The Common App (www.commonapp.org) allows students to apply to many schools using one application. While each school has their own supplement, the process is made somewhat easier with this tool. Over 800 colleges use the Common App.
It wasn’t the case a few years back, but some schools now offer this option.
It can vary, but ArtsBridge performing arts clients generally apply to 8-10 schools.
Grades matter and scores matter. Colleges in the arts are getting so many applicants they are looking for any reason to turn someone down to make their decisions easier! Generally, high school performance is a terrific indicator of how a student will do in college.