<p>Yesterday I took my D and 2 of her classmates to NPD in Miami. 2 others from her school were also there. It was the first time for the other students, so I was busy making sure everyone talked to at least 3 or 4 schools that might be good matches for them. It didn't seem as crowded as last year, which was good - less lines. D went to talk to her top 3 choices (1 of which she has already been officially accepted at. ). While waiting to talk to the rep at the school she had already been accepted at, there was a student and father in front of her. Later in the day, the 2 of us were standing in line together (another school - just for the critique) , and saw the same student and father talking to another rep. "Oh no, D said - he's at it again". Asked her what she meant, and as I watched, I could see the father was running the show. He was flipping the portfolio, talking and gesturing at the D's artwork. The girl got in a few words, but it was definitely the father's show. </p>
<p>Parents- please realize that the reviewers want to hear the ARTISTS' statements - NOT yours. You may think you are helping your child, who may be shy, but believe me, you are not. We've had more than one admiss rep tell us they so happy my D could talk about her work, that most times they had to drag it out of the kids. Be there to ask questions about dorms, costs, etc, but let the artist speak for themselves. Being able to speak about your work is an important skill in the admissions process. As hard as it may be, this is where you stand back and let go.</p>
<p>When I took my daughter to NPD last year, I was there to provide transportation and help carry her artwork. When it was her turn at the table, I stepped back and became only an observer.</p>
<p>Standing in a line next to us at one school’s table, I watched a mother send her son off to gather paperwork for HER to fill out, and tell him which schools he should be sure THEY got in line for. When he finally had his turn at the table, she asked most of the questions. The poor kid looked stressed, and I felt really bad for him.</p>
<p>I heartily agree. Parents should not be participating at all during the actual portfolio review; it should just be a conversation between the school rep and the artist. I think msm’s advice – having the parent step back and just observing – is good. But helicopter parents, who just can’t seem to ever let their child do it alone, should leave the room entirely!</p>
<p>I also think that NPD is not a good time for parents to engage in detailed conversations about the school’s costs, dorms, etc. That kind of general information can easily be researched on-line or in follow-up conversations, campus visits, etc. A few quick questions at NPD might be acceptable, but there are usually long lines of students at each school’s table waiting for a chance to show their work and it’s not really fair to them to be taking up the rep’s time with general questions that can be answered elsewhere.</p>
<p>Honestly, parents shouldn’t even ask quick questions about anything. NPD is a day strictly for artwork review and the kids to get feedback. The throngs of people there are doing their best to get to as many schools as possible, and if every parent took up even an extra 5 minutes of a reviewer’s time, that’s a couple of kids that would miss out in line.</p>
<p>Finding out about the other stuff should happen through other avenues such as the school’s website or campus visits.</p>
<p>Gotta say, you’re right. I didn’t mean to imply that it was correct to take up a reviewers time. I was thinking about last year there was at least one table that had more than one reviewer, and one person there that was not reviewing but was handing out books and asking if anyone had any questions.</p>
<p>I agree so much! I didn’t even stay at the table when my daughter was being reviewed! I was a placeholder in line. When I got to the front and she came to join me, I would leave to go to the next line. In the past two years, I only got to see her conversation with the reps once – I asked permission and she let me watch while she talked to MICA. I wanted to because I really wanted to see how she handles it. She’s become very comfortable talking to reps and articulating her vision and style; I wanted to get to see that! </p>
<p>At my NPD, there was even one parent who showed up without the kid! He was telling reps that she was out of town and unavailable and would they review without her. I saw him in several lines that day.</p>
<p>???
now you are saying everything you had posted words to words are what she told you when you asked what did they say or looked like attitude wise?
That she recalled all those details and bother telling her “mom” who is milking information for whatever the purpose?
And she is a teen, has own life, yes?
bless you.</p>