<p>Oh my goodness, I am amazed at how many views this thread has gotten. There must be a significant interest in Young Arts to garner all this excitement, stress, impatience, etc. Could someone please explain to me, perhaps a past winner, how this award has impacted your life. Is it the status/prestige or scholarship potential that enticed you? If it is costly to attend, as indicated prior, why is there so much interest? I’m impressed thus far.</p>
<p>It’s just the regional programs that are expensive to attend because they’re not as prestigious as the actual finalist YoungArts week. Finalist week is completely free. According to the YoungArts (I e-mailed), if you are a national finalist, they fly you out to Miami and provide housing and food…that’s a huge draw factor. Normally a program like YoungArts would run about $11,000-$15,000.</p>
<p>There have been significant changes to the YoungArts program in the last two years. Prior to last year (2013 finalists), the program was only open to high school seniors. Last year they opened it up to ages 15-18, which created a huge boost in applicants - from around 3000 to over 10,000. But, for 2013 at least, most of the finalists were high school seniors or college freshmen. My S (voice finalist) said he only met 2 or 3 younger kids in Miami in any discipline. All of the voice finalists were seniors or in college. </p>
<p>The other significant change is the regional program. Prior to last year, there were only regional programs in Miami and NY and they were only open to winners (any category) who lived within 100 miles. It was meant to be a “day” program so there was no hotel expense for anyone. They did not cap the number of participants since it was such a limited pool. Now I understand that the regional programs are open to anyone (HM through finalist?) but you have to pay for your expenses. The regional programs are nice - with great workshops, etc. But, as a parent, I wouldn’t pay for the expense - especially not in the same year that my kid has to fly all over the country for college auditions. </p>
<p>Being a YoungArts finalist does have certain professional networking advantages. Even after one year, my S has been contacted by several people to collaborate, audition, etc. Some of the “celebrity” workshop presenters have been very generous with their time and guidance. I don’t know if this level of support is really available to lower level winners, but it’s not a bad thing to have on your resume. </p>
<p>To those who were selected this year - have a great time! To those who are thinking of applying for next year - good luck!</p>
<p>I don’t think anyone has posted this yet on here, besides the finalist list. </p>
<p><a href=“http://www.youngarts.org/sites/default/files/2014%20YAW%20Winners_by%20state.pdf[/url]”>http://www.youngarts.org/sites/default/files/2014%20YAW%20Winners_by%20state.pdf</a></p>
<p>The wait is over, enjoy and congratulations!</p>
<p>Thank you for that list. Now I know I didn’t win anything (the rejection letter will probably never come anyway.) At least there’s next year.</p>
<p>Also, for those who entered: did your application disappear if you looked at your Acceptd account? Mine never showed up under “applications” but I received the confirmation email.</p>
<p>MiraKayla don’t feel bad that you didn’t get a rejection letter before the list came out. I’m a winner, but I haven’t heard anything either. The last email said they would be sending us a packet and we would have to have it back to them by the 16th. So that deadline just passed without getting a packet or any other communication. I’ve even sent them emails, but no one has answered my questions. Weird, right? </p>
<p>I’m not sure what you mean “disappeared”. The text entries are not viewable, but any audio or video submissions are still in the media library.</p>
<p>Just got an email saying I got a spot in the Miami program. Still awaiting a packet with actual information.</p>
<p>Got into the NY regional program. Does anyone know when the packets are coming out?</p>
<p>I got my email for the NY regional program a few weeks ago. Initially, the deadline for having packets completed was the 11th, then delayed until the 16th. Last Saturday, YA emailed me promising to send the packet “shortly”…with a new deadline. It appears that they need to do some last-minute arranging now that they’ve increased the number of winners they’re accepting to the regional programs.</p>
<p>Please do post here if you receive your packet.</p>
<p>how influential do you guys think being a finalist is on a resume for college admissions such as UPenn, Harvard?</p>
<p>To be honest at-least for an visual artist winner YoungArt isn’t HUGE! I think YoungArts is more influential with performing arts than any other discipline, just my opinion. I told a art school- I think it was PAFA, they are connected with UPenn actually. They said that it really didn’t matter at all, I even ask if I can used my letter of recommendation as a reference letter for my app, and they advise against using it because it was an “generic” letter and that competition are subjective. Don’t get me wrong there are art schools that hold YoungArts in very high regards, finalist or winner those school will try to give you nice scholarships. More academic schools like UPenn and Harvard, the recognition is good but it’s your grades and test scores that will matter more. This is just my outlook on it…</p>
<p>I just received my participation packet for the NY program. :)</p>
<p>I also received my Miami packet yesterday. But Miami hotels are extremely expensive, especially the YoungArts designated hotels. The total cost for YoungArt designated hotel is around $2,200 for 6 nights, and I think that’s the cheapest stay for that many nights.</p>
<p>^Was the designated hotel listed in your packet? The NY packet also mentioned one, though not by name. I’m wondering if the hotel is only an option for people in the region.</p>
<p>Wrencher-- are you going on the Miami one? I really wanted to go but I thought they might combine rooms or do something to organize lodging so that it wasn’t each kid paying $300+ a night, but it doesn’t look like that’s the case. That, plus airfare, is just not going to be feasible. It really sucks because I have a friend who said the regional program was life-changing, but I can’t spend $2500 on a week, no matter how magical, with college coming up.</p>
<p>Yep, I’m going to the Miami one. That combining rooms sounds like a great idea to cut hotel costs, wouldn’t be surprise to see something like that next year. $2,500 sounds about how much you will be pooping out if you was too attend the Miami trip and select the YoungArts designated hotel. On the bright side you for sure get $500.00 dollars and maybe $1,000 to $5,000 just for going, kind of like an investment. </p>
<p>ForeverFish: YoungArts designated hotels seem to be an option for anyone who willing to pay for it to be honest…</p>