<p>Hello, all! I was recently accepted to Mansfield University, and have an audition scheduled in late January. I've read some posts on here about "What should I say when they ask where else I'm auditioning?" They're making me sort of nervous, because as soon as I was accepted to Mansfield, I decided I wasn't going to apply anywhere else. I was just starting to look into more schools (that I hadn't heard of) when I got my letter.</p>
<p>My question is, should I be applying and auditioning at other schools? Is it unwise to put all my eggs in Mansfield's basket, when I know their clarinet program is competitive (I have a friend who is a Music Ed major, and a junior, there, so she's given me some inside information)? I just applied online to Onondaga CC (close to home and a safe bet), but I don't want to go through the audition process if it's not necessary. Will Mansfield think less of me if they ask where else I've applied/auditioned, and I say nowhere? Or could I be stressing over this when they may not ask at all?</p>
<p>Will you be happy going to Mansfield if you do not get into the music program? Right now that is all they have accepted you for, the university. If the answer is yes you do not need to apply other places to impress them. It’s all about the audition. </p>
<p>Are there any financial worries? Having other auditions and offers can sometimes improve the merit award situation. If you might need to have merit awards you might want to audition other places too. </p>
<p>Is there any place you would consider as a non-audition and financial safety where you woudl be happy if all auditions fell through? No audition based admission is a safety.</p>
<p>I agree that if Mansfield is your first choice school whether or not you are a music major, and the school is financially within your reach, there is no reason to apply and audition for other schools just to “impress” a program.</p>
<p>If being a music major is more important, Onondaga could be a good plan — there is an audition for the music program, but if you are admitted they have a formal articulation agreement with music departments at a few other NY State schools where you could complete your degree. </p>
<p>It looks like Onondaga has late audition dates. If Mansfield is truly your first choice, and they will let you know that you have been admitted to the music program before the last Onondaga audition date you could always wait to audition for Onondaga until after you hear from Mansfield.</p>
<p>If you are a NY State resident, you may want to look at a few in state four year options as well. These could be less expensive than going out of state. Almost all music education programs will require an audition. If you are interested in other non-auditioned options maybe some others here could make some suggestions in NY State?</p>
<p>There aren’t really any financial issues with Mansfield for me. I live in NY, and because Mansfield is so close to the border, I’ll get a “Good Neighbor Discount” for my residence in NY.
No matter where I apply, I believe I will have to go through an audition in order to gain access into the music program. I have yet to come across a school I was interested in that did not require an audition. </p>
<p>KatMT, that is a VERY great idea to wait to audition to OCC until after I’ve heard from Mansfield. I think, though, I will still attend Mansfield even if I don’t make it into the music program, and audition again at a later date.</p>
<p>Thank you very much, your replies make me much more confident in my decision. It would be SO much easier to apply to college if auditions weren’t necessary, too!</p>
<p>It might be easier, but the programs wouldn’t be as good. Honestly drumajor, there would be no point in a performance degree from a program that took just anyone, regardless of their level of proficiency. How would orchestras or ensemble groups be formed? The same goes for a music ed degree- often the level of performance expected may not be as high as a performance degree, it is still well above that of someone who plays “just for fun”.
Just go back and remember 5th grade band and see if you’d like to spend your college years in a similar setting?! I’m pleased that you’ve decided to go with Mansfield, it’s a great school!</p>
<p>Oh, I’m not saying I’m looking for a school without an audition, I’m just saying it makes the application process that much more crazy. KatMT just mentioned something about non-auditioned options, which I had not come across. I know the auditions are necessary, I just don’t want to audition anywhere that I don’t actually plan on going, because it would be that much more I’d have to worry about.</p>
It would be SO much easier to apply to college if auditions weren’t necessary, too!</p>