Happy to answer q's/lend a helping hand, Class of '11 +

<p>Hey, everyone. In case you didn’t hear, Otterbein is wonderful. It is ranked among the top schools nationwide for theatre and musical theatre. I am a Bachelor of Fine Arts Musical Theatre major freshman at the moment and am loving every minute of my time here at Otterbein. The faculty is supportive, skilled, and friendly; Westerville is beautiful and homey with a very “River City, Iowa” vibe; and the students are immensely talented and welcoming.<br>
Otterbein’s isn’t the highly competitive, cut-throat, all-theatre-all-the-time atmosphere one might expect to find at Carnegie Mellon or NYU. The College on a whole stresses the liberal arts education, which results in well-rounded, intelligent graduates, and the theatre program encourage this as well. The program is, however, intense and challenging, allowing for great artistic and personal growth throughout a student’s four years here.
In summation, I love Otterbein and feel extremely fortunate to be here. I was also accepted at Elon, Ithaca, Montclair State, and Ohio Wesleyan, but this is the place for me.
I highly advise anyone looking for a BFA MT or Acting to consider O’bein’s program–even the audition is a positive experience, as the auditers are welcoming, professional, supportive, and provide both positive and negative feedback. Why artists would pass up a school for which the audition is a learning experience I don’t know.<br>
So, if anyone has any questions, feel free to address them to me–I would be happy to ease the grueling, nerve-wracking, sometimes ulcer-inducing experience of college selection and audition, even if your road does not lead to Otterbein.
Good luck and keep in touch!</p>

<p>Hi Linus, and thanks for the information on Otterbein!</p>

<p>I'm a newb here - my D lured me in to help get some perspective on her college search as she has her heart set on a BFA in Musical Theatre and the timing of the auditions process has me in total OCD freak-out mode. The kiddo is a sixteen year old high school senior, so that has its own challenges.</p>

<p>She (the D) got a call today accepting her to Otterbein with an Otterbein Scholars award and has been nominated to apply for a Presidential award. I think that's good, right? The lady who called was really, really nice and I liked her a lot, which speaks well to me of the school itself. Of course, she still has to audition for the BFA programs. I had hoped to take her to Ohio for the Dec. 1 audition but she's doing open dress for our state high school Thespian production that weekend, so i looks like she'll be doing Unifieds in Chicago instead.</p>

<p>I'm wondering if it would be better for D's chances to take her to Otterbein itself or if the Unifieds are okay. She has several other uber-selective theatre schools on her wanna go list but is a math whiz so most of the schools interested in her are non-theatre, like Hahvahad and MIT, where she flatly refuses to go. (why, oh why, i ask, does the child not want to be a rocket scientist?) She doesn't have a strong dance background because I was a ballet dancer and pushed her the other way, but she keeps getting cast as a dancer anyway. Kiddo can sing and act though. Regardless, she'll have to have nearly a full ride wherever she goes. </p>

<p>Any help or ideas would be great. I love what I've seen online and read about Otterbein, and I'm totally not a stage mom, so i'm not really sure what to do to help her maximize her chances.</p>

<p>and, um, hi everyone!</p>

<p>GReat to hear from you, ImpQueen. I'm extremely excited for you and your daughter, but I understand this will be a hectic, nerve-wracking, exciting, wonderful, challenging experience year--it certainly was for me! And the fact that I chose to get all my auditions out of the way before February didn't help matters--Ithaca, Baldwin-Wallace, Otterbein, and Elon before January was out!
But don't worry--it can all be managed. I can tell you that my mother was my savior all last year. I, unfortunately, had neither the time nor discipline to schedule auditions, plane rides, and bed/breakfast stays--without her, I would not be at O'bein! But I did make a considerable contribution--I received the $11,000 Presidential Scholarship and $4000 for Music and $4000 for Theatre, so I definitely worked hard--and this is proof that a near-full ride is attainable! Your daughter should definitely go for the Pres Scholarship--what does she have to lose except a few nights of sleep working on it?<br>
And the woman you spoke with over the phone was quite possibly Debbie Byrne, one of the kindest, sincerest, most empathetic individuals you will meet in all the nation's Admissions departments. She handles admissions for arts prospective and made my application and audition a joy. As a matter of fact, there were fires in Montana last April, near where one of the Class of '10 MT majors lives, and Debbie called the student to make sure she and her family were okay. She is the wind beneath my wings.
As far as the Unifieds vs. On-campus auditions go, I auditioned on-campus at all of my schools, and I wouldn't have had it any other way! I understand it's difficult, time-consuming, and expensive (esp. if you want to fly, but try for Southwest--another major contributor to my college audition saga), but I had the opportunity to talk to current students at all my schools, see productions, and experience the campus and neighborhood "feel", which are vital parts of the decision process. And I can faithfully say that O'bein's on-campus auditions are a wonderful experience.<br>
Oh gosh--Camerata ensemble concert!
Will be back later with more! Til then, thanks for your interest in O'bein, and hang in there--breathing always helps (as I sometimes forget). Later!</p>

<p>ImpQueen:</p>

<p>I'm going to jump in and help Linus out a bit. On your question about your daughter's chances, I've done studies and there's no statistical difference between auditioning on campus or at the unifieds. Historically, we have taken as many from the unifieds as from campus auditions.</p>

<p>I do think Linus is right, that seeing the campus is incredibly important. But if your d's schedule won't permit that either before or around the audition, it can be done after the auditions. Read through the thread labelled "Otterbein College" for more about on and off campus auditions.</p>

<p>Hope this helps. I look forward to seeing your d, wherever she chooses to audition!</p>

<p>While my daughter did not ultimately get accepted into the MT program, all of the financial aid staff did everything possible to offer her the best possible outcome if she was accepted. To jump on the Debbie Byrne bandwagon, she called and reminded my daughter of the deadlines for her Presidential Scholarship essay and was so encouraging in the middle of an often overwhelming audition time. In fact I think one of my daughters favorite moments of the year was when she was first academically accepted at Otterbein. She returned home to a very excited message from Ms. Byrne notifing her of not only her acceptance, but scholarships and her nomination for the presidential scholarship. This was her first bit of good news in the angst ridden audition/application process that all these truly terrific kids undergo. </p>

<p>My daughter did not ultimately end up a fit at Otterbein, but she still is very positive about the time that Dr. John spent with her during her audition and how wonderful every staff member we both spoke with throughout the process. It is incredible that they all work so hard for so many students who may not even end up there, it would be so much easier to just let the audition process weed them out and then begin working on the behalf of those few students chosen. But they seemed to take the opposite approach if there was even the smallest chance a student would wind up there they were already fighting on your behalf.</p>

<p>Overall despite all the horror stories we heard, I would say she (and we as accompanying parents) were treated fairly and respectfully at almost all the schools my daughter applied to especially, Webster, PPU, Millikin, Carnegie Mellon. There were only a couple that we had trouble getting information from or the staff was more stand offish. So from just one more parent, thank you again for making a hard process more bearable for all our talented kids.</p>

<p>Linus and doctorjohn, </p>

<p>Thank you both so much for your help. I know that Otterbein is highly selective for its theatre programs and that therefore, the vast majority of students' chances for acceptance into said programs are minimal. </p>

<p>Due to our 2007 State Thespian production's schedule (it rehearses on weekends and is doing open dress the first weekend in December and Conference in January), the Chicago Unifieds in February are probably going to be the kiddo's first chance to audition (Missouri is doing, big surprise, Urinetown. Lord, save me from yellow backdrops.). Debbie Byrne was so nice and helpful when she called yesterday, and she did say that you'll be at the Chicago auditions. </p>

<p>I've since had a chance to read through the forums a little bit and very much appreciate the helpful input on your audition process. I feel better about the whole thing now. My own auditions (back in the day, y'know - argh) were with ballet companies and those can be very cutthroat and ouchy, especially at the more elite levels. I was rather mom-ishly concerned about the ouch factor and about the schedules for auditions versus acceptance, financial aid, etc. The kiddo is fine with highly selective schools and their rejection rate - well, at least much more pragmatic than I am about it! - and she has her schedule of applications, FAFSA, essays, auditions, and decisions well in hand and outlined. On paper, even. Now if she'll stop obsessing about getting her 33 ACT up to a 35 we might survive the winter :)</p>

<p>Thanks again to both of you. I so appreciate your help!</p>

<p>Hey, All,
The concert went very well--it was a good time!
I wanted to mention that parents concerned about this application/audition process may like to contact my mom, abparent here on College Confidential. After last year, she's an authority on this sort of thing, so she'll have lots of tips and such.<br>
Also, students who have high school Facebooks can find my Facebook by searching the screenname justsoicanbthere.<br>
Anyway, break a leg to all (especially as auditions approach for senior year spring musicals!), and keep the questions coming--I'll do my best to check the forums regularly.</p>

<p>ImpQueen, I just want to mention that your D's 33 on the ACT is equivalent (though using different measures) to a 1470 on the (old) SAT. Frankly, that score is not only excellent, but would be more than good enough at any of the BFA in MT programs that I have come across. I don't see a need to retake it but if she wants to, go ahead. I'm not sure it is worth putting her energies into that now. Getting higher than a 33 is not going to change her admissions outcome to any of these BFA programs. The 33 will already be a "plus" in her academic package. That score is beyond the average at any of these BFA programs. Kudos to her.</p>

<p>How many total applicants audition at the school every year? Is it around 7-900 like CCM or CMU? just curious!? And how challenging is the program?</p>

<p>nate:</p>

<p>I don't have time right now--rehearsal for Tartuffe in an hour--but I'll post our statistics on Sunday, if I can grab some time. We see about half of what CCM and CMU see, but we also take about half as many students, so the odds turn out to be about the same. More details later.</p>

<p>Momof2006:</p>

<p>Thanks for the kind words. I'll make sure that Debbie Byrne gets your words of thanks as well.</p>

<p>We try to make every student feel valued and respected. What possible benefit exists by behaving differently? At the risk of preaching, I have come to believe that the world needs healing--it was built that way--and that every act of kindness helps. </p>

<p>Off to rehearsal. Have a peaceful weekend, everyone.</p>

<p>Momof2006</p>

<p>What we and others we spoke to last year believe is that the students are given the same proper attention at the unifieds vs. oncampus. In fact, this was discussed on a thread last year, titled something like unifieds vs. oncampus. If you search a bit, it might be helpful. Here and there you will find differing opinions, but they appear to be isolated moments straying from the norm. It seems some hesitate when it comes to the unifieds, fearing they might not get a fair shake in the audition. I can tell you that everything I heard on how Otterbein handles their presence at unifieds is positive. You'll find notes on CC from faculty throughout the unified auditions time slots where they try their utmost to keep folks apprised and connected on the agendas. I believe Otterbein's admissions folks, Debbie and all, will keep anyone aware as much as possible through phone calls, emails, etc. We believe Otterbein's true spirit comes through loud and clear this way, before you even set foot on its campus. Auditions can be a rather expensive process that eats up a lot of time out of work and school. Frankly, for many folks the most sensible way to go is the Unifieds, especially when you have other children at home with their schedules to consider. The main difference we see for on campus visits is on the student's end, when they're making their final decision once accepted. It really is the best way to find the right fit if you can manage it. Nevertheless, we spoke with some MT kids at several schools who made their final decision on a school, sight unseen. They were happy w/ their choice. Feel free to contact me w/ any questions on our experiences, email is fine, since I don't get to check back here as often. </p>

<p>Doctorjohn,
Break a leg to you and all on Tartuffe! Sorry we'll miss it!</p>

<p>nate and ImpQueen</p>

<p>Sorry, my last note was especially directed to you. Guess I'm somewhat out of CC shape or else I'm just distracted by the other threads on psychology for our high school junior daughter. Good luck in your search!</p>

<p>So here's the data you were seeking, nate:</p>

<p>MUSICAL THEATRE</p>

<p>180 women auditioned:<br>
102 on-campus, 78 at unifieds
3 offers to campus auditioners (2.9%) 2 accepted
3 offers to unified auditioners (3.8%) 3 accepted</p>

<p>80 men auditioned:
49 on-campus, 31 at unifieds
4 offers to campus auditioners (8.2%) 1 accepted
6 offers to unified auditioners (19.4%) 4 accepted</p>

<p>Entering MT’s: 5 women, 5 men</p>

<p>ACTING</p>

<p>36 women auditioned:
21 on-campus, 15 at unifieds
2 offers to campus auditioners (9.5%) 2 accepted
3 offers to unified auditioners (20%) 1 accepted</p>

<p>32 men auditioned:
15 on-campus, 17 at unifieds
5 offers to campus auditioners (33.3%) 5 accepted
3 offers to unified auditioners (17.6%) 0 accepted</p>

<p>Entering ACT’s: 3 women, 5 men</p>

<p>Hope you find this helpful.</p>

<p>doctorjohn,is there a website for the unifieds?I am trying to fiqure out what schools will be in New York.</p>

<p>mum2four:</p>

<p>The website is <a href="http://www.unifiedauditions.com%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.unifiedauditions.com&lt;/a>. You need to contact the schools individually to make certain they will be in NYC. But that information should be readily available on their websites. The links are on the unified auditions page.</p>

<p>Hope this helps.</p>

<p>Thank-you doctorjohn</p>

<p>My d is spending the day doing essays. She can't find what Otterbein wants. She has a hard copy of the App. and can't find any thing on an Essay.</p>

<p>LocoMom:</p>

<p>She can't find any information because no essay is required. Incidentally, if she applies online, the $25 application fee is waived.</p>

<p>Hope this helps.</p>

<p>Thanks Doctorjohn, I'm sorry she didn't realize this before.Writing the perfect essay has held up her sending out her apps. Should she send one anyway?</p>