That’s easy, it ends when you come to the fork in the road, and take it lol.
And yeah, with music, it always seems to be ‘this isn’t the end of the journey, but the start of a new one’, question is, why does that seem to happen every minute of the day with music kids? lol
Of course in opera:
It’s not over till the fat lady sings.
And— since no one in the US hires singers on a full time basis,sometimes it’s not even over then.
Oh, @musicamusica,I’m so grateful to have you on CC. You’ve been so kind to my D in PM’s and sharing your VP wisdoms with us all! Just wanted to say how much I get from your posts. We are off to audition 6 out of 11. She was very pleased to pass ALL of her prescreens. Last audition is March 8th in Philadelphia…so close but yet so far…
And this is just the beginning, it’s always gong to be about the next audition.
Enjoy the process! Really!!
@indeestudios --I saw on the acceptance thread that your son has been accepted at Purchase–congratulations! That’s fantastic.
Would you mind letting me know if you got a call, an email, or a letter? We haven’t heard anything yet, so I’m kinda thinking it might not be good news, but then I really have no idea how they do things there. (I read on an old thread that their rejections tend to go out first, so I got a little more optimistic, but at this point I don’t know what to think!)
@AsMother -Thank you! S got his letter Saturday, and an unofficial email from the studio teacher earlier, but I’m pretty sure not all the acceptances have gone out yet…sending a PM. 
@indeestudios – So a little while after I wrote you back my son forwarded to me a really nice email that he’d received from Purchase–he’s waitlisted! I know that for some people that might come as a bit of a letdown, but I am just so damn happy and proud of him for getting to that point after so little time and formal training (I know that I sound as if I’m bragging here, but I only mean to say that I’m thrilled that he’s getting that kind of validation, after really not knowing if he was good enough for a conservatory until now). He’s #8 on the waitlist, and there are only four slots available for guitarists, so it’s probably a long-shot, but maybe…
Thanks again to everyone for your encouragement and advice.
That’s good news and wonderful validation of your S’s hard work and commitment! 
Thank you!
Congrats! My D was waitlisted at a MT program. She came off in mid-May. It does happen.
Thanks, @bridgenail ! That was my next question (likelihood). Glad to know it happened for your daughter!
And…he may want to start to communicate with the music school about his sincere interest to attend. Something like “I’m so happy to still be in consideration at your school. It is a top choice for me. Feel free to contact me at anytime with any questions. I will continue to check in with you, if that’s appropriate, as I really would like to attend Purchase.”
If he receives a “no” from his other school (I’m thinking there is only one other choice), he may want to contact Purchase after that and tell them that if they offer him a spot, he will accept. He doesn’t have to explain he didn’t get other offers. They can see him at Purchase and that won’t change. But he could move up a spot or two (or not) if the communication is short and sweet and not demanding. It won’t hurt.
Good luck!
SO helpful! I’m going to copy your reply and send it to him. It’s so great to be in contact with people who (unlike us) have a clue!!
Just heard this morning that my son was accepted at the New School!!! (Yesterday he also got a yes from Hampshire College, and he’s still on the waitlist for Purchase.) No scholarship, but YESSSSS!!!
Congrats!! To you and everyone else getting acceptances! They always get in where they should…and that’s where they’ll grow.
Thank you, @bridgenail ! I absolutely believe that things work out as they’re meant to, if we can just step back a bit and let it happen. And yes–congratulations to everyone! It’s been so nice to see that acceptance list growing!
Congratulations on both acceptances!! That’s wonderful news!