My S finished submitting prescreens to the last of his schools. Does anyone know how long it will take before people hear back from Pace and Ithaca?
We heard back from Pace in a week for Acting BFA- just a few days ago. It’s been about 2 weeks and nothing yet from Ithaca. Early Elon about a week (again just acting, I am guessing there may be more MT’s). We still have to get some pre-screens in. We’ve been able to schedule some good fall audition dates but when I think of this process going through until the end of the school year (or longer …waitlists) I feel really overwhelmed. I mean REALLY OVERWHELMED! I’m trying to stay calm and supportive on the outside. I already feel the judgements from the non performing arts people (which is just about everyone where we are). We are all brave. Especially the kids!!
@laylamom You can do it! Eat that elephant one bite at a time!
Ithaca’s website says they will start viewing prescreens mid-October.
Is anyone else feeling SUPER behind? I’m talking hasn’t even finalized their school list behind? I had a list of schools picked out in May (on the smaller and less competitive side), but after meeting with a college coach completely revamped it - larger and more competitive (while still having a safety and some less difficult admits). Then I felt really overwhelmed and was strongly considering a gap year (I also am behind on training), then auditioning for 5-6 as a “trial run” while keeping the possibility of a gap year very real, now thinking about auditioning all at once again with another completely revamped list. It doesn’t help that I am torn between a BFA and BA. If I had a better idea of which one I wanted I could better direct my list, but right now I seem to change my mind every day. Is anyone struggling with this? If so, any advice?
I am also still thinking about auditioning at 5-6 programs and getting REALLY comfortable with the idea of a gap year. I have been taking voice lessons for a few years, but not with a super professional teacher (more of a "I sing in school choir and want extra practice" type). My belt/chest voice is not where it could or should be. I also really want to be able to enjoy senior year. Junior year I had some health issues and it made for a stressful, overwhelming and all around less than fun year. I really want to be able to enjoy all the things senior year has to offer. I am switching voice teachers in order to get the training I need. I know this is an incredibly long and rambly post, but do I have a chance at getting into a good school without having a strong belt? I'm not talking CMU or anything, but maybe a Point Park or Wagner? I know it's impossible to know what a program is looking for but in general. I don't want to waste time and money auditioning for 15+ schools and then end up not being happy with my choices.
Is it worth it to exert a ton of time, money and stress scrambling to apply to a bunch of schools, or should I take some time to grow as a performer and really figure out what I want in a program? I feel ready to go to college and am concerned that it will be difficult and isolating to have all my friends go off to college without me, which is making me hesitate on a gap year.
@MThopeful99 Do you have someone helping you? I see you mention a coach so I’m thinking you have some guidance in this process. This is a tough process and if you are going down the audition road, it will impact your senior year. And depending on the programs you have on your list, 5-6 is pretty slim, especially for a girl. Maybe a gap year isn’t a bad idea if you feel you need the time for more training and research into the type of program that you really want. You might want to read the posts from @owensfolks whose daughter is taking a gap year this year. It is really, really important to know what you want and to feel very prepared and confident going into auditions. My thought is that if you really don’t feel ready, perhaps it is better to take a gap year then to settle for something you don’t really want. If you have professionals you trust who can give you a realistic evaluation of your readiness for this audition process I would start there and ask them to be very honest with you. As for the belting issue, I would be more concerned about making sure you have the right songs that show your voice off to its best advantage. My daughter is a soprano with a strong mix, but not necessarily a belt, and she did fine because she had the right songs for her voice type. What is very important to most schools is that they can see the strong potential for growth and success in their program.
@MThopeful99 do you have access to any mock auditions (oftentimes, coaching will come with options for mock auditions). Colleges are not lookin for perfection - you will have 4 years to work on your voice. If you can, have your “audition package” evaluated by an outside professional. If you do feel unprepared, our you get feedback that you may need more time and work, it may be wise to plan a gap year but “plan” is the key word. D had to create a gap year plan as an assignment for her monologue coach. It was really a great exercise. The point was to figure out what type of training to pursue and whether to work on some gen ed requirements (while being careful about financial aid).
Sometimes, just making adjustments after having quality feedback on your audition package and school choices can make the difference and can help you gain confidence for the audition season.
@artskids The coaches I am working with do offer a mock audition masterclass, however it does not work in my family’s schedule (and is expensive) to attend. I definitely have a plan in place for a gap year (volunteering/interning with youth theatre, getting a job, taking as many classes as possible, taking a couple community college classes - but not too many b/c I would be auditioning as a freshman).
@MThopeful99 it sounds like you are leaning towards a gap year. As @sopranomtmom said-my D and I are livin’ it, as we speak. Of course-D won’t know what program she winds up at until Spring. But regardless-I feel like she has gotten a lot of good stuff out of taking this path. Feel free to PM me (would love to hear your list), or check in on the Gap State thread, where I will try to check in and give an update periodically 
Whichever path you decide to take-do what is best for YOU. There are fiscal considerations, emotional considerations, etc. Only you know your exact situation, and what’s best for you. A very wise person provided me great comfort when she said “The same colleges/programs will be there in a year.”
Who has received prescreen results? We have a yes from Coastal Carolina and Carnegie Mellon and a no from Pace.
My D is a senior at a performing arts high school. We are in the process of applying for 16 BFA programs for Musical Theatre. She already has two academic acceptances from University of Tampa and Point Park University. She has passed prescreens for Carnegie Mellon and Pace so far. We now have 7 schools scheduled for NYC Unifieds and are waiting for three other college prescreens. This whole process is insane. It’s so hard to keep up with so many colleges but with such low acceptance statistics, it has to be done. Is anyone else applying to this many schools?
@mandidnam yep! D applied to 16 but not all BFAs. Some BA or BM. Process is crazy…
@mandidnam last season my D applied to 23…a mix of BFA and BA programs
My S made it through the Pace prescreen. Now waiting on Ithaca and U Michigan. Have any of your children applied to both the vocal performance and MT programs at any school? BW has scheduled both auditions for S on the same day.
My D applied for 16 (including 2 walk-ins I think) last year. I think that this year’s list stands at 15.
D was a pre-college student at CMU so did not have to prescreen - her application is in. She has submitted 6 or 7 additional (non-prescreen apps - maybe 8 by the end of the day) and will load all her prescreens once we get her dance video done. We are shooting for November 1. Later than I wanted but school and the fall show have pushed back some deadlines. It looks like her list will be +/- 18 schools. Waiting to see what she does with some of the “maybes.”
@mommafaria BW is a great place to be a VP major; they can audition for the musicals and, occasionally, there is a VP major in senior showcase.
GREAT story. I hated when my son told me that he wanted to be an MT major, but I supported him completely. He’s happy, getting some incredible training, and I’m happy that he’s happy.
No matter what your major, there aren’t any guarantees in life. Very few people I know are still employed in a job related to their major.
marge028-my head would be spinning!! I can barely keep up.
Hi! What information do you have on LIU Post? It’s one my reach schools but I’m looking into not very competitive schools, since I don’t have a strong trained background that (at least it feels like) most prospective MT students already have. Would you consider LIU Post an easier school to get into? I didn’t think so since they hold a lot of auditions, but maybe I’m wrong.
Sorry, meant to reply to a comment but I’m new to actually posting on here lol