<p>MTMommaJAA: No audition schools should be considered a safety school. Some programs are less competitive than others. Maybe a 25% admit rate compared to a 2% - but none should be considered a safety school. Find one school that is a true safety school (academically and non-audition and what is affordable for your family). So you have 21 schools on your list? I would try to whittle that down. To me, 15 would be absolute max, but to others that would still be too many. Think of all the application fees! Make a list of attributes your S finds important, both in terms of a program and in a university at-large. Rate the schools based on these attributes and cut a few. Your outlook evolves and things become more clear as you do more research.</p>