<p>I can definitely understand why you’re hesitant to send her far away to a BFA program (or other college) when she’s barely 17–I turned 17 right before h.s. graduation, and I can tell you that even way back in the olden days, I was honestly too young to get the most out of my first couple of years of college (although of course I never would have acknowledged that at the time!). However, sending her someplace that isn’t really what she wants doesn’t seem like a good use of time and money, especially considering that if she ends up switching to a BFA program later she will almost certainly have to start over as a freshman. I’m curious as to whether you’ve considered suggesting that she take a gap year instead? In my 25+ years as a high school teacher, I’ve seen plenty of kids take a gap year–or end up taking time off midway through college–and it’s never been a mistake. Almost every kid benefits from taking a little time to grow up a bit more. Rushing into the wrong thing, though, CAN be misguided. And perhaps a transition year would help your husband grow more comfortable with the prospect of her flying a little farther from the nest! </p>
<p>It sounds like your whole family is taking this process seriously, which I deeply respect. Best of luck to you all!</p>