No callback means you're out?

<p>Hi, I auditioned at PPU on Dec 18. There were a ton on MT auditionees there! In most of the posts I’ve read so far, people have said about 18-20 people were at their audition! We had 50! My audition went really really well, probably the best I’ve ever performed my pieces. And I didn’t get a callback. Only 4 girls did, I believe? I know at a lot of schools whether you get a callback or not does not matter. There are people who get callbacks and do not get in. And there are people who do not get callbacks and do get in. I assumed that if schools are impressed with you from the second you walk in, they already know that they want you and may not need to hear you again, except maybe for scholarship decisions? And then again, if your audition has some rough spots but the judges can tell that you’re talented, they can use callbacks as a sort of second chance for people who didn’t do as well as other people. I assumed this was how Point Park operated, because Point Park never specifically told us if the callback mattered. But, when they posted the callback list there were girls bawling and talking about having to apply to other schools. If PPU doesn’t call you back, does that mean you’re out? Does anyone know for sure? Someone on another thread put, quite bluntly, if you don’t get a callback at PPU, you’re out. PPU was my goal school and I’d really like to know if I should be checking into other places instead of waiting for my decision to arrive. If anyone knows anything about this, please, please post responses. Thanks so much!</p>

<p>Very few programs use a callback system. Penn State does. If you are not called back, you are no longer being considered. I am pretty sure that is also the case at Point Park but can’t prove it. You could call and ask the school if that is how it works. </p>

<p>NO MATTER WHAT, you should not rely on ONE school when it comes to BFA in MT programs, even if you are super duper extremely talented. The odds are low for anyone when it comes to predicting admissions into ONE particular BFA program. Everyone needs quite a number of them to maximize the odds. There is no way you should not be applying to other BFA programs while waiting for a decision. Many deadlines are past. Some have deadlines today. PLEASE apply to other schools, not only due to no callback to PPU but because nobody can count on admission to a particular BFA program (even if called back). Even kids who get into tippy top BFA programs, get rejected at some programs.</p>

<p>I will say that the few schools that employ a callback system, typically use it as a cut and narrowing of the talent pool and if one doesn’t make that cut, they are no longer in the running.</p>

<p>thanks so much for your input, you’re always so helpful! (:</p>

<p>Daughter auditioned at PP in October. During the “welcome to audition day” talk, the director of the conservatory said that it’s up to the faculty’s discretion if they choose to do callbacks or not, but that if you’re not called back, it is most likely a no. However, my daughter (who was called back and has been admitted) said the team told the group that they wanted to hear more from those who were called back, and for those who weren’t not to freak out, just wait for your decision letter before over-analyzing. As with all these schools, until you’ve got your letter in your hand, I’d say go back to your life, think about your next auditions (as Soozie says – spread those eggs over several baskets!) and just wait to see what the results are. As long as you were prepared and did your best, you can’t ask anything else of yourself – now it’s up to the school to decide if you are a “fit” or not.</p>

<p>In my view, at a school that employs a callback system on audition day, it truly is a cut. It is sort of like schools that require a pre-screen DVD. If not called back, you are likely out of the running. </p>

<p>This is not to be confused at schools with no callbacks and over-analyzing whether being asked to do more in the audition room (more songs or monologues or be worked with on your songs and monos another way) means they are interested or not. That is not the same as a callback. My own kid got admitted to some schools that worked a lot with her and some that didn’t work with her and vice versa. That is not clear cut at all. But that is not the same as a few schools that use a callback that day and narrow the group after a certain segment of the audition. That is more of a cut and it is doubtful that anyone who doesn’t make that cut for the callback will be admitted. At Penn State, they even state that. It sounds like at PPU, they stated it too but in gentler terms.</p>

<p>Not necessarily,</p>

<p>Sometimes if the adjudicators would like to see more from a student, they will give them a callback.
Some are deferred, and some are (rarely) notified on the spot, without having to endure the callback process.
I am a student that works the Conservatory auditions, and there was one case where people where given callbacks because their individual slot was pressed for time. And it was only fair to see more of what they had to offer.</p>

<p>Like any other audition that one would have in their career, you shouldn’t read too much into it whether you do, or do not get asked back.</p>

<p>Although, I WILL typically say that getting a callback IS better than not getting one at all. It shows that the adjudicators are interested in the least.</p>

<p>My D auditioned for PP and was not called back for the dance portion of the audition. Which meant she was out for MT. But she was asked into the director of acting’s office and asked if she would consider an acting admission. Weeks later she was given an admission letter for the acting program with no talent money. This was 2008 so maybe it’s different now.</p>

<p>We knew someone who was close to the MT director and she was told my D didn’t do well enough with singing to be considered for MT.</p>

<p>If this is the case don’t feel bad. My D did well enough to get on the waitlist for emerson. That wasn’t too shabby, and got into Wagner with a large talent award. So just because one school doesn’t like you don’t get discouraged. They are all looking for different things.</p>

<p>Good luck with your college search. It all works out in the end!</p>

<p>Does PPU use a callback system at Unifieds as well?</p>

<p>I was told they do not.</p>

<p>They didn’t last year, at least. Sing, act, then come back for your scheduled dance slot time.</p>

<p>My D auditioned at Point Park in October 2009. There were no call backs even though the group was very small. She did, however, perform both her songs and both monologues. There were 2 groups who rotated between the singing/acting portion of the auditon and the dance portion. Everyone was asked to dance. They did call back 6 girls (my D was one of them) to let them know they were being considered for the acting program as well as the MT program. D was eventually accepted as a MT…she found out about 2 weeks after her audition. So just because there was no callback doesn’t mean it’s a bad sign…from what we heard from the faculty, they pretty much know who they want even with just one song and one monologue. Good luck!</p>

<p>Regarding callbacks, I believe It can go either way.</p>

<p>I auditioned for PP last November at a regional audition in Atlanta and I received my MT acceptance letter a few weeks later. :)</p>

<p>When you auditioned in Atlanta, were you a student at the Atlanta HS where they held the audition?</p>

<p>Hey, Im really sorry to say that not receiving a callback from point park at their audition normally means a no. It doesn’t matter how many people are there the day you auditioned they call back as many as they want to work with. This in zero way means they didn’t think you were talented, but the school can only accept so many of a certain type and if they have their quota its out of your hands. Just know you did the best you could but in this business your talent isn’t everything, which can be unfortunate. Best of luck to you in the rest of your auditions.</p>