<p>You wrote:
"To Soozievt
Congrats to your daughter on all her achievements. I was just wondering if she's been rejected from any of her colleges and, if so, how she felt about it after getting so much positive news. Also, God bless for a complete recovery."</p>
<p>Thank you for your good wishes. She is doing really well. It is one step at a time but thankfully involves a full recovery. </p>
<p>To answer your question, she has been rejected from one college so far. You asked what that felt like after getting so much positive news. Well, it did not happen in THAT order! In fact, I think a rejection is a lot easier AFTER having an acceptance(s) in hand. For her, the first college she heard from was in December with Early Action. That letter had a decision in it that we had no idea even existed. She was accepted to the college but deferred for the BFA until they completed all the auditions (expecting to hear on that part on April 1). That was an odd experience because she got the fat envelope with all the congratulatory papers inside until we discovered she was not yet in the BFA program until spring decisions. So, while that was not a totally negative thing and supposedly they take 50% off this pile she is now on and that left hope, it was not exactly the same as being admitted to the BFA (being admitted to the college was not that big of a deal considering she would only go if in the BFA program). So, she started out with that decision. Then she got rejected to one of her favorite programs. So, that was disappointing but she never dwelled on it and got over it within minutes. She decided to not get her heart set on any one particular program but to explore them all and see what she liked about each. She could tell how difficult the odds of admission is at all of her programs and so to make sure she liked each one. Once she sees where she gets in, then she can decide. She is not in a mode of "it must be X college or bust". Then came four acceptances with scholarships. Even after one came, she was happy as punch. When two came, she felt fortunate to have a choice. Now, she is waiting on the rest of the decision from the first school (that accepted her but deferred on the BFA) and from two more colleges' BFA programs. While she would love to get into these, she can only go to one of course. With acceptances in hand, I know that a rejection is not going to feel as worse as when starting out with a rejection. But even though she did start with that, she knew what this process would involve and does not get bent out of shape if she does not get in some place. Being rejected when a program takes 5% and takes so few numbers totally is not a testament to one's talents (hope all you kids out there remember that!). When you are dealing with very selective admissions and a subjective process to boot, you are going to have some talented kids who don't get admitted. They are also building a small group of students and you may or may not fill a slot/need in that group. I have seen some very talented kids get rejected at X college and then get into Y college when Y college is often viewed as way more "competitive". It is the nature of the "beast". I think if you are skilled at this and have that drive and passion, you will get in somewhere and succeed. While it is nice to get many acceptances and to get a choice, you can only go to one school so you only need to get into one. And even if you don't get into one, there are other ways of pursuing this field. My feeling is that next year at this time, each of the kids on here (of this year's current crop of seniors) will be happy wherever they are. It all turns out in the end. Keep the faith and hang in there. </p>
<p>Thanks for your encouragement. As posted earlier, my dd decided to audition at only place and was very hurt and disappointed when it didn't work out for her. However, she's very happy after speaking with other students in the BA program, and I know she'll succeed. </p>
<p>I totally agree with all the subjectiveness and that students (and parents) shouldn't get very bent out of shape when things don't work out the way we wanted. Last summer my dd auditioned for a local dinner production of "Footloose". My dd is an ingenue "type" and a strong soprano, but doesn't have the "Footloose" sound. We knew it going into the audition, but she wanted to try anyway. To make a long story short, not only was she rejected from the show, but the producer/director told her she had no talent and "would never make it in this business". Well, needless to say, that's a pretty devastating comment especially for a 17 yo. To make a long story short, two weeks after that audition, we traveled 150 miles and auditioned at another dinner theater for their production of "A Chorus Line", where my dd was cast as one of the cut dancers, but understudied Judy. As things would have it, the girl cast as Judy was hurt the first week of performances and my dd got to open the show, performed 8 times, and made herself quite a name at this theater for her professionalism and dedication to the role, even though she was an understudy. It was the best thing that could have happened to her. So much so, that she went back to the local dinner theater for their auditions for "Showboat" and was told by the SAME producer/director, how talented she was and "what a voice for a 17 yo". Apparently this guy believes in being tunnelled vision at every audition, and, while my dd was not the right "type" for "Footloose", was perfect for "Showboat". She turned it down, however, since she knew going into the audition she wouldn't be able to do it because of school commitments, but she wanted to know for sure if the "talent was there".</p>
<p>Anyway, sorry this is so long, but I'm convinced if you're dedicated and work hard there IS a place for everybody.</p>
<p>Again, best wishes to your daughter and may she continue to recover.</p>
<p>midgetmom, we understand where you are. same here as far as only auditioning at one school. we live in texas and my d did not want to go so far east to school, or to florida so we chose ocu and that was our only audition. same thing, she did not get in and yes, that is really hard when you don't have acceptances other places. lauren did get invited into their theatre performance department and plans to pursue that while adding mt classes. she also plans to continue to audition for the mt program next year. and i also understand the questions you get in your mind about their talent. when you get those rejection letters, they just start to question their own abilities. and you feel that you need to defend their talent, even on this forum. but, we just all have to hang on to that knowledge of their gift and know that there is a plan. have you said where your d is going to school? and best wishes to you. jamie</p>
<p>I have to admit that when I started lurking on this forum and read about everybody's successes, especially in light of my own daughter's disappointments, it was pretty difficult to handle. But, after re-reading all the posts I'm convinced this group of people are just wanting the best for their children and get excited over acceptances, especially when the percentages are so intimidating. It's also been very eye-opening. This business is extremely cruel, but attainable to those who want it the most. </p>
<p>God bless to each and every one of us whose children either "made it" or "had to settle". In the long run, every one of these kids will end up happy. God doesn't make mistakes.</p>
<p>Midgetmom,
I think you are right in your observations that everyone on this thread only wishes the best for his/her child in this very tenuous process and in light of the very small percentages who are accepted into each MT program. I would also add that most on this forum also wish the best for each and every student out there auditioning as only those who have gone through this can understand how difficult it truly is. In regard to being intimidated as the acceptances are rolling in, I also began second guessing my own d's decision to cancel remaining auditions after an MT acceptance she was very happy with. I started questioning whether my d had the talent, etc, etc. to get into the programs she had originally applied to and that have been frequently mentioned by those now receiving good news. I had to step back and remember that each one of the children auditioning for the various programs comes in with various experiences and opportunities, and that each one is unique in their talents and abilities, and that all programs are not right for everyone. A rejection (and my d did receive 2) in no way signifies a lack of talent. I, too, strongly believe that each one will end up where he or she is supposed to be, when it is all said and done. As to your comment about "making it" or "having to settle"...don't ever believe that going the BA theatre route is "settling." If your d wants an MT career and is driven and focused, there are many ways to get there...the road less traveled is not necessarily the wrong direction to go. Best of luck!
Lexasmom</p>
<p>MidgetMom, I know this sounds weird but I think I know you from a different forum we both participate on (but I could be wrong). Your daughter's story with regard to the dinner theater and those inappropriate remarks from the director and also the understudy role in Chorus Line ring so familiar to me. I don't want to mention my daughter's name here or yours (though we both do on this other forum) but you have two daughters, as I do, and you live in FL and I live in VT. If I am wrong, forgive me. That said, if you ARE that same mom with whom I have communicated on that forum over the years, your daughter has obvious talent and has done a lot of shows and is successful. There are lots of ways to measure success. Further, there are lots of ways to make it in this field. Also, a BA is an appropriate degree program for many kids, just a different avenue. </p>
<p>When my kid got into this college audition process, I always believed in her talents and abilities. Even so, I had lots of doubts as to if she could get into very many schools because of the odds and the small numbers accepted. Naturally there are more talented kids out there than slots available. I knew that if she was not accepted some place, that it was not a commentary as to if she was "good enough". I know super talented kids who have been rejected at some schools and gotten into others so you can't take each college decision overly personal. I have an 18 year old daughter who applied to highly selective colleges (NOT for musical theater) last year and I knew the odds were very difficult and so that she was not gonna get them all. She fared successfully and is very happy where she is at now. I know there is a happy ending in sight for these kids. Try not to get too caught up with the fact that this or that kid got into five schools and someone else got into one. You only need one and that one needs to fit your child's desires and needs. It is not a contest. I had hestitated to even post of any acceptances and for a long while my daughter did not want me to do that here. The only reason I did was because I have participated on this forum for a few years and everyone was openly sharing about these decisions and it was odd to all of a sudden keep quiet at this juncture when folks were asking. But I am also cognizant of how hard it is for some to read that some kid got a few acceptances and so forth. But I do believe each kid on here WILL end up some place and that place will work for them. Because it is the PERSON who makes it, not the school they attended. If you have talent, drive, passion, work hard, and so forth, you will make it. I am sure your daughter is on her way. I recall your story about that director and I recall the discussion on that other forum and every parent on that forum felt that the director did not handle your daughter in a professional manner. He could have given her constructive feedback as to what she could work on but not have said what he did. I am glad your daughter kept at it and proved herself successful on the next audition. This is a difficult "business" which involves lots of rejections. A person must go into it being able to keep their eyes on the long term goal and not break down with each rejection. My child has been successful in local auditions but had her eyes opened more broadly when she has auditioned in NYC for the big things and she knew from that experience, that you have to go in not expecting to be cast but to realize the odds and just keep at it. BFA college auditions are a little like that. And then once they get out of college, it will be more of the same. Believe in yourself....keep training.....keep doing performances at any level....and reach for your goals. I know your daughter is on her way. The less "comparisons" made, the better. Stay the course, she'll be fine.</p>
<p>I am so glad you posted your concerns, because deep down I think a lot of us non theater moms have the same concerns. It is a tough business and I think even tougher for those of us who have no idea what we are doing.</p>
<p>I think your daughter is going to get the best of all worlds. She will be able to study theater as well as dabble in other subjects. When she graduates she will have a wealth of knowledge to help her develop characters. </p>
<p>I went to a small Liberal Arts college (I don't even think they had a theater major). We did have some sort of theater program (whether it was a minor or extra curricular, I don't know because it just wasn't something I was interested in.) However, some the kids that I saw in shows have gone on to become pretty successful on soaps, TV, Broadway and movies.</p>
<p>OK, so i just added Northwestern to my list of acceptances...any feedback on the program. You don't audition into it initially ( all based off of grades and test scores) but then you have to audition for the MT track after freshman year. It is a BS in communication with a conservatoryesque atmosphere...I am still waiting to hear from Mich, CMU, and USC but was curious about this school and what any of you have heard?</p>
<p>I am a "lurker" mom who owes all of you an incredible debt of gratitude for sustaining me through the process of my daughter's BFA auditions. Like so many of you have admitted in response to Midgetmom, I have had many moments of doubt as my D collected several rejections, then a wait list, before finally getting two acceptances last week (still waiting on two others). I thought I'd share what my D told me at the beginning of the process. She said, "Mommy, I know this is very difficult for you because you are a researcher and you look at the numbers and the statistics and feel like it's virtually impossible to succeed on this route. But I could walk into an audition and they could just see something they like." She knew how capricious this whole process can be. Has that kept me from agonizing over every audition (did they give her feedback? did they just listen to the monologues, ask a few questions, and say thank you? did they keep her for too short a time?)? Not on your life. But I agree with all of you that our children can teach us a lot in this process. Just last week, my D told us, "I think this is harder for you and Daddy than for me. I came home and found Daddy staring at the phone, willing it to ring"! Good luck to everyone in this (hopefully) final week of waiting. If you get really anxious, try what I did and read "The Tao of Pooh"!</p>
<p>Wow!!! What a lot of heartfelt answers and responses. Thanks to everybody.</p>
<p>Well, the saga continues. My dd auditioned for the one college I know of that has callback auditions. She was called back and was thrilled about that, but, again, ended up getting rejected in the end. She then decided she would major in musical theater and minor in dance. Well, we found out today that she'll have to audition again for the dance minor, even though she was seen twice already by the same set of judges. </p>
<p>Is this crazy or what? What more could they possibly want from anybody when they've seen them twice already?</p>
<p>cadget03 - Northwestern - We visited there and were very impressed by both the university and the campus; however, since my S really wants MT, he probably will not apply. If I remember the statistics correctly, they take about 80 or 90 into the theatre major a year. After the first and second years of either theatre or music, one can audition for the MT program. They take into MT 15 from theatre and 15 from music (I assume this is vocal performance, but we weren't talking to the music dept.). The odds are terrible for getting into MT, and you have already spent a year there. Also, they only give need-based money - no academic and no talent scholarships. Otherwise, it appears to be fabulous if you just want a drama or theatre program. I read about their graduates being in shows all the time. We know 2 students in theatre there - one is happy and has been able to perform in many shows there (and didn't try for MT). The other has not been as happy, tried for MT and didn't get it, and has only been in one show that I know if in the 2 years she has been there. Good luck - and congrat's on getting in academically.</p>
<p>Cadget...I just found out today from DB that you got into NU-congrats! Although, I'm secretly (not so secretly) hoping you don't go there since its my number one choice and I was waitlisted. I was there about a month ago and know a lot about the program, so give me a call, and I can answer any questions you need! I miss you!!</p>
<p>While my daughter is confined to a hospital bed in our living room, she just got some happy medicine. She got her acceptance to Tisch officially in the mail today though she knew she was getting in last week when she got the invite to Saturday in the Square and also the notice that she was selected as a University Scholar. However, she just found out she received a $20,000 Trustee's Scholarship (surely helps for this expensive college!~) and I called to ask her studio and they said that the studio placements are being decided and being mailed out on Friday but she would check if my daughter's is complete and she got into Cap21 which was a happy moment, shared by a lifelong friend who is visiting her at the moment. Good news that came at a nice time ;-). She is waiting on a few more schools and will decide where she wishes to go, but this particular one is one she had thought about when she was younger and it was nice to see her have something positive happen in her life right about now given her ordeal and recovery! </p>
<p>Hi. Our daughter has been accepted to U Mich MT BFA program! She received the phone call last Friday. Still waiting for the official letter. She is excited, and we really want to hear if there will be a merit award as the out of state tuition is high. Has anyone else been accepted, and planning to go,besides MIKELTON? I guess the letters are going out this week- no later than today (Wed.)</p>
<p>WOW! That is FABULOUS!! If there's any chance your d doesn't go to NYU, can we have the $20K? :) lol. We can use it! Let us know what you decide; I'd love to meet up with you two if your d decides to go there. I just heard that 2 of the leads in All Shook Up are NYU grads; one of them teaches at CAP21. I didn't see it, but it got great reviews. Can you tell I'm pulling for your d to go there? (Although I really DO want your $20K.....) hee hee</p>
<p>Thanks a lot Kaysmom. We are still waiting for CMU- they said her letter went out Monday. She is currently considering Mich, Penn State and B-W, each so awesome in their own right, so we are very proud of her, and she is fortunate to have these choices. I am very proud of all the kids and families posting here- everyone is trying to find the best fit and doing their careful research about the programs. SoozeVT- amazing for your D, that NYU Tisch award. Also amazingly great about the poster accepted to Northwestern.</p>
<p>Rossji, Thank you ever so much! Believe me, the $20,000 is needed here too. I had thought her other college scholarships looked sweet but this one is even more (though the college costs more). The University Scholar also has some very neat perks for the student. </p>
<p>ILMomSk....Wow, much congratulations go out to your daughter! Getting into UM is quite the accomplishment, as you know. It is a wonderful program. We don't know any girls who have gotten in yet, only rejected. But my D's close friend who is a male from FL got a call recently that he will be admitted and we are very excited for him and now for your daughter as well. Maybe she will be offered money, which helps. Fingers crossed on that. I had no idea these schools offered all these merit awards until my D got them and in fact, I had always heard that NYU does not give much so this is a lovely surprise. So maybe UM does too. The other ones all seem to be giving money so I'm hopeful that happens in your case too. But money or not, I hope your daughter enjoys this happy moment.</p>
<p>Ilmomsk, I don't think my daughter's CMU letter has gone out yet. I have not called since last week but at that time they said they predicted it might go out at the end of this week. On her ID page it does not mention it being mailed out yet. Does your D's page note that the letter was mailed? Some kids on the CMU forum mention that their page noted the mailing when it happened. I know the actual decision does not go up for about three days until after the mail is sent. Most we know have yet to hear from CMU either. Good luck to your daughter on that one but as you know, she already has three very fine choices. My D also has gotten into PSU like your daughter and that seemed like a really great program as well. Can't go wrong!</p>
<p>I simply don't know Baldwin Wallace so not diminishing that one for sure!
Susan</p>