Duke Ellington Family Interviews

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just saw the result and says "Ineligible". That is really confusing and disappointing since we are DC residents and he got verbal positive feedback during Visual Arts audition but never a word after that, not email or nothing with either positive or negative feedback. We were never called for interview but were not told that he didn't make the cut for his performance in the Audition either. (Total silence). I contacted the school admissions a couple of times after that to inquire about dates of the process and never got a response to my messages, other than the automatic replays. I have received more information in this forum than from the school... How can DE can determine somebody Ineligible if they don't even take the applicant trough the whole process? Their website says applicants will receive feedback 2 weeks after auditions and that never happened for us, if they had done that, we could have been saved from almost 2 months of unnecessary uncertainty.

"Ineligible" is DCPS lingo, not the school. The feedback you got was not being asked back for an interview. But they are not allowed to say that according to DCPS rules.

[Anonymous]

Sorry for those who did not make it. Sometimes it's just a numbers game. Otherwise it's generally about talent. Be realistic about where your student is and make the best decision from here

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sorry for those who did not make it. Sometimes it's just a numbers game. Otherwise it's generally about talent. Be realistic about where your student is and make the best decision from here

Want to add-some departments are much more competitive than others, just because of the sheer number of applicants. So the pp who says to be realistic about your child’s talent is spot on. Last year, a number of visual arts applicants were rejected from visual arts, but accepted into museum studies, so that’s always an option. The museum studies students do some art/photography/design, it’s just not as art intensive as the VA program.

[Anonymous]

How did others do? We were one of the ineligible ones but nonetheless it was a great experience for all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How did others do? We were one of the ineligible ones but nonetheless it was a great experience for all.

We had a family interview, but ended up with an ineligible status, too. Our shy kiddo is devastated because it was something they really wanted and saw where they would fit into the program. In a lot of ways plan B is more convenient and better for us, but seeing them so disappointed this morning was really hard.

[Anonymous]

Friend's DC was accepted (museum studies).

[Anonymous]

Just got an email that said-

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation regarding Ellington's admissions decision-making process. We strive to ensure fairness and transparency throughout. However, all decisions are made contingent upon the student's audition.

We encourage any ineligible interested students to consider reapplying in the post-lottery round starting April 1st, particularly if you have alternative artistic interests or departments you wish to explore further.

Thank you for your continued support.

[Anonymous]

Pro Tip: Definitely take the school's way too subtle advice to apply to a different program than the one who told you no. There is no waiting list. If you don't take that advice, don't come back with the same material to audition with. Step it up a notch.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for that info. I am still questioning their procedure and lack of communication trough the process. My son is fine. He will continue doing his Arts and other opportunities will open in his life for sure, this experience also will build his character, but I me as a parent, I feel the frustration to entering a process with a lot of expectations and been misinformed of the steps and left in total silence. I am just saying they have one thing in their website and is a different thing what happens in reality. (That was our experience). Really that is not the type of response I would want from a school where a child will expend four years....

[Anonymous]

Honestly the school is not allowed to be more transparent. DCPS won't let them. Just saying "Great job" or "you did this the wrong way, try this instead " often becomes fodder for litigious parents if the kid is ultimately rejected. Teachers get letters from parents and cannot respond, and hate that they can't because they feel for the kids and parents. If you want feedback wait until well after the process and drop a nice note to a teacher or chair and you'll probably get something back that helps.

[Anonymous]

Why is it that the theater department family interviews are at the end of March 2025?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why is it that the theater department family interviews are at the end of March 2025?

Have you already gotten an invitation?