The college application process, one of essays, recommendation letters, and transcript request forms, is one every prospective college student must go through in the fall of his or her senior year.

However, students planning to major in the arts must perform compositions or present their artwork in order to showcase their talent for admissions officers. These added requirements lengthen the college application process.
Despite the extended process, this year many seniors will attend universities for the arts.

Senior Allison Scheler will major in fashion merchandising at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles, California. Scheler had to create a portfolio of clothing items that her hypothetical store would have, along with price points on all of the merchandise.

Additionally, Scheler had to write multiple essays and participate in an interview.

“The exciting news about the interview is that they tell you once it’s over if you are admitted,”
Scheler said. “Luckily for me, I was. It was so hard for me to hold back tears of joy over the phone.”

Next year, Scheler will take marketing, business, and fashion ideology classes. These classes will teach her the marketing of merchandise: retail buying and the application of technology, as well as the development of leadership,
teamwork, and management skills.

“I am ready for a change and to have the chance of reaching my dream,” Scheler said. “I can’t wait to meet so many interesting people who share the same passion as I do.”

Senior dancer Rebecca Mattern, who began dancing 15 years ago, will also attend a school for the arts.

Although she is committed to the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Mattern hopes to defer her admission so she can attend a school strictly for ballet, either Ballet Austin in Texas or Gelsey Kirkland Academy in New York City.

“My favorite part of dancing is performing,” Mattern said. “I feel like I’m able to completely let go of myself and just let the dance take over me. I also really enjoy the discipline required in classes and rehearsals. In ballet, perfection is impossible, and there’s always something you can make better.”

Mattern’s auditions were held in the beginning of this year, lasting from January to March.

“I had about 15 auditions over the course of seven weeks, meaning some days I had two auditions in one day,” Mattern said. “Some were for colleges, some for schools, and some for companies. Most auditions consist of just a ballet class that is taught to you on the day of the audition to see how good your basic technique is. In some college auditions, I was also asked to do a modern or jazz dance to see how well-rounded of a dancer I was.”

Mattern is most excited about entering a new chapter of her life while testing her dedication to becoming a professional dancer.

“I feel like no matter where I’ll be, I will be able to learn more about myself,” Mattern said. “I’ll be happy knowing that I’m pursuing the dream I’ve had ever since I was a little girl.”

Senior violinist Fedor Ouspensky will also follow his dream this fall, when he will start classes at The Julliard School in New York City. Ouspensky began playing the violin when he was five and a half years old.

“I loved music from a very young age,” Ouspensky said. “My parents, both being professional classically trained musicians, saw that and got me on the violin to see where it would take me.”

After many years of practicing, Ouspensky auditioned for Julliard.

“Practicing becomes a hunt for the sound that is in your head that you want the audience to hear and feel,” Ouspensky said. “Practicing is never taxing. Your playing takes energy, but the playing itself is re-energizing.”

Like Scheler and Mattern, Ouspensky is eager to discover more about himself and meet people who share similar interests, while cultivating his independence.

“I’m looking forward to being in control of my life without parents around and learning to make my own decisions,” Ouspensky said.