Good reminder that great feedback doesn’t mean an acceptance
Hi all. Many of you know I have a S that is a BFA MT major at Texas State. After seeing the comments and concerns about the Nexus summer camp on this thread I contacted the powers that be about the offers after summer camp. I got the scoop and here are the facts: two offers have been extended and accepted and other students have been told they are on priority hold. HOWEVER, I was told that this will not reduce the number of offers normally given at the end of audition season and that TXST still intends to make 14 offers (their normal number) at the end of audition season. I hope this clears it up and lets folks rest a little easier. If anyone has concerns about this, please PM me.
To follow up my post above, the offers were made this year to a couple of summer students due to the fact that a large class graduated in 2017 and there are extra spots in the program. TXST likes to maintain a class size of 12-14 with around 54-56 in the program. Due to graduation losses there were a couple of extra spots. There probably won’t be other offers made in the future right out of the program but will still be used as a live prescreen but no offers to be made until the usual time.
Thanks @MTDadandProud Sounds like you got it straight from the source. Less worry/guessing for parents and students. And that makes sense. Much appreciated
Okay- this is totally out of left field but saw something today that made me go WHAT? So I came across a crowd funding sight for CMU School of Drama Showcase Class of 2017. On it they were trying to raise $10,000 for Showcase. I think they ended up raising about $5500. BUT in the description it stated that the CMU drama students were required to raise $50,000 for the showcase. Specifically it said “In total, the class of 2017 is responsible for raising $50,000. This year, through cabarets, presentations of original work, and the sale of many candy bars, we’re raising funds that will allow us this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” (This was for renting the venues, lodging and marketing). Does this seem totally bizarre to anyone else? Like, not only are you having to pay for one of the more expensive institutions in the U.S. for Drama, but now you are responsible as a class for $50k? Curious as to what people think of this… I know what I think. [-X
@stagedoormama YES that seems bizarre!! Honestly, it kind of pisses me off. I wish my daughter would take CMU off of her list for a multitude of reasons (she won’t). Now that they are doing pre-screens, CMU has made theirs just different and specific enough to make a royal pain.
Right now I feel angry at any school that makes it more confusing for the kids but hells bells with their tuition that’s a bit disgusting.
We don’t have much money and I am feeling it right now (stressed and crabby). Still I’ve paid through the nose for a masterclass with Barbara this summer because my daughter pleaded. They are doing several masterclasses over the course of one weekend. They must be raking it in. I don’t mean to sound so cynical but “the dream” and such. Must keep daughter and I grounded. Feeling the strain and it’s only July 
@stagedoormama I have been asking my S (Senior - BW) for details about funding showcase. I know the students pay some of their expenses but the program has a fund (endowment?) which funds quite a bit of the costs; I do NOT believe the students are responsible for the production or space rental costs! I know I have contributed to a number of fundraisers during recitals (saying funds are going to offset showcase costs) but I assume those are to offset the personal/travel costs of showcase. I’m hoping we get details as soon as school resumes.
@laylamom I was a little surprised at the individual masterclass costs, too. We were too late to take advantage of the weekend cost; we’re skipping this round in favor of a round of mock auditions in November. Nothing inexpensive about this process!
@artskids I totally get them having to raise money/pay for their own personal expenses/travel etc. I expect most schools do that. But to make them pay for the venues (In NY and LA) and marketing was just pretty shocking.
@laylamom This whole process is one giant strain. I wish you peace through it!
^^^seriously! I agree with you! Of all schools, I have to believe CMU is well-funded/endowed to cover such costs!
question about Chicago unifieds… Does anyone know if it is ok to arrive Sunday some time? My daughter and I were planning to fly in Sunday as we have an on-campus audition Saturday for a school near us that she want to do before we head to Unifieds… but then I was reading some people’s comments that they had dance calls etc Sunday in Chicago- so now I am wondering if it is ok to fly in Sunday and stay until Wednesday night or Thursday am? Does that give us enough time to get a bunch of auditions done? Is there essential stuff we would miss if we come in Sunday mid morning? Any Unifieds experts want to weigh in on this? I am an overwhemed newbie! 
THANKS!
@savedrama4momma there are no rules for when you arrive really. You will just have to see how your list shakes out. There are schools who hold dance calls and/or auditions ahead of Unifieds (if I’m not mistaken, BOCO’s dance call has traditionally been on Sunday; I don’t know if they have another during Unifieds). It is not most schools; you will have plenty of time to fit in auditions from Mon -Thurs. My D may be attending a Saturday audition as well so we may be in the same boat!
Thank you @artskids That is very helpful! Have you been to Unifieds before? I am trying to decide between NY and Chicago- but leaning towards Chicago from everything I am reading on here- (even though we could drive to NY)…
@savedrama4momma We flew in on Sunday last year and stayed until Thursday and my daughter was able to get in plenty of auditions in that time frame. The only slight wrinkle we ran into was that after booking our travel plans we discovered that one of her schools, Roosevelt CCPA, had their dance call on Sunday night. But it was after we arrived and checked in so she was able to make it, although she was pretty tired from a day full of travel. Other than that, everything was easily scheduled Monday-Thursday including a couple of BFA acting auditions at another hotel.
@savedrama4momma Yes - I’ve been to both. My S was in NY for other auditions so picked up auditions at NY Unifieds. D1 did Chicago Unifieds. My personal preference is Chicago with the caveat that the kids miss almost a week of school to attend (vs maybe a day for NY). I found it very easy to schedule and get around in Chicago. We are in the Midwest so the drive to Chicago is a few hours shorter.
My daughter is a Singer first and a Pianist Second – and we have signed up for MTCA. Anyone going to Mock Auditions in October in NYC? D is a rising Senior at a very large HS in VA - and half a day attends Fairfax Academy - a program for MT FCPS students. She is leaning towards schools with BofM and BFAs - with voice emphasis --loved BWallace for both. May end up directing side of MT - though she has done lots of community theatre and loved performing. Any thoughts from you veterans on BFA - heavy in the voice?
@Luciamom I am leaning away from the October mock auditions. I think we need Sept/Oct to get all the prescreens done! Is your D thinking of a VP major or an MT major? My S is a senior at BW (BM MT major). They do get quite a bit of voice (including weekly studio and private voice lessons) but perhaps a bit less varied than the VP majors.
Thanks for your response!! On our visit, D loved the fact that you could take a primary and secondary instrument as a MT major. Sounds like what your S is getting is perfect… Is your D also thinking of applying there? Where else is she looking? Great to have a veteran MT mom to talk with …sure you are not looking forward to this process again…
@Luciamom It is tough to do this again (3rd time) but I am rallying! She will be applying to BW but really wants her “own” school. She feels like she’s been in the shadow of siblings so far and would like to have a program that is all hers. She is looking at many of the usual suspects (Ithaca, Pace, CMU, CCPA, U Mich, CCM, Point Park) but is now circling in on some less-well know programs. She has 25 programs on her list now (not counting safety BAs [read: no audition required]). I’d like her to trim that to 12-15 plus 2 safeties. There are many gracious MT moms and dads who have stayed around on these boards to answer questions!
Back when my D did NYU’s summer theatre intensive through Steinhardt (2008), D and about 10 others from the summer program were told in September that they passed the talent portion of their application through their summer work and did not need to audition further. Their admission was still contingent on being admitted to NYU academically. Luckily we were in a good place since D had 2130 SAT and 98 gpa. But academics DID count. One young man, extremely talented, did not get in due too poor academics. He attended Temple for undergrad, did well, and was accepted (non audition) to NYU Steinhardt for his MA in VP with a huge scholarship.
Believe me, with NYU as D’s top choice, I was doing the happy dance-- especially when she got a merit scholarship.
Not sure whether this is still NYU’s policy.
@uskoolfish - no idea about steinhardt - but it is NOT how Tisch works. D did their summer program, no early admits from that (that I know of- and a solid number of the summer kids ended up at NYU and continue to be friends of D’a to this day. )