<p>I think it would be helpful to others if those of you who have finished the process post a bullet point or two, (or more), while your memory is still fresh, about what you wish you had known prior to starting the college search. What would have made your task a little easier? What would you have gained if someone had told you "such and such"?</p>
<p>Try to keep your "helpful hints" short as in a "bullet point" so that it can be read quickly. I think this will be a big help to those who are beginning the process.</p>
<p>MT programs are all so different! Look at curriculum before applying so the program matches your needs and you don't waste money applying to schools you find out later you aren't interested in.</p>
<p>Don't rule out private schools based on cost. Most give generous scholarships (not need based) which make them CONSIDERABLY less.</p>
<p>*Make your earliest auditions the least competitive schools or the schools you are least interested in. Your auditions will get better as you go along, so make the most of your tough auditions. Of course this does not apply for ED or EA.</p>
<p>Broadway32nd-- that's a great pointer! I scheduled my Carnegie audition first, which was my top choice school and the most competitive. As you know, I got in, but my auditions & interviews were definitely better towards the end of my run!</p>
<p>We scheduled our initial top 3 1st, hoping that if my son got into one of those early, we could save money and not apply to any others. When he was put on a waiting list at one, and in the 2nd accepted into the Theatre and Music programs, but not the MT program, we decided to apply to 3 more just in case. As it turns out, he wasn't admitted into the MT programs of any of the initial 3, but was accepted into each of his latter 3, and actually liked 2 of those 3 best anyways. He felt he got better the more auditions he did, and I don't know the extent to which that played into the results, but it worked out great.</p>
<p>Some kids get better with each audition, some start to fade. But I do feel that the first couple of auditions should be like the first sheet of cookies, because you really do not know what will happen. I also agree with those who advise against leaving your faves to the very end. If your flight is cancelled, the weather is rotton, or you get sick; well, that can be it. Leave some breathing room for those faves. Also do ask schools at the Unifieds if the audition is just a pre screening for an invitation for the school. If you are at the point where you do not want to actually go to the school until the student is actually accepted, you can cross off such schools from your list. It seems to me that there are a number of schools that will accept you from the Unified auditions without prejudice.</p>
<p>I definatly would have done at least one audition in the fall to help prepair me for the rest. I didnt get into my first two auditions (defered at one) but got into 4 of 5 of the later ones. I definatly did better with each audition in my opinion. Also I would have done my top choice schools for my last auditions, like PSU. I'm thankful that Baldwin-Wallace was one of my last ones, cause I was seriously considaring auditioning there in October, I dont think i would have gotten in cause I wouldnt have been prepaired. Good luck Jrs.!</p>
<p>It depends on the school. Tisch has an early decision process for drama majors, which include those who are interested in CAP21 for MT. Check with the schools on your list. :)</p>
<p>My d did EA (non-binding) for OCU, Emerson, and Elon and was able to audition in November/early December for these schools. She did this primarily so that she could see where she stood at the turn of the semester in terms of acceptances and also so that we could space out her auditions throughout the year.</p>
<p>I have another question. What is the average amount of schools that you apply too and was it difficult getting that many letters of rec. for each school. Do you use the same references?</p>
<p>When applying to auditoned performance programs, the more the better. It's so different from applying to liberal arts majors, because it's so hard to determine safeties, matches, reaches, etc. Just because you get into Carnegie or Juilliard doesn't mean that you'll get into Sam Houston State or Evansville or whatever...and just because you got into the acting program at Michigan doesn't mean that you'll get into NYU, etc. They are usually trying to create companies and they might have already found their blonde soprano, etc. Or maybe you just end up having a bad audition! Plus, go to Chicago or New York and get 5 or 6 auditions done in 2 or 3 days.</p>
<p>Even though my daughter is "just" a junior, I have been through the college process with my son (not MT). So let me take a stab at directing you here regarding references. </p>
<p>Actually, direct you is the right word -- direct you to your college office/guidance counselor. </p>
<p>Every school does things differently and many teachers do things differently within the same school. For example, one teacher may give the guidance counselor a reference and tell the office to feel free to duplicate it at will. Another teacher may want to "control" the process better and send the letters out her/his self. </p>
<p>Also, advice I have seen on this website before: Make sure your guidance counselor knows that the auditioning student will miss far more days of classes than other seniors. I gather from previous postings that the best way to avoid problems about this is to let the schools know in adavance.</p>
<p>It has been stated on this site that some schools restrict the number of applications from a student. This is particularly not fair with MT applicants, where there are no safety schools. Fight any such policies!</p>
<p>So, check out your own HS school for the best information that will apply to you.</p>
<p>Lexismom,
I think you will find that most people on this thread auditioned for 6-8 programs with some doing fewer and of course, some doing more. My own d applied to 6, auditioned for 3, got an EA acceptance to the program she loved and decided not to proceed with auditions. This was a personal choice for her...some continued so that they could see how many choices they would have come April. Nothing wrong with that, of course! As far as getting the numerous required recs, my d had teachers,counselors,etc make multiple copies when they could...all other recs were done via internet and those she asked were very gracious to follow through given the number of times she asked. As for talking with your guidance counselor about the MT audition/application process...unless you are fortunate (and my d was not) many have NO IDEA what getting into a performing arts program entails or how to advise on it. I am sure my d's counselor knows a lot more since my d has gone through it! At any rate, get whatever advise you can from the guidance counselor, read all the posts on this forum (it will be the best info you will get) and don't be afraid to contact the schools to find out what you need to know. We have found most to be very helpful. Good luck!</p>
<p>Thank you all for your input. I'll have her check now with her school. She does attend an art school so they are aware of the process. I just wasn't sure how to handle all the letters of recommendation as to if they each need to be originals etc. and how they would handle multiple letters. Looks like it will be a very busy summer. We thought the junior year was so hard with all the tests etc.</p>