<p>I have limited funds and trying to figure out the best way to assist my son is deciding which of these schools would be the best fit. He did fly to LA and audition but went with his friend (his drummer) so they ended up not touring, etc. so he didn’t get a real feel for the program. (which irritated me!) He felt the auditions were a bit cold. He did go alone to UMiami and thought the audition Hornsby people were very very nice. Tisch he is somewhat reluctant to even look at (although I like a 35k award) because he hears rumors from other graduates the professors are snobs (his words). Long story short, he is a non-party animal, creative artsy songwriter guitarist type. He would be perfectly happy writing music with bandmates, hanging out doing music on Friday and Sat nights instead of partying. (I am sure this may change in college!) Any advice appreciated. It is a scary decision due to distance. We are in sleepy western mass.</p>
<p>“Snobs” often translates into “have high standards.” It certainly is frustrating when one’s kid listens to things like this and fails to take advantage of opportunities. </p>
<p>It sounds to me as if your S might be feeling afraid of a potentially challenging environment/atmosphere. Not uncommon, not a terrible thing. Maybe NYC is just too urban for him. (My S found it so at that age, coming from Maine.) The question is, what are his options?</p>
<p>What is the relative COA for you of the three schools, after FA, and can you afford it?</p>
<p>Your son sounds like he is doing the typical “I heard this from some guy” kind of thinking instead of really figuring out what is going on.</p>
<p>Can you visit any of them? Can you drive and stay with someone you know? Or ask if there are funds to support a visit at the schools? What are the net costs of each?</p>