| The instructor is normally paramount; if he'd be happy with the three, it becomes harder.
The other considerations of institution/department size, number of grad students, geography are a matter of preference, but don't neglect at least thinking about them.
Finances are always important, and less outlay now means it might be a bit easier paying for grad school, which is pretty much a given.
Personally, contingent on the studio teacher at IU, if my viola playing son had those options for undergrad, he would leaned heavily to Oberlin.
The instrument issue can be a major one for string players. Just research thouroughly, and seek professional advice. You may not need to pay $40k for an instrument that sounds like you did. There are many current modern makers who produce wonderful instruments for a fraction of that.
He has excellent choices. When it gets down to it, a lot of this is go with the gut.
Names in a hat, flipping coins or throwing darts can be viable methods of deciding at this point provided you and he have done your homework. |