Thanks for the responses. Did your son pick a state school because of money or style or?
@compmom thank you as well. Truth is he isn’t targeting any place, because he doesn’t know what he wants, or why studying music in college is valuable. He’s interested in jazz mostly, but large vs small,urban vs rural, who knows. One private teacher told him study something else so he can afford a family; one told him move to a city with a music scene and get work first. He’s not mature enough yet for either of those paths, but has a couple years to go.
Absolutely money matters here, so it’s good to remind him/us of the reality that merit money can happen at the state school level. I don’t see my kid as driven enough to jump the hoops for a conservatory–he just doesn’t do what he’s told enough, goes his own way. I think if he chooses college in music it will be to find friends/peers more than any other reason.
Thanks!