Visits to Arts Programs and International High Schools Around the World
Leading a presentation on “Navigating Arts Applications” at the International Association of College Admissions Counselors’ (IACAC) Regional Institute in São Paulo, Brazil. Hosted by Graded, the American School of SP. (2025)
Met with university counselors at Leysin American School, Leysin, Switzerland (2025)
I forgot to take a photo of my visit with arts students at the International School of Nice, so you’ll just have to look at the beautiful beach! Nice, France (2025)
Had a great visit touring the film and drama departments at Goldsmiths, University of London! England (2025)
Spent a week in Glasgow for IECA’s European Symposium, which included several campus visits, one of which was the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland! Glasgow, Scotland (2025)
Great presentation by the admissions team at The University of Glasgow, where Lord Kelvin, who invented a third measurement of temperature, was a student and later faculty. Glasgow, Scotland (2025)
Queen Margaret University is a small public university with lots of arts in Edinburgh, Scotland (2025)
Asking a question about the theatre department curriculum at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh, Scotland. (2025)
We also visited the historic University of Edinburgh. Edinburgh, Scotland (2025)
Had a terrific visit at the Zurich International School! Met with university counselors and sat in on an IB Theatre class who were doing presentations! Wädenswil, Switzerland (2024)
OK, truth be told, I just WALKED BY the University of the Arts London, but I wanted to include it so you’d know it’s there! London, England (2024)
Popped into Fordham University to meet with the Director of Admissions. Bronx, NY (2024)
Co-presenting on “Transitioning to Independent Educational Consulting” at the Independent Educational Consultants Conference in Connecticut (2024)
Co-presenting for “60 Marketing Tips in 60 Minutes!” at the IECA conference in Connecticut. (2024)
Taught at the Berridge Program, a high school summer program for theatre and film students, held at a château in Normandy called Château Le Mont Epinguet. Brix, France (2024)
(See above) The home of a summer program for young filmmakers and theatremakers in Normandy called Château Le Mont Epinguet. Brix, France (2024)
Visit to music and film departments at BIMM Institute in Bristol, England. (2024)
We ended our tour of BIMM University’s locations in Berlin, where they have music and film schools. This is the music school. Berlin, Germany. (2024)
A music studio at BIMM University’s campus in Berlin, Germany. (2024)
We also visited IE University Madrid, Spain. No aqueduct here! (2024)
While in Madrid, we took a tour of TAI School of the Arts. (2024)
A festive courtyard for students at TAI School of the Arts in Madrid, Spain (2025)
My friend Becky and I gathered in Milan with about 40 other consultants for IECA’s first ever European Symposium! Milan, Italy (2023)
The tiny Arsutoria School for Shoe and Bag Design. Milan, Italy (2023)
Shoe forms at the Arsutoria School. Milan, Italy (2023)
Bag patterns at the Arsutoria School. Milan, Italy (2023)
What would you like to learn at Arsutoria School? Milan, Italy (2023)
We also visited Universita Cattolica while in Milan. (2023)
Look at this CLASSROOM! Who wouldn’t want to take that class! Universita Cattolica. Milan, Italy (2023)
I ended my time in Milan with a little respite up on Lake Como in the picturesque village of Varenna.
Met with theatre faculty at Beau Soleil College Alpin International in Ollon, Switzerland. Later, the university counselor hosted a webinar for me to speak with the arts kids. (2025)
A quick visit to meet with colleagues and friends and to connect with the theater department at École Jeannine Manuel. Paris, France (2025)
Hopped a train from London to Birmingham to see the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Had a lovely visit with the head of the acting program! Birmingham, England (2025)
See me in the window! The Glasgow School of Art. Glasgow, Scotland (2025)
Taking in the student art at The Glasgow School of Art in Glasgow, Scotland (2025)
The super-cool printmaking studio at The Glasgow School of Art in Glasgow, Scotland (2025)
Road trip out to the coast to visit the University of St Andrews in St Andrews, Scotland (2025)
En route to St Andrews, we stopped at the University of Stirling — big on professional sports training! Stirling, Scotland (2025)
While in Amsterdam, I popped into the Amity International School to visit the university counselor and meet the arts faculty! Amsterdam, Netherlands (2024)
Just before flying off to Zurich and Amsterdam, I visited the St. Peter’s School in Barcelona and the International College Spain in Madrid. (2024)
I visited UPF, a public university in Barcelona, earlier in the year but swung by again while I was in town in October 2024 and discovered their Arts track (see below). Barcelona, Spain (2024)
Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain (2024)
Cover Boy! On the incredibly popular IECA annual conference brochure. (2024)
Visit to BIMM University/Performers College in Essex, England (2024)
A musical theater rehearsal at Performers College. Essex, England (2024)
BIMM also has a location in Brighton, England. (2024)
Watching the film students set up a shot at BIMM Institute Brighton. England (2024)
Arts at IE University Segovia, Spain. See the famous Segovia aqueduct below! (2024)
Aqueduct in Segovia, Spain. Note there is no mortar in that structure! (2024)
You’d never know it by this very spare picture, but this is St. Louis University - Madrid, aka SLU-Madrid. They graciously hosted the IECA European Symposium. (2024).
Next stop: the famed Istituto Marangoni School of Fashion. Milan, Italy (2023)
Student designs at Istituto Marangoni. Milan, Italy (2023)
IECA’s First European Symposium was hosted by Bocconi University in Milan, Italy. We had a blast! (2023)
You can see half my face in this photo of a panel I hosted to discuss studying fashion in Milan, as part of a symposium for IECA, held at Bocconi University. Along with fashion school reps was our friend Thea who helps international families settle in Italy. (2023)
“Do You Have a Million Questions about the College Artistic Review?” at The Jeff Goldberg Studio, which offers acting classes to teens and adults in Khar West, Mumbai, India
Visit to Mumbai and London (March 2020)
MUMBAI
I led a workshop called “Do You Have a Million Questions about the College Artistic Review?” at The Jeff Goldberg Studio, which offers acting classes to teens and adults in Khar West, Mumbai. The workshop was open to the public and we had students, parents and counselors from across the city in attendance. I visited six high schools in Mumbai this time to speak about the artistic review process for theatre, film and dramatic writing programs, including Oberoi International School, Dhirubhai Ambani International School, American School of Bombay, Ascend International School, Jamnabai Narsee School, Bombay International School, as well as a return visit to the Whistling Woods International Film Institute. I paid a visit to Madhavi Desai Consulting to speak with counselors about their work. This was my fourth trip to Mumbai and I love the city! I look forward to returning in the fall!
LONDON
After a delightful afternoon with the principal of The Royal Central School of Speech & Drama during my last trip, I focused this time on visiting other drama schools (The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) and The Guildhall School of Music & Drama) and drama programs (St. Mary’s University at Twickenham and Manchester Metropolitan University).
Discussion about arts applications with students, parents and counselors at Jamnabai Narsee School in Mumbai, India
Visit to Mumbai and London (October 2019)
MUMBAI
I was very fortunate to stay with my friend Neeraj Mandhana, a college consultant who founded the Next Genius Scholarship Program along with his father Naveen. I visited high schools in Mumbai to speak with students, parents, teachers and counselors about the artistic review process for theatre, film and dramatic writing programs. I stopped in at Oberoi International School, American School of Bombay and Singapore International School. I also popped by The Red Pen, an educational consulting firm, to speak with their staff about arts applications. One morning, I was given a tour of Whistling Woods International Film Institute by its president, Meghna Ghai Puri. The institute offers programs for teens and adults interested in the film industry and other arts. This was my third visit to Mumbai over the last few years. Given past and current interest from Indian students and families, I plan to make at least annual trips to India going forward.
LONDON
I caught up with friends and colleagues who work in theatre and education while in London. I also spent the afternoon with principal Gavin Henderson at The Royal Central School of Speech & Drama, learning all about its myriad programs, resources and facilities.
“College Admissions/Auditions for Theater Kids” Facebook Live Event for Grown and Flown
College Admissions/Auditions for Theater Kids
Facebook Live Event for Grown and Flown
10 MAR 2019
Join this special LIVE event: An interview with Guest Expert Chris Andersson, former Director of Admissions for the Drama department at NYU Tisch School of the Arts. Chris will inform you on everything you need to know on how to get your student ready for drama auditions and performance majors. Learn about auditions, deadlines, requirements and materials needed. Watch the Facebook Live event!
NEWS
How to Find Trustworthy College Admissions Advice
In the wake of the college admissions scandal, how can students and parents figure out what’s credible?
The New York Times, 19 MAR 2019
The article discusses a “pioneering type of Facebook group: Instead of having free access to the thoughts of random strangers, this group requires payment to join, but the information comes from experts. The group, called G&F Parents: College Admissions and Affordability, charges $29.99 a month for parents to ask experts questions about college admissions and financial aid.”
I am one of the experts! — Chris
India, 2015. In addition to seeing some beautiful places and learning about the history and culture of this great country, I had the opportunity to work with students and families, speak in schools, and meet both in-school and independent college counselors. An unforgettable trip!
All gender identities and sexual orientations are welcome here.
Banner photo of Parthenon in Athens, Greece by Chris Andersson. Photos of Mumbai workshops, webinar and Taj Mahal, courtesy of Chris Andersson.