<p>Many of the schools have begun putting out applications for 2008. It's never too soon to start filling out applications. It takes an incredible amount of time to just plug in all of your vital statistics let alone do all of the essays. You've got a big year coming up and it's not too soon to get started on your applications.
Your experience will be not be like your non-MT friends, so don't fool yourself into thinking that just because they have not started that you should not. Most of your friends will not be applying to the same number of schools that you will. Your friends will not have auditions to prepare for or to attend. They won't need resume's, repertoire's, or multiple letters of recommendation.
Most of your friends will not need much help from their parents to get their applications done. You may need your parents to help you organize all of your applications, keep all of the information straight, schedule auditions and make travel plans. Don't feel bad about this. Very few students can handle the MT app./audition process on their own. You are not immature or incompetent if you need/want their help.
About the essays... UMich and Emerson were two of the most difficult applications to fill out because they had mulitple essays or they had very unique essays questions. My D found that after UMich, they were all much easier. I'd advise getting a few under your belt before you tackle UMich. Many of the schools ask similar essay questions and once you've done several, you can customize previously written essays to fit different schools. This can help you save time and sanity, but will only work for a few.
Good luck!
P.S. Penn State, Ithaca and SU all make audition appointments over the phone and don't require an completed app. to get an audition date. Elon on the other hand requires that you call ahead for a special audition request packet. Be sure to follow the directions in the packet carefully and watch your email for further instructions.</p>
<p>Which MT schools have applications out now?? I know that Syracuse doesn't have their audition dates posted and I don't think you can apply to the school yet. Ithaca has their dates posted and I think you can call your audition in. I'm going to apply in September and have an in-progress transcript so when I finish My ACT's in October I'll have them sent over!</p>
<p>Good plan! Last year many of the schools started posting their apps. on Aug. 1st. Boston Conserv. was Sept. 1. Getting your resume' and repertoire' put together is a very good idea at this point, along w/finalizing your list. UMich had detailed instructions on how to put them together.</p>
<p>November 1st is my deadline to have all of my audition pieces selected!! BUT i'm hoping to find something by September/early October!</p>