Requesting early audition time?

So, I am realizing that many schools have you show up at 8 or 9 am on audition day and only then do they give you your audition time. My D has 2 audition dates that we need to fly home on audition day (night) and the latest flights out are around 5-6 pm. So, could I call / email requesting an audition time no later than 2 pm? That’s still cutting it close (in my opinion) but I don’t want to be too limiting (demanding) with the time frame. Do they typically honor those kinds of requests? Is that a reasonable request to make?

Anyone have experience with this? I’ve read about a lot of back to back auditions on this board, so I figure it has had to be an issue with someone before…

Thanks.

dbandmom, I seem to remember that your D is a jazz musician, but I’m not sure. If so, you need to be prepared to stay for the entire day as there can typically be a jam audition scheduled towards the end. Both Eastman and Frost were very full days that ended around 6pm. We always flew (or drove) home the night of the audition and it all worked out - but our Miami flight left around 9pm.

Oops I just figured out that your D is a vocalist! I’d check the school’s website first to see what kind of schedule is planned and then have your D contact admissions with any special scheduling requests.

Yes, you can make this request. If it’s a no, then you probably shouldn’t chance it and just stay. But due to costs you have a legitimate reason to ask.

They really do not hold it against you for asking. If the answer is no nothing is lost but you can’t get a yes uness you ask. We found most to be accomodating when long distance travel was involved.

Some schools can accommodate requests and some simply can not. The particular panel needed might not be available earlier or perhaps they need more accompanists or a special room. Eastman is an example of a scheduling problem- the undergrad VP applicants often get audition slots around or after 9 PM, and Juillard is another school which tells you to leave the evening open.
Your best bet is to ask as early as you can and be prepared to make alternate arrangements should they not be able to help. Good luck!

9 pm! Yikes @Mezzo’sMama

We usually only fly Southwest. We are trying to do the entire “audition season” with our rapid rewards points. However, I looked around and found a cheap (ish) flight on American at 8pm for one trip and they let you hold the reservation for a week for $8. So, for $16, I bought myself a week to try and get an answer. If I can’t get an answer, I will have 2 return flights booked and use whatever one we can make. I’ll be paying for peace of mind, I guess.

I think the audition letter from the other school said something about being prepared to stay on campus until 3pm. I will call them, too. We could probably still make the flight if we are not checking bags, but I’d be really nervous!

Thanks all!

Yep, @dbandmom, Eastman does VP auditions LATE!! I remember that my daughter sang at 10PM and the day had begun early and with a lot of snow!! They run all of the graduate VP auditions first and then the DMA candidates and those take a much longer time, so naturally, the panel needs a rest, which is usually a length dinner break. Then they are feeling a lot better and the kids are wiped out!