This 100%
In addition, having your musician self advocate for funding along the way is really helpful. My son is much better at asking for money (app fees, travel stipends, grants, etc) than I am.
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For his undergraduate studies, my son chose a school that offered a full ride, which was a huge financial relief for us. We have set aside funds to support his journey as a professional musician, no matter how long it takes. He also had the funds and support to travel internationally during the summer. Now he is applying only to the most competitive graduate programs, with his current school as a safety net. I respect his decision and believe his current school is absolutely fantastic. He is thriving in his current program. However, I sometimes do think that prestige, along with the network and halo effect that come with it, is also crucial in the music industry. That said, I would be happy with whichever path he chooses, as I believe he has the talent, drive and financial means to realize his dream in this long journey. The last thing a musician needs is burnout—whether financial, social, or emotional. Fortunately, he is very frugal, fully aware of the challenges that lie ahead.
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My S (jazz studies tenor sax) heard from U Mich. that he didn’t make it into their music school today. Yesterday he got a yes from DePaul. We have family in Chicago and he has expressed a lot of excitement about living there someday, maybe as soon as this Fall. We’ve heard good things about its music school and had a great tour there. All the students raved about the merit aid but we won’t hear about that for a few more weeks. Other top choice at the moment is U Maryland. Awaiting word on Frost, where he had a great audition
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Did he visit U Md? What makes it a top choice?
How did you hear about DePaul? Was it an email or did you check the portal? Thanks!
My D25 received an email today from DePaul telling her a decision had been made and including a link to her portal.
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Thank you!
@AOBuffalo often schools will help fund summer programs.
What exactly do you mean by “electronic musician”? That can mean so many things. Creation of music or performance? BFA’s can be different in gen eds and other course requirements as well.
With such a clear difference in major, with the desired major being the most affordable, it seems the only downside is not going further away, but that often disappears once on campus. Top grad schools have students from all kinds of backgrounds.
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Can anyone share any information/experiences about Meadows/SMU?
Congrats on DePaul! UMD is a top choice here, as well.
Yes she felt great about her audition. She felt great about 5 out of 7 of her auditions. The first audition of the 7 she didnt feel like she played well and actually she had a trial lesson with one of the professors after her audition and he was a bit critical of her playing. And I mentiibed in a previous post about an incredible recovery of a memory slip at one of her auditions. But all the rest she felt she played very well and was happy with her auditions overall. Now is the waiting game, which is so hard…but only a couple weeks left before we have all the information.
Good luck to your student! I have at least 2 more that are going down the music path in the future. Not sure how much more my nerves can take. I keep clicking on her email…ridiculous.
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Happy to hear she felt great about so many of her auditions! With my kids I consider their happiness with an audition to be a success no matter the outcome. They are often their own worst critics;). I am done with the music school app stuff thank goodness. Three of my 4 kids have gone through it. My youngest is currently a freshman vocalist at IU Jacobs. Best of luck to you and your daughter as she makes her decision. And continued luck on your future 2! Pace yourself–hahahaha!
Jacobs is a wonderful school! My oldest is there with piano performance BM as a Sophomore. She absolutely raves about the school! The unfortunate thing that happened, which is not a reflection of the school, is the teacher she really liked, and the reason she ended up at Jacobs, retired, after only being with her one year. So she had to switch teachers. And the teacher she is now studying with said he too is retiring. He will be there for sure next year, but the following year he is uncertain as to whether he will be teaching or not. My daughter decided against switching again, in hopes he will be there at least until she graduates in 2 years. Such a difficult situation for her. It takes a while for a student and teacher to mesh.
Oh boy! This is happening to my daughter as well. She just found out her studio prof is not returning next year. She is so upset–really loves her and feels she has made so much progress with her this year. She is currently trying to find a new placement. They are also making 3 new hires in the voice department this fall, so she is awaiting news on who they will be–she may want to work with one of them… She hates being in limbo. Especially since she has an upcoming summer stock position and would like to have a professor already lined up for coaching support in case she needs it. She is also sad because she really enjoyed the other students in her studio and had made great friends with several.
She too loves Jacobs. It’s not easy, but she’s thriving. We are actually headed there tonight for her studio recital:).
So is your daughter who is applying this year considering Jacobs as well? Remind me of her major again?
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I am sorry for your daughter. It seems quite a few are retiring after this year. But I am surprised to see so many professors there in their 70’s and 80’s and still going strong. That is a testament, in my opinion, to their love for music and Jacobs. My daughter who is currently the throws of auditions/acceptances is interested in Jacobs. Viola BM .Unfortunately she has 4 top choices and is having a hard time deciding. But we also still are waiting on acceptances (this will obviously determine is she will still have those 4 choices) and merit. I think merit will determine her fate with all other things considered equal.
Did you find Jacobs was generous with Merit?
We are instate so that is a boon. I have had 3 go to Jacobs. 2 received academic merit. All 3 received talent. My oldest garnered the most–came out to about 3/4 tuition. I can’t speak to how generous they are with OOS offers. Probably depends on the needs of individual studios during any given year. Cost was definitely a huge deciding factor for all of my kids and instate was hard to beat!
What about UMD makes it a top choice for your senior? That is one of the schools my son is waiting to hear from and he hasn’t visited- hard to do when you’re already in school as a performance major. I’d love to hear more as it looks so big! He did say he got to go to a music event and that the music school seems to be on the edge of campus so not as large…
We are in-state, so that’s the first big draw. My son is a music ed/trumpet major, and the trumpet prof is supposed to be tops. He’s also excited about the marching band and video game orchestra, and the performance space is gorgeous. It is definitely a huge campus, but all of his friends who go there love it.
Wow! You are so fortunate to be in state! Wish we were. My daughter who is current there decided to join Army ROTC and is enlisted in the National Guard Reserves. Because she is National Guard in Indiana, she is considered in state, so she is having her education paid in full now. She still pays rent and food, but her academic and talent merit civers that.
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Nice!