<p>I know you have to get your completed application in to most schools before they will give you an audition date, but I'm confused as to how early you're supposed to do that. S will be taking the SAT on Oct 6 and the ACT on Oct 29, but we don't have to wait until then, right? Most schools will not be looking at the application until after January - and after the audition - and by then the scores will be in their hands.</p>
<p>I am mostly concerned about getting the transcript sent to each college, so that the application will be "complete" and we can get an audition date. Our high school has a habit of sending transcripts/letters of recommendations the last week of December, unless you are doing early decision, so I want to be sure that S explains this to his guidance counselor (with a follow-up email from me). </p>
<p>What date should we shoot for to get the applications in? I know this is going to be difficult to explain to the guidance office. We use Naviance, and they love for us to use the checklist. If a college lists their application date as January 1, the school doesn't think they have to send anything until December. </p>
<p><strong>sigh</strong> I went to Staples yesterday and bought the big calendar and the colored pens . . .</p>
<p>It really depends on the school. Some schools let me schedule my audition whenever I wanted, some made me wait to turn in my application. What I found - and I wish I could remember which schools specifically, sorry! - was that all they needed was the APPLICATION (like essays, etc.) to let you apply for an audition, and they let other stuff (letters, transcripts) come in later. However, just to be safe I had a meeting with my counselor at the beginning of the year because my school is the same way with the end of December/use of Naviance policy, and basically she put me down as an early decision candidate so everything was in by Nov. 1st. That’s usually the best compromise because they just lump you in with all the other early decision letters, etc. so that’s what I would shoot for. But definitely stay on top of which schools let you schedule when - UCLA for instance wouldn’t let you schedule until January no matter what, but I think I scheduled Ithaca all the way back in August, so it really really depends.</p>
<p>Check each of your schools. Many will let you schedule the audition before the application is complete, but may not actually allow you to audition until the application is complete. That is the way we work it where I teach. However, each school will have a different policy.</p>
<p>theatrehopeful’s advice to ask the guidance department to treat your S like an EA/ ED applicant is a great one.</p>
<p>On a side note… from your screen name it sounds like you may live in Marblehead? I lived there from the time I was 6 - 11…late 1970s/ early 1980s. We moved a lot when I was a kid… Coast Guard brat… my mom still says that is the one place we moved from where she cried when we left. I have great memories of living there. I went to Glover elementary school… K-5. :-)</p>
<p>What a riot! I work at Bell School! You will be sad to know that your Glover is being torn down next month, but it will be replaced by a brand-new school. Marblehead is a great little town, and we have been fortunate to raise our kids here.</p>
<p>Thank you both for your advice. I have been reading each school’s websites, but they are all so different. Some need the completed application, before they will send you a link that allows you to make a password so you can access a calendar that you will . . . bla bla bla! Maddening! But that is a good point that they may only mean the app has to be completed and not all the other stuff that goes with it. Also, I’ll check to see is we can schedule, as long as we have the app completed before the audition.</p>
<p>Marbleheader, once again we’re on the same page. Even when you know the general sequence of what-to-turn-in-when, that question about re-taking SATs seems tricky–and, naturally, our sons are in the same boat. (By the way, I’m pretty sure they are both in a recently posted group facebook picture from BUSTI–looks like they’re standing out on Comm Ave–check it out! mine’s on the far right). I’m thinking that if S is on the ball enough to get everything sent in before those October SAT scores are in, he can still have the College Board send the second set of scores when they’re done. Re: letters, our college counseling office is really good about letting referees know the specific deadlines, and S will also tell his teachers (ahem, I will make SURE he tells them) about how early everything is due. Our school uses Naviance also, and as an arts teacher, I write several rec’s each year–we get weekly reminders about whose letters are due early and exactly what the deadlines are. My colleagues and I actually really love the reminders–it’s an automatic e-mail, so nobody has to bug you in person–but I do ask students to check with me in person and send me a list of what letters are due when, just so we’re all on the same page.</p>
<p>I also agree re: the annoyingly different approaches taken by each school–the Common App is somewhat helpful but not a magic bullet. I have a binder going at this point, with a section for each school and a cover sheet detailing all of the application deadlines. It’s only July and those cover sheets are already filled with my scribbles (I didn’t go through this with my older kids, did you?). Also like you, I have already hit up Staples and have a dry-erase 4-month calendar (with another 3 months on the back!) and a set of incredibly tempting colored markers. Now to find an empty wall to keep it on… And speaking of calendars, I think we will need to schedule venting sessions for moms along with auditions for kids. Perhaps we can meet up at unifieds or something!</p>
<p>Aww… If I remember correctly the Glover School buildings seemed old when I went there from around '78 - '83, so new buildings are likely in order.</p>
<p>I am pretty sure I had friends in ballet and jazz classes that went to Bell. Small world indeed.</p>
<p>Back to regularly scheduled topic… it is difficult to keep all the different requirements and deadlines in order. The Staples supplies will be helpful for organization :-). If you cannot find the specific answer easily on the department websites, do not be shy about calling and asking. </p>
<p>Kat, are you part of the JMU theater visit days? My son and are planning to attend the August 17th session if we can wiggle out of school obligations. It looks like you guys have a great season planned–we hope to get to SubUrbia and others on the schedule (and yes, they are already marked on that giant calendar from Staples)!</p>