Hi, starting off the new thread! I’m usually a lurker so feeling a bit shy but I gained invaluable insight following the thread last year (which started in May!) so wanted to kick one off.
My son is a rising senior and plays jazz tenor saxophone. Looking forward to hearing everyone’s stories too!
Thanks for starting this! My son is a jazz/contemporary guitarist. This is our first time doing college admissions for a musician, so I’m really looking forward to the advice from veterans and the shared journey for all us newbies 
I appreciate you starting this thread! I have a rising senior violinist.
Hello everyone! My D is a clarinet player who also plays tenor sax for the jazz band. She’s planning on applying for music ed and definitely doesn’t want a straight performance degree. She’s pretty set with her list of schools with only a couple more visits hopefully in August to decide which in state public’s are her favorites. Those are the only financial safeties but a big NJ public is not a good fit in general. So far I have booked flights etc for the November audition at U of Puget Sound. That’s her #1 by a mile to every other school. Here’s the rest:
Susquehanna
U of Delaware
Ithaca (haven’t visited)
Rowan
To be determined: Rutgers and Montclair
None of these require pre screening for her instrument.
I really look forward to hearing about everybody’s journey!
Check out West Chester University in PA. Solid music ed program - many of our local public schools hire their music teachers from WCU.
Thanks for recommending WCU. We’ve sent a few kids there in the past couple years and they are doing great there. I really need to get my D out there to visit, it’s closer to us than Rutgers NB too. I’ve read about the housing problems at WC and that could be why I took it off the list. We’re touring Mason Gross soon and we’ll see how that goes.
You are correct about the current housing issues at WCU. It looks like the school is working hard to resolve them. However, there is currently a 800-person wait list for housing. WCU has seen record enrollment over the past few years and I do not think that the university was prepared for that. I would be happy to keep this thread updated in case anyone else is interested in the music program at WCU.
I have a cellist who will be applying to universities this fall. It feels daunting to manage auditions on top of the typical applications and video auditions, but hopefully it comes together more easily than it appears.
We toured Rutgers NB Mason Gross school of arts. It’s a very nice location with easy access to the dorms for the arts kids. The buildings were either very beautiful or old and musty, no ac in many places. The presentation was informative and maybe a bit too long since they go into specifics for dance, theater and music programs separately. There’s so much offered for each within the majors, you really wouldn’t ever run out of opportunities. The students who talked do seem to love their respective programs. One student talked about being in the honors college as a music major plus a scholar. He doesn’t mind the bus system at all.
All other college/uni visits touched on the different majors and the overall campus where this was arts specific with a short campus overview. D25 loves interacting with other arts kids but felt like here you’re too closed off from the rest of the campus. She really does prefer the LAC model so Rutgers is officially off the list. It was valuable to know not to add any more big universities. I don’t think I’m going to bother with Montclair. She liked UDelaware(may not be affordable) is ok with Rowan so I think we’re done for now.
Hello everyone - I have a rising senior cellist who will be studying Music Performance in college - thank you for getting the updated forum going!
Hello, my S25 will be a percussion performance major. He is looking for a broad program - not solely orchestral or drum kit/Jazz. Schools on his list include UNT, Belmont, UC, IU, University of Michigan, WVU. Looking for guidance and laughs on this thread!
How are prescreening preparations going for everyone? I was hoping son would record for at least his ED school before school started but he wants a few more weeks to lock it down…
My S is working diligently with his private instructor and following his lead.
Wondering how long it takes to get a portal link to a music school after applying to a university?
My S has been practicing constantly for the last two weeks, but he keeps second guessing his song choices and changing his mind. He doesn’t want any input from me or his dad. 
Also, his music teacher does not have experience with college auditions.
He has a zoom meeting with a professor from one of the programs next week. I hope he gets some good direction from that.
Someone else might have a more current timeline, but 4 years ago when mine applied he had all of his pre screens uploaded before Thanksgiving. Looking above at your prior post, mine had UMich and IU in common with your list.
I would allow at least 48 hours between applying academically and getting a link to the portal. This brings up a good point! If both the academic and artistic application is due by 12/1, it is a good idea to get that academic application in early so that you do not miss the artistic deadline.
S applied to some schools 9 days ago, and he has not received the emails saying heres how you set up your portal. Actually, 1 school did. But there are several he’s waiting for. I dont remember it being this long with my other kids.
For anyone who has a kid that has applied to IU already, I discovered on their website that emails with portal info start getting sent out in mid August, so that’s most likely this week.
So glad you started this thread! My kid is a senior now and we’re on the double bass major application journey. Hoping we can share some helpful advice throughout this process.
Thanks for starting the thread!
My son is a jazz pianist who’ll be applying this fall. Still in the process of narrowing down the list.