Anonymous
Post 03/01/2025 16:30     Subject: How competitive is Duke Ellington to get into?

The family interviews are parents/guardians and the student. The school is a commitment. Parent support is key. You both need to be super clear of the difference between a school with arts programs and a school for the arts. There is no "oops I just want academics" two years in. Otherwise, interviews are to answer your questions, mostly, and see what supports you might need from the school. That said, there are only so many spaces and classrooms are only so large so there are no guarantees.
Anonymous
Post 03/01/2025 11:56     Subject: Re:How competitive is Duke Ellington to get into?

Anonymous wrote:Our child also received a notice requesting a family interview.

One - we are presuming our child goes with us, correct?

Two - What is the purpose of the family interview?

We are going to be so bummed if our child got this far through auditions and now we mess up a family interview, I mean, how do we ace this puppy?

[No lie, my family spent more time and emotional energy on this than we (my spouse AND myself) spent in getting into law schools. Woweeee.]



Same here…with everything your family is going through! From the anticipation of getting an email to questioning yourself and everything else. It is definitely nerve wrecking. I assume that our child will go and I have heard that it’s mostly to gauge the child’s support system, your knowledge of the intensity of the program they will be going into, and seeing if it will be a good fit for child and school. With all that said, I still feel clueless. Good luck!!
Anonymous
Post 03/01/2025 10:06     Subject: Re:How competitive is Duke Ellington to get into?

Our child also received a notice requesting a family interview.

One - we are presuming our child goes with us, correct?

Two - What is the purpose of the family interview?

We are going to be so bummed if our child got this far through auditions and now we mess up a family interview, I mean, how do we ace this puppy?

[No lie, my family spent more time and emotional energy on this than we (my spouse AND myself) spent in getting into law schools. Woweeee.]
Anonymous
Post 02/28/2025 23:00     Subject: Re:How competitive is Duke Ellington to get into?

Anonymous wrote:We just received a family interview from DESA. Is the interview with just the parents or are the kids part of the interview?



Which program did your child apply to?
Anonymous
Post 02/28/2025 22:40     Subject: Re:How competitive is Duke Ellington to get into?

Anonymous wrote:We just received a family interview from DESA. Is the interview with just the parents or are the kids part of the interview?



I assumed that the kids would be part of the interview but I think that is a good question.
Anonymous
Post 02/28/2025 22:30     Subject: How competitive is Duke Ellington to get into?

My child was a theatre callbacks Thursday and said they were told that it was the last callback and interviews would be next week, but we got another email tonight for a callback #5 for theater on Monday. Anyone else?
Anonymous
Post 02/28/2025 20:34     Subject: Re:How competitive is Duke Ellington to get into?

We just received a family interview from DESA. Is the interview with just the parents or are the kids part of the interview?

Anonymous
Post 02/28/2025 10:28     Subject: How competitive is Duke Ellington to get into?

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know when Duke will be doing family interviews or when we should expect to hear if we are invited for an interview?


I have heard that in certain departments invitations should start going out today. Good luck!!
Anonymous
Post 02/27/2025 22:36     Subject: How competitive is Duke Ellington to get into?

Does anyone know when Duke will be doing family interviews or when we should expect to hear if we are invited for an interview?
Anonymous
Post 02/27/2025 09:48     Subject: How competitive is Duke Ellington to get into?

Anonymous wrote:Would love to hear thoughts from non-residents if anyone wants to chime in! Though I’m afraid they won’t because there seems to be such hate towards non-residents…


There is no hate anywhere but this silly forum. Instrumental kids attend from VA, so audition and see.
Anonymous
Post 02/27/2025 08:11     Subject: How competitive is Duke Ellington to get into?

Theater callbacks were happening at the same time as instrumental music (first round) auditions this week. People were also checking in for visual arts, although it wasn't clear if that was for Round 1 or a callback.
Anonymous
Post 02/26/2025 16:09     Subject: How competitive is Duke Ellington to get into?

TDP and theatre are moving along in callbacks. Not sure about other departments.
Anonymous
Post 02/26/2025 09:18     Subject: How competitive is Duke Ellington to get into?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Kid was supposed to audition yesterday, postponed due to weather. Told that new invitations should issue soon for 2/25-2/27 audition dates.


Has anyone gotten an update on this? We've not heard a peep from them.



Nothing. And my DD auditioned last Tuesday. My DD’s friend is also in the process of callbacks for theatre and have not heard anything since last week either. She was on her second callback.



Theatre callbacks have started again. This will be the 3rd callback.


Does anyone know whats going on with other departments besides theatre or instrumental music?


BUMP
Anonymous
Post 02/21/2025 10:06     Subject: How competitive is Duke Ellington to get into?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Kid was supposed to audition yesterday, postponed due to weather. Told that new invitations should issue soon for 2/25-2/27 audition dates.


Has anyone gotten an update on this? We've not heard a peep from them.



Nothing. And my DD auditioned last Tuesday. My DD’s friend is also in the process of callbacks for theatre and have not heard anything since last week either. She was on her second callback.



Theatre callbacks have started again. This will be the 3rd callback.


Does anyone know whats going on with other departments besides theatre or instrumental music?
Anonymous
Post 02/21/2025 09:32     Subject: How competitive is Duke Ellington to get into?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Not everyone is given a callback, just the people they want to see again. But not getting a callback doesn't necessarily mean not getting in.


Anyone heard whether the weather affected the schedule this year? We expected callbacks would be today but haven't heard anything and no idea how to interpret that.


DCPS is closed today (Friday0 for Professional Development, and Monday is a holiday. The first round of auditions is not complete. You don't get notified that you have a callback until everyone is seen in the first round. Auditions were cancelled Wednesday and Thurs for most departments. Should continue not next week but the week after due to performances and rehearsals for current students next week.



Great info. Is this department specific or overall?