Thanks for the information. I am going to look into 4 yr options. I am not sure about the possibilities before 16.
I know a little about the course loads at Curtis v Juilliard – basically Juilliard seems more intense/heavier.
My D is a double bass in her 1st year at Juilliard. Her teacher also teaches at Curtis (he commutes) and outright said during the pre-audition process that Curtis is “cushy” and Juilliard is a grind. My D is experiencing the grind – it’s only been the first two weeks though. @anotheroboemom may have opinions on this too!
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On paper, it seems as though the curriculum for all stand alone conservatories is basically the same. Curtis places a huge emphasis on performing, so students are performing as often as twice a month with solo and chamber recitals, symphony or opera concerts and so on. My kid has friends at both Curtis and Juilliard and would probably agree that Juilliard is more pressured academically.
Congratulations on your bassist’s first weeks at Juilliard. If it is any comfort, I remember my kid reporting on his first weeks at school years ago. Exciting, but so busy and at times overwhelming. With a hint of imposter syndrome. They settle in quickly. 
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This Curtis mom would also agree with Curtis being “cushy.” The academics are not really emphasized that much. My son had one class held over breakfast in the cafeteria. They do require more piano than most places (all students have to take private lessons in addition to keyboard skills) and the solfeggio is challenging. But they are coddled a bit to make sure they have plenty of time for performing and practicing.
As with anything, though, it is what you make of it. If you want to take University of Pennsylvania classes you most certainly can.
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That’s disappointing to hear. My daughter’s HS has gone through a rigorous process with the ‘crediting’ university for her DE courses to ensure they’re meeting (or, in many cases, exceeding) the U equivalent. We’re right now evaluating whether we want to pay the money to get the credits, or skip the credits (in the event they don’t transfer anyway); either way, she’s taking the classes
Is there another term you’re expecting me to use? When I say ‘conservatory’ I mean a stand-alone music conservatory like Curtis. Your comment is confusing to me as I’ve never heard them called anything other than ‘conservatory’ or maybe ‘music school’ or ‘music conservatory.’
You’ve mentioned to me several times that you think my child could change course. I appreciate your input but you don’t need to keep repeating that. FWIW, mine will not. You are certainly welcome to your opinion that she might but you’ve made that opinion abundantly clear. Just wanting to save you the extra typing time 
Great info, thank you!
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Yes, she’s open to both. It’s about finding the right teacher and she knows that.
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Thank you, this is helpful info. I’ve been wondering about the DE thing. So if your son is at Blair doing performance major, how/why did his AP/DE credits transfer? Do they apply if the student is in a music program?
Yes, there are still some core requirements outside of music…fewer if the student’s primary major is in Blair, though. But IIRC there was, for example, a 1 semester math requirement that was covered through his DE stats class…and some others. Not a ton of classes, but it was nice that he had them all covered already and could dive right in to focusing on music. Also, interestingly, Vanderbilt gives credit for 2 classes for AP Art History, which is what motivated him to do an art history minor…he already had credit for I think 2 out of 7 required classes (you can’t use AP credit toward a major in art history, though, just a minor).
Use the term freestanding conservatory or conservatory, up to you. In the context, the point was there are other conservatories that are not freestanding. As you have made clear, you are aware.
I have never ever suggested anyone change course. I haven’t posted here in months and not only did I not repeat advice to change course, I never suggested it in the first place.
This is a friendly, supportive forum . I am disengaging from this thread.
Hoping I can ask a follow-up. How did your son’s DE work? My daughter is eligible for DE credits through her high school partnership with a local university, taught by her HS teachers at a tech/math magnet school, but I saw this on the Vandy site:
pre-freshman credit is subject to the following rules of eligibility.
- The course was offered through an accredited college or university. For domestic schools, the school must be regionally accredited; for international schools, the school must have country-specific accreditation.
- The professor of the course was a member of the institution’s faculty.
- The majority of the students in the course were degree-seeking college students.
Numbers 2 and 3 appear to disqualify those credits. (A few of the HS teachers, but not all, are on faculty at the college… and the students in that instance would all be in HS, so I have no way of knowing the other course enrollments)
He took regular college classes at a university near us, so they fit all those requirements
I teach programming in high school. One section is dual credit. I am a member of faculty at the college offering the dual credit course. they don’t pay me though, the public school district does. My students don’t know this. I have no other duty in the college. The “course” includes all sections taught at the college as well as my section. Mine is the only dual credit section of that course offered in high school. The majority of the students taking the course is degree seeking college students. My dual credit course meets all three requirements. If your daughter’s class is in similar format then it should meet those rules.
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