College & Conservatory Admissions 101 for Music and Drama Majors

When it comes to higher education, prospective music and theater arts majors have three choices. They can attend a conservatory, try a large university with a strong performing arts department - or opt for that happy medium, a university with a conservatory. But there are stark differences between the three, and this decision is going to impact not just a student's artistic development, but the kinds of friends he makes, the non-arts subjects he studies and the way he spends every moment of every day for the next four years. Big decision? Yes, but an exciting one too. This breakout on the differences between types of schools, conservatory vs. university, can help you decide.

Marching bands are fine. But teens and 20somethings (and 30somethings) with an eye on the concertmaster chair - or an aria at the Met - are in the market for something very different. So here's the scoop on the 10 best music conservatories in the U.S., the Juilliards of the West and East Coasts. Among them, a school that offers a full ride to every student and a conservatory with a hip hop major and an endless stream of Grammy- and Oscar-winning alumni.

For some musicians, the better fit is a conservatory within a college, or a university with a stellar music department, and the West Coast and its neighboring states have much to offer, from the glories of USC's Thornton School, which easily ranks among the country's best, to a South Dakota university whose colossal instrument museum is a treasure trove for music historians.

You've chosen the genre - conservatory or college. Now all you have to do is find a few and attending a performing arts college fair, such as the free events hosted by the National Association of College Admissions Counseling, can help that process along. Representatives from nearly every major university with a strong performing arts department attend, along with reps from many of the big conservatories. These fairs are held in major U.S. cities each fall and spring, and are particularly helpful for high school sophomores and juniors. Browse our college fair survival tips before you go, especially the part about bringing pre-printed mailing labels. (Think of it as carpal tunnel prevention.)

In addition to the regular admissions application, most college and conservatory programs require a supplemental application and recommendations - and the all-important performance resume. There are four crucial areas to concentrate on in building an impressive conservatory application - great teachers, extra-curricular ensembles or theater productions, masterclasses and summer workshops, and record keeping. But it's not just about resumes. These resume-building tips for music and theater majors will enhance your child's arts education too.

Would-be music and drama majors are easy to spot at this time of year. They’re the ones chewing their nails down to the quick and nervously consulting their day planners to make sure they haven’t scheduled auditions in Nome and Miami on the same day. Here are 8 well-tested tips from parents, musicians and experts, including former Juilliard admissions director Carole Everett.

Here's a peek at what a sample performance resume looks like. Or, what it would have looked like if Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart had had to apply to the Mozarteum ... using a keyboard, instead of a quill. The basic performance resume includes contact information and field of emphasis - Wolfgang would have probably jotted down harpsichord, violin and music composition - as well as music education, ensembles, workshops and master classes, awards and repertoire.