<p>Hmm, some might argue the same about certain tippy top schools. That they select those who are destined to succeed, and when they do, its all about their program. Same Chicken/Egg thing. Impossible to sort it all out like its a science or something.</p>
<p>@vocal1046 I think it arguably does serve the students to be publicly identified as people the coach believes in enough to offer them a scholarship.</p>
<p>tramsmomā¦I agree that the chicken/egg thing is true with tippy top colleges as well. It is only natural that such schools graduate some very high achievers. </p>
<p>As a college counselor, it doesnāt matter to me if my students end up at tippy top schools or not. The value is in assisting whomever needs assistance. Yes, audition-based programs are highly competitive. The majority of my students are striving to attend audition-based schools.</p>
<p>I think pro bono work is fabulous for those who could not otherwise afford assistance with this process. I think people were wondering about scholarships for coaching that are not based on financial need. That is uncommon as far as I know when it comes to college counseling in any case.</p>
<p>If College Confidential was in fact confidential, I would have a lot to say on this topic. BUT, since it is not, itāll have to wait until I publish my book. 
</p>
<p>True @tramsmom. I have deleted so many posts without posting them because of my probably futile wish to hang on to a scrap of a fig leaf. Itās the lurkers who worry me most of all.</p>
<p>@vocal1046 :)) I am so there! Love the fig leaf! (I even edited this post :"> )</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Perhaps it is different with acting coaching, but with college counseling, counselors rarely promote their students publicly. Even testimonials on their websites are often confidential/anonymous and donāt provide the studentsā real or full names. In fact, colleges sometimes donāt look favorably upon students getting this kind of help. It is atypical for a college counselor to identify their students in a public fashion.</p>
<p>In terms of publicly identifying those who receive scholarships, it is different, for example, if a local charitable organization confers a scholarship upon a student based on merit (not need) and the local newspaper publishes an article about the recipients of the scholarship. The organization doesnāt have anything to gain (other than being known as charitable) and the newspaper receives no benefit. Itās different when a coach confers a merit scholarship on a talented student because the coach has something to gain by promoting that student publicly and where the student is admitted as a reflection on their service. Many service providers who provide pro bono work, do so without publicity.</p>
<p>I realize that everyoneās starting position is not equal. For someone whose teachers/coaches are not thoroughly familiar with the process, and there are no local resources who are, long distance coaches may be the best solution. I have seen cases where parents, for whom the cost is not an issue, use multiple coaches, many of whom may give differing advice, which can actually make the process more chaotic, instead of simplifying it. Too many cooksā¦</p>
<p>Has anyone had experience with Chelsea Diehl (formerly Chelsea Cipolla)? Sheās in Boston, but she and her small group of coaches Skype. Her website is My College Audition.</p>
<p>Agree with post #47 that teachers, coaches, counselorsā¦local or notā¦can be beneficial in the college process. It is not a necessity by any means, but can really help people with what can be an overwhelming process.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Absolutely, vocal1046. For some coaches, it is all about promotion of their services.</p>
<p>After searching the internet, there seem to be coaches everywhere and as far as I can tell, they are not non-profits 
:). This is the way these former/current performers (mostly) make a living. Any free services offered are something they certainly do not have to be offering, and I certainly am not going to question it. What interests me more is whether it benefits my student. ( and my pocket book)
Since I have some free time from work over the Holiday, I am going to give myself a project and take the advice of MTTwins and contact each of the coaching businesses and ask them directly if they offer scholarships and info in that regard. Shop around, so to speak.
On my list is: Straight From New York, MTCA, College Audition Pro, My College Audition, MTA, College Audition Coach, HITS, Dave Clemmons College Advising, ArtsBridge.
To be continued!</p>
<p>I donāt know these college audition coaches personally, but I do some pro bono college counseling (non-MT) through my alma mater, and I have to say that I think many people are motivated to help kids who need help ā either because of financial constraints or cluelessness or lack of counseling in schools, etc. Just look at all the helpful posts on CC. And given the very positive comments about the well-known coaches from actual clients here on CC, I tend to think those coaches are not simply self-promoters. </p>
<p>I know of an MTCA coach ā reportedly an incredibly nice, talented, helpful person ā who has offered at least one free workshop through a local youth theatre, with 2 hours of very helpful free advice on getting in to MT programs. She didnāt even hand out her MTCA card at the end until one student asked her if she is available for private coaching. </p>
<p>Although Iām generally pretty cynical, I do think that even the very well-known people in the college consulting business (whether MT or not) have multiple motivations for what they do. And donāt most of us aspire ā for ourselves and/or our kids ā to be able to earn a living doing something we are good at and enjoy? Some people just want more public recognition for their work than others.</p>
<p>This is my first post on College Confidential, although I have benefited greatly from reading many of the posts during my daughterās journey the past year. And no better place to jump in than to sing the praises of Chelsea Diehl and the entire team at My College Audition.</p>
<p>We live in Texas and found MCA through a random search for college coaches. I was immediately impressed by how genuine the website felt. The reviews were all over-the-top enthusiastic. It sounded too good to be true, but my daughter was stalled and going nowhere with her monologue selections. So although we had never considered hiring a monologue coach, we were desperate and reached out to Chelsea.</p>
<p>I was shocked to get an immediate reply and before you know it, we were scheduled for a preliminary Skype session. This turned the whole process around for us. My daughter absolutely loved Chelsea and agreed to do anything to help contribute to the cost. We signed up for MCA and never looked back. </p>
<p>I can honestly say, it was the best money we spent. As a parent, it is exhausting trying to help monitor all aspects of the application/audition process and such a relief to be able to say āTalk to your coach about that :)ā MCA was there for everything from monologues to interviews to clothing choices to just straight-up pep talks. They got my daughter through the stress of Unified auditions and were there to celebrate her successes as well. </p>
<p>In the end, my daughter was accepted at her top choice school and is currently LOVING her program. She still keeps in touch with her coaches and now considers them friends as well as mentors. </p>
<p>I could go on and on because I am such a strong believer in the value that MCA offered us, but you donāt have to take my word for it. I would encourage anyone who is interested to contact them and see for yourselves. Iām also happy to provide more details about our experience if anyone wants to message me privately. </p>
<p>They have some great videos, if I am remembering correctly, including one where Gavin Creel talks about why he went to Michigan instead of CMU.</p>
<p>Are these videos available to the public, or is it pay-per-view?</p>
<p>I think that what Iām remembering is stuff we found googling Gavin Creel on You Tube maybe.</p>
<p>Wish we had more than 15 minutes to come to our senses.</p>
<p>(With you on the edit window. Iād like a week to retrieve the veil I may have recklessly thrown off.)</p>
<p>Just to try to be crystal clear. I am not slinging mud or saying āit is all about promotion of their servicesā. Coaches are running businesses and promoting their brand / increasing their profile is part of what thatās about. Nothing wrong with it. Self-promotion is important to success. That doesnāt mean that the self-promoter has no altruistic intentions. Iām guessing these are all very sincere and well-meaning people who are also trying to build their businesses. I am personally uncomfortable with need-based scholarship kids being identified publicly. If the grants are merit-based or even mixed, fine, but publicizing a young personās need is a tricky business.</p>
<p>Without Moo coming on here and telling us herself, it seems her scholarship criteria are a bit of a mystery, but I donāt think they are necessarily need based. I do know one student who was one of her scholarship recipients who did not have any discernible need, quite the opposite. Like others said, it couldnāt hurt to ask her.</p>