Newbie with many questions

Another question-I have read on here, and now I can not find the thread, that a few folks recommended not applying to the school until you’ve heard back about the prescreen, however every school that my son is looking at requires you to apply first then you can submit the prescreen. It also requires an application prior to scheduling auditions for those that don’t have prescreen. So I get the feeling you don’t have a choice but to apply to all the colleges.