@DramaQueen219 - at the Michigan info session (for Acting), they said if you made it this far (after the prescreen), the decision from that point would not be based on academics. It was audition and then resume/experience and the bring-along essay. Michigan is really competitive- after CMU- I think it’s the hardest to get into for MT. Plus, for MT- the prescreens were also talent based (my S didn’t pass that prescreen and he did pass their Acting one - his lack of dance I’m sure). Your daughter should feel complemented that she made it that far! Seriously!!The training and reputation is great there plus it has the quintessential college experience at a school that’s known as a state school “Ivy”.
Congratulations @HopeinMT! Hope to meet you in Boston!
I only posted here a few times, but here goes…
Background: My story is a bit odd, but that seems to be a common theme around here. I’m currently in the winding down of a gap year! I decided at the beginning of my senior year of hs that I wanted to take a gap year to prepare for college auditions…for piano. I thought for a long time that I wanted to be a piano performance major. However, a little bit into my gap year I discovered that I did not want to sit alone in a practice room for the rest of my life, watching the rest of the world go by. So I thought about the only other thing in the world I ever felt good at, acting. I decided that if I was going to try this, I was going to go in hard, go big or go home right? So, I hired an acting coach who helped all of my actor friends get into schools. And well, the rest is history.
Programs Applied to: Juilliard, UNCSA, DePaul, SUNY Purchase, UMinn/Guthrie, Otterbein, Webster
Prescreens: DePaul (not passed), Otterbein (passed)
Accepted to: SUNY Purchase, UMinn/Guthrie, Otterbein
Rejected: Juilliard (didn’t make it past first cut), UNCSA, DePaul, Webster
Waitlisted: None (I don’t know how I got so lucky)
Background: Large Public HS (graduating class was a little over 1000), semi-well funded drama department
Summer Programs: None
Final Decision: SUNY Purchase (BFA Acting)
It’s funny because I only auditioned for Purchase because I had just gotten done with my UMinn/Guthrie audition and Purchase was across the hall and there was a sign saying they were open for walk-ins. So I moseyed on over, waited a bit and auditioned for the faculty. The first thing they did was sit me down and talk to me. I had come from doing Juilliard, where if you don’t pass the first cut they don’t even talk to you, and UMinn where they have so many people auditioning that they don’t have the time to hold a super long conversation (which is nothing against the schools, they’re busy I get that). But the faculty at Purchase talked to me like normal people. They asked me about my gap year and I ended up telling them about how I intended to originally go to school for piano. They said that I was the 2nd person that day to say the same thing, which gave me a good chuckle. The thing that sold me was that I didn’t feel at one moment during that audition that I had to be anything more than just myself doing my best work. And more than that, that a school of that caliber took my story, of a guy who has much less of an artistic pedigree than so many other talented people and also not the most desirable story, and they said yes, this is the person we want here. To me that was really special.
I realized after my acceptances that I really put myself in a corner because all the schools I auditioned for are ridiculously hard to get into and I really didn’t have any backups. But it turned out all right in the end.
I guess I tell this story not for my pride, but just to say that for anyone auditioning, no matter what happens, your story is valid and you are enough.
@actingchops I think gap years are great, so much to learn about yourself…very impressive story! I love that each final story is so unique, and there’s not just one way to approach life’s journey.
@actingchops Congratulations on Purchase! it was a top on my S. List and the Director called to confirm acceptance yesterday. I think the faculty is amazing and one of my favorite actresses is actually a drama teacher there! Thanks for sharing your gap year experience. Many who are contemplating a gap year, will be glad that you did so 
@actingchops Beautiful post! Love Purchase. Congratulations and thank you for sharing. Well done!!!
Wow, @actingchops, congratulations! Your story is so inspiring: someone without years of training or experience, but a lot of talent and passion and commitment, getting into top schools! Fantastic!
@actingchops Wow, you really did go big and it paid off! I love hearing stories like yours with a unique path to success. Congrats!
Congratulations @actingchops! My D is a sophomore in the BFA Acting program and is thriving!
@actingchops - Thank you for sharing your story and Congratulations! I love this story. I love that you took a gap year and learned more about yourself. I love that you have another additional talent - piano - and that several top programs probably valued the combination of your artistry. I know my D would be thrilled to have someone in her program with real piano talent. The room for collaboration is always there. Of course there is no obligation. Anyway, thank you for chiming in and good luck at SUNY Purchase! You landed in a wonderful place, as others here can attest!
@Naevia …my son is graduating with a BFA from USC on May 11. It has been a great experience for him. He really wanted a BFA, but can now see how much he could have done in the BA track if that had been the way it worked out. He has many BA friends and they have worked together. Don’t hesitate to let me know if you have any questions. Congratulations to you and your son on his decision.
@MsMommy Thanks! And congratulations on your son’s upcoming graduation - so glad to hear USC was a great experience. I’ll definitely message you as questions arise.
My S has committed to CalArts! What a journey. What a year! May post more once my head stops swirling!
@frontrowmama YAY!!! I love CalArts and my S has a few classmates (finishing up freshman year) there! So happy for you all. You won’t have to travel far. They have a great program and he still gets to enjoy that beautiful Cali Weather
@frontrowmama - Congratulations! So glad for you and your S.
@actingchops - cool story. Good luck at Purchase!
Yay @frontrowmama CalArts is awesome!! And IN CA!! Lucky!! What a great ending for your S in this journey~
Congratulations, @frontrowmama!
@MomofJ5 Go Orange!! I agree that the boys seemed to be fast friends and it probably made everyone’s decision a little easier.
@HopeinMT Go Terriers!! My sister went to BU. She is a professional cellist. So we are BU hockey fans. I have some BU swag I would love to send you if you PM me your address (and have someone who might wear XL).
My D came off the waitlist to CalArts BFA Acting early this morning!!! She is over the moon - floating on air - beamingly happy!!! She visited 3 weeks ago, and absolutely loved it; a perfect fit! What a relief. And what a long, grueling process. The competition is astounding. I’ve watched as so many have posted similar announcements, and can hardley believe now it’s me posting this!
Thank you for this open forum of sharing (that I’ve mostly lurked in). And, congratulations to all, and I mean ANY one who participated in this process - no matter the end acceptances or no. The gap year was my D’s alternate decision, and she was really beginning to embrace that as a good option, too. It’s all about growing, and growing up- after all.