Approximately how much do you spend on travels for the in-campus auditions?

[cardinals]

I've just set the budget but I think the total expenses (flight, lodging, meal, transportation, etc) will be around $2,000-$2,500. I'm going to attend in-person auditions for 5 universities and just send the recordings for the other two...

Do you think I am overspending on it? How much did you spend on each of the expense categories?

[pianistimo]

why not spend it on research as to which teacher you really want.  what if you audition for a school that doesn't have really what you want to learn.  how about just finding out who is teaching where and go with that?  of course - it's not always possible to get the teacher you want.

i've always stayed close to home.  that way  - no living in a dorm.  that eats up half your money right there.  and home cooked food.  what if... you can merely go home - take a shower in your own clean bathroom - have privacy - and practice in peace.  but, then - not everyone lives near a uni.  also, what will the parents think?  thankfully, mine were ok with it.  i went to uni for a year that was in a city away from my hometown.  it was more of an effort, somehow.  not that that's bad - but it's nice to rejuvinate.  eating cafeteria food only goes so far.  pianists need really healthy living, good sleep, and ability to exercise despite cold.  that sometimes requires a car.  perhaps i like too many conditions?

[thorn]

Im so glad I dont live in the US... at least in the UK everywhere's just a short train journey away.

considering everything i would say the price you said sounds about right. personally i would consider sending recordings to 1 or 2 other places too though.

@ pianistimo- i suppose it depends; if you get in somewhere that's exactly what you want, but might be a bit expensive living cost wise- then it all comes down to how much you really want it.

[jlh]

For which schools will you be auditioning?

[quantum]

I didn't really want to travel for uni, it would cost too much to live somewhere else plus tuition. 

The most I traveled was 1.5 hrs away from home to audition.  I was offered admission at that school with scholarship, but I turned it down for something closer to home. 

[cardinals]

For which schools will you be auditioning?

Not for sure, but I am thinking of undergrad performance programs in U Cincinnati, U Texas, U North Texas, U Illinois Urbana Champaign, U Colorado-Boulder, Ohio State Univ, and Florida State Univ. They are mostly state universities because the tuition is so expensive for the conservatories...although I am not sure I'm making the right choice...

[pianistimo]

florida/texas and colorado/utah/illinois would have different weather from each other.  if i were you - i'd avoid the hurricanes that go through florida and texas and settle for colorado.  nothing bad happens there (excepting people getting shot).  never been to illinois.  suppose that it might open more doors later?  how far do you live in proximity to each?  trips home cost money.

west chester uni recently developed an 'adult development' or some such program where you can electively take classes but don't have to declare a major.  are some conservatories loose like this so you could take piano lessons simultaneously to your other studies at a state college?  and, i was wondering if the credits would transfer to either?  it sounds very smart - what you're doing.  especially if you could get most of your studies through a state school - but take lessons from the best teacher you can get.