<p>@vvnstar, I don’t disagree though they do not have to be mutually exclusive. My daughter did do her 6 week intensive training the summer before her junior year of HS which personally I think is ideal but she could have still done it the following year and done her college preparation at the same time. In fact the program she did also included a section on college audition prep. </p>
<p>Practically speaking, it’s pretty common for rising senior thespians to also be in shows the summer before senior year and awfully hard to tell them not to if that’s what they have always done. Depending on the length of the run and the role, it can be just as time consuming an extra thing to do as a 6 week intensive so if they think they could do a show and still prepare, chances are they could also do an intensive training instead AND get their apps and audition material started that summer. </p>
<p>My D did it - 2 different 3 week intensives - plus a 1 week dance intensive - plus her usual Varsity Dance Team summer practice commitment (6-8 hours a week) and she got all her apps and prescreens in by November 1. So they do not have to be mutually exclusive. Were September and October off the hook insane for us? Yes… but I wouldn’t change it. </p>
<p>While there are common things about this process that we all experience - the timing for (or doing at all) a summer intensive - or outside shows - or doing your senior shows or not - or competing with your dance studio or not your senior year - or keeping up a varsity sport your senior year - all these things are individual family decisions. There is no RIGHT or WRONG answer - it’s just looking at the options and looking at your kid - and figuring out what will work best for them - and for your family! :-)</p>
<p>We did one camp after freshman year, one after sophomore year, then concentrated on preparing for auditions with an audition coach the summer between junior and senior year. Most people can’t afford to do all of these things in the same summer - so my suggestion is, if time and funds are limited and you could only choose one thing to do, spend it on preparing for auditions if it is the summer before senior year.</p>
<p>My daughter still went to her six week summer theater program the summer before senior year (her junior year was her senior year since she graduated HS in 3 years). She did her audition prep and applications in the fall, AND was in a musical production a hour from our home all fall, on top of all her extracurriculars, such as dance, voice, piano, guitar, jazz band, etc. Also, created, produced, musically directed, choreographed and performed in an original musical revue right after the holidays. There were no prescreens, but she did make a video for NFAA YoungArts that fall too. </p>
<p>@soozievt - I think is fantastic that your daughter managed to juggle so many opportunities and responsibilities during her final year of High School. It certainly provided an anecdote to show a kid really can “do it all”. But I would encourage other parents to take careful stock. If being 100% busy 100% of the time is what works for you- great, but NO kid (or parent) should feel pressured or guilty because of what they are or are not doing their senior year. This is YOUR journey as a family, think, prioritize, and do what feels right to you. In the end the summer camp, or college program, or schools shows or outside shows, or even time spent with a coach may not matter in the audition room.</p>
<p>toowonderful, all you wrote in #24 is true! Everyone has to do what works best for THEM. I was just saying that most kids I know (and I do advise college applicants as my career) do the bulk of their applications and specific audition prep in the fall of senior year. And many are away in the summer before that (as was the case with my kid). For my kid, junior year was also her senior year and so she continued doing ALL her many activities, training, and shows, both in and out of school the entire year of the college admissions process. On top of that, we lived in a rural area and so the distances involved for every activity were long. It was a hectic life, for sure. She often got home later at night and still had homework, etc. And then I am not sure how she fit all the applications in but she did. I must admit, she seems to thrive on being super busy and almost doesn’t like NOT being busy. Her life ever since high school (college years in a BFA program and 5 years of professional life since then) have been like going 24/7 it seems. Not for all people. Anyway, I didn’t want people to think someone has to sit out the summer before senior year to do the college stuff because I just don’t think it is necessary, even though it makes for a very busy fall. Doing it in the fall of senior year is not “late.” </p>
<p>(what didn’t work out too nicely for my kid was that after a very hectic fall and winter between college admissions, 8 campus auditions, being in various shows all year, etc., one week after the final college audition in March, my kid was very seriously injured in a car accident and hospitalized, had surgery and a very long recovery and so she was out of the rest of her activities and performances for the remainder of the school year and so I am glad she got to do what she got to do earlier in the school year…she went from being super booked up in her life, to super laid up for a long while)</p>
<p>I was just saying if you can only do one thing the summer before senior year because of time , budget or whatever - I think it is best to work on preparing for audition season. Others may disagree, but if I were prioritizing, I think it would be best to be well prepared for auditions and not worry as much about shows, camps etc… Great if you can do it all as some of you have. But for many that is not possible. And for them, my recommendation would be spend the time and $ on getting well prepared for auditions. </p>
<p>@annie43 I certainly don’t think you’d be throwing your money away! I know that you’re asking whether or not it helps with admittance, but I think summer programs are a great experience for other reasons. </p>
<p>My daughter attended a summer program for two years and I’m so glad that she did for some of the reasons that others mention, but one that they haven’t (at least I didn’t see it mentioned in my quick scanning of posts) . . . . One important benefit of attending a summer MT program was that it helped her find out how she stacked up against other girls she’d be auditioning with for college programs. It was eye-opening and motivating for her. For my daughter, that first summer stoked the fire that was already burning. </p>
<p>Another unexpected benefit is that she kept running into those same summer camp friends she made during audition season. It was like a homecoming every time she saw them. It helped lighten the atmosphere and gave her something to look forward to. </p>
<p>I say, “Go for it!” My daughter was admitted into the university where she attended the summer program, but lots of other kids were not admitted. On the other hand, lots of kid who DIDN’T attend the program were accepted. One thing I learned through this process is that there’s not a whole lot that one CAN predict. Best of luck! </p>
<p>@kksmom5 - I agree with you that one of the benefits of a summer program (camp of college based) is meeting kids from all over- which can be an eye opener for kids with “big fish” syndrome. And, I also agree with your point about knowing kids at auditions- I think D ran into someone she knew at every campus audition, and more than once at unifieds too. It helped lighten the load- although there was one audition where she ran into a summer “fling” that had not ended well…that one was awkward :)</p>
One thing I learned through this process is that there’s not a whole lot that one CAN predict.