<p>Out of the ones you posted, the only ones that will focus solely one contemporary/popular are Berklee and Belmont. Hofstra is a jazz/commercial which still is a solid jazz education and Purchase is has no contemporary opportunities at the conservatory, it’s just “jazz studies.” </p>
<p>As violadad said, I would also look into Columbia College and USC. THose both also have what you’re looking for - commercial music. Of course, the two schools are completely different. USC would like to see fairly high grades (around a 3.5 GPA) where Columbia College doesn’t even take into account SAT’s. </p>
<p>As far as Berklee and Belmont go, I have quite a bit of experience with these schools since I take lessons at Berklee and just visited Belmont this summer. </p>
<p>The two schools are VERY different. Berklee, along with all the other strictly music conservatory environments, is all music all the time. The liberals art courses taken a long the way are done by students, in most cases, just to fulfill requirements. </p>
<p>Belmont on the other hands is a great music school within a university. You get a much more “traditional” college experience. The area around Belmont, shared by Vanderbelt, is a great little college town within an awesome city in Nashville. As far as destination with Berklee goes, you’re smack in the middle of Boston, another great city! </p>
<p>Hope that helps.</p>