<p>Did anyone else participate in this and get any feedback? I got a letter today (ish, it may have been sent a few days ago because it went to my mom's house and she only told me today) notifying me of a Merit award (a measly award- 100$) it's also the lowest level of recognition. Does anyone know if this is very prestigious? Or is it pretty much only significant if you make it to the finals (ie- at least 1,000$ and a trip to Miami for the Finalists week). </p>
<p>Also, any finalists on the board? Did others participate?</p>
<p>In my opinion, winning an NFAA Young Arts award, be it Finalist, Honorable Mention or Merit Award is indeed significant. It is a national recognition in a very big talent pool. A Merit award is given to those who fall in the top 10% of those who entered. That surely is significant. It is a recognizable award to colleges and those in the performing arts industry and is worthy of putting on your resume. It also should serve as an affirmation of your talent and if you are auditioning for college programs, it is an indication that you are a competitive candidate in a national talent pool. To me, the money is not the thing here but the recognition is significant on a national level and also lets you know how you fare among others in your field outside your local region. My own kid won a Merit Award in Musical Theater back when she was 16 and still has it on one of her resumes at age 22. I have had students win awards too. I had a student get a Merit Award for MT in this cycle as well. </p>
<p>Thank you for the affirmation! I was afraid it was a hand-out award for those not chosen as finalists. But I researched it more- the Merit awards go to those who actually fall in the top 5% of the pool of applicants. So congrats to your daughter and student! And, as it turns out, I can apply again next year (as an 18 year-old) so I will hopefully be able to do that.</p>
<p>Unless something changed, Honorable Mention used to be top 5% and Merit award was for top 10%. Either way, it surely is significant. The majority (90%) who enter do not win anything. </p>
<p>Yes, you could try again next year. My D graduated HS at age 16 and could have entered NFAA again while in college but moved on. :D</p>
<p>There is a member on the MT Forum whose D is a finalist this year for MT.</p>
<p>Congratulations!! Our daughter is thrilled to be a finalist in Spoken and Musical Theatre this year and has heard there was a very large theatre applicant pool this year so your recognition is very significant. Congatulations to all who were recognized!</p>
<p>I think tomorrow is the final day to complete your 2012 on-line YoungArts application. As I recall, filling out the on-line ap is a breeze, so you could do it tonight. You have until the 29th to submit the audition.</p>
<p>We may be too literal-minded, but I can’t figure out the best way to send this application. They want applicants to tape bar codes to the outside of their envelopes and to use the specific address forms that print out with the bar codes. But they also want you to Express Mail the applications. The post office has a special format for addressing Express Mail and doesn’t allow tapes and stickers. Does anyone have any advice? Cram the bar code envelope inside the Post Office envelope?</p>
<p>I remember we were also really confused about the whole bar code thing, as was everyone else D knew who submitted stuff – so rest assured it’s not just you! </p>
<p>As I recall, we made up an envelope with all the prescribed stuff on it, then crammed that inside the Express mail envelope and possibly ALSO stuck a bar code somewhere on that envelope. I think as long as the inner envelope is properly labeled you’re ok. I tried to understand the goal (making everything as uniform and anonymous as possible) and went from there. </p>
<p>Last year D was called on Sunday, the 21st, but they seem to be doing things differently this year. Someone on the MT forum said they called YoungArts and were told they planned to begin making calls today. I think the process can span about a week, as they call alternates if anyone is unable to make it to Miami.</p>