<p>If she wants an auditioned BFA on the East Coast, YS, she should take a look at Hartt. A very intense ensemble-based conservatory program, lots of performance opportunities…well I could go on and on. D is there and it has been just amazing. (She was determined to stay close to home, too.)</p>
<p>Yardley, that is so very smart. I have kept my kids on the east coast as well and it is still a huge expense and time commitment getting them home. And they are mostly flying at the most expensive time (Thanksgiving…the WORST).</p>
<p>Where your D is a Junior this is the ideal time for her to look on all the websites of the schools she is interested in and try to attend performing arts Info days at as may schools that you can travel to. Often, the Program Directors talk to the parents and the kids and let them know a little bit about what they are looking for and you get a sense of the selectivity and a feel of the student population from visiting. Montclair has an excellent program. Cast a wide net and enjoy the journey. To be competitive for the academic side of the more selective schools such as Northwestern, Yale and U Mich, she should consider taking several APs next year if she is not already taking a few this year. Improving the GPA will put her in contention for handsome merit scholarships at several of these schools.</p>