<p>There is not much anyone could add to improve this thread. BassDad, your account makes for wonderful reading, filled with valuable information for anyone embarking on their own incredible journey. </p>
<p>That said, I would like to share an abbreviated version of our own adventure to show that the fun doesnt always end with the mailing of that deposit check. The best possible outcome sometimes lies at the end of a rather long and winding road. </p>
<p>By junior year, S figured out that he wanted to major in music performance. Hed been taking lessons from a great teacher, someone who regularly subbed at the Met orchestra and NY Phil and played in our local symphony. By all estimations, S was pretty good, so we took a rather conservative approach in applying to schools: two in-state state universities with solid music programs; one LAC; one large out-of-state university. </p>
<p>S auditioned onsite for one of the in-states offsite and was waitlisted. The other in-state audition was onsite, and went very well. The instructor really wanted S, offering what money he could and going so far to call his private teacher to ask how he might persuade S to enroll. </p>
<p>S was a late auditioner at the LAC and was not accepted. </p>
<p>The auditon at the out-of-state university got off to a shaky start. (In hindsight, I think the fates were trying to tell us something.) S fractured his wrist (not badly, just a hairline) about a week before his audition date. A cast would have made it impossible to practice, never mind audition, so S (with my reluctant okay) got by with a removable splint. Then about two hours and two states into our trip to the school, he realized that he had forgotten his instrument. Nevertheless, when we finally got there (with instrument) he played well, made it into the scholarship round, and got a nice offer that ultimately sealed the deal. Or so I thought. </p>
<p>Some months later, we drove down to attend orientation for admitted students. S went to workshops, registered for classes, the whole bit. All seemed fine, until well into the ride home when S nearly caused me to drive off the road. I made a mistake, he said. I dont want to go there. Neither did he want to go to the in-state school. He was adamant. Now what?</p>
<p>Well, S got a job. For a year, he continued lessons with his private teacher. He played in a community orchestra. He enrolled at the local community college and took core courses at night. He saved money and did some more research. And he set his sights on a completely different school, a conservatory within a university. He auditioned, was accepted with a nice scholarship, and immersed himself in his surroundings. He transferred his core credits. Four years later, a very happy S graduated magna cum laude with a BM in performance. </p>
<p>Onto grad school, but not right away. The stress of senior recital, school performances, and finishing degree requirements took its toll and his auditions at the conservatories did not go well. S sought counsel from a professor, who told S to enroll in the certificate program at his alma mater for a year and to just play, dont do any academic coursework. Good advice that paid off he auditioned this spring and was accepted at a NY conservatory in their MM program, with a little money to boot. He couldnt be more pleased. Will S make a career of music? Who knows? He is following what he feels is the right course, and I applaud his tenacity.</p>
<p>I share this saga to help ease the anxiety of both those kids feeling the pressure of having to make exactly the right choice, and those who ended up with not many schools to choose from. There are many routes to success, not just one. And sometimes the more meandering path will actually lead you closer to your desired destination.</p>