<p>So why do we think that YA does this? They tweeted that all finalists were informed, but then several people found out that they were finalists after that. And why would some people be told that HM and Merit winners are all informed, others be told that there are still HM and Merit winners to be informed and that would not be done until the first two weeks of December? It seems a bit heartless, to be honest. Just my two cents.</p>
<p>^The girl who runs the YA Twitter is an alumnus, not a PR spokesperson or someone who’s based in the YA headquarters. Because of this, she can occasionally be misinformed, as when she mistakenly told me that I could not participate in the regional programs because I do not live in any of the regions (this is the first year that they’re letting all winners attend, but she didn’t then know of the change). When I emailed the Miami office, the official YA people cleared up the misunderstanding very quickly. </p>
<p>The contradictory updates are not intentional, and I very much doubt that there’s any malicious reason for the slow and seemingly random notification process, even if it does cause stress to the applicants. Finalists have to be called one by one so that YA can confirm that it’s really them, and because they need to fill out paperwork for YA Week before a certain date. Then HM and Merit are notified in one huge email batch, as they must RSVP and return paperwork for regional programs before a certain (later) date. Lastly, those who were rejected are notified, as they are not being held to a paperwork deadline.</p>
<p>^Interesting that you say that when you called YA headquarters they cleared up a misunderstanding. From many of the posts on this thread, it seems that more misunderstandings are perpetrated by people at YA headquarters. So while I completely get your logic, I’m not sure that I get YA’s logic. The official tweeter is not really official. People at the official YA headquarters give out contradictory information. And you say that HM and Merit are notified in one huge e-mail batch, but in fact I know of several HM and Merit winners who did not receive an e-mail at all. It’s not so straightforward as your second paragraph makes it out to be.</p>
<p>^I didn’t call YA; I sent them an email at the email address which was provided in the winners’ packet. They responded within a day.</p>
<p>As for the HM and Merit winners not receiving an email, I guess I’m not as informed as I previously thought. Who are these winners you speak of? Did they at least receive a packet in the mail? Not that the winner’s packet didn’t contain instructions, but I find it hard to believe that certain winners would be left off of the email list entirely.</p>
<p>Maybe there’s no method to the madness after all, but I know for a fact that Finalists are notified first, then HM/Merit winners, and finally, those who were rejected. Beyond that, I’d direct any grievances to YA headquarters.</p>
<p>Theatre decisions are out. I got my rejection letter in the mail today. Haven’t heard about Popular Voice though? This is just crazy and unprofessional. I agree with the other posters. They should just post the regional and finalist lists on the webpage at a set date and time and be done.</p>
<p>Did anyone else not get any notification? I didn’t get anything, not even a rejection, and they said everyone would be notified by the end of November on their website.</p>
<p>I got no response about Popular Voice.</p>
<p>Two weeks ago my d was invited to regionals - There was no other information in the email so I deleted it not knowing what it was. We haven’t heard anything else for visual arts. Does that invitation mean anything? like an honorary mention?</p>
<p>That email was an invite to a YoungArts regional program. That means your D was a winner and either received a Merit or HM. I would call YoungArts ASAP and explain your confusion and see if you can still enroll into one of the YoungArts regional programs.</p>
<p>My D got a rejection letter for spoken theatre yesterday too.</p>
<p>I’ve gotten a Merit packet for Poetry, a rejection for Short Story, and still waiting on rejections from Script and Musical Theater.</p>
<p>When did you get your poetry packet? I’m still waiting on mines.</p>
<p>If anyone receives the regional participation packet, please post here. We’re supposed to receive them via email on Dec. 4.</p>
<p>Still no word for my daughter for musical theatre. Frustrating.</p>
<p>Finally got my rejection letter for poetry.</p>
<p>@ForeverFish this is the email I received today </p>
<p>Congratulations again and we thank you for your request to attend our regional program. This season, we have had an overwhelmingly positive response to our invitation. We are currently in the process of finalizing the attendee lists for those winners who reside within each designated regional area. </p>
<p>We very much look forward to letting you know whether there is an available slot for the program you expressed interest in by Friday, December 6th. Extended invitations will be offered on a first come first served basis (based on RSVP email time stamp).</p>
<p>^I got that email too! Looks like we won’t have very long to return the packet…</p>
<p>Why would anyone spend money going to one of the regional? Just asking. My daughter is not interested in going so I am wondering what you see as the benefit that she does not. (Honorable Mention in Musical Theatre)</p>
<p>Just got off the phone with the Young Arts office. The woman there indicated that “everything was mailed at the same time” and seemed to think the problem is with the postal service. She recommended waiting until December 15th and if you still haven’t heard anything to call back the office and they would send out a duplicate mailing. This has been a frustrating wait. I would much prefer a list of winners posted on a website and be done with it.</p>
<p>@Dradsmom: The regional programs are actually free of charge – all of the cost comes from travel/lodging expenses. I’ve been told by several YA alumni that the programs, which are modeled after YA Week, are unforgettable. They provide many opportunities that I may not receive again, such as the chance to work with some of the world’s most prominent artists, to read my writing in front of hundreds of people, to conduct interviews with PBS, and to take full advantage of the support which YA provides to its Winners. To me, this makes the regional programs worth the time and the money.</p>