@SMEMomOf3 I wouldn’t worry about it, this year they are piloting a new method by using a lottery system to determine who gets in to the regional program. You only have to respond by a certain date set in early December to have a shot at the lottery, if I’m not mistaken.
@SMEMomOf3 --the above post is correct. If you lookin the FAQ section of the website it says to attend a regional program you need to respond by getting on the waiting list and then they will choose by lottery system. So as long as you get on the waiting list by Dec. 5th you have the same shot as everyone else.
does anyone know how likely it is that you get in for the regional program? for more info I’m in Writing & in the Miami region. also, do you get priority for HM (I got Merit lol)?
@SMEMomOf3 They did change the process this year, according to the website, so it should be a lottery based on everyone who expressed interest by the date given.
@jeweledowl812 It should not matter whether you won merit or HM, everyone would go into the same lottery pool.
I really hope you/your kids get to experience Regional Week. It was a life-changing experience for my daughter, just incredible.
I agree that they should allow more kids the opportunity to attend the Regional Week. When you think about it, students have won the same recognition but some get an all-expenses paid week working with amazing mentors and other top-notch students and others get a small monetary prize and plaque. It doesn’t seem fair. The non-Regional kids should get some other perk like first dibs on a future workshop at Carnegie Hall or a discount on an educational arts conference or international trips. Having said that, a merit or HM win IS very valuable in terms of leverage for college scholarships, boosting your resume, artistic jobs and career connections, etc. So my daughter felt so lucky to get the HM award last year, but when she learned she was picked for the Regional Week? That was like winning the lottery! And to get HM again this year (even knowing she could not attend Regionals again) it was icing on the cake!
They will send a press release soon to any winners. I suggest you use it to share information with a local newspaper to spotlight the win. My daughter did that and saved the article for her portfolio/to share with colleges.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving everyone. I am not an artist like all of you (my kids get their musical talent from their dad) but I am a true music/art appreciator, so I am thankful for all of you who make this world a better place through your creativity, free spirit and talent. Keep lighting up this world and continue to chase your dreams!
i’m a bit confused on how the feedback service works. i hadn’t heard much about it before this thread. have the applicants who will be receiving feedback already gotten those emails? is that even how it works, via email? if anyone could explain the feedback program to me that would be great.
also, if anyone, winners and non-winners alike, would like to drop their socials in this thread i would love to follow some fellow teens who are passionate about the arts (regardless of whether an organization deemed them a winner). my insta is @ chloemarinar and i’m always looking for new artist pals! 
<3
Hey y’all, I have been checking this thread frantically for the past few weeks and feel really compelled to just encourage everyone to continue with their artistic endeavors. I have entered YoungArts for a few years, not expecting anything. I do not go to an arts school and do not have classes offered besides a general art class, and no one around me even knows what YoungArts is. That being said, I persisted even when I was denied and this year got an honorable mention. For winners, congratulations! and for those who didn’t place, congratulations for putting the time, effort and hard work in. Your journey is ongoing and I am so proud of you!!! Remember, what’s yours will NEVER miss you. An award, acceptance letter, etc. Keep pushing and do not let this deter you! Keep working hard and using your talents to change the world!!
Here’s the full list of winners FYI
https://youngarts.org/storage/app/media/2020%20Winners/2020%20YoungArts%20Winners.pdf
@dentroelmar I got feedback last year for poetry, but it’s pretty general and not specific
Does anyone know how many applications they received this year? The total winners are 680+
I got an email an hour or so ago that my Novel submission is eligible for feedback. Has anyone gotten this before and knows how exactly it works? Also, does this mean I was close to earning an award?
Does anyone know how many people reach the feedback stage?
@inflorescent @pippin67 all i know of the feedback system is that it’s made up of applicants who reached the near-final round of judging but could not actually be recognized as merit/hm/finalist. so if you’re eligible for feedback, that means you were close!
My son is hm Classical Music and we don’t know a lot about the program, but hoping he can go to LA for the regional. Does anyone know how many spots are available? It is unfortunate that not everyone qualified can attend 
@RachelParent Not sure… My daughter is a Finalist in Theatre this year and I had the same question, I have heard 7,000 applicants, and I heard 11,000!
I was notified 5 hours ago that I’ll be attending a regional program! I hope to see some of you there <3
Did anybody else happen to get their work selected for the regional anthology? I got my email today
which regional program? My son will be in LA!
How exciting, congratulations! I will be in NY
My son will be in LA, also!
youngarts LA regional week was just cancelled : (
i recognize they made the best choice but i’m devastated