<p>Musician's test scores and academic records are more important at public universities than conservatories, which mainly need to know the auditionee can pass general ed requirements. The audition AND the rarity of the instrument/voice are the crucial elements, and being a male singer is a major plus. Neither Indiana nor Michigan have conservatory curriculum (very little academic study outside of music-average one course a term) in music programs, but the music standards are still high. Michigan, particulary, is a rough admit academically, and it is quite expensive - as much as major conservatories. On the other hand, it is a good size and balance of levels of accomplishment. The music faculty is excellent at both schools, but Indiana has more faculty hired on performance credentials. </p>
<p>DivaMom: your daughter just needs to read the clues as she progresses through her studies. If she is winning contests (NATS)(summer program auditions), getting roles, consistently getting better (expanding range, gaining dynamic and breath control, increasing flexibility, etc.), she is on track. Be realistic when you consider your daughter's "package". Does her size match her voice type? Does she move well? Is she instinctively dramatically expressive? Is she naturally musical? It is a media driven world, even in opera. My daughter sings in Germany, and even she is still amazed at some of the major vocal talents she hears turned away from her House, because of their appearance. Unless a female has an impressive dramatic voice, weight problems will be a major obstacle. As a female singer, she is much less likely to be offered money for graduate study, many schools spend the money they have on males (Title 9 issue????) because all of those male composers wrote operas with far more male parts. </p>
<p>Good luck.</p>