In the meantime, you might want to get some lessons with teachers at the schools that you are interested in. I know that the teachers at UMD are more than happy to listen to a student who is interested in applying to school there, and some occasionally have time to take on private students. Also, you say that you aren't starting with a new teacher until January: are you studying privately right now? You probably want to consider taking some lessons in the interim between teachers (if you don't specifically have one now). If you'd like some recommendations of teachers in the DC region, please contact me privately, and I'd be happy to give you some names/resources.