I am someone who has been doing musical theater since middle school. It has been my passion and dream ever since, and this year, I am a senior that auditioned for UMich, BoCo, Carnegie Mellon, and NYU. I am fully aware that these schools are extremely competitive, and that there is a mass amount of talent that can fill the spots x2. However, this past week, I have been rejected from everything besides NYU, which I am still waiting on. I feel hopeless, and my self-esteem went down the drain. Should I take this as a sign that musical theater isn’t the right path for me? Is there any other reason besides “talent” that I could have been rejected because of? I will add that I am Asian, 5’0, and a US non-citizen. Can this be part of it?I know I shouldn’t take this personally, but I can’t help feeling untalented. What would you do in this situation? Thank you in advance for replies.
I’m sure you will get a number of responses, and EVERYONE will tell you that those 5 schools are 5 very competitive schools. You needed more schools, or at least more variety, in your list. No audition school is a safety. You should NOT give up based on rejection from those 5. And, as far as being Asian, that is NOT a detriment…at all. Schools actively seek minorities.
If you don’t get into NYU, I would suggest taking a gap year if you can, and train for auditions. In the fall, apply for a broader list. Get a coach if you can (one of the good ones). You CANNOT let rejection from those 5 schools dictate your talent level/how you feel about yourself.
Also, you can send your audition tapes to a group like Stagelighter for an unbiased assessment. They are very reasonably priced, and they can tell you (better than we can) what you need to do to pursue your dream.
Break legs, and don’t give up. 
Hello, I am sorry for your news which must be a real bummer. I agree with Monkey13. Your error was in applying to only 5 schools, all of which are extraordinarily competitive. My daughter was advised to apply to 15 programs, which a broad range of competitive vs less competitive. If you are committed to theater, next time, please consider applying to many more schools, some of which might be much easier to get into. All the best to you.
@baileecc Unfortunately many people end up where you are at and the way you are feeling is completely to be expected, but please do not let the results of those auditions define you or your talent. When we visited a few of the top schools in my S’s junior year, we were told by one of the MT departments that for the top schools it is akin to winning the lottery because there are 800-2000 kids applying for 10-20 spots (depending on the school). So much goes into who they decide to accept. She said they audition many more than 10 qualified students but they can only accept 10, so we should make sure he applies to enough programs. She suggested 12-15 for a boy and 15-18 for a girl. Not saying that’s right or wrong, just sharing what she said (because the right number of schools is heavily debated in other threads). You definitely need to include more schools on your list. There are lots of great programs to consider. There are schools that are still auditioning so you could still potentially get into a school if you pursue those opportunities, or you could take a gap year and spend time preparing for auditions next year with a larger list. Never give up on your passion and your dreams! There are lots of paths to success in the business that don’t include those top programs. Best of luck!
1. Four (I only count four...am I missing one?) schools is only a small segment of the BFAMT realm (and those four are a particularly tough, highly selective segment), so if you truly want a 4-year college BFA program, you've only scratched the surface and you should indeed consider a gap year, getting some specialized college audition coaching and trying again next year with approximately 15 schools on your list. However, if you are not limited to a 4 year program, you could also consider applying a two-year conservatory program, like CAP21's two-year certificate program, in NYC. As for coaching, I know that my sons' coach Mary Anna Dennard has had success working with students in similar situations, as, I'm sure, have other prominent coaches and coaching groups. Sometimes we don't know what we need until we know what we need, ya know? ;)
2. Google Kyle Dean Massey. He was rejected from all his audition schools and managed to do pretty darn well for himself. There are many pathways to success.
3. Work on your mental game -- this is a rough path you're heading down and rejection is an unfortunate part of it. I think this is something all students grapple with, but it is pronounced when dream schools don't pan out. However, whatever rejection you face in the college audition portion pales in comparison to the inevitable rejection that goes along with a life of auditioning. So, if you are truly committed to this path and this work, do it for the joy of the work and keep doing it -- you will find away. It's like Dory says, "just keep swimming, just keep swimming." Above all, be kind to yourself. Keep training and working toward your goals! Best wishes.
I agree with what others have said, especially regarding taking a gap year and applying/auditioning to at least 15 schools.
Another thing you might consider doing is asking for a consultation with several different coaches to get their honest opinion of your talent level. You can just be frank with them and tell them that you’d like a realistic assessment of your audition pieces and where you stack up. I would ask for a consultation and from at least 3-4 different coaching groups. Check into MTCA, Mary Anna Dennard, Dave Clemmons, or even as someone mentioned above, Stagelighter.
It may have been something as simple as you chose audition material that didn’t show you off well, or went against your type. It may not have anything to do with your talent at all. It is SO competitive, and auditions are so brief, you just may have mis-marketed yourself.
Don’t lose heart. You seem very determined, and that goes a long way in this business.
My daughter did not use a coach and her audition monologues weren’t good for her. Of course we didn’t know this until she spent 7 weeks in an auditioned acting intensive program and she performed them for the directors there. They told her, please don’t do that monologue ever again…LOL and helped her select new pieces that have been very successful now that she is in college and auditioning for shows.
And don’t give up on this year yet. D knew at least 2 people her year who got in none of the schools to which they applied until … - they were accepted to NYU. So it is still a possibility for you if your academics were strong. You should know by April 1.
I was going to echo @vvnstar - every year there are several kids who have no acceptances until NYU. As they say, it’s not over 'til the fat lady sings.
The advice you’ve gotten above is great, but I also want to add that if you decide you don’t want to endure a lifetime with lots of rejection there is NO shame in deciding to pursue other career dreams. Lots of non-MTs live very happy lives.
@baileecc if you only auditioned for those 4 schools then yes, that was not enough. Those schools are highly competitive and have a huge number of people applying. If you truly want to stick w/ MT could re-audition this fall /winter of 2017 if you can do more research into schools over the summer & prepare your audition material etc. Do you have teachers or a voice or theater person etc helping you? There are a myriad of programs out there to look into and research . Many of those schools are not listed anywhere on this forum. Some are listed on the "MT schools by state " thread posted at the top. This forum can be a wealth of info and be very helpful. it does, however, tend to mostly focus on schools that are well known for musical theatre and that is what ends up mostly being discussed. Do some more research into schools that are perhaps good programs but off the radar and draw applicants from a more regional pool.
Not sure what your specific background is but you said you’d been doing MT since middle school so it’s not a brand new thing which is good. Obviously a sit down with your parents etc is in order at this point to discuss options and making a new list? Discussing financial concerns if any as well as geographic …you need someone’s guidance in MT college admissions for sure. It is a daunting process with a lot to take into consideration. It’s not like your friends who are applying for regular college admissions which I’m sure you already know. …
Much luck to you!
Do you have a Green Card, or are you an int’l applicant?
@GMTplus7 I’m a DACA student, so no green card. I know colleges prioritize citizens and permanent residents… :((
@baileecc Are you in the NY metro area? Please look into Atlas:DIY. They help DACA students with their college applications. Here’s their website: http://www.atlasdiy.org/ Good luck!
I am really sorry to hear of your disappointment, though as others have pointed out, NYU decisions aren’t out yet. Last year we knew a girl who was rejected everywhere and was planning a gap year – but she got into NYU. She’s not a US citizen, either.
I know it’s hard, but try not to take these rejections personally. Imagine someone applying only to Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Brown, and then, when they didn’t get in, deciding that maybe they really weren’t cut out for college after all.
If you do decide to try again next year, working with a coach who specializes in musical theater could make all the difference. My son had a coach, and he applied to 16 auditioned programs, ranging from near safeties (there are no true safeties in MT) to a couple of reach schools like NYU and Boston Conservatory. He didn’t even bother with Carnegie Mellon and Michigan, as his coach said the odds were staggering.
Here is a thought – I wonder if the Manhattan School of Music would consider a late application? They are a brand new program, so not yet getting the numbers of applications that established programs see. And I suspect that many of those they admit will go elsewhere, with known programs, and MSM might struggle a bit to fill its first class this year. Once it gets going, I have no doubt this will become a much sought after and highly regarded MT program. Anyway, this is just a random thought, as I have no actual knowledge of the situation there, but you might call Luis Perez, the director of the new program, and ask. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.