myau

Thank you guys for your input.

mamenyu, that's what I heard about UCs (particularly, Berkeley) - the constant struggle and crazy competition for "impacted" (or just "practical" ) majors and much less intense, more relaxed and nurturing environment for "impractical" arts and humanities majors.

As an overprotective parent, I'd like to have my baby as close to home as possible (and that part of my heart votes for Berkeley), as a frugal parent I'd like to find a bargain (which points in the direction of Berkeley, too), but I'd also like her to have the best college experience possible and the best future opportunities. Knowing that, on average, the latter is easier achieved in Princeton than in Berkeley (and many Californian kids actually consider going to Berkely "uncool" and being some kind of "sacrifice" ), I wonder how much does it really apply to my D's case, who has untypical ("impractical") interests. Would going to more far-away and expensive school really worth the hassle for her?

myau

menloparkmom,

>At Chicago, which he did transfer into[ and out of, but that's another story

Wow, as far as I remember, your son was happy at UChicago! Did it change? (Sorry for asking, I need some consolation stories for my daughter who is still bitter about her unability to go there ).

team_mom

You should check into the Princeton policy about private teachers for music majors. It was my understanding that a few years ago, Princeton paid the costs of private lessons outside the school: 100% of music majors, 50% of music minors. We did not explore thoroughly at the time, and the policy may have changed. But if your child is considering piano lessons at a conservatory level teacher in either Philly or NY, that could be a huge chunk of change.

You might also want to email or PM Cornfed, who I haven't seen on CC for a while, whose very talented D (voice) is a freshman at Princeton.

nycm

Hello Myau, Since you are leaning towards Princeton, I really suggest that your D try to get to the accepted students weekend, even though it may be an expensive proposition. There are so many variables, and as others have pointed out, there's a Princeton culture that doesn't suit everyone; if she can spend a little time on campus, talking with musicians, singers, etc. and learning first hand about the issues of teachers / lessons, and juggling big academic schedules with extra curriculars, it will be well worth the trip, and I think her decision (and yours!) will be much clearer. We know musicians who love Princeton and have thrived there, and others who have been very unhappy; but our experience generally is that spending a little time on campus makes a big difference.

mamenyu

My understanding was that Princeton paid for teachers on their adjunct list, not for Juilliard or Curtis teachers -- the price would be very different.
My kid wanted to go to Cal, loved his experience, and had no regrets; in graduate school at an Ivy, he looked back on his Cal experience as one he would repeat -- he liked the public school culture and loved Berkeley, which is an easy place to live. He would not have considered Princeton because of the eating clubs. But he had friends who went to Princeton and liked it (these were musicians -- they thought the orchestra was ok but not great). Because Cal is so large and has so many students with musical training, there is a large musical community. If price is no consideration, and your daughter likes Princeton or U of C, then that is a different story, but there is no reason to think that going to Cal, especially with a Regent's scholarship, is anything to think is uncool. It is also prestigious -- she will not be in any way disadvantaged in terms of future opportunities. She might visit Cal Day on April 12 or try an overnight visit. Go Bears! In the interests of full disclosure, my younger kid got into Cal and Princeton among other options and went to...Oberlin -- and is happy as a clam.

menloparkmom

Myau, for my son, for numerous reasons, as a Calif kid, Chicago truly was the school "where fun goes to die". Tell your D that as good as Chicago is academically, many students have little time for outside activities, because they throw so much work at you. It is different from just about any other college in the US, save Caltech, and MIT as far as the intensity of academic expectations. She can get as good an education, and have time for a full, rich college experience at Princeton. She won't miss going to Chicago once she is happily settled in elsewhere.

myau

OK, could anyone here name some good piano teachers at UCB, UCLA and Princeton to try to make an appointment/trial lesson with?

menloparkmom

^^ I suggest you start a new thread in the music majors forum for help with this question.

also, I thought you D would like to see this article written in the Princeton student newspaper 8 years ago
Think we've got it bad? U. Chicago has it worse - The Daily Princetonian

Skie

Geoff Burleson at Princeton is a terrific pianist. Can't compare him to anyone else there, but he's really talented and a fine teacher. I sent you a PM.

myau

Thank you, Skie, I got your PM, it's really helpful.

mamenyu

One thing I noticed is that almost all of the private piano teachers at Princeton studied at some point with Gil Kalish (he's at Stonybrook) -- certainly not a coincidence!