<p>Rhondag, how did your son like Jacobs when he auditioned? I can’t speak to the jazz program there, nor do I have first-hand knowledge of the programs from the vantage of a matriculated student, but I do know that we absolutely loved the campus, the town and the overall feel, although son ultimately chose to attend the University of Michigan SOM. You may not have “heard” a lot about Jacobs but at least in the midwest it is exceptionally well-regarded overall as a music school, a favorite of many brass players we know, and the town is “hip” for its contemporary music and arts scene. While we were there, son saw one of his favorite indie bands playing in a cafe, found a treasure of a record shop with rare-ities, met people who were a blast, and otherwise drank the place in. The kids call it “mini-NYC” in terms of fun and flavor. They also have a strong telecommunications program (multimedia) and a well-ranked business school. A kid inclined for the big 10 experience would likely be very happy there. Also, if your son is a strong scholar, their academic scholarships are to my mind quite generous and the out of state price comparatively reasonable. The only drawback from my son’s perspective was pretty much a program specific preference or nuance in terms of a curriculum – that’s it. The kids that he sat in on classes with loved it there, and were every bit as excited to be there as the kids in the program he chose. I don’t think you can go wrong with Jacobs, and while my son never applied to Berkley, precisely because it is not a rigorous university setting, (so I can’t compare) it sounds like your son might prefer Jacobs.</p>