Final Decisions Background - Class of 2021

College Majors Musical Theater Major
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Molloy/CAP21, DeSales and LIU were her top MT acceptances and we began working on the finances. There were a few snafus. We had submitted freshman applications because she’d be starting over as a freshman in another BFA program. As a result, her financial aid awards were based on First-time Freshman status and she got full tuition at LIU and the highest honors scholarship at Molloy & DeSales. She didn’t hide the fact that she’d attended another university in the fall, it was listed on app, discussed in essay and her transcripts had been sent. But because we filed the “freshman” application (rather than the transfer one) they somehow didn’t see that she had attended another school.
By mid-March, the paper trail came together and the colleges labeled her “transfer-freshman”. (Yes, that’s a thing. And it’s a BIG thing.) Transfers are not eligible for those juicy scholarships. So those great scholarship disappeared to be replaced with “transfer scholarships.” Less than half the aid than originally offered. Suddenly, none of her MT acceptances were affordable without deep loans.

Then came acceptances from Temple & Point Park - but for Acting only. Temple’s scholarship was vey small and we’d have to pay out-of-state tuition so that program was quickly out of the running. Then the award letter from Point Park came and it included a nice academic honors scholarship, out of state grant, and a very large talent award. Financially Point Park was the best of show, but it was still much more expensive than any of the programs we budgeted for last year.

Next step: Financial Appeal letters. My D sent them off to LIU-Post, Molloy/CAP21, DeSales and Point Park. Two weeks went by. Finally responses. No additional money from Molloy or DeSales. Cross them off the list.

Point Park came back with a few thousand more $$. While this program was still more than I had planned to pay, the fact that they wanted her enough to sweeten the pot, spoke volumes. Only problem was it was for a BFA Acting - NOT MT.

LIU also came back with a few thousand more, but not completely bridging the gap between the original full scholarship and a less than half tuition transfer scholarship. Still, it was an MT BFA and offered the NYC location she really wanted. We decided we could probably manage the extra cost if she got an RA position second year.
So, it was time to schedule second visits. D spent a shadow day at LIU attending classes with current MT students. Dave Hugo & Cara Gargano spent over an hour meeting with her (and me) and sharing their vision for the program. D loved the classes and the fact that she could take as much dance as she wanted to and pick up a minor in something because BFA students can take unlimited credit hours at no extra charge. Even with all of this, she wasn’t sure LIU felt right to her.

Point Park had an “Experience” day in April so we went to that. D attended a couple of classes and thought they were excellent. She got her questions answered about whether she could take any voice or dance classes as an Acting major. The answers were yes and maybe (respectively). She loved the urban setting and the fact you could walk out your door into a city with plenty to do. But she was having a hard time thinking of herself as anything but an MT major. So, she went home more confused about what she wanted.

Well, not really. What she “wanted” was to have gotten accepted to the MT program at Point Park! Then another call with Troy and she found out that it’s possible for her to re-audition for the MT program after freshman year. (No guarantees.) Or, she could switch to the Performance BA with concentrations in Acting & MT – and with her transfer credits, she could graduate in 3 years with her original class of 2020!

FINAL DECISION: POINT PARK UNIVERSITY - Acting BFA

Even though her path has changed a bit and she’s not going into an MT BFA program, she knows that Point Park is a great program and she’ll have the chance to hone her acting skills and continue voice lessons and dance too. Still she didn’t feel the excitement and anticipation she was expecting. Then I gave her the Point Park COPA t-shirt & lanyard I had secretly purchased for her and she was thrilled! LOL! It made her feel like PPU was “her” college and I saw a smile on her face I hadn’t seen for a while. She’s even making connections with incoming students via Facebook & Instagram and has found a roommate already!

I’m hopeful for the coming year. I do believe that PPU is the best fit for her city-loving heart.

Epilogue:

Every time we’ve been to Point Park, the term “classy” came to mind. They know how to treat prospective students. Troy Centofanto exchanged multiple emails with me and my D and called her a few times to answer questions and let her know her options. He (and everyone) at Point Park never tried to “sell” their program – they were just genuinely interested in making sure my D found a program that fit her needs.

If she had been at her best for her original MT audition, she may have gotten accepted for that. But in retrospect, the Acting acceptance caused her to re-evaluate what she wants and she actually likes the acting concentration a lot. She may even decide to switch to a BA in performance with double minors. One of the things we both loved about Point Park was their flexibility and obvious willingness to focus on what is best for each individual student.

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@daughtersdreams Congratulations! I am so happy that your daughter hung in there and found her place! She is fortunate to have such support from you. I can’t imagine how hard it must have been to manage all of that!

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@daughtersdreams Congratulations! I am so happy that your daughter hung in there and found her place! She is fortunate to have such support from you. I can’t imagine how hard it must have been to manage all of that!

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Congrats to your daughter, @daughtersdreams. Welcome to Point Park. Go, Pioneers!

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I am so thrilled for your D, @daughtersdreams ! Your D’s journey last year-and your sharing it on CC-played a HUGE part in my D’s chosen path. I love how your D has several options still in play-the 3 year option, to re-audition for MT, etc. YAY!

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@daughtersdreams - Congratulations! You sure had a wild ride; I was on it with you for part of the way. I knew you had to cross Molloy/CAP 21 off your list, and was wondering where your D ended up…so happy for both of you that it worked out so well!

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Congrats, @daughtersdreams, and welcome to the Point Park family!

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Finally! I’ve been looking forward to doing this ever since I discovered CC junior year!

Sorry for the length!

APPLIED TO (mostly MT with a few BFA theatre performance): 18

ACCEPTED ARTISTICALLY: LIU Post, U Tampa, Muhlenberg (BA), Belmont (BFA Theatre Performance), U Memphis

WAITLISTED: American, Emerson

PRESCREENS:
Elon, Pace, MMC, NYU, Coastal Carolina (only passed MMC)

I recorded my first round of prescreens in September, and submitted those to Elon and CCU because those had the earliest deadlines. I hadn’t academically applied to either of these schools at that point, because I was waiting to see if I had any chance of getting into the MT major before applying. Rejected from both. Reevaluated my performances and song choices, and recorded a second round of prescreens. I only passed MMC for a regional ATL audition, which came at the PERFECT moment, because it made me think, “maybe I can do this.” But that Pace rejection definitely stung because it was my top choice at the time. All throughout junior year, I had researched and stalked Pace’s MT program. I followed people on instagram, I watched all the showcase videos, and when I visited, I was in love. However, I received my Pace rejection the same day as my MMC prescreen pass, and it was hard, but the happiness of receiving that MMC pass helped me get over that Pace rejection pretty quick. 

Belmont was my first, and one of my best audition experiences. It was my first one of the season, and my mom and I took a weekend trip down to Nashville. Definitely felt welcomed on campus, although the day was pretty chaotic because there were people auditioning for every music major, and MT was packed especially. At Unifieds I had scheduled auditions for Montclair State, Rider, and Emerson. I added Manhattan School of Music and LIU Post for MT walk ins. I had passed my prescreen for MMC for a regional audition in ATL, and that was my last audition. I added Tampa pretty late in the process, and I submitted a video on a whim. 

The hardest part of the whole process was not the rejections themselves, but the fear that I won’t be able to study what I want to. Everyone says that if you can’t handle rejection, you shouldn’t be in the business. That’s definitely true, but that’s the wrong thing to say to a kid whose getting rejected artistically from these colleges. That first stream of rejections was most heartbreaking because I was always thinking, “I’m not getting into schools because I’m not good enough or trained enough, but that’s why I want to go to your school! To learn and improve!” 

The hardest rejection was from Belmont. I had fallen in love after my audition, so that rejection was the most heartbreaking. Honestly, I felt kind of hopeless for days afterwards, because I had subconsciously gotten so attached to Belmont that I just didn’t know what to do after. But I decided to throw myself into research for my other accepted schools, and I ended up falling in love again at a school that had actually accepted me for MT. 

Maybe other kids can get hope from my process. I’ve never been a leading lady in a musical, and the biggest part I’ve ever had only had one full solo song. I’m not a trained dancer, and I’ve never been the director’s pet. But I work hard, and I love doing this. It’s all about taking initiative and making your own opportunities. If you’re not opportunities you need in school, go pick up an audition coach or extra dance classes or extra master classes. So, for all the kids who might be thinking they’re not good enough, or that they’ve never gotten a lead so they shouldn’t do this - DO IT. Also, it’s super fun to tell previous directors who never gave you a chance or students who thought you weren’t good enough that you are going to school for musical theatre. Of course, that’s not why we do this, but it’s definitely fun. ;)

FINAL DECISION: University of Tampa!!!

I added Tampa to my list after auditioning at several northeast schools and not really feeling like they were the right fit for me. I discovered Tampa, loved what I learned from my research, and sent in a video audition. I put it out of my mind then, because I know that video auditions seem to not be as good as live auditions, and plus I assumed they had filled most of their class already. I was surprised and so thrilled to receive my acceptance letter! After my visit, I fell in love with the campus and the location. I sat in on a rehearsal, and I was blown away by the talent, and super impressed that the MT professor excused himself from the rehearsal and took me into my office to talk to me more about the program. Both Paul Fino and Michael Staczar have been warm and responsive to all of my questions about the program, and the student that they put me in contact with was very honest and inspiring, saying that UT was the only school she got into for MT and she was intending to transfer, but then she got there and got involved with shows and decided to stay! I watched videos of her senior showcase and she’s an amazing performer! UT’s performance season is packed! There’s always something for the MT students to do, and there’s also lots of performance opportunities in the area. The BFA program is only a few years old, but they already have a senior showcase, and students are getting agents from that already. And Paul said that he had just signed his 10 year contract and was planning on growing the program as much as possible. I’m honored to be a part of it, and I’m so glad this process is over and I have a home for the next 4 years!

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(continued, because I thought this might be helpful)

WHAT I’VE LEARNED

  1. Everyone says that you shouldn’t visit schools before auditioning, but I think you should take road trips over the summer. Visit schools within driving distance with good musical theatre programs. You’ll get a feel of what you really want. (But don’t spend a lot on hotels or plane tickets right now, you’ll need that later)
  2. Assess what you really want. When looking at schools, I didn’t think about how much the feel of an overall school would matter to me. I was so laser-focused on MT programs that I realized by the end of the year that probably 50% or more of the schools I had auditioned for wouldn’t be a good fit for me overall. The reality is that you won’t be living, eating, and studying in the theatre at your school, so make sure you’re excited about the overall school too.
  3. If you (or your kid, if you’re a parent on here) think that you want to go far away for college, force yourself to add schools to your list within driving distance. Your feelings will most likely change over the course of this crazy year, and that’s okay. Just make sure you’ve left yourself a variety of options at the end of it so you don’t feel trapped!
  4. Allow yourself change. At the beginning of this year, I was so “NYC NYC NYC” and I was just adamant against anything else. By April of my senior year, my top choice was in the complete opposite direction of New York. Someday I’ll be in NYC, but I’m not ready yet. And although most seniors think they want to go far away and leave their family, they don’t realize how much easier it’ll be to get home for birthdays or celebrations, for their family and friends to visit or see their shows, or to be able go home quickly for emergencies.
  5. DO NOT buy into this whole “top ten school” “best MT school” “top tier” stuff. Top tier usually means competitive. And I’m not knocking these “top” programs by any means, but just saying that fit is so much more important than prestige. There are so, so many amazing musical theatre programs out that that are smaller, with less recognition. But if you do some digging you might find the perfect fit for you- and sometimes that fit is NOT a top ten school. We all have different paths. Plus, I realized in this process that while the same 20ish MT schools are heavily represented online, the majority of MT students in America DO NOT go to these programs.
  6. If you can, GO TO UNIFIEDS. It made me so much more confident auditioning. Even if only one of your schools is going to be there, go, and fill your time with walk ins. You’d be amazed at how many schools allow walk ins!
  7. A coach is nice and helps you be more confident in yourself and your material, but not necessary. If you feel like you’re drowning in this process, a coach will probably save you. My coach saved me!

Again, I was never the star. I was never the kid who got all the attention and praise. I never thought I would be able to do this because there were so many people who didn’t think I could, and I was starting to believe them. But if you’re like me, and you love musical theatre and you’re ready to work for it, GO FOR IT. Audition! You’ll be surprised at what happens! And if anyone wants to talk to me personally about my experience because you think it’ll be helpful for you, please message me!

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@jessieburnett - Congrats! You are the epitome of what it takes to make it in this crazy business: hard work, flexibility, belief in yourself, and PERSEVERANCE! I love your story!

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@daughtersdreams - Congratulations, I’m sure your D will do great at Point Park!

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@daughtersdreams YAY! So happy for your daughter that it all worked out! And it was nice meeting you also to be able to put a name with a face. Your daughter is a beautiful, talented girl and I’m sure she has a bright future ahead!

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@daughtersdreams and @jessieburnett Congratulations to both of you on successful journeys through this crazy process and coming through with great stories and great programs!!

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@jessieburnett Congratulations! Your advice was excellent, and will help kids on this path next year.

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@jessieburnett Very inspiring post! Congratulations!

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Congratulations to @daughtersdreams and @jessieburnett wishing everyone much luck and happiness in their programs!

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So thrilled for all of these victories, even the bumpy ones. @jessieburnett - way to go!!! Your tenacity will take you FAR. Thrilled for you and @daughtersdreams !

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@jessieburnett You are the reason we REALLY NEED a LOVE button on here! If you were my kid, I’d be bursting with pride! Congratulations & wishes for much success!

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We have a decision!!!

Background- Musical Theater since age 10. Dance since age 5. Musical Theater Summer Camp, 1 year. In all MS and HS musical theater productions. D graduated HS May of 2016. Yes, our 2nd time!

Training: Private voice lessons since age 12

Applied (2016): Ithaca, BW, Webster, UWSP, CCPA
(2017) Point Park, Ithaca, UWSP, Viterbo,Syracuse, CCPA, Elon, Rider, Wright State, Ball State, OCU
Academically accepted to all, both years.

Prescreens: (2016) Ithaca, did not pass
(2017) Ithaca, Syracuse, Elon, passed all

Auditions: (2016) All on campus. Did not attend unifieds
(2017) Mostly at Chicago Unifieds except Elon and CCPA

This was D’s second time through the audition process and this story is for all those kids who get A LOT of no’s! Our first time around we did not know much about this process. She applied to 5 schools and each time a letter or email came it was a NO. No waitlists all rejections. After the 4th rejection we started to discuss “what if” scenarios. There were many possible plan B’s, but she chose a gap year. Now I will be the first to say I was NOT on board with this. I felt she should go to school. Why? For no other reason than that is what is supposed to happen and I will admit I felt a little afraid of what others would think and say. I could not have been more wrong!

During her gap year she worked a PT job, auditioned for and performed in community theater shows, studied with 2 amazing voice teachers (who teach at the university level) and PRACTICED. She has always been committed to practicing, but with her dad and I at work all day, while she was home she would get at least 2 hours of practice in each and every day. She was also lucky enough to serve as an “intern” at her former HS serving as vocal director and choreographer for their winter and spring musical productions. A by-product of all of this was how much she matured as a performer and young adult!

The 2017 audition season was upon us and our plan of attack was completely different from the year prior. Nervously, we attended Chicago Unifieds. We heard it was crazy and chaotic, but D LOVED it! Then the decisions began to trickle in. Ithaca was her top choice. Friends were getting their rejections from Ithaca and we were still in the running and then the day came. The letter arrived and it was a rejection. She took it pretty well. It was followed by 8 more rejections. Then the email came from CCPA…A YES for MT voice concentration! That one, elusive yes had finally arrived! It was followed by a Syracuse waitlist and MT acceptance from UWSP.

FINAL DECISION: CHICAGO COLLEGE FOR THE PERFORMING ART AT ROOSEVELT UNIVERSITY MT Voice Concentration!!!

CCPA was her first auditions both times. This year she walked out of the audition room with a business card and a great story…She auditioned for one of the “big-whigs” and when she finished her audition he commented “you are a gold mine!” I was SO proud (and still am)!

Moral of the story: Do NOT give up! Do NOT feel pressured just to go into a program or school just because that is what you are supposed to do; that would be settling. Take that gap year if its an option!

Final thoughts: I’m so glad I found CC last year. I shed many tears on this keyboard and many of your stories, tips and messages helped me through. I am so proud of all of our amazingly talented kids and I hope that our paths cross on stage or screen someday! Best to all!!

<3

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Great story, @ALS0830 ! Congrats to you and your D!