She missed the Juiliard School application date by one day, and there was no bending the rules for its pre-college program.

A National Association of Schools of Music accredited school, it offers undergraduate and graduate study, as well as pre-college programs in the summer.

She studied in the pre-college program at the Manhattan School of Music with Solomon Mikowsky.

In the late 1950s, the pre-college programs were phased out, and the college moved to a full four-year program.

Enrollment numbers for pre-college programs have steadily gone up, especially on campuses abroad, said Mr. Evans.

According to a survey by Academic Study Associates, college freshmen who attended pre-college programs felt they could handle college better and with more confidence.

Ms. Yang auditioned for the pre-college program at Juilliard and was accepted shortly before they were scheduled to leave in February 1998.

At age 16 he enrolled in the pre-college program at Parsons The New School for Design.

This requirement can be fulfilled by studying abroad, attending a pre-college program on a college campus, or interning in a humanities or arts subject.

Ryan, 14, attends the pre-college program.