we’re very happy with the program at her safety school.</p>
<p>Our concern has always been related to the number of candidates vs. the number of slots. That, and our need to play catch-up in our knowledge of the individual school’s programs.</p>
<p>Good luck to everybody, and happy holidays!</p>
<p>It sounds like you’ve done your research! And congrats to your D for already having an acceptance at her safety school! That really helps. I know it is very competitive out there and the number of slots is daunting, but if you have been told your D is competitive, she should get in at least one school, even if the list is down to 14 (good)! It is hard on the nerves, for sure, but something should work out.</p>
<p>Thanks, soozievt. Actually, the more we look at her safety school the more relaxed we feel. We would be just as happy to end the search there, but there are a handful of other schools that would be perfect for her and cheaper for us. I’m actually glad that we went through all of this (except for 26 school’s worth of fees!), because it really forced us to focus on what was most important for her. </p>
<p>In fact, when we started this process there was only one school that she truly dreamed of attending. In the mean time, while waiting for the results of the prescreen, she has learned enough about this particular school and its program that she took it off the list altogether. </p>
<p>We scratched another school because of its arbitrary and subjective year-over-year cut system. Making kids compete just as hard to KEEP their spots as they did to GET their spots does not foster an encouraging, supportive environment. This particular school indirectly states that they take on twice as many freshmen as they intend to graduate. Our daughter’s acting coach actually had a former student get cut between junior and senior year. No thanks.</p>
<p>Anyway, thanks again to all who post on CC.</p>
<p>cheeseheadmike, it sounds like your D has a good amount of audition schools and a great safety school.</p>
<p>My D also has an acceptance at 1 of her safety schools (she has applied to 4, but this is her favorite, she hasn’t heard from the others yet). She is auditioning for 11 schools, but already has a place to go that she would be very happy with. It really makes this very difficult process much easier.</p>
<p>D got a “Thanks, but not thanks” email today. Normally we’d take it in stride - not every prescreen is going to turn into a YES. What bugs me is the tone of the letter. It basically says “our experts looked at the video, we’re super competitive, and we know what we’re doing.” In other words, you aren’t good enough.</p>
<p>Fortunately we had already scratched this school off our list (for this very attitude), so it’s no big deal.</p>
<p>Would it be so hard to simply say “thanks for going to the effort to submit your materials, thanks for considering us, unfortunately we do not have a spot for you, and good luck”?</p>
<p>That’s what annoys me about the prescreen process. I understand the reasoning behind it, but don’t pretend that you know my kid after watching a 3 minute video.</p>
<p>Wow cheeseheadmike, that would bother me too! My D did not pass some pre-screens and they were all very gracious rejections. Your D didn’t want to go there anyway! Their loss!</p>
<p>Good to know now that the school operates in a manner that may foretell future interactions as a student. We all want a place that will be supportive yet challenging for our children.</p>
<p>cheeseheadmike…WOW! That would really irritate me; actually, it did irritate me and it wasn’t my child who got the email! One of The D’s classmates didn’t pass a prescreen and the school said they were not interested. I thought that was just rude. Clearly, it’s too much effort to be polite.</p>
<p>So far the schools have been mostly positive and encouraging, even with the “no” answers. For the others I say it’s their loss. </p>
<p>We teach our kids to be polite in every interaction, every time, with every person you meet. The schools have a choice in how they deliver rejections, and some choose wrong.</p>
<p>My son was rejected on a prescreen from a school (which I will not name) and it was clearly a bulk email that was intended for those rejected from Acting, not Musical Theatre, AND it was addressed to “Miss…” Mtmom2014 - maybe it was the same school LOL.</p>
<p>I find that so rude. Not only did you take the time and effort to submit the prescreen, application, ect, but you’re also paying a fee for them to screen the videos. The least they can do is be polite and address you by the correct gender! I have yet to receive any negative news about prescreens, but I’m still waiting on Michigan and Indiana. I’m a little worried about these two seeing as Michigan gave away a lot of slots for the early submits and IU apparently is extremely selective in this prescreen round. Anyone know if this is true?</p>
<p>We received the expected Baldwin Wallace rejection letter (it was phrased nicely). S took it well he said “I had a feeling I wasn’t edgy enough for them” so seems to me he really is paying attention to the schools when we are there. Which makes all these trips even more worth it. He’s ready to kick butt tomorrow!</p>