If you’re in the middle of college auditions, you’ve probably heard it all already.
“Shoot for the top programs.”
“If you don’t aim high, you’re selling yourself short.”
“That school will look amazing on your résumé.”
And while those comments are usually well-intentioned, they can quietly pull you away from the most important part of this process: choosing a college program that actually fits you and your future.
At the College Audition Project, we work with students every day who feel pressure to chase a “top” program, even when it doesn’t line up with their needs, goals, or real-life limitations. Let’s talk honestly about why fit matters more than prestige.
Prestige Doesn’t Equal the Right Fit
There’s nothing wrong with wanting to audition for well-known or highly ranked college programs. But a school being labeled “top” doesn’t automatically mean it’s the best place for you to train, grow, or thrive.
When researching college programs for theatre, music, or dance, it’s easy to get caught up in names and rankings. What often gets overlooked is how different programs actually function day to day.
Ask yourself:
- How much individual attention do students get?
- What’s the training style—and does it match how I learn?
- Is the environment collaborative or cutthroat?
- Do students seem supported, or just pushed?
A program can be prestigious and still be a poor match for your learning style, personality, or mental health. And that matters because you’re not just choosing a school. You’re choosing where you’ll live, train, and grow for years.
Financial Fit Is Part of College Fit
Let’s say this clearly: finances are a valid and important factor in choosing a college program.
Too many students feel ashamed for considering cost, as if money shouldn’t matter when it comes to their dreams. But student debt is real, and ignoring financial reality can have long-term consequences that follow you far beyond graduation.
Choosing a program that offers scholarships, reasonable tuition, or in-state options doesn’t mean you’re aiming lower. It means you’re thinking ahead.
A school that allows you to focus on training instead of constant financial stress can give you more freedom (artistically and personally) than an expensive “top” program ever could.
Your talent doesn’t increase because your tuition bill does.
Limitations Are Information, Not Failure
Every student brings limitations into the college audition process. That might include finances, geography, family responsibilities, learning differences, or mental health needs.
These are not flaws. They’re information.
When students ignore their own limits to chase a name or ranking, they often end up overwhelmed, burned out, or disconnected from their original love of the craft. A program that respects your boundaries and supports your whole self gives you a much better chance at long-term success.
The goal isn’t to survive college.
The goal is to grow in it.
Success After College Isn’t About Where You Went
Here’s a secret the industry doesn’t talk about enough: casting directors, collaborators, and employers care far more about your skills than your school name.
They care about:
- How well you’re trained
- How you work with others
- How adaptable and resilient you are
- How you continue learning after college
Many successful performers come from programs that aren’t nationally ranked but offered strong mentorship, solid training, and real opportunities to develop.
Your education is a tool. What matters most is how you use it.
Trust Yourself in the Audition Process
College audition season can be loud. Teachers, peers, parents, and social media all have opinions about what you should do. While advice can be helpful, your voice needs to be the loudest one in the room.
If a program looks impressive but feels wrong, that feeling is worth listening to.
If a lesser-known program feels exciting, supportive, and aligned with your goals, that matters too.
Choosing a college isn’t about winning or proving something. It’s about finding a place where you can become the artist and person you want to be.
You’re Allowed to Choose What’s Right for You
You don’t need to attend a “top” program to have a meaningful, successful future in the performing arts. You need a program that supports your growth, respects your limitations, and aligns with your goals.
The right program isn’t the one that impresses other people.
It’s the one that allows you to thrive.
And choosing yourself isn’t playing it safe.
It’s playing it smart.