@mommafaria - I definitely hear you about the costs. Has anyone else told their child that Christmas presents this year are going to consist of separately wrapped copies of all of the applications? “Merry Christmas S! Here is your Carnegie app:)”. Just me?
I think that his list is pretty standard - we have what I call the “lottery” schools because getting in is like winning the lottery (CMU, Michigan, Texas State), a few safeties and a collection of all of the other schools which are still incredibly competitive. He also applied to UNCSA and DePaul for Acting. Interestingly, he did not want to go to school in NYC. I was surprised that he was concerned about the distractions but glad that he recognized that about himself.
Congrats to all of our kids (and the uber organized parents standing behind them) on getting through the application/prescreen submission process!
@lotstolearn, we met quite a few parents throughout auditions a few years ago whose Christmas gift to their auditioner was their application or audition fees! I didn’t hear of any that individually wrapped application copies, which is a clever and funny thought, but they were definitely gifted them.
My D was a very part-time nanny at the time, and part/much of her pay went towards this process. We didn’t plan it that way, but it all got so expensive that we stopped keeping track of it, burying our heads in the sand, lol! We also met a lot of parents who said they did the same—both using their auditioner’s jobs to help pay and burying their heads in the sand. We all laughed about it; what else could we do?
@lotstolearn I hear you on the Christmas budget!! And to top it off my husband lost his job a few months ago with no severence and hasn’t found one yet- so we are living on my preschool teacher budget (ha) and his unemployment which just ran out. The timing is not ideal, that’s for sure!!! But my kids are all aware of our situation and they really are being understanding for the most part. Anyway- what I wanted to share with everyone is I just thought of a cute present idea for my daughter that I’m doing for Christmas! I’m giving her a decorated cardboard box that says” Unifieds Survival kit” and inside I’m separately wrapping things she needs- a new leotard, a travel kit of small toiletries/ new toothbrush. I got her a personal steamer and individual bags of nuts/ protein bars. I got her a little blank journal book to write impressions of the schools after each audition. And I got her a nice zippered pouch file folder thing and pretty floral file folders I found at Walmart- I labeled each folder with the school names we are going to and put information about each program in the folders so she could look at some info as we wait for auditions etc… and I ordered her a bunch of headshots and wrapped the box of headshots in the survivor kit too. Then I put a box of her favorite tea and some cold remedy type stuff just in case. I love how it turned out- and it was a way to keep Christmas practical. Just thought I would share the idea!
How long does Pace take to respond to pre-screens? They send a message when you submit that you will hear back within five business days but we submitted over a week ago.
@actorparent1 Thanks so much! It seems surreal… he worked for the same company for 12 years and we had absolutely no warning. Ugh. Every hotel and application fee is going on a credit card plus airfare to Chicago and we will figure it out later. (I know- NOT ideal) but my daughter has worked so hard, has big dreams, and I feel like she was meant to do this. I keep joking with my younger 2 kids that they need to get free rides to college when it’s their turn. Thankfully they are both boys with zero interest in performing arts. LOL Their application process will be a cakewalk.
@collegemom2000 maybe it is taking longer because it’s a more busy season now? My D submitted her prescreen to Pace on 11/8 and heard back on 11/10. Hopefully you will hear back soon!!!
I agree - my kids submitted Pace prescreens in early October and heard back within three days, but now that it’s December, I’m sure all the schools are being FLOODED with last-minute prescreens, so it will probably take a bit longer for them to watch them all.
Thanks @actorparent1@savedrama4momma. I’m wondering also if it could be the fact that they haven’t received her SAT scores. We have sent SATs and transcripts to several schools that never appeared to receive them. In fact, we sent two copies of SATs and transcripts to Shenandoah (as far back as September) and they still haven’t gotten them.
@savedrama4momma, I am so sorry to hear about the job situation. That’s bad anytime it happens but Senior year is particularly difficult. Be sure to email the schools’ financial aid departments to let them know that 2017/2018 income will be less than the FAFSA shows so they take that into consideration when they prepare your D’s financial package. They may even be willing to refund some of the application and prescreen fees.
It is ridiculous. Just when you think you’re done another thing pops up on accepted that you need a 30 second introduction video too. “I know you’re in your pajamas, but put on a shirt and some lipstick!”
@artskids no, nothing from Pace yet. It sounds like they are backlogged. Do they have all of your daughter’s materials? They are still waiting my daughter’s SATs and I’m wondering if that is the hold up. I ordered about ten SATs a couple of weeks ago and the status on College Board is saying they are still awaiting fulfillment. Ugh.
My D heard back from Pace (has a callback) in early Oct and it took a week. She submitted Ithaca late Friday and we were surprised to hear back yesterday that she has a call back . I guess there is no logic to response time.
^^^all her info is in for all her schools. She heard back from Pace (late this afternoon), Texas State and Ithaca so far (passed). Starting to complete the unified puzzle!
My D auditioned at TCU this weekend. Here’s some info that might be helpful for future auditioners. They have private rooms available to warm up, so check in early. There were 7-8 faculty members in the auditions. Auditions lasted about 15 minutes and then there was a one hour dance call. My D said the dance was not hard but it was fast. The faculty members joined the dance call for the last 15 minutes. There were 6-7 students on hand in the lobby to take kids to warm up and take them to the auditions. They stayed during the dance call to answer parents’ questions. Everyone was very nice and helpful. The only thing that would have made it better is if there was an organized tour of campus. Overall it was a very pleasant experience.
