COLLEGE AUDITION TIMELINE
For most students, the college application process is tedious. For BFA musical theatre auditionees, the process is arduous, painful, exhausting, and stressful. I mention this not to deter you or your parents, but rather, to forewarn about what to expect. Though it is stressful and time-consuming, it is manageable. Plus, the lessons learned from the process will be worthwhile for any performer.
Below is a rough timeline of what one might expect during this over-a-year-long process. The timeline is shifting and starting sooner every year, so the earlier you start, the better off you will be!

A realistic timeline:
Fall of Junior Year
-
Research college programs
-
Apply for pre-college summer programs
Spring of Junior Year
-
Register for the ACT/SAT
-
Take the ACT/SAT
-
Begin college essays
-
Continue researching college programs
-
Ask current English teacher to read/critique essays
-
Build/refine repertoire book
-
Keep training and performing
Summer before Senior Year
-
Visit schools, if its cost effective to do so
-
Update headshot, or get them taken if you haven't already
-
Update your resume
-
Narrow down your list of schools
-
Create a spreadsheet to track schools, applications, & other information
-
Draft & edit essays (samples available on my "tips" page)
-
Do a summer show or intensive
-
Select, prepare & rehearse audition repertoire
-
Work with voice teacher or coach to perfect your songs and cuttings
-
Work with an acting coach to perfect monologues and cuttings
-
-
Begin recording pre-screens (see "August of Senior Year" for specifics)
-
Create an Acceptd account/profile
-
Register for the ACT/SAT again
-
Study to improve ACT/SAT scores
-
Take dance classes
-
Keep training and performing
August of Senior Year
-
Begin submitting college applications
-
WRITE/EDIT essays ad nauseum
-
Request recommendations
-
You'll need 2-3 academic recommendations for the application process
-
You'll need 2-3 performing arts recommendations that will be requested later in the process
-
-
Prepare & record prescreen material for your top schools. This means:
-
Work with a choreographer to prepare and coach dance excerpts and auditions
-
Book a studio, camera & tripod for recording your dance auditions
-
Book an accompanist to play for your recorded prescreens/auditions
-
Book a studio, camera & tripod for recording your songs & monologues
-
-
Submit prescreens and program applications AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
October of Senior Year
-
Oct. 1 is a key application deadline. Don't miss it.
-
Take the ACT/SAT again
-
Submit your prescreens, if you haven't already
-
Auditions begin--attend as early as possible
-
School acceptances begin coming in
-
Complete & submit the FAFSA
-
Visit reps at college fairs and when on campus, even if just to say, "Hi".
-
Look at scholarship opportunities and review deadlines
November of Senior Year
-
Nov. 1 is a key application deadline
-
Create a digital calendar for trips & auditions that may be referenced by both parent & student
-
Begin scheduling live auditions as results come in
-
Book travel to Unifieds, regional sites, and colleges
-
Audition if dates are available
-
Results are coming in
December of Senior Year
-
Dec. 1 is a key prescreen deadline
-
Work through/prepare live audition material for each of your schools
-
Results are coming in
January of Senior Year
-
Prep/tweak material
-
NYC Unifieds
-
Major audition & travel month
-
Results & Financial Aid offers are coming in
-
Apply for outside scholarships
February of Senior Year
-
Prep/tweak material
-
Chicago Unifieds
-
L.A. Unifieds
-
Major audition & travel month
-
Results & Financial Aid offers are coming in
-
Apply for outside scholarships
March of Senior Year
-
Usually the last month of auditions
-
Compare offers and make decisions
-
Results & Financial Aid offers are coming in
April of Senior Year
-
Many schools stated April as a "you'll know by" date
-
Compare offers, ask for more funding and make decisions
-
Decisions & deposits due by May 1
May of Senior Year
-
May 1 Decision & deposit deadline
-
First college bill
-
There are still scholarships out there, keep applying!