<p>In response to HSN’s post, I can add a few comments on how best to get a feel for schools. When S was looking in his junior and senior years, we tried to visit so he could attend a class, talk to students (and faculty, if possible) in the Acting and/or MT programs and see a production. We didn’t work as hard to do that at all places, especially when we went in spring junior year/summer prior to senior year. By fall senior year, he had a much stronger focus on what he was looking for in a program so the need to sit in on classes, meet faculty and talk with students was much more obvious to us in planning a trip. The campus/city “tours” of the early trips helped shape that focus so they were useful but the more in-depth trips clarified his preferences during the application and audition stage. Just remember, it’s important not to do too much “ruling out” since the selection process works both ways! We were a bit dismayed that he kept trying to rule out CCM fairly early. He agreed to apply but reluctantly since he didn’t like Cincinnati and had a lukewarm experience attending an acting class. In retrospect, I think he really did sense it wouldn’t have been a good fit and that he was giving it a fair assessment; he just came to that decision sooner than his dad and I. </p>
<p>The ten visits we made (some combined with auditions on campuses) were very helpful. He realized some schools were much more interesting than he’d thought they’d be while a couple slipped down in his personal preference list. He was lucky enough to “match” with his #1 school (which remained in that spot throughout the process, visits and all: CMU) but the process clarified other great schools that would have worked well for him had admissions worked out differently.</p>