My D’s non-auditioned safeties were academic schools where we felt sure she’d be admitted based upon stats which also had the policy of allowing BA students access to BFA classes and/or allowing BA students the chance to audition into BFA programs after they started at the school. I considered it a “soft landing” for a kid who would not consider schools outside the major metropolitan regions of the NE. I agree that applying to schools the student doesn’t want to attend is a mistake but I also feel strongly everyone needs to think through “plan B” in advance, whether that’s a gap year, going pro without a degree or a safety academic admit.