Summer before Senior Year? Your MT College Prep Checklist
The summer before senior year is a pivotal time for students planning to apply to college musical theatre programs. But with so many moving pieces… how do you actually use that time well?
Hi! I’m Julie Kavanagh—performer, arts educator, college coach, and Director/Owner of Aspire College Auditions. For the past 10 years, I’ve guided students and families through the college audition process. From going through it myself (I earned my BFA in Musical Theatre from CCM), to coaching hundreds of students, to continuing to work professionally—I’ve experienced this process from every side of the table.
And here’s the truth: preparing for musical theatre college auditions is unlike anything else.
It’s rigorous. It’s competitive (many top programs have acceptance rates lower than Ivy League schools). And while your friends may already know where they’re going to college, you might still be waiting to find out if you even have an audition.
But while this process can feel like a rollercoaster, there is a way to approach it with clarity and confidence—and it starts with how you use your summer.
So let’s get into it. After a decade of doing this work, here are the top things I recommend every student focus on the summer before senior year:
Build Your School List
There are so many incredible musical theatre programs out there—BFAs, BAs, BMs, programs with MT concentrations, even minors. Which is exciting… and also overwhelming.
That’s why starting early matters.
Your goal is to build a well-balanced list (we typically recommend 12–15 schools) that includes a mix of reach, target, and safety programs—all aligned with your goals, needs, and preferences.
You’ll also need this time to gather key information: deadlines, requirements for your applications and auditions, and more.
A question I get all the time: Should I visit schools before applying?
The answer: it depends.
If it works for your schedule and finances—amazing. But please do not feel like you have to visit every school before applying. In many cases, it actually makes more sense to visit when you’re auditioning on campus or after you’ve been accepted.
Get Organized EARLY
If you take one thing from this post, let it be this: get organized early.
Create a spreadsheet or tracking system to keep everything in one place. (Trust me… There will be a lot of information.)
You’ll want to track:
Pre-screen requirements (types of pieces, time limits, supplemental asks)
Pre-screen and application deadlines
Audition requirements, dates, and options (Will the school be at Unifieds? Can you use the same material as your pre-screens?)
Essay prompts
Additional supplemental materials needed (Video response, specific type of resume, etc)
This one system will become your lifeline throughout the process.
And yes… as a spreadsheet girly, this is my moment. This is also exactly how we support our Aspire students—giving them tools and systems so nothing falls through the cracks.
Dive Into Your Audition Material
The summer before senior year is the sweet spot for audition prep.
Start too early, and your material can feel over-rehearsed and may not accurately reflect your skills. Start too late, and everything feels rushed—and not fully in your body.
Here’s the rhythm I recommend:
June = exploration
July = solidification
Try things. Play. Experiment. And once you land on your material….dive in!
And one of my biggest notes: Research the source material. Learn about the show, the composer, and the author. With your monologues… READ THE PLAY. Once you have selected the piece, get and READ THE PLAY!
Your audition isn’t just about showing skills—it’s about showing understanding, specificity, and connection. You should always know why you chose your material (and no, “my really awesome coach Julie gave it to me” doesn’t count 😉).
Start Your Essays ASAP
This is the one students always want to avoid… and the one that will save you the most stress later.
We’re going to “eat the frog” here.
Common App essay prompts are typically released in February before your senior year—which means they are already available. You can start now.
The earlier you begin, the more breathing room you’ll have in late summer and fall—when everything ramps up quickly.
Start with:
Your Common App essay topic of choice
A draft of why you want to study musical theatre
Many schools ask similar supplemental questions, so getting ahead on this thinking is a game-changer.
And when I say write… I mean, dig deep and get specific!
Begin Your Wildcard Early
Another “eat the frog” moment: the wildcard video.
A 60-second video. About anything.
I know—that can feel intimidating. But let’s reframe it.
This is your chance to show faculty something about you they would never see otherwise.
So don’t leave it until the last minute.
Start early. Brainstorm. Journal. Explore what makes you you.
Ask yourself:
What parts of me are not on my resume?
What do I love outside of theatre?
What makes me unique?
What qualities will I bring to a college community?
Additional artistic skills are great—but this is your chance to go deeper.
(And yes, I will absolutely be doing a full deep dive on wildcard videos—because this deserves its own moment.)
Build Your Resume & Plan Headshots
Let’s talk resume.
You do not need to include every show you’ve ever done—yes, even your preschool production of The Three Little Pigs (although for the record, I played Momma Pig… and yes, there is photographic evidence).
Keep it clean. Keep it clear. Highlight what’s most relevant.
And if you don’t have a long list of credits? That’s okay. You are going to school to learn, not because you’ve already done it all.
For headshots:
Summer is a great time to get them done
If professional photos aren’t an option, don’t stress
A clear, well-lit photo (even on a phone) can absolutely work
Most important? Look like you. Wear something that feels like you. You should feel confident and comfortable.
What About Summer Programs?
I get this question all the time: “But Julie—I’m doing a summer program! How am I supposed to get all of this done?”
First of all—amazing. Congrats.
Summer programs can be a fantastic way to get high-quality training and experience life on a college campus.
If they work for your schedule and budget—great.
If they don’t—that is completely okay too. They are not the end-all, be-all.
If you are attending one:
Plan ahead
Front-load your prep before the program starts
Give yourself the space to actually be present and enjoy the experience
And overall, I don’t recommend overloading your summer.
This process takes time. And this is also your last summer before senior year. Those moments matter, so really think about what will be the best use of time and energy for you and your family.
The biggest difference I see between students who feel confident going into audition season… and those who feel overwhelmed?
How they use their summer.
This is exactly why, inside Aspire, we focus the bulk of our work during these months. Our program is designed to be flexible (fully virtual) so it fits into real summer schedules—while still giving students structure, strategy, and support every step of the way.
From building school lists, to selecting material, to brainstorming wildcards, to staying organized—we create a plan that works for you.
Because there is no one “right” way to do this process. It’s about what will work best for YOU!
If you’re looking for expert mentorship and ongoing support for your audition and application process, you’re invited to join the waitlist for our Aspire College Auditions program or book a free consult with us. We would love to hear your story and help you start building your road map!
Download our FREE GUIDE to Starting the College Musical Theater Audition Process, or explore more conversations on the Aspire College Auditions Podcast + Youtube Page and on Instagram!