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Hat -- I agree with some of the advice given here -- particularly the idea of getting an independent assessment from a private consultant(s), qualified to guage your child against the likely of pool of competiing students. Go to someone who lives far enough away that they will understand they wouldn't be in the running for private instruction for your child (that way you can be sure there are no ulterior motives). Consider getting a couple of opinions. Go to someone with a solid track record for getting kids into good schools or someone who participates in schools' audition panels.
Practice lessons at the schools at which your child hopes to apply are also helpful. One of the good things that might happen as a result of a practice lesson is that the professor might release the student from having to submit a pre-audition CD (for schools which normally require a preaudition cd -- not all do). If the student is released from having to submit a pre-qualifying CD that's pretty good indication that your child is at least in the running. If the professor encourages the student to stay in touch after the practice lesson that's another indication, without asking the proverbial "chance me" type of question. Another indication is if the professor asks the student to let him/her know when the student is auditioning.
Practice lessons and feedback from consultants can really give students (and their parents) a great deal of confidence. Some professors may offer constructive criticism. This should not be taken as a negative. In most cases the professor is trying to demonstrate his or her teaching style and that he or she does in fact have something to offer the student.
If the professor releases the student from the CD requirement, the student should follow-up with the music school admissions office because sometimes, somehow, the exemption may be get lost somewhere between the prof's lips and the student's application folder. Trust but verify is a good slogan here.
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