<p>Perhaps the real answer to all of this is that, a school that requires a certain level of academic success does so because they know what is expected of students at their University/College. We all know that it isn’t as simple as “getting in” but even more important the ability to “stay in”. Schools that are more lenient in their academic bar for acceptance are probably saying that the student doesn’t require the same level of academic abilities (or willingness to do the work as some other posters have mentioned). There are kids who don’t mind heavy study “work” loads as opposed to rehearsal and training time, as others. No question anyone pursuing a BFA knows, or needs to know, that the commitment is huge and time spent “working” on something will probably exceed many students in other fields even very academic ones. I feel very strongly, and tell the students I work with who are pursuing BFA degrees that “you will ultimately end up where you belong.” And even when that doesn’t happen at first they almost always find the right place for them. My younger D is pursuing a music degree. Her grades are very good, not stellar. I have a good sense for which schools are simply not right for her. She would gladly spend 100 hours in a row practicing and composing and working on computer music but is pretty miserable doing work for her academic courses. Clearly she would not thrive in a school with a strong academic component. Look at the curriculum at the schools your child is auditioning for to see if it is even a good fit. It should help modify (and shrink) the long list into something more manageable.</p>