D was turned down for 4 prescreens, has had 5 live auditions. One of those already said no. Of the remaining 4, she got 2 positive reactions and 2 indifferent reactions. I see on the forum that people are already getting letters from some of our 4 remaining schools. We’ve heard nothing. We were told by people in the know that she has what it takes, but it’s not looking good. So… can anybody speak to surviving 100% rejection if it comes to that?
Work on back up plan.
Demonstrate significant interest and willingness to take a slot if it is offered but also be prepared that there may not be a slot.
Reach out after acceptances are due and even again a month or two later and let them know she continues to be interested if they find they have an unplanned opening.
It is not always personal but simply a math problem. Consider lower tier schools and programs. Try lower tier and love it or try lower tier and try to transfer.
Try going in under a different major at schools which may permit transfers.
Take a gap year in a local or non-collegiate theater program and develop skills that advance her value and her skill set. She wont be the only theatre major who needs to redirect. The best way to deal with rejection is to take control of finding solutions and to not feel like a victim.
@NewEngMTMom the 4 remaining programs could ALL be yeses. Or one could be a yes. Or two. Or three. It’s always important to have a Plan B-but don’t panic. What does your D say? Is it more important for her to go off to college in the Fall, or is it more important for her to pursue MT?
Sending you lots of good vibes!!!
We were in that boat 4 years ago…rejected everywhere and one waitlist (she did come of that list and was accepted but chose to go to her safety). My daughter is currently a senior at her safety and graduating in May. In 2 days she will be making her directorial debut in NYC and has been hired professionally for the summer season as a professional SM. There is life beyond rejection. My daughter picked herself up and put her all into her safety school and couldn’t have made a better choice. This is not the end for your kid…
She can’t imagine any life other than MT. This has been her focus for about 5 years now. She has tried to think about teaching or majoring in music as opposed to MT but comes back to MT every time. There will have to be a plan B if she’s not accepted anywhere, but I’m worried about surviving the emotional fallout.
We’ve already lost the safety school.
How did she lose her safety?
Nothing wrong with a gap year. I think it makes sense for a lot of kids even if they got into several schools. If your D is not so inclined, you can go the BA rout perhaps. As for the emotional fallout, even the most successful professionals in this business hear “no” way more often than “yes.” I am not trying to sound cold hearted. I just think learning to deal with rejection is a skill that has to be developed to have any kind of long term success.
Owensfolks did a gap year and has lots of acceptances this year - any advice, @owensfolks?
When they sent the email link for her to sign up for an audition, her email service “junked” it. She caught it pretty quickly, but every spot was taken. She called the school and they told her to sign up for a virtual audition. They sent her the link for that so she immediately went to sign up and every spot was taken.
I meant her non auditioned safety does she have one?
Oh this is so hard. I’m sorry you’re going through this. I hope you can find a way to steer her into a non audition BA, without her feeling like you don’t believe in her ability. But if it were me, I’d start having serious gap year conversations, and quickly looking for non audition BAs that might still be taking applications, regardless of potential additional emotional fallout. Hugs to you, I know you’re in a tough place.
First of all, try not to panic yet. But do go ahead and have some concrete options in place if it happens you don’t have an acceptance at the end of this year. Some suggestions:
- If you are hoping to still add some options right now, AMDA auditions year round in multiple locations and also accepts video auditions. They offer both 2 and 4 year options with various campus options in either LA or NYC. It is not highly regarded as an academic institution but I think the professional training is good and it does seem to be represented by graduates in playbills of all sorts -- so its grads are working performers. There are pros and cons to this kind of program (for example, I'm not sure that the BFA credits would transfer to most universities if you wanted to transfer, and not sure how much scholarship money is available, nor do I know what campus life exists). But it may be worth a look if you really want to go somewhere this year.
- Here is a thread that may help. It listed some schools that took late applications/auditions in previous years. You might find something here of interest:
- If you decide on a gap year, have a concrete plan for what you will do during that year. Will it include training? perhaps a coach who specializes in the college audition process? Will you expect her to have a job? What will you expect her to do at home? I don't know the ins and outs of taking classes at community college etc... But check with the schools you are interested in to make sure it doesn't negatively effect you when applying next year. Sometimes it can effect the financial aid you qualify for because you are considered a sophomore or transfer student rather than an entering freshman. Just check and make sure you know the ramifications if you do take some classes. I have seen a gap year produce great results for people the following year. I have seen it time and again where they have multiple acceptances the second year they apply. So if she is an "MT or bust" kind of person, this may be a good option for you.
Lastly, here’s a short story. D had a couple of friends who only got in one school out of the many they applied to and auditioned for, and the one acceptance came very late in the process. But when all was said and done they were accepted at the prestigious NYU! So you just never know. Not sure where you have applied or which schools you are waiting on, but its not over lil its over.
Hope you get good news soon. Remember it only takes one yes. Best wishes and keep us posted!
Getting nervous too. Only applied to selective schools. Now thinking the odds are not good. And I don’t think the rejection is something good for them. If they’ve been doing shows for years they are certainly very used to rejection.They need a college to go to. I think my daughter is crazy talented but a white girl in theatre has the worst chance.
I think U of Arts is still taking video auditions. There are others too that people here can suggest if you are interested. If your D is a Caucasian female, they are typically advised to audition for 15 schools of varying competitiveness to net 1-2 acceptances.
Sam Houston University has an audition on April 6th I believe.
I think Western Michigan is still accepting applications for BFA MT. They have an on campus audition 3/23. Good luck- I hope the last four are all yeses!
No. One of the big mistakes we’ve made. We’ve been fumbling our way through this with so little guidance!
Btw, D is currently in a gap year. And a Caucasian, blonde soprano. There is an and less supply of those!
@NewEngMTMom lots of good advice here. Remember you are still waiting to hear from four.schools. I too was thinking AMDA. The other thing she might get there out and just go for it in terms of auditioning. Just curious did you use a coach? Hugs to you.