Squidpunk

Well, this process has been utterly insane, but this morning I officially accepted at Brown University. I definitely did not anticipate this result. I walked into my callback last weekend 95% certain that I would be attending Columbia next year, as it had been my top choice for years... I didn't know a lot about Brown when I applied, and the main reason I applied is that I was focused on trying to get back to the East Coast, and I had really liked Brian Mertes when I met him in 2015. When the process started, Brown was probably on the lower end of my list. But wow... this program. I was floored. I am completely 100% convinced that it is the right place for me. Not only is it debt free (WHICH IS AMAZING), but the program itself is fucking incredible. I walked away from my interview weekend completely gobsmacked, realizing that I had learned more about me as an artist in those 3 days than I had in the past year. The other 5 artists who were part of my callback were all extraordinary and I would have been very happy if any of them had gotten in over me. In retrospect, I'm glad I got rejected from Yale because I would have said yes... and Brown may ultimately be a better fit for me. Here's my final breakdown: Applied to 6 schools. Got first round interviews for Yale, Brown, UCSD, and Carnegie Mellon Got rejected from CMU Got callbacks at 5 schools: Yale, Brown, UCSD, Northwestern, and Columbia Turned down my UCSD callback because I realized that I didn't want to live in San Diego for 3 years, although I loved my first round interview with them, and hope to stay in touch with Robert and Vanessa. Pulled my Northwestern application after my interview weekend for a variety of reasons. Got rejected from Yale Got accepted into Columbia Got accepted into Brown - GOING TO BROWN I am so grateful to finally be done with this process. It was brutal and exhausting, but holy crap I get to go to an amazing school where they really see me, where their priorities are compassion, community, and equity. I honestly couldn't be happier. I also made a lot of friends throughout this process, and now have friends attending Yale, Columbia, UCSD, Northwestern, and a few other places. We're all very happy with where we wound up. As rough as this process is, I am glad I went through it, and having a place where I could vent, etc, was much needed. Congrats @Theater Maker @Penny Jar @forestofarden @MadamDirector @E. Karenina and everyone else who found a place next year! But also congrats to those who made it through this process and did not... it is not easy being rejected--it really fucked me up 2 years ago, but getting into grad school isn't a sign of your success or potential as an artist. You will find other opportunities and places that will become your home. Stay strong. <3

Whew, sorry for the radio silence—I’ve been catching up on life. I heard back and got into Columbia!! I haven’t accepted because I’m heading to Brown this weekend to check out their program and see if it’s a good fit—they just switched to a fully-funded model and their callback weekend has a really interesting structure. Rejected from Yale, but not feeling too bad about it since I think ultimately it might not be the best fit, and am friends with the folks who got in, so am really stoked for them! Congrats @MadamDirector and @E. Karenina!!! I’m so excited for you ?

@MadamDirector and @E. Karenina CONGRATS! I'm so happy for both of you!!! I don't know much about BU, but I've heard amazing things about UMASS from a friend of mine who attended! Excited for both you

Still no word from Yale, so I think that’s a no for me, since one of my friends heard a Yes last Thursday. I think I’m honestly too much of a radical for Yale, and am confident that it isn’t the right place for me if they say no. My top choice was always Columbia, so my fingers are crossed! I pulled my applications from Northwestern and UCSD last week because even though I’m a finalist for both, the fit doesn’t seem m right. NU just isn’t progressive enough for me, and after spending so much time on the East Coast lately, I realized I really don’t want to spend 3 years in San Diego. I did chat with Robert Castro for a half hour or so after I pulled my application and it was really cool to connect with him! No word from Columbia, but no one has heard yet at all from what I gather... Getting prepped for Brown! I’m excited but also feeling a little ragged with all the traveling. I’m not sure it’s the right fit for me, but I’m looking forward to finding out.

@E. Karenina — if it helps, getting a few interviews and then being rejected from grad school during my first year that I applied was the best thing that ever happened to me. At the time, it felt awful, but in the past two years I’ve made the best work of my career and now I understand why grad school is the right choice for me. I think, at the time, I was so concerned with “Will they like me?” and trying to impress them that I forgot that I was a smart and desirable candidate with a lot to offer. I made my application about THEM, not about ME. I think one of the reasons I’ve been doing so well this year in my applications is that I’m coming to these interviews without any concern for impressing the schools I’m applying to. I’m thinking: What do *I* want to talk about in my interview, and I’m driving the conversation, rather than worrying “Is this the right answer?” Be selfish. Demand that this process bring you clarity about who you want to be as an artist. If you bring that into the room, you will understand if UMass is the right place for you. Sending you good vibes. I had an insane day yesterday — woke up at 4am to get to the airport, my flight got delayed, then I missed my connecting flight in Philly, and there were no other planes that would get me there on time. Ultimately, I wound up taking a taxi at breakneck speed to catch a train to New Haven that got me in only 30 minutes prior to my interview (I had the last slot). I was deeply impressed with how much Yale helped me out to make sure that I got to my interview and they were apparently ready to stay late if I couldn’t make it. That generosity of spirit meant a lot during the stressful moments. I felt really great during the whole callback & interview and we had a really fascinating conversation; I articulated who I am as an artist! I’m proud and happy and excited. Also, when they called time on my rehearsal scene, both of the actors were like “Nooo! We’re having such a good time!” Which, honestly, is the only validation I need. We will apparently hear in a few days! I wish I could just sleep until then.

@E. Karenina you’re gonna KILL IT. Good luck!!!

@per4mance my good friend is one if their callbacks, but has a major conflict that weekend and might not be able to go. I also received a callback with Brown, but I’ve decided that if I hear a yes from Yale before then that I’ll give up my slot to someone else. So, uh, fingers crossed? ? Just wrapped up my Northwestern interview about an hour ago, it was really awesome, but I’m utterly exhausted — it’s been 2 long days of information, meeting people, and talking. I also had an *intense* UCSD interview yesterday over Skype in the middle of my Northwestern callback—I really like how deeply they challenged me. I have a whole bunch of Northwestern events this afternoon & tonight then a 5am flight tomorrow to New Haven for my Yale interview. I feel kind of unprepared right now, and I’m so tired, but hopefully I can rally to prep myself tomorrow. Sending good luck vibes out to all you lovely humans!

@MadamDirector that's awesome! I've heard great things about BU -- I'm glad to hear you had a great time

@Theater Maker that’s awesome! A friend of mine just heard the same from Northwestern too! When is yours? I just got an email from UCSD a few hours ago, and it sounds like they’re adding interviews too!

@forestofarden -- good luck with your top school! We didn't get the chance to do anything during the Columbia weekend except hustle hustle hustle. We were all terribly burnt out by the end of it. Just heading back from SF for the Brown interview. I was surprised there were only 3 people there! Last time I interviewed with Brown in SF (2 years ago), there were about 14 people at that group interview. I wonder if they got fewer submissions or just fewer people who were interested. Either way, sending good vibes your way @per4mance!

Whew! The Columbia audition was exhausting but a total blast. I feel really confident with the work I did. If I don’t get in, then it truly wasn’t meant to be. Yale: just got a call on Friday for an audition the weekend of the 17th/18th. They said they’d potentially be calling folks through tomorrow. UCSD: I emailed the contact today and she said interview requests went out last week, so I’m guessing that’s a no. I thought UCSD and CMU were my strongest applications so it’s interesting to see that those are both no’s, whereas schools I thought were reaches are offering me interviews. I’ve now heard from all my schools, and am gearing up for my Brown interview this Friday in SF, Northwestern next Thursday, and Yale next Sunday. I need sleeeeep.

OMG @Theater Maker I didn't see that you got a callback from CMU! Congrats!!! Also @per4mance congrats on your CalArts callback and @E. Karenina and @MadamDirector congrats on your UMass callbacks! Yay so much success in one thread! @Curio, I'll see you this weekend at Columbia! AAAh. You're gonna kill it. I'll be the person with the teal hair and red converses -- say hi!

@MadamDirector I'm in tech the last weekend of the month, but I am super hooked up to the Seattle theater scene here and would love to meet up and totally give you the deets! I'm just dramaturging, so I'll have some flexibility! Could potentially introduce you to some folks. LMK

@Theater Maker -- I say "2nd round" because it's the full interview weekend for 3-4 days. Neither Northwestern or Columbia did a first round interview with me, they both just scheduled me for the callback interview.

@MadamDirector fingers crossed that you hear from Northwestern! It would be fun to do an interview weekend with you and put a person to the username!