Process is so frustrating and puzzling

College Majors Musical Theater Major
1

My D did not make it through pre-screens at three top tier programs, made it through the CMU pre-screen, and had the audition chair of another very good program call her the day after her audition (and the first audition day for that school) to say that it was the unanimous decision of the community that they want her in their program.

Is there any rhyme or reason whatsoever to this process or do we just go with the roller-coaster?

2

Don’t forget to pull down the safety bar before takeoff from the loading area.

3

None. None whatsoever.

4

No rhyme or reason! But congratulations on the acceptance!

5

I shall swim against the tide a little bit here and say there is some reason to the process. However, the selection process is highly variable.

  1. Maybe, for example, your D shows better live than on video.
  2. Some schools have a certain "look" or "type" they are looking for in general or in a given year.
  3. Some candidates may be very inconsistent in their audition performances. Now, some auditors may be very good at assessing raw talent and see through an "off" or particularly "on" performance by a candidate. I would compare this to a basketball scout. You could watch a player in a given game make all of his free throws or jump shots but can tell by technique that such a performance is likely does not translate to a consistently great shooter. Similarly, you could watch a player with perfect form just happen to miss all of his shots on a given day and know that player is highly likely to be a good shooter. But only the best of the best scouts can do this. But you are still making assumptions either way. So in general, this can result in either overvaluing or undervaluing a particular audition.

Overall, though, I think if you get into CCM, for example, you will get into a number of highly regarded programs if your list is long enough. But it doesn’t mean necessarily, that you can assume you will get into two particular schools.

6

It really is crazy and nerve wracking. Always having this fear that maybe my very talented D might not get in artistically anywhere? We are fairly confident that this won’t happen but what if it does? This is not for the faint of heart.

7

There ARE very talented kids that don’t get into any schools every audition cycle. It’s a truly crazy insane process!

8

^^^ THIS is my biggest fear!

Congrats, @FrustratedMTDad !!!

9

Take the win (congrats on the acceptance!!) and let go of the others

10

@fancytheatrekid I have begun having nightmares that my girl doesn’t get in anywhere and all this was for nothing. I honestly don’t know how I am going to get through all this without losing my mind. I can only imagine how the kids feel.

11

I’m right there with you, @emdcollege !!

12

I’ve said it a number of times on this site - but the waiting period from when the auditions ended (Feb 4th 2014) and when D got her 1st “yes” (March 23rd) was one of the longest, and darkest periods of my life. And I shouldn’t have let it be. I can look back now and be embarrassed by how MUCH I let it get to me, and not just b/c my D ended up at a one of her top choice schools. (and with other choices as well). I let myself obsess over the idea that IF my D didn’t get picked - it was the end of all her dreams etc. Which was SO foolish - b/c I knew that there are SO many different paths to success - and that there are no guarantees no matter WHAT school you go to. But I let the waiting part get under my skin, and it pulled me to a dark place, and hurt people I cared about. What’s worst is that some of that still carries forward to this day.

Moral of the story - don’t be like me. This too shall pass, there are a million positive outcomes out there - and acceptances/rejections do NOT determine your kid’s destiny.

13

So is the call from the audition chair an official acceptance? If so, I’d get it in writing.

14

^^^agree! Get it in writing. Every year there are misunderstandings. If it’s an offer, the school will put it in writing. We talked with a family at CCM who had a similar situation. They were calling back asking for the offer to be memorialized.

15

based on the content of the call, writing may not be necessary. But I get it. They know they are her number two choice.

16

@FrustratedMTDad Hang on to your hats and sunglasses, because it’s equally frustrating and confounding POST-graduation! Haha! But seriously. Congrats on the acceptance!

17

haha - so true @zebracocoa! My senior MT son graduates in May. I’m living in a hotbed of stress :frowning:

18

Love your safety <3

19

Glad I am not the only neurotic mess!!!

20

Where’s the thread comparing MT parent neuroses?

My daughter’s first semester wasn’t even over before we were planning and mobilizing for Summer stock auditions. Next is school productions in the Fall. Then its…