How music boarding school prepares you for college and career success
From world-class faculty to expert audition preparation to college-preparatory academics, music boarding school can help you prepare for the career of your dreams and stand out in a competitive college and conservatory landscape.
Updated: July 8, 2024
Choosing a college is one of the biggest decisions of your life—especially if you plan to pursue a career in the competitive music industry.
Whether you want to attend a state school or an elite conservatory, the decisions you make during your middle and high school years are keys that unlock the path to the college of your dreams. As college music programs become increasingly selective, more and more high school students are considering music boarding high schools in the U.S. to help them navigate the application process and become more attractive applicants.
Below, we share a few of the ways that a music boarding school experience can set you up for college and career success in the arts.
Admission representatives from arts-focused colleges, universities, and conservatories share why they’re excited to see Interlochen Arts Academy on an application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does boarding school prepare you for college?
Yes. Music boarding high schools mirror the structure and expectations of college life in a way that traditional schools just can’t match. Students learn to manage demanding academics, dedicated arts education, and residential living all at once. By graduation, they’ve already practiced the independence, time management, and self-advocacy that college requires.
How hard is it to get into college for music?
Highly selective music programs can be extremely competitive, with auditions playing a central role in admission decisions. Students must demonstrate both technical mastery and artistic maturity, often under significant pressure. Serious, consistent pre-college training at one of the best music boarding schools can make a meaningful difference.
Are kids who go to boarding school more successful?
Success ultimately depends on the student, but boarding schools for music often create an environment where high expectations are the norm. Surrounded by driven peers and close faculty mentorship, students are pushed to grow faster and create work at a higher level. This kind of momentum can carry well beyond graduation.
Do colleges like boarding schools?
Colleges admit students, not school names, but they do value evidence of a rigorous education and personal maturity. Boarding school students often demonstrate both through challenging coursework, dedicated artistic study, and residential life experience. When paired with strong achievements, that background can strengthen a college application.
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