Hey, I’m a little lost applying for colleges so I’m hoping for some advice since I feel like I’m super behind. I am passionate about writing and music but don’t want to major in music. Ideally I would minor in music industry to help in making connections. As for school environment, I am not too fond of the cold and I would like a vivid social life, meaning rural schools wouldn’t be a good fit. I am not religious, meaning I would likely not apply to religiously affiliated schools. Diversity is also an important factor, so I wouldn’t like to go to a near-homogenous school. Any tips on building up my resume or college fits would be appreciated.
-Currently a junior (graduating 2027)
-Budget around $50k but flexible
-U.S. Citizen
-3.84 GPA unweighted but I’m missing my grade 10 transcript since I did a year abroad (I didn’t do too terribly though, I got all A’s except one class I think)
-I’m planning to take 6 A.P classes by the time I graduate, I have taken 3 years of Chinese
-I’ll be taking my SAT in December, I aim to get around a 1380 realistically.
-I have played the cello for years (private lessons) but have never got any awards for it. I’m starting a music review blog. I am the President of the Music club at my school and am helping in starting a National Chinese honors society as the secretary. I have my YCT-4 certificate for Chinese.
-I am a Tennessee resident but don’t particularly want to stay here (but I plan to apply to Belmont for an academic merit scholarship because I know it’s a good school for music industry).
Good places to start would be Belmont U (religious) and Middle Tennessee State = has a major, not sure a minor.
So you are in a good place - look into MTSU too!! It will be cheaper, likely as good, and not religious. Plus it’s far more diverse than Belmont. It might be the best school from what I’m listing below.
UGA would be a reach. They have a certificate in the b school - you’d have to see if you can get it without getting a major. Athens isn’t a major city but it is a major college town.
U of SC has a minor in Music Entrepreneurship - if you get a 1380, it’s a target. It’s in downtown Columbia.
Florida Atlantic is a likely - and has a minor in Commercial Music. It’s not a college area but it’s in a very dense area.
Kennesaw State is a safety - and has a minor in music and entertainment. Not a college area but suburban Atlanta.
Louisville is a safety and has a minor in Music Entrepreneurship - 2.5 hours North of Nashville, hopefully not too cold. South of the city and Louisville is a GREAT city.
This is a start for you - I tried to go with in/near city (Murfreesboro does have stuff happening), warmer weather, non homogenous, and budget.
Schools like Drexel and Syracuse would be great - but colder and too expensive. Auburn would be too homogenous and rural. UTK might be too homogenous - depends on how you define it - but it would fit. It’s a target. Belmont is a bit homogenous as well - not to mention religious - so I don’t see that fitting. Indiana, if not too cold, will work. It’s a vibrant college town - it will be upper 50s though - with a possibility of small merit.
My oldest looked at this path. Belmont and Syracuse were on the list. Syracuse has a program that’s pretty exclusive. The students that get picked for this are impressive. Atlanta is a hotspot for the music business.
I kept editing and adding! I have no idea of costs or who does merit. OP also has an interest in writing and communication which might mean a whole different set of schools. Music and the kinds of skill used in music industry can be accessed at many many schools and also through internships and jobs.
Exactly. Working at Spotify (CS, math) or Disney Theatrical (finance, operations research) or similar is very different from composing/performing. Which is different from Managing (law school?) actual performers. You don’t need a “music business” degree.