Thank you @BoogieMa, @theatrekidmom, @mommdc, and @actorparent1
All of this information is so very helpful. I agree with you @theatrekidmom, my S is not necessarily researching either, his idea of research is talking to others and hearing what they have done or will do. We are thinking that we will visit a few just to get the “lay of the land” and see what it’s like to be at a small school, large school, and city school, see what BFA, BA and BM will do for him before he starts to to send in his prescreens.
Our D is an education major and we looked at schools with her prior to applying and it was a great thing, her two dream schools that she talked about for years ended up not to her liking, she felt they were too big and not personable enough for her, the smaller schools she felt homey in. In the end we ended up looking predominately at small schools and she only applied to 6 and they were all similar in style.
We want to make sure that he is not applying and auditioning to schools that he would not be comfortable attending should he be accepted. We are thinking initially we will visit just 4 or 5 this spring and summer. We are reading and absorbing everything folks are sharing with us here and you 've all opened up more potential schools for us to look at. We are so excited and nervous for this journey and grateful we found somewhere to learn more.