<p>I wrote this post and when I went to post it, CC went down and so it is a bit out of sequence now. I think you (Karenteic) got fantastic responses and I agree with all that was said by the other members. Here is what I had written before CC went down (actually this is my third try as CC went down each time I tried this!):</p>
<p>NMR....let me clarify that I am not tech savvy and actually have never created a spreadsheet myself. I forget what we did for the oldest child but it likely was what was created for the younger one which was a chart that must have been made on Word. Now, many of my clients create the chart as a spreadsheet on Excel and that is even better. I give them a list of everything to put down the left side of the chart and then put the schools across the top. However, like you, I also have had my kids (and students) have a file folder for each school where everything is kept and copies of everything that was sent is also kept. Still, having a master chart of all dates and record keeping for all schools at one glance works well too in addition to the individual folders. I guess I am into the total organizational aspect! LOL </p>
<p>Karen...I am truly sorry you went through this. To tell ya the truth, lots of my students have had things happen such as a school never receiving the appliction or transcript, even though it was sent. It can be so frustrating! But massive paperwork is involved from thousands of students and I guess it is bound to happen. Of course, if it happens to yourself, it is very disappointing. Not everything can be avoided but I do think checking up with every school after things are sent is a good thing to do because nobody cares about your process as much as yourself. I am mentioning that here only because so many will read these posts and so might as well have newcomers learn from these experiences. As frustrating as your situation is, it is fairly common. Again, thankfully the fact that the application was missing at admissions did not impact your D's BFA decision as that would have been far worse. </p>
<p>I know nothing about your D. But I do know about the BFA in MT process and even for those with outstanding talent and qualifications, there will be some rejections in this process. Usually, if a student is in the ballpark talent wise and academic wise AND has a well balanced and appropriate list, they will get in SOME where. If someone has no acceptances at all, either their list was not well balanced or appropriate for them or they may not yet have acquired the skills necessary for these highly selective programs. The RIGHT list is crucial. </p>
<p>But anyway, all that said, the fact that your D has started with four denials, may NOT be indicative of her final results and all that matters is the final results. My own kid started with a deferral and a denial and it was all positive after that. I have a student who started with a few denials and is now accepted to Tisch and waiting for some others. Had these kids taken the initial denials to equate with not being successful in the admissions process, it would have been an inaccurate assessment because in the end, they were successful in it. So, rejections go with the territory of the BFA admissions process. It is a lot nicer to START with an acceptance but if you start with some rejections, it need not imply you won't get into other programs. It is not a contest as far as how many you get into. You can only attend one. I know someone who got in early in the season into a very well regarded program talked about here a lot and has gotten several denials since then. But she has a great program to attend and that is all that matters. Having a choice is always nice, but if you apply to only schools you like for one reason or another, you can't lose. Getting into a favorite is ideal but is not that common. What is also important is to have BA back ups. These can be really GREAT schools. </p>
<p>While everyone is in the thick of admissions ANGST, I can tell you it does subside once the process is over. You can only attend one school and most do get into one school (even if not a BFA school) and usually end up quite happy in college and this admissions angst is long gone. Truly. I don't know your child and if she is competitive for this process but I wouldn't rush to judge her final outcome based on just four results so far. I do hope she has a BA on the list that she likes and that is an academic safety as well. If things do not work out favorably, all is not lost. It will be disappointing but not the end all and be all. She'll regroup. This is but one step on a journey. Things work out in one way or another...maybe not as initially planned but they do work out. I will be hopeful for your daughter as well as all who wait. I am a mom and I know how we all just want our kids to be happy. This process is overwhelming as we can't control how it will turn out for our kids. But we're there for them and will help them through whatever comes their way and work things out with them. It's going to be all right.</p>
<p>PS...enjoy that K performance! Those moments are precious and who knows what your little one will want to do when she is older.</p>