Ever since I was a freshman, I told myself I wouldn’t set my sights on one Musical Theatre program. I’ve known for ages how hard it is to get into a program and didn’t want to fall in love with a program for the fear of having my heart broken. I’ve done so well…
Now, here I am. January 30, 2020. Two weeks away from my last college audition. I made it so far, but I finally auditioned on campus at a school I’ve been eyeing for a while. After a lot of time of keeping this school as one of my favorites and trying not to get my hopes up, I stepped onto campus and had that feeling of “this feels like home” that everyone talks about. I’ve done almost 15 on campus tours/auditions and haven’t felt that feeling anywhere. After looking at this program for years, finally being there and auditioning was the point where it tipped and now I can’t get the school out of my mind. I’m in love with the campus, faculty, students, curriculum… everything. I’m actually panicking. I don’t know what to do. It has one of the lowest acceptance rates of any of these MT programs as well. I’m so lost and horrified. I’ve dealt with a lot of rejection before in the arts – it is part of auditioning. I just don’t know if I’ll be able to handle this one after finally feeling that it was perfect. What should I do? Please help if you have any suggestions… Thank you so much! 
Awww, I feel for you. Love is the toughest emotion to work through. I hope they see in you what you see in them!
However, if they make an error in judgment (and it is an error, because who wouldn’t want someone who adores them like you do?) There are some things you can do. Remember, much like in romantic relationships, you may have to compromise:
- Have you been accepted academically? If so, you could study something other than their BFA MT program. There are a world of theatre-related BA degrees that you might actually get more value out of. Go look through their programs again.
- If you're waitlisted, write them a letter telling them everything here and more. I've seen people accepted off the waitlist just because they reached out like that.
- Try again after Freshman year. Transfers are possible and they happen all the time! Bonus, if you get started at your second choice, you may find you totally love it, and you'll realize that the original number one school was just a silly crush.
- Apply there for your Masters program in four years. The school will be around for awhile, and you'll both be more mature when you shoot for this "relationship" again. :)
@mtAllDayEveryday - I wish you the best in getting into your beloved school! If it’s one of the tougher admits in MT-land it is a very tough admit indeed.
One thing that doesn’t get talked up enough here is that the work doesn’t end with MT acceptances - even DREAM schools aren’t always dreamy to attend. The MT kids are generally happy but they work really hard; they don’t get to take advantage of a lot of the dream aspects of the larger school. Also, the tougher the admit, the tougher the competition you’ll face in class. It’s not that the MT students aren’t a friendly, cohesive bunch it’s just you move up a weight class when you enter a BFA program. Performers who sailed through High School or Community theatre will find themselves in feeling they are “the worst” in school - it’s easy to feel that way because you’re expected to know so much as a MT student - you may rock Music Theory but find yourself outclassed in Dance … or vice versa. The auditors know this - they see SO many performers and they don’t just choose the ones they love - or the ones who love them - they choose the performers they feel will thrive best in their program.
I strongly urge you to wait until acceptances are done and if your acceptances don’t include Dream School rather than saying “I didn’t get into X, how can I cope?” think about the fact that the colleges who accepted you think you’re a fit for their program right now and the admissions folks at those schools are paid to know who will thrive there. Take another look at those schools and see if you can’t see how you fit in and how that program can work for you. Many students do not get into their first loves in this process - and it can be heartbreaking - but they learn to love the schools that loved them first and, based on what I have seen, they definitely bloom where the audition process planted them.
You’re awesomeeee. Thank you for writing all of that We’ll all get through this.
Oh my goodness, this is so so helpful. Thank you so much!
I feel certain that you, or any student, can be happy and thrive at more than one particular school. Keep that in mind. Try to find things you love about several schools. Once the process is over and once you are at college next fall, none of this will really matter.
@mtAllDayEveryday , I hope you get into your dream school!
I also want to second what soozievt said. My daughter, too, had a “dream school.” She had set her sights on it freshman year of high school when we first started researching programs - everything about it was exactly what she wanted. When we visited and toured it, she felt “home”, and everything she heard in the info session made her love it even more.
And then…she didn’t get in. She was devastated. It was such a hard time. Once all her acceptances were in, we discussed her choices, visited them, and she reluctantly chose the one that seemed the best fit from her options…but she was still mourning the dream school. It took a long time for her to get over the disappointment.
BUT…once she was settled in at her college, and made friends, and got immersed in the program, THAT became “home” and she ended up loving it. She’s a sophomore now and having a wonderful college experience, getting excellent training and having fun and making memories.
So I truly hope you get into your dream school! But I also want to reassure you that there are other fish in the sea and that you can still be happy at a college even if it’s not the dream school. (But I hope you get in!)
Thank you so much! I appreciate the story and the support!! 
I appreciate all these responses because my daughter also visited the campus of her dream school and fell in love and keeps saying she “has a feeling” it’s going to be the one which is terrifying for me knowing the odds. Thanks to @mtAllDayEveryday for your brave share, and all you helpful parents. I really am hoping the best for all these kids. It’s a grueling process that requires a lot of heart and a lot of courage.