Now that audition season has started, is anyone else bothered that it takes so long for most schools to give you a “yes” or a “no”? I can understand not wanting to release “acceptances”, as schools fairly and understandably want to see the entire audition pool before making decisions. However, if it is clear to the panel that certain kids are definite “no’s”, why not tell them that they did not make the cut right after auditions? Sure, keep a broad selection of “maybe’s”. but it would be kinder to tell the others to move on? For many of us, early auditions are the first time kids are compared on a national level. It would be really, really helpful to know in November that your kid is not accepted. The student will then either have time to apply for MT at a new set of schools, apply for a BA program, a straight acting program, or change direction entirely. Not releasing the “definite no” information until March is really quite disingenuous on the part of the colleges. It leaves students guessing, when they would otherwise have time to submit applications elsewhere. And it leaves parents with a huge financial uncertainty, not knowing if we need to seek out cheaper alternatives or keep hoping that top-of-the-list schools will come through.
However, this is really not all that different for applicants to any college for any major (except if it is Rolling Admissions, ED, or EA). Many colleges don’t notify of one way or the other until April 1. That was the case for my non-MT daughter. If anything, her wait was longer than for many MT programs. And yes, many schools on her list were extremely selective/competitive and difficult odds. I actually like schools that tell EVERYONE on one date and not in dribs and drabs. There is no wondering when you will hear. There is no analyzing why some have heard and you haven’t, etc.
@soozievt, Well it is good to know that everyone is in the boat (which I didnt’ realize, as most of my son’s friends already know where they are going). Somehow, it all seems so much more difficult for MT students, as there are no stats by which they can compare themselves with current students. It’s boils down to an undecipherable perception of “talent” on the part of the audition panel. Such a tough process, when the kids are judged on what is dearest to them and part of their identity. I don’t know what the answer is, but there seem to me to be endless flaws with the current application process. I guess we have to knuckle down and accept that this is our kids’ first taste of real life, and getting through it will prepare them for things to come. I guess that’s what everyone means when they say that students eventually end up where they are meant to be.
A no from one school is definitely not indicative that you won’t get yeses from other schools, and other top programs. It happens every year. A kid is turned down by several good programs but accepted at others. You just have to keep the faith and let the process play out.
@claire74, by all means, this process is more difficult than many other admissions processes. I’m just saying that the notification thing is not so different. If your child’s friends know where they are going already, that means they applied to rolling admissions schools. But for kids applying for Regular Decision at many schools, particularly private ones,the notification date is around April 1. My older (non-MT) daughter heard from all of her schools pretty much in that one week.
I also agree with @MtDadandProud that the results at one school won’t really indicate if you get into another. Sometimes in this crazy process, a kid gets into what is perceived as a more competitive school and rejected at a less selective one. This isn’t for the faint of heart.
Once in professional life, it gets even worse. The odds are more difficult. Then, it is not like you hear about all opportunities at one time. You have to weigh an offer without knowing if another one might be coming down the pike the next month because you are given little time to take the offer or decline. And a life as a performer is like one ongoing job hunt so to speak as most of the jobs are not long lasting by the nature of them.
@claire74 A few schools will tell your child if they will be offered admission. When my son did his MT auditions last year, the first school he auditioned for (UArts) was in early December. My son got an offer of admission less than 2 weeks later…with a scholarship, too. He ended up going to Montclair, instead, but it was nice for him to know that he was definitely going somewhere. And over the course of the entire audition season 2 additional programs (out of eleven auditions) also offered him spots in their programs, either at the exit interview, or by email…on the very same day as his audition.
However, I assume that if you are not going to be offered admission to the program…they probably won’t inform you until after ALL the auditions are done.
I totally understand and agree with what you are saying @claire74 . While there are several schools that do rolling admissions or early acceptances after auditions, a few did just send rejections to the students that were no longer in consideration. Last year Elon sent rejections to many shortly after the fall audition, admitted a couple, and contacted a few more to let them know they were still under consideration. Penn State makes the cut at the audition. The majority are told they are no longer in consideration, and the rest are held for further auditioning and interviews. CCM sent emails within a few days of each audition to notify the students when they were no longer in consideration. Then, the remaining students were sent emails letting them know that they were in a very small, select group and the final decision would be made within a few weeks.
Notifying students that they are no longer in consideration is quite different than dribbling out acceptances a few at a time (as some schools do). In the case of CCM, it seemed to be done in a very thoughtful and considerate manner and I respect the decision of schools to not keep kids’ hopes up for months when they have no chance whatsoever. Once auditions were complete and decisions finalized at CCM, all emails of acceptances, wait lists, and rejections went out simultaneously (unlike many schools that drag the wait on for weeks). CCM released their decision within a week or two of the completion of Unifieds.
@claire74, welcome to the “if I ruled the world” club. You will come out of this process with probably a better understanding of how it ALL works than any of these individual schools do, and you will encounter many frustrations along the way, and MANY questions of,“Why don’t they _____?” This is when you break out the wine.
@calliene, ha, ha - wine instead of whines! Great idea!
My best advise would be to always have at least one safety school…there are several non-audition MT schools out there with strong BA programs. Remember: Just because a program is not as well known does’t necessarily make them less strong. There are many very good non-audition programs out there.