It seems rather bizarre that some of the most important decisions we have to make in life must be made at such an early age. It ranks up there with choosing a field of study, and subsequently a career. In my years as a music professor and music administrator, I have talked with many high school students who were looking for a music school and have heard many reasons for choosing a particular school.
Today there are many fine music programs from which to choose, located all across the country.
Some programs are comprehensive while others concentrate on certain areas such as performance, sacred music, music education, etc. Of course, your chosen concentration will play a large part in the selection process. Before you look at music specifics, however, there are some general considerations that must be addressed first. Consider the time and cost of travel between school and home. For most people this is an important factor and may be the most restrictive aspect in choosing a school.