My son has been admitted into a few schools where the chair or director of the department has reached out to have a discussion with the student and parents. We of course know all the basics about the program. What questions should we be asking.
My son is a jazz instrumentalist, too so I would ask schools these questions. Some jazz studies directors may ask you to contact financial aids / scholarship department.
Private lessons / choice of private instructor: How often “in-person” lessons are given per semester and how many minutes per lesson? It’s vary between 30 min to 60 min.
Number of ensemble opportunities: How many ensembles possibly to play in, as freshman and a bassist? By auditions?
4-year graduation rate: If they sound “All of them graduate”, it would be great!!! It really doesn’t make sense for jazz performance major to take more than 4 years to get BM.
Requirements to maintain ‘4-year’ talent / merit scholarship: Minimum GPA? With or without ensemble / community obligations? Don’t assume, they will award all 4 years unless you really hear it or it’s written. Some students drop out due to “financial reasons”.
Requirements for continued financial aid / grant (if you need any): Submitting FASFA every year? Would amount $$$ of school’s grant (no repay money) be changed a lot based on income? Schools may tighten awarding grant $$$....
Average tuition / cost increase: Schools do increase every year, unfortunately, at least for awhile.
Realistic local gigs / work-study opportunity: My son had some local gigs, and was awarded “work-study” by school so he applied and interviewed at campus but didn’t get jobs in freshman year....
—-Then, I would add this important question—-
How the school is handling / managing current Coronavirus campus closure (aid they did) and online classes: Does the school guarantee with their “modified curriculums”, obviously with no ensemble classes, to graduate in 4 years with “performance degree”?