Dealing With Admissions

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Where Do I Start?

The Big List

The Thread

The Lingo

Choosing Audition Material

What Do I Bring To My Audition?

What Do I Do At My Audition?

Voice Range

Dealing With Admissions

BA vs. BFA

Cut Policy

Programs With Strong Dance Component

Steinhardt vs. Tisch

Senior Showcases

Pre-College and Summer Programs

Contact

Often, the admissions office of a school and those who decide whether or not a student gets into the musical theater program are worlds apart. However, don't assume that this is an excuse to be rude. Musicschool posted some wonderful tips on dealing with the admissions office. While this is from the perspective of a music school, it is still quite pertinent for musical theater:

• Remember: When a performer enters the audition room, they must be at their best. The same thing goes when we contact interested students and their families. If you give us attitude on the phone, this is made note of in the student's file. Why do we want someone at our school when they act like a jerk on the phone? Same thing with the families. You should be pleased that a school that your child is interested in is taking the time to call you. Do not give the caller grief or start yelling. We do not need this and it could effect your child's consideration. Be kind and courteous and professional at ALL TIMES.
• All schools know that, most likely, you are not just applying to their school. We realize that and, in fact, encourage that. If at any time you are no longer interested in a specific school...PLEASE let them know! We send out several program updates and other materials and we shouldn't have to waste money sending things to people who are no longer interested in us. It is common courtesy. A school is not going to grill you as to why you are no longer interested so there's no need to be afraid to let a school know!
• If you do not wish to be contacted by phone or email, LET A SCHOOL KNOW. We called interested students to invite them to a master class with a major Broadway star and you'd be suprised some of the attitude we received. As mentioned above, these attitudes were noted on their files.
• It is rude to simply hang up on someone. As stated above, if you are no longer interested in the school, let them know. If you are busy, let them know. A hang up to us is a sign you are not interested or are not the kind of student we want and you are removed from consideration.
• If you move or change addresses, PLEASE let the school know. If a mailed piece is returned, you could be removed from the system. Most schools do not have the time to check up and spend time searching for addresses.
• If you have specific questions about the school or your audition (what to bring, what to sing, what to wear, what instrument to bring, where to stay, where to eat, where to fly into, scholarships available, class requirements, how will I get to the school, where are you located) PLEASE ask! Any school is more than happy to answer and work with you IN ADVANCE of your audition or visit. We had one girl show up last November with one song. She needed two to audition and she and her mom complained to us they they were not informed. She received the same audition prep flyer we send to all students, but didn't read it carefully. Each school will send you audition requirements...MAKE SURE you understand them.
• If you want to be considered for scholarships...APPLY AND AUDITION EARLY! Do not act suprised when you audition in March and only receive a $2,000 scholarship when you could have received a $5,000 scholarship for a November audition. Our school makes sure that you are aware of this way back in September, and you would be suprised at all the parents who call in April when their daughter got half of what she could have received. Remember..each school only has so much scholarship money and they start awarding it early in the year. If you wait till the end of the audition year, you have no right to complain about the amount (if any) that you receive.
• The admissions coordinator is an over worked person. Many put in weekend hours just to get the work done! If you have a question, they may not be able to get back with you right that day. Be prepared to be patient! I would say that if you do not receive a return call within two days, call back. Make sure you have some sort of answering machine so that you can receive your answer if you're not there. Or, leave an email address if available. No school wants you to have unanswered questions!