I think the one that hurt the most was Columbia's MFA directing program. I told this story in another thread, but basically, it was the first application I sent (their deadline is ridiculously early) and the first interview notification I received. They invited me to an interview weekend with Anne Bogart who, in case you don't know, is kind of a big deal in the theatre world. I was just so excited to meet her I didn't care about all the little details like probably not receiving any funding whatsoever from notoriously stingy Columbia. I called everyone I know - my parents, friends, etc. I was SO excited that I had actually gotten my first interview/audition! Then, the next evening, I got a second e-mail:
Dear .two.snaps.up.,
We are terribly sorry to have to inform you that we used the incorrect list of applicants when sending out the Directing MFA audition invitations. Thus we are actually unable to offer you an audition for the MFA in Directing at this time.
We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused, and greatly appreciate your understanding.
Many thanks,
I mean, talk about a slit-your-wrists moment. To add insult to injury, the e-mail says nothing about whether I've been put on a waiting list or flat out rejected and, to this day, I still have not received any other word from them. Because of that incident, I constantly second-guessed myself through the rest of the application season. I just got accepted to the New School for Drama yesterday (I might add that their interview weekend was almost identical in structure to Columbia's) and I still won't really believe it until I get the official letter in the mail.