All of these schools have strong music schools with competitive admissions. Each of these schools is going to do it differently. Is this student planning to major in music performance? It is best to go onto the web site, find the music school for each and read about the application, audition and admission requirements. For example, Rice requires you apply to the music school, audition and get accepted into a studio. If you are not accepted you do not have any admission to Rice. You have to choose academic or music. http://music.rice.edu/undergraduate/index.shtml If you choose the academic application and are accepted, you can only take courses for non-majors. The studio professors at Rice do not teach the non-majors. Other schools may be different.