<p>Totally agree lorilynne! I also had my daughter start her essays over the summer. She actually applied to her first college in August of her senior year and was accepted at the end of September (a month later) for that school. The hardest thing about that is staying focused on your classes in your senior year but it’s also a nice relief to know that you got into college. She’s actually going to that school for their BFA Acting program. I do believe that if you get your apps completed before November 1st, you shouldn’t have a problem with scheduling auditions. 8 - 10 programs is about right and that’s very manageable. They need to have reach schools, probable schools, and safety schools- as far as academics is concerned. Both of my kids only applied to schools where they would be happy to attend. No one ever knows about getting into BFA programs. I have seen some uber talented kids not get into any program and I have seen kids- especially boys- who are not nearly as talented as girls- that have gotten into some of the most prestigious programs in the country- with sucky grades!</p>