<p>hcpss: I was reading some old threads yesterday and someone said that they do not do callbacks at unifieds. Is this true? If not, I would like some info on your question.
While much has been written about unifieds, most comments are from people providing their personal accounts post-unifieds. There is less info for those (from the perspective of) in the planning/anticipation stage. drjohns contributions on the topic of unifieds are very helpful.
I've already made hotel reservations. I have noticed that few BFA theater programs have an automated/cyber sign-up process (Guthrie does, and we already have the scheduled time). What is also confusing is that some programs ask the applicant to request an audition time while others specify that the program will contact you once you have been cleared (minimal acceptance criteria) by central admissions (i.e., Michigan, Illinois). Others just require that the application material is in; at that point you can initiate the contact. Other will allow you to audition without completing the university's application. In reading the threads, I have concluded that while some people find 2 auditions a day stressful, others are able to do 3-5 per day, though persons reporting 4-5 per day likely do so because they did walk-ons (if permitted/doable).
Frankly, for those applying, whether via unifieds and/or on-campus visits, 10-12 programs, I can't see how most HS students can coordinate this process on their own. I suspect that, besides talent, as demonstrated by the audition and stats, what determines whether a student gets an offer (and how many) is somewhat correlated with the extent to which the parent/advisor (1) understands how the system works and (2) assists with the bureaucratic load.</p>
<p>I don't know about any other school, but Juilliard has a callback at the unifieds.</p>
<p>I didn't think Juilliard was at the Unifieds. I thought it all auditions were held on campus. They did go on last year at the same time as the Unifieds in NY.</p>
<p>briansteffy,</p>
<p>From my D's and my experience at Unifieds and in general last year in the audition process I would say that your assessments are right on the money. Because she auditioned at so many schools and with our geographical location, she ended up doing 7 auditions over a 4 day period in NYC at Unifieds, including NYU which was on our last day there and was not a part of the Unifieds. She did 1 audition the first day, 2 the second and 3 the third and NYU on the fourth. That was not our original plan, but because of illness 2 of the fall auditions had to be postponed, which actually turned out to be fortuitous, because she was coached and more ready by February.</p>
<p>As well as parental involvement, with everything else she had to do last year, just doing all the essays was more than enough for her to take on in addition to rehearsing and all her other activities. I did the apps. and all the scheduling. There were times when my bedroom looked like a war room with all the strategically placed piles of paper around! Maybe some kids could handle everything, but I don't see how. Besides, scheduling also involves plane reservations, train reservations, and deciding just how far I wanted to drive in a day! There was no way she had the experience or know-how to take care of all of that! Her school counselors didn't understand at first, but as things proceeded and they started to have an inkling of just how difficult and complicated a process it was, and just a bare understanding of the competitiveness of it, they calmed down and realized that she could not in fact have done it herself.</p>
<p>I must say that I am glad it is over, because it was massively stressful, but I do miss the real honest quality time that she and I spent, and the fun we had in the different locations, particularly New York. Just the plays we saw were wonderful. When I visited her up there two weeks ago we saw Chorus Line, and I am looking forward to many more visits over the next four years and many more plays! And maybe, some day, with any luck.....</p>
<p>Ohter than Juilliard, I do not think many schools have any callbacks, although perhaps for one or two schools that will change this year. There are some logistic difficulties scheduling several auditions in a day, as they do get delayed, and some have an expectation that you will be available for 3-4 hours for their particular school. Others have dance auditions at separate times from the acting or singing auditions (BoCo comes to mind).
In other words, each school has their own schedule, some will have you do the singing and acting together, others will have you do 3 separate auditions for 3 separate people. You must wait your turn in between which takes time, and would be very stressful to push this process along.
Some schools will be much more flexible than others, but it would require a great deal of luck to have everything fit together easily, I would think.</p>
<p>Two years ago, my son auditioned in Chicago at unifieds for Juilliard drama. They also had a callback that day. They go to 3 cities for the same auditions - NYC, Chicago, and I believe San Francisco (could be LA instead). One year they hit Chicago at a different time than unifieds, but 2 years ago it was the same. They are just not listed on the "unified" school list, which is typical of many schools that go to Chicago at the same time and in the Palmer House hotel.</p>
<p>I am assuming that auditioning for acting programs is eadier to administrate (more unidimensional) than MT. I hope you do not mind my posting over here. I have been an active CCer for some time, and it's dead over in the drama section.
Any nice hotel recommendations a short walk from the NYC audition site?</p>
<p>briansteffy, good to see someone in acting checking out this site. I have found it more valuable, even though my son is also an acting major and not MT. For all those inquiring about auditions in NY, I do know that DePaul is not auditoning on site but a few blocks away. I forget exactly where, but I believe Juilliard is also at a different location, probably at Juilliard. Does anyone out there have any suggestions on a hotel in NY that is reasonable, close, and most of all at least clean. Several I have checked out only have one double bed, and my son is threatening to sleep on the floor! I don't know how so many do Chicago and NY - that is a lot of school time to miss. It won't do him any good to hit all of these auditions and not graduate because he has missed so much school time in high school!</p>
<p>For those who are like me; do not know how this works. We have already set audition times for Guthrie and BU (acting; not MT). Both schools allow for automated sign-up. What concerns us is that each gave us only two choices per date (Chicago, 4,5,6th) - 9-12 or 12 to 3. Does this mean that we will be able to do only 2 auditions per day, adding schools only if we can do it as a drop-in? Perhaps MT scheduling differs.</p>
<p>Good question, brian. Perhaps you could give each school's admissions office a call and ask whether, closer to the time and date, they could give your son a more specific time.</p>
<p>hcpss: I sent a private note. Perhaps I am arranging times for unifieds and on-campus visits too early, but one thing that bugs me is that some major programs have yet to update their website from 06-07. Come on (one program in particular), you just beefed-up your football program; you can afford to hire a work-study student to update your web site.
There is some overlap between the programs we are looking at (I read your earlier post). I do not think that your list includes the programs that I worry most about when it comes to scheduling for unifieds; those programs that require that you be cleared by central admissions (I assume based on GPA/SAT) before you can schedule (they call you) an audition. I assume that those of us who are trying to stuff many auditions into 2-3 days will have a problem coordinating a time for these 'we'll call you' programs. I am now thinking about driving to NYC for one day and then flying to Chicago for 3 days. Not only will grades take a hit, but my S will be preparing (hopefully) for two plays.
Then there are the programs that require a campus visit and acceptance to these programs is provisional, meaning that you have to formally audition again at the end of the first year (already beat the 'cutting' horse to death). Should we bear this cost and time to go to these programs for that level of reassurance? Decisions, decisions. My neighbor's son is a HS all-American field goal kicker. His visitation schedule is maddening, but ours is worse. Of course the field goal kicker has received 50 plus 'we want you' letters. We hope for one.</p>
<p>I can see now why several experts (teachers, coaches, etc.) advise kids who plan to audition for BFA programs in acting and musical theater not to participate in school and community shows in the fall of their senior years! It's just too much with all of these auditions.</p>
<p>I know that this is for the straight actors, but----does DePaul come to the Palmer House (they post on their web, TBA - they are at a different location in NYC)) at Chicago unifieds, do they audition nearby, or do they make you go to the campus? They schedule in solid blocks - 8Am and 1 PM and it sounds like you are to stay there for various activities for 3 hours - no futher callbacks (i.e., 8-12).</p>
<p>NotMamaRose: It looks to me like second semester will be the nightmare. Just for the heck of it my son auditioned for a regional production of Brecht's Mother Earth. Got a callback, but did not get the role of the son. Thank God. He would have had to practice for his HS musical until 6:30 and then dash over to the regional production, which would go till 10:30. Withnthe pressure of Unifieds and additional visits, it would have been a sadistic schedule.</p>
<p>Briansteffy - I did reply to your private message. Sorry it took so long- have been working nonstop on all these applications and trying to figure out dates, which schools require what - even letters of recommendation are all different-some forms and some letters. Thank heavens all Juilliard requires are email addresses. I agree with with the message about school plays during senior year - it is too much. My son is in the middle of fall play and also workshops for spring musical at the same time. Crazy. He also decided to do marching band this fall - good grief. I could have killed him! He is trying to hang on to a part-time job as well, and that is also complicating things. He has not been able to finish his drivers ed because of all the conflicts. </p>
<p>I am also distressed at the schools which make you block out 4 hour time periods. Wish they would just give you a time - I can understand there may be delays, but four hours is crazy. Any suggestions - ANYONE - about hotels to stay at in NY? They are all so expensive. Holiday Inn gives good rates, but no refunds if you cancel - and you never know about weather, health, this far in advance. </p>
<p>I have heard really good things about Oklahoma, but we live in MD and I think that is just too far. Also Arizona has a good acting program if your son doesn't mind traveling too far. Maryland college park has a good program but you need a 3.8 just to get into the university, which lets us out. We attended a college fair for performing arts but didn't find that too helpful. Most were music-oriented. Didn't know much about their theatre programs. One person just gave us a blank stare when we asked about their theatre program - I don't know was her response. </p>
<p>And, going to all these auditons they of course miss school. A big problem - especially for academic teachers who really have no sympathy for time off for auditions. Another problem!</p>
<p>Another note: I do have noticed these schools have not updated their websites. BU (I believe BU) still has on their site Fall 2007 admission when clearly it is Fall 2008 they are referring to. Several applications online have had problems and I have had to contact the schools to try to figure out what is going on. We just got a message from DePaul they are changing their online application and unless everything is in by Oct. 8, we have to start all over again. Wonderful!</p>
<p>Though BU's program is last year's on the web, if you press the audition button, it will allow you to register for 08 unifieds. Their web pages, we have noticed, needs some TLC. My S went to their summer theater institute and the web site was tardy and vague. The program, however, was great.
I can tell you that Chicago is going to cost me a fortune. Fortunately, we have free flights - but 4 nights/food at the Palmer house is 1k. </p>
<p>The hassle with Oklahoma (we are considering) is that they require an 1170 on the SAT for out of state residents; cannot even sign up for audition if have not jumped through this hurdle - must be cleared by central admissions first. Lots of Theater kids are math challenged, so that hurdle might be a tough one.
Arizona is an attractive option, given that it is a good program, beautiful campus and it is low cost for nonresidents. However, search the threads re: their cutting practices. And they do not come to Unifieds. In fact, I think that there is only a single audition date in Feb. in Tuscon - peak travel season with high air costs.</p>
<p>Brian, if I were you, I would cut Arizona off the list because you do not favor their cut policy and it is costly to audition there and you can only hit one school on that costly trip and if your son were to attend, you'd have the added costs of trips home to visit and your seeing his shows. There are plenty of BFA programs to consider that may meet your criteria better.</p>
<p>Also, your son's SAT scores need to be in range for his schools. If they end up being a far reach academically, they may not be the best choices for the list. It is important to pick schools that fit both academically and artistically. I know BU is on your list. You do not need to tell me your son's SAT scores, but already you have mentioned that it will be a "hurdle" to meet a min. of 1170 SAT on the CR/M (and actually what counts is each subscore, not just the total). At BU, the mid range of SATs of admitted students combined CR/M is 1260-1400, Avg. 1333. A score that is not even 1170 or if the M is even less than half of that total, lowers the chances of admission to BU by quite a bit. Even without the BFA, BU has an admit rate of 55%. 67% are from the top 10% of their HS class and 95% of those admitted come from the top 25% of their HS class. If your son is well below these ranges, please realize the hurdle he will have to jump to be admitted and that is without the highly selective artistic review not part of the equation. Trying to give you a realistic picture of the things you must consider in determining his chances at his schools.</p>
<p>My niece had SATs WAY higher than the number you are talking about and was in an IB program, had also done BU's summer theater intensive and did not get into the BFA there (is attending another BFA program). I have a client now at Tisch who also got into an Ivy League school and had very very high stats across the board with a multitude of accomplishments who also had done the BU summer intensive and still did not get into the BFA at BU. These kids had some stellar credentials. If your son has limited experience and training and his academic stats are NOT in range for the school, please plan accordingly. In my work, I come across candidates who simply make a list of schools that offer BFAs in theater or MT without regard to their academic qualifications fitting the range of admitted students to those colleges. Some schools on their list are highly unrealistic even on paper. You can get in with stats that are below the reported mid range of accepted students but those with such stats are admitted at a lower rate of admission overall to those schools.</p>
<p>My S's first SAT met the OU minimum. Just took it the second time today, and will likely take it a third time. We are applying to BU only because my S wants to (kind of a social pressure amongst his peers from summer camp), but there is no way we would pay the tuition, as they are very, very stringent in granting tutiton exchange. The only program that we are applying to we are SATing again for is Syracuse, which grants all accepted student tuition exchange. It is number one on our list. If you've read my previos posts, you know what I think of the SAT/ACT, and I teach test making and psychometrics - and I never broke 1100, though I received a rare national science foundation grant to study the use/misuse/abuse of aptitude tests. And I will say again what I tell all my students; the purpose of the 25th HS reunion is to finally observe that HS stats have far much less predictive validity than assumed. 100 years from now we will laugh at the SAT much like we laugh at those who used to predict aptitude by feeling the contours of the skull. Yes, the SAT predicts GPA but the correlation is weak, and part of that correlation is due to common methods variance - some people test well (aptitude and achievement) and some do not.
Not arguing with you, but BU, NYU, and my school also take the highest scores because it increases their stature and rankings. The tests are also a very efficient way to screen, rationalize, and justify decisions. Thankfully, our scores do not follow us past undergraduate admissions. If they were used for other educational and employment decisions, we would be a real messed-up society.</p>
<p>Brian...believe me, I hate the SATs and I would put MUCH more stock in students' grades, level of coursework and achievements. So, I won't even bore you with my thoughts on the SATs. Nonetheless, they are a necessary evil in college admissions. ALL does not ride on the SAT score....selective schools look at your entire package..holistically. However, in choosing colleges, one must not just look at which schools they like that fit their personal college criteria though that is very important to do. But they must examine how their own test scores, GPA, level and HS curriculum, class rank, achievements, etc. compare to the RANGE of ADMITTED students to THAT particular school AND examine the admit rate (selectivity). If one's "stats" are not in range, the chances of getting in become slimmer and one must plan accordingly, as well as have a balanced list of schools in terms of ODDS of admission. I am not saying that SATs predict success. I am simply going by ALL the stats one would evaluate vis a vis the reported stats of admitted students to X college, taking into account the selectivity (admit rate) as well. </p>
<p>Also, I would not apply to any school that I would then not let my child attend, such as the cost is too high. That can really run into some difficult emotions to be accepted and then told you can't attend.....but my exception to that is if you have an understanding with your child that he can attend if he obtains either a merit award or need based aid at a certain level, but if not, the school cannot be considered at that point. But that should be clear from the get go and so no surprises later on. In fact, some schools that seem unaffordable MAY work once you see the FA package (if you are applying for need based aid) and/or the merit award (if they give those and you get one). But if the school would be out of the question no matter what, you will have a tricky situation on your hands if son gets in. Better to be really clear now on what you'll do or not if he gets into schools and what he must be offered in order to attend. If merit scholarships are a main factor,make sure to apply to a range of schools because chasing merit aid adds another "iffy" aspect to the process that is already "iffy" odds at the BFA schools. </p>
<p>By the way....colleges do not necesarily accept the highest scores on the applicant pile. That is not true. The scores MUST be in range for that school but once they are, many other things are considered. So, for instance, those with a perfect 2400 SAT and number one in the class and a 4.0 can and ARE rejected by the likes of the Ivy League all the time and someone with a 2100 and a 3.9 and ranked tenth in the class may be taken who has other things to offer that the first kid didn't. Selective schools do not skim the top scores off the pile and that's that. Most applicants to such schools already have scores in range and so everything else is what sets them apart. It is more that large state schools sometimes admit by "numbers" and take the highest numbers. Not so at more selective schools. You can have a 1400+ SAT and be rejected at NYU and someone with a 1280 gets in. (I know of both such examples) It is the whole package. However, someone with an 1100 has very long shot odds there....might get in but very low rate of admissions with such a stat without very strong things to override it.</p>
<p>I also do not agree with your assessment that schools accept highest (well, they don't accept highest but just "high") scores to increase stature and rankings. Very selective schools have their pick of very qualified students and can find plenty of kids to fill their slots who have strong stats along with other qualifications that they are looking for. I'm talking of all the stats, and not just the SAT aspect but also GPA and the whole shebang. I agree that SATs don't predict success, however. I find they have limited value but I realize it is the one constant that every student takes and that their HS GPAs are in very different settings and grading systems and so on. Hopefully schools look at a student holistically. Most selective schools do and many large state U's rely more on the numbers. Still, an applicant is advised to apply to schools where their stats are in range of accepted students to that school.</p>
<p>Soozievt or anyone: a question occurred to me as I read about Boston U on this thread and I hope that someone here may know:</p>
<p>How important is the audition in gaining admission to Boston U's BFA acting program? For instance, at Carnegie Mellon, the audition counts for something like 85% to 90%, which I have heard on the grapevine, and was told last week by a person in CMU admissions, too. I know at NYU, admission to the BFA programs seems to be a mix of the academic and artistic side. How about in programs such as Boston U's? Love to hear people's thoughts on that program and how they make their decisions, in particular.</p>