Student Blog: Unifieds…Are They Worth It?

When I first started the college audition process, "Unifieds" was a foreign concept to me. So, I’ve decided to break them down into basic facts to help you decide if they are right for you! 

First, let’s define them. The National Unified Auditions are held in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Most people pick 1 to 2 locations to attend. In one central location (such as the Palmer House Hotel in Chicago), upwards of 25 schools hold simultaneous auditions for a few days. 

To clarify, Unifieds are just one of the possible locations to attend an in person audition once a precreen is passed. However, instead of flying all over the country for each in person audition, some students elect to go to one location of Unifieds and audition for most of their schools in the same week. 

When I was in the audition process, I often felt conflicted about the location in which I chose to audition. Would a school not take me as seriously if I chose to audition for them online or at Unifieds instead of traveling to their campus? Thankfully, I felt that Unifieds and virtual auditions were equally as beneficial as campus auditions. 

It wouldn’t be beneficial to you to list out the “pros” and “cons” of Unifieds, because those are my pros and cons from my personal experience. Instead, I’m going to give you the cold, hard facts! 

• Unifieds is a crazy and crowded event, no matter what location you choose. There are hundreds of kids flooding the halls finding their audition rooms, warming up, eating lunch, running monologues, etc. For some, this energy feeds them and actually helps their audition. For those who want a quiet space to prepare, this could be overwhelming. 

• Those who choose to really take advantage of the schools available to them at Unifieds might audition for up to 7 or 8 schools a day. For some, this takes the pressure off of auditioning. Instead of 1 school to consume your mind all day, that school becomes merely 1 out of 8 each day. On the other hand, some might like to focus all of their attention and energy on one school. It's truly different for every person. 

• At Unifieds, you are more likely than not going to sing to a prerecorded track rather than with an accompanist. One one out of my many Unifieds schools asked me for sheet music. Be prepared with both! You may love a track, or you may love having an accompanist to work with. Practice with both, and learn what works best for you! 

• One of my biggest worries associated with auditioning at Unifieds was being glanced over by a school simply because I was their 80th audition of the day. While this is a valid worry, it would not be much different on an in person audition day at the school. Tons of kids show up, and it's a long day for everyone no matter where you audition. 

The important thing to remember is that it's all about what happens during the few minutes you are in the audition room. Nothing else matters as much as the work you have put into your pieces. Whether it be virtual, on campus, or at Unifieds, all that truly matters is being the best representation of your authentic self. These auditions are about gaining experience, confidence, and even making lifelong friends. So…take my thoughts on Unifieds, and make a choice that works with who you are and what makes you thrive. And who knows, you might end up going to the school you auditioned for at Unifieds! 

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