<p>Here is a nice article link for those beginning to navigate this process: </p>
<p>Tips</a> for Performing & Visual Arts Students</p>
<p>These college fairs take place in seven major metro areas. See if there is one near you.
Lots of the conservatories and music and art programs mentioned on this site will be present. </p>
<p>Houston, Dallas, Vegas, Los Angeles, San Fran, Portland, Seattle</p>
<p>The list in that link is odd, and not very useful for undergrads wanting a performance degree (BM)- 2 have decent departments, but I’d really like to know who selected those particular schools and why!
There are many more Music School Fairs than those listed For those looking, I’d suggest checking with conservatories in the area when you live to see if they are holding one or can tell you where the nearest fair might be.
Perhaps we could begin a list of those we know of:</p>
<p>Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH- already held, 10/13/2013</p>
<p>CIM, at Severance Hall, Cleveland, OH- already held,10/11/2013; with Rice, FSU & SFCM; this was a panel discussion about “Navigating the College Process” and it was the inaugural year for this event.</p>
<p>Bienen School of Music (Northwestern Univ), Chicago, IL-already held, 10/14/2013</p>
<p>San Antonio, TX; North East School of the Arts, 10/21/2013</p>
<p>Louisville, KY; Youth Performing Arts School, 11/1/2013, 9-11:15AM</p>
<p>Eastman School of Music, Rochester, NY- 11/6/2013 5-7PM; held in conjunction with Julliard and Ithaca College</p>
<p>Do you have to sign up for the Eastman College Fair? Is it a good thing to go to as a HS Sophomore? </p>
<p>My daughter is letting herself get pulled in every direction in HS, still playing a sport, to many other outside activities and friends that are great kids but not particularly into the classical music scene. She’s doing well with her music still, but we’re only about an hour and a half from Eastman so I thought maybe attending could show her what’s next after HS, and a taste of what’s involved.</p>
<p>redeye41, I would take a 10th grader just to explore. Eastman has offered this event for a few years now always around the same time of year so if you cannot make it you could look for it again next year. I will likely bring my 10th grader and we live 2 hrs away but the only reason I am hesitating is because I have an older kid we already did this with and looked at a lot of schools with him but I do not think they will apply to all of the same schools. This is a very useful event plus you could check out Eastman while you are there.</p>
<p>redeye41, I do not believe you need to sign up for the Eastman Fair. Last time I went we did not sign up. I did not see on Eastman site that it said you should. It was VERY crowded last time we went so be prepared for that.</p>
<p>Thanks! I think we’ll go! I told my daughter about it and she’s really excited.</p>
<p>Adding Rice Oct 22 7-9 PM at the concert hall</p>
<p>In San Francisco Oct. 27 [San</a> Francisco Performing and Visual Arts College Fair](<a href=“http://www.nacacnet.org/college-fairs/PVA-College-Fairs/Pages/San-Francisco.aspx]San”>http://www.nacacnet.org/college-fairs/PVA-College-Fairs/Pages/San-Francisco.aspx)
Here’s the schedule, including other states, for upcoming fairs: [Performing</a> and Visual Arts College Fair Schedule](<a href=“http://www.nacacnet.org/college-fairs/PVA-College-Fairs/Pages/default.aspx]Performing”>http://www.nacacnet.org/college-fairs/PVA-College-Fairs/Pages/default.aspx)</p>
<p>We did this with my son - it was a good introduction to the idea of music in college, but we needed to go much further in depth after. The admissions officers or representatives couldn’t really answer the specific and rather narrow questions we had. But nice to get on the mailing lists… and just to feel like the whole thing was actually a reality.</p>
<p>No, you don’t have to sign up for the Eastman event. My D went for the first time in 10th grade and she got a lot out of it. As has been noted, it does get very crowded, so have a rough list of the “must visit” school tables and consider anything else a bonus; heading for the back and working toward the front can be sensible. Don’t overdress because it does get warm inside and bring a tote bag to keep track of all of the handouts. If you’re comfortable doing so, let your student go in alone while you either wait in the lobby (not always possible due to how things may be laid out) or sit at Java Joe’s- just down the street- and enjoy some great coffee. That helps alleviate some of the overcrowding and let’s the student develop needed confidence and skills dealing with admissions people. Do keep in mind that the very people that represent the schools at these fairs are part of the admissions offices at the schools and that the contacts can be very valuable. When it comes time to make appointments to visit schools and schedule sample lessons, it helps to have the name of someone you’ve already dealt with!</p>