<p>why can't they just send all the rejection letters out at once! Thats so mean making me wait.</p>
<p>But thanks sarahsmom! You've been a great help, i needed to hear some positive thoughts.</p>
<p>....well i don't know about rejection...but...letters in general.</p>
<p>they wouldn't wait until like...may, would they?</p>
<p>I got rejected from Otterbein last friday. It really sucked cause it was the only outside CA school I applied to and the only BFA program. </p>
<p>My dad is a bit crazy wouldn't let me apply outside of CA. I applied without his knowledge... (So grateful for the free on-line app for high school students) told him I was accepted to the school somehow and was allowed to audition.</p>
<p>=( Im pretty bummed. And trying to find someway to justify going anyway.</p>
<p>Liz --</p>
<p>Try not to be too bummed. Otterbein is extremely competitive. Last year, they auditioned over 140 girls and accepted only 6. As you can see, those are extremely poor odds. They are forced to reject even extremely talented candidates due to the size of their program. </p>
<p>Have you looked at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria, CA. They have a great training program, although it does require an audition. It is a junior college, so the tuition should be about right. I know many successful people in the profession, actors and directors, who started there.</p>
<p>I want everyone reading this thread to know that, IMHO, it's the most IMPORTANT thread going right now on CC.</p>
<p>Rejections sting. If you handle them fairly well, that says you could be good in the theater, eventually, since it's a routine part of life, week-in-and-week out, unlike other fields where you get a position and if you keep your head low and don't do anything wrong, they let you stay in it for years.</p>
<p>If you handle them poorly, but the feelings churn and you learn from all that, it can also deepen your commitment and resolve. If you remember the feelings, it widens your heart. And theater is a lot about Heart.</p>
<p>My eldest is a working actor in NYC off-broadway and it is so routine to have rejections mixed in with acceptances that we barely even mention it anymore. A typical conversation, he mentions what he's chasing these days, and I've learned not to ask for followup because MOST things never materialize. Then among (what feels to me like l0 or l5) chased threads, he'll surprise me with, "remember that thing I was chasing weeks/months ago? Well it came through..." I figured out that it was demoralizing to him to recite rejections on the phone/email because there are SO MANY OF THEM EVERY WEEK in the life of any working actor. (P.S. He keeps his day job...:)</p>
<p>I used to work teaching college courses in a max-security prison (!) The guys there said that they were career criminals and regarded return trips to prison as part of their "overhead" of doing business. Now I wouldn't recommend learning to enjoy rejection, and I was sorry to see them return revolving-door style, but isn't that an attitude?!</p>
<p>Another sidestory (I find when my children were upset we'd just console them by telling stories...):
My S is involved with a nascent theater group and for the first time in his life was on the other side, reviewing 500 resumes from a Craigslist announcement for an audition, I think. He was stunned to see several things he'd always heard about: first of all, some people apply casually and they are EASY to eliminate, leaving only serious contenders. Of the serious ones, there are so many of equal qualification. The company requires an ensemble and a balance of gender, size, even voice pitch. He could only imagine how badly those rejected would feel, and saw first-hand how EQUALLY qualified they were to those that got called in for a first-try audition. Then at the actual audition, he saw quite a display of talent but it all came down to an intuition from the directors about what they wanted for that particular play. They really mean it, in theater, when they say, "You were so talented and we had so many applicants..." Nobody got up there with the courage to try who shouldn't be in some OTHER production down the street or later in the calendar...it's just that one place and their unique needs for ensemble and balance that drive the final decisions among fine talent (like you who read this today). You just want a chance to develop your talent, and that's not a singular path. If you wanted to go to Med school and your Math SAT's were in the low 400's, well, that's a more linear reason to give it up. Nobody here is giving it up, sounds like. </p>
<p>Anyway, many hugs and appreciations for you who are on the line this week. In theater there is never a "final scene" until/unless YOU throw in the towel. All those who pledge to retrain make a valid choice. Even those who say, this path isn't for me also make a valid choice. Hang tough, taste the salt in the tears because feelings do count, and you will recover in ways you'd never dream on this day.</p>
<p>--A mom of 3 kids, all in the performing arts (so we'll be broke but happy..?)</p>
<p>Paying 3: I think I will print and post this message! ( Darling D facing now and my S will be in 2 years as he has proclaimed it is the theatre for him!) Thanks so much!</p>
<p>Paying3Tuitions (and I thought TWO were bad!), THANK YOU THANK YOU for that wonderful post that is SOOO true, plus you spoke from experience.</p>
<p>I agree with all you expressed with regard to rejection. It stings and is disappointing but it is a GIVEN when it comes to both selective college admissions AND casting in the theater world. It is to be expected and goes with this field. One can't take it personally and must forge ahead, learn through experiences, understand reality, and keep their eyes on their goals. </p>
<p>I also agree with all you said about casting. My kid got a taste of what it was like to cast a show as she was on that side of the table. And boy, did it really show exactly what you said. Once it even gets beyond talent, it can come down to who is right for that particular part or even who looks right with the others cast in other roles. One must keep plugging along, get feedback and train and keep their head up. </p>
<p>It is very very tough but if you are passionate about what you are doing, you will keep at it. </p>
<p>Even if college admissions doesn't turn out as hoped, there is always a solution and new steps to take. Things go on and things work out...maybe not as planned or hoped, but there are twists and turns in the road. That is life.</p>
<p>paying3tuitions....that was a really nice and wonderful post, so thank you!</p>
<p>do u think it is NUTS that i'm still waiting to hear from syracuse? holy heck</p>
<p>paying3tuitions - Thank you for that perspective. That's a keeper. I'll be sure to share with my D next year when the inevitable college rejections come in.</p>
<p>rejected from Fordham's BA program. i was accepted to the school but obviously i wont be going without pursuing a theatre degree. it just kinda stinks getting these no's when my friends who arent going into the arts are getting into everyschool that I applied to. I know if I went for anything else I could get in, but hey! i couldnt have it any other way. this is our life...all these no's and bad times. cause when it all comes down to being on stage and doing what you love, you forget about those letters.</p>
<p>lets stay positive (i keep saying that to myself as i wait for 6 more to come)</p>
<p>Well, I've been rejected from MT Uarts, Ithaca, BoCo and now Wagner. Wagner was the hardest, especially since I liked it the most. So now that I've been rejected from all of the schools I auditioned for, except my safe school, I'm pretty bummed. Actually, I really feel horrible, but I'll get over it.</p>
<p>DcDuckee, don't despair. There are so many inspiring stories on this board. My D is in almost the same position though she is waiting to hear from 2 more schools. When you look at the stats for admissions to performing arts schools, they are tougher than Ivies! I continue to be impressed by all of the performing arts kids, it is a competitive and difficult field and rejction unfortunately is part of the process. Keep your spirits up and remember nothing is permanent.</p>
<p>My heart goes out to those rejected and truly appreciate the posts about it. While it is nice to hear about the successes, the posts discussing rejections are so important to those going thru it. I think parents and students come to learn that they are not alone. As the mother of a MT major, I often encounter the IVy League moms that assume the road to MT school is paved in lillies. When I speak about the competition and the limited acceptances they appear shocked. I truly wish everyone the best of luck. I often joke with my D about opening a school for all of the talented 'rejected' kids out there. You guys are great-hang in there!</p>
<p>I saw a show at my safe school and thought it was good and was happy with the visit last year. I went back this year for a scholarship audition and hated the school. I think after going to all of these top schools seeing all of these talented kids and then going to a school where you don't have to audition to get in with all of these kids who have never done theatre before it's just tough. Really tough. I just felt like I wouldn't fit in there. Now I guess I'm stuck there.</p>
<p>Perhaps, YOU will be the change your chosen school needs. Knock em dead</p>
<p>Congrats To Every1 Who Got Acceptances And Those With Rejections Hey U Always Got Next Year. If Anything Just Take Some Extra Theatre Classes To Give U The Extra Push 4 Next Year. That Way U'll Knock Em Dead In The Audition.</p>
<p>I got rejected from Hartt today, but accepted academically to U of Hartford. As of now, it looks like West Chester might be where I'm heading...still have some other places to hear from though.</p>
<p>This thread takes me back so very strongly to this same time two years ago, when my D had to weather several rejections. She's doing fine, and I predict the Class of '07 CC kids will do fine, too. She's evolving, and I predict that'll happen, too. It's called life! But, my oh my, is this process a devastating one! I can't think of any other area, except top collegiate sports, in which applicants have to ENTER the process with not only huge talent but also great expertise in their chosen field, and in which the odds are so outrageous. You all show amazing spirit, toughness and heart.</p>