@ParachuteBoy - My D’s boyfriend broke up with her the day before her first audition during her audition year (13/14). I wanted to strangle him! Congrats to you on making it through - it’s a huge deal that you did it all on your own! You should be very proud… that kind of determination and perseverance will serve you well in the future!
Thank you! Yes that sounds like very inconvient timing. For me it was in the middle of planing for Prom too but I suppose there’s never really a good time. I agree this is good practice of organizational/ self managing skills I’ll need for the future. The college application process is definitely a good springboard to the future.
Wow, @ParachuteBoy , fantastic job handling all of this and coming through on the other side with a great attitude! That’s so impressive!
Congrats @ParachuteBoy … I have enjoyed reading your journey & best of luck to you !!
I am always alway ALWAYS soooooo impressed with kids who do this on their own. As hard as it was, believe me, that accomplishment alone will give you a big leg up.
Thank you! I definitely don’t reccomend anyone voluntarily go through this process unless it really is what you want. I have friends that are majoring in PolySci, Edu, etc and they all applied to a few schools last fall and heard back from all by the new year and have had everything figured out for awhile. I wish I would’ve been satisfied with a different major or career but I do feel a sense of accomplishment now. But as other Theatr people have said, don’t do this unless you know you have too.
I hope I can help other people next year with this process. I’m happy seeing a lot of younger people having a determined, ambitious mindset to take down this process.
@kategrizz Thanks so much, he did find his fit. It was not where I thought we’d be last year at this time, but he is super happy so I am too.
@myloves Thanks, it has been great getting to know you and your daughter too, and I’m so glad she ended up at a place you both love so much. I hope next year at this time I feel as good about my S choice as you do about hers!
@ParachuteBoy I am impressed you did all of this on your own. I followed your journey… I was wondering where you were going to end up… thank you for updating!!
Big Congratulations!!
Congrats @ParachuteBoy!! I too, have been following your journey and as a mom have “worried” for you and everything you had to deal with on your own. But you know what? I truly believe that if you can pull this off by yourself and overcome the obstacles/stress/ setbacks as you have, YOU can do ANYTHING! YOU GO BOY!!
Yaaaay to you @ParachuteBoy! So glad you found the program you like at a feasible cost. I’ve enjoyed your posts and attitude and am sure you will do very well.
@ParachuteBoy - so happy for you!!! I have also been following your journey and wishing you well along the way. Your independence and perseverance have been an inspiration!
@ParachuteBoy - SO glad to see this! When we originally heard from UWSP I was praying hardcore that you would hear from them as well, as I knew it was a top choice for you. While my D won’t be attending UWSP (she felt so bad telling them no!), I am so thrilled that you are landing there! :D/
Another mom here cheering for you @ParachuteBoy! So happy for you!!! 
Thank you everyone! I knew I had posted some what frequently here, but I had no idea people were that interested in following my journey. I’m glad I can now do all the normal college things like finding a roomate, wearing apparel, and start paying deposits.
YAY!!! I have been checking every day or so to see if you had an update! U of Wisconsin/SP is very lucky to have you!!
So happy for you!
=D>
Excited and relieved to finally be able to post D’s decision!
Applied To: Ithaca, Boston Conservatory, Pace, NYU-Tisch, Oklahoma City University, Webster, Otterbein, Ball State, Hartt, MaryMount Manhattan, CCPA (Roosevelt), UW- Steven’s Point, Columbia College Chicago
Academically accepted at all schools where separate from Artistic
Dropped MaryMount Manhattan and Columbia College Chicago from list due to audition scheduling conflicts.
Prescreens: Ithaca, Pace, Otterbein (passed all)
Redirected: Oklahoma City University (BA-Music)
Waitlisted: Ball State, UW - Steven’s Point
Accepted: Otterbein, Hartt
Audition Coach: None
Summer Programs: None
Training:
Voice: 6 Years Private Study, 4 Years in Opera training program
Acting: Voice coach gave advice on monologues but no formal acting training or coach
Dance: Drop-in classes in Tap, Lyrical and Jazz as schedule permitted over past 3 Years
Background:
D fell in love with MT after doing her first show in Middle School. She spent the next 3 years performing with a wonderful children’s theater in our area, and continued to participate in her school shows.
When it came time for High School we discussed the PA school in the area. However, the academic reputation was iffy, and she didn’t want to get up at 5:00am to deal with the 1.5 hr public bus ride, with 3 transfers, to get there. So she ended up at the local Public HS. With the transition to HS (honors IB) she had to cut back on her outside theater. Luckily her school, while it doesn’t have a strong theater program, does put on several shows a year and she quickly became involved. She also found time to take a few dance classes. Freshman year she was invited to participate in an Opera training program which gave her a vocal challenge she wasn’t getting in her school choral programs. This was life for a couple years with a few community theater productions thrown in. Cut to Junior year and its time to start getting serious about college. We knew MT was an option but hadn’t really looked into the process. When I suggested other options like music education she informed me that “the thought of doing anything else makes me want to vomit”. Her voice teacher, and a few directors she’d worked with encouraged her.
As we started doing research we realized she was behind on training. It was too late for most college summer programs, so we started piecing together options. She took a Shakespeare intensive at the Guthrie in Minneapolis, attended a wonderful workshop taught by Betty Buckley, and spent 3 days a week in dance classes. We also quickly tried to get up to speed on the application/audition process, getting the list of schools together, and putting her audition package together.
After applications were in, auditions were scheduled, and we were able to take a breath and reflect D realized her school list wasn’t very balanced and there was a pretty good chance she’d get shut out. We talked, and rather than adding some non-audition programs to the list she determined she’d take a gap year if necessary.
Due to D’s school and performance schedule we weren’t able to visit schools or do on-campus auditions. So all auditions except OCU were in Chicago. In general she felt fine about the majority of her auditions. Some went better than others but she didn’t feel like any were a total disaster. Her opinion of some schools definitely changed based on the audition experience and a couple of her “top” choices she determined actually weren’t good fits. And a school she added at the last minute became one of her favorites.
Then came the results. As D was doing her hair and makeup for the last performance of her last high school musical the phone rang. It was Otterbein accepting her into their MT Program. So, just as one phase of her performing career was ending she learned that there was going to be a new phase. JOY. That didn’t last long though as a string of rejections arrived, including 2 within 5 minutes one afternoon. She was starting to think the Otterbein acceptance was a fluke. But then came the acceptance to Hartt, and waitlists for Ball State and UWSP, and relief that she now had options.
So after quick trips to Ohio and Connecticut it was time for a decision. It was harder than she thought. But that school she added at the last minute, which was her favorite audition. Where the current students really seemed like a family. Where the professors and even administrators seemed excited to have her there and were genuinely interested in her. The school that was the furthest thing from what she thought her dream school would be. That school turned out to be the best “Fit”
Final Decision: Otterbein University
Yay!!! Congratulations to you and your D, and welcome to the Otterbein family!!
Congrats @artsykidsmom’s D!! What a “perfect” story.
Congrats to all! I love hearing about everyone journey and where they all end up. And a special KUDOS to you, @ParachuteBoy, you are an amazing kid! I certainly can’t imagine my son doing everything you have done without outside help. I expect you will do very well in this field. Many kids have talent…but drive accounts as much, or maybe even more, than talent does. You evidently have both. Congratulations, again!!
Congrats to all !!! So excited for the fall to hear how is everyone is doing on this new journey!!!