@Pohsmom - just my uneducated opinion but I think this may be a by-product of “the market” demanding a senior showcase from MT programs not located in major metropolitan areas. I have definitely seen prospective parents list this as a “must have” even though I’ve never heard any professional say that the showcase makes a huge difference in graduating seniors’ chances of finding work. Once a school says “Yes, we take the seniors to NY for a showcase” they have to deliver - and they do that by dumping a lot of the expense back on the students. It’s either that or raise tuition, which isn’t a big sell for anyone. I would hope that the school would fund at least part of the expense - like hall rental, accompanist, advertising - but especially for smaller schools it is a pretty big add on and they probably can’t / won’t fund the whole thing plus plane flights, hotels for everyone.