<p>Just wanted to take a moment to post a “sunshine” post. I have lurked on these boards for a long time and only recently started to post. I have read some not so glowing views of Millikin and wanted to post another side…</p>
<p>My dear D audition there yesterday. We know a couple MT alums and a some students that go there. We were prepared to like it, but as I read on here, I got more and more worried. We pulled into Decatur on Sunday night (audition was on Monday) and drove around the lovely campus. While it was nicer than the area of town it was situated in, it didn’t bother my daughter. </p>
<p>When we arrived at the audition Monday morning, we were greated warmly by students setting up (we were very early). They were warm and friendly, despite the cold (it was the coldest day so far this year). The Department Chair (who is the Acting=interm chair) was warm, funny, and seemed really to care about the auditionees and their parents. In fact, the same can be said of everyone we encountered on campus. My daughter said that she liked how warm they were and really felt like that wanted her to succeed at both the audition and school–even going so far as to say they knew some wouldn’t chose to go to school there. She said she felt VERY comfortable there because everyone was so welcoming. </p>
<p>While she was auditioning, the parents we in a Q&A with a student, the FA Dean (also Acting Dean), and a gentleman from the Admissions office. Again, they were very blunt and honest, while being funny and informative. </p>
<p>This continued when we were lead on a student run tour of the theatrical spaces. You could tell the student obviously love both Millikin and his department. He was funny, thoughful, and HONEST. One thing that the gentleman said that stuck with both me and my D: he said that the auditionees should give up comparing themselves to each other and worrying about who could sing the higher note, or had the strongest audition. That all were talented at this point. But, at Millikin, their focus was to take these talented kids and turn them into well rounded artists that were, first and foremost, nice people to work with. He worded it better than my recap, but the sentiment is there and I thought was VERY well spoken. </p>
<p>Long story short…we went from liking this program to LOVING it after the interaction with the people that make up the department. Luckily, my D was one of the few that were admitted by the end of the day. She was happy and excited. </p>
<p>If anyone is put off by anything they read, I urge you to at least schedule a visit. It is a gem.</p>
I rather wish I could be auditioning for more schools - after all, I’ve already applied to them academically - but that darn thing called money often sets big limitations. Well anyways, I wish you guys the best of luck and maybe your daughter and I will both end up at Millikin, who knows! :-)</p>