Build your college list. Balance is everything.

While many students don't start researching prospective colleges until 11th grade, we recommend that families start visiting and researching colleges possibly as early as 9th grade and certainly by 10th grade. We encourage this because the earlier you start the more time you’ll have to fully consider your options. 11th grade is amazingly busy and your focus should really be on academics, testing, portfolio development or audition preparation. There just isn’t really enough time to visit all the colleges you might feel you want to in 11th grade.

After we’ve met to review and discussed your academic goals, passions and artistic accomplishments, it’s time to start talking about the characteristics to consider for college. These characteristics fall into three broad categories: academics, social, and environment. There are no right or wrong answers, you are unique and your needs are unique, what is the best fit college for your best friend may (or may not) be a good fit for you. We’ll think through it together and regardless of your answers we’ll suggest colleges for you to research and visit that meet your criteria.

• What are the characteristics you want in a college? College is more than academics, we’ll consider curricula, size, student body, dorm life, social atmosphere, extracurriculars, location, financial aid and scholarships, and opportunities for professional development.

• What type of school? There are a variety of different types of schools that offer programs in the arts with each providing a different experience: College of art and design, conservatory, smaller traditional liberal arts college, or larger university. Many students apply to a variety of programs and decide upon acceptance which suits them best.

• What social activities do you want? College needs to fulfill your personal needs as well so we’ll discuss advocacy and community opportunities, sports teams, performance and exhibit opportunities, and do you want Saturday nights filled with greek activities or small gatherings with friends.

• Where do you want to be? Big city, suburban campus, or large sprawling rural campus? North, south, east, west or heartland? Do you envision big city life replete with metro rides or hiking with a view of the stars? There are over 3,000 colleges in the U.S. so there’s probably one in any place you’d like to live.

Our coaches are graduates of top art programs and understand the rigor and expectations. We visit campuses, walk the neighborhoods, and spend time in studios and museums. We stay in touch with our students after they enroll and hear what matched expectations and what did not. This allows us to guide students toward programs that are not just strong on paper, but strong in reality. A balanced list is built from experience, not data alone.

You can read more about our college visits on our blog.

• BFA, BMA, BArch, BS, or BA? There are big differences between degrees, we discuss what they are, what your options are and what might make the most sense for you.

• Do you want internships or co-ops? Some schools have integrated co-op or internship programs built into their curriculums. A required internship or co-op might extend your academic schedule to five years.

• What can you afford? This is a critical conversation, and every family has their own financial considerations that must be considered, we’ll offer talking points to facilitate family conversations

• What is your academic history? We’ll review your transcripts and test scores as these factor into both acceptances and merit-based financial aid.

• Where does this take you? Careers in the arts have vastly increased from the opportunities of the past, we’ll discuss potential careers in your field of interest and focus on how they translate into earning a sustainable income.