<p>If you want to pursue vocal performance is the basic undergraduate training the same? My D was accepted to two schools, one with alot of scholarships and one with at least 21k a year in loans needed. Cannot see coming out of school with 80k loans. What is the average loan of music students?</p>
<p>Haven't seen any published data on "average" loans, but here's my $0.02...</p>
<p>Saddling a child in a very competitive/relatively low-paying job market with $80K in loans is an unfair burden. If loans need to be taken, then it seems that Mom and Dad should be responsible. If that cannot occur, then attending the school with the best financial GRANT package is the only course of action. That is a harsh reality check...</p>
<p>I've always felt that if a child was a Music Ed major, going to a private school with little or no financial GRANTS (I NEVER consider loans to be financial AID), is just plain suicide. How can a teacher pay down 6 figures in loans? Music Ed is a strong case for state schools when financial grants are low.</p>
<p>I agree on the loans. A music major is not likely to make a large salary right out of college, so it would be really difficult to pay back such a large amount. Our son will leave college with some debt, but we are doing everything we can to keep it small (under $15,000 and under $10,000 if we can at all manage it).</p>
<p>If the teacher is good at both schools and there are performance opportunities, probably the less expensive option is fine. PM me and I will tell you anything I know about her options. Good luck. Lorelei</p>
<p>By all means, stay away from the loans. $10-$20k may be maneagable enough, but I would advise not exceeding that amount. You may well have a tremendous talent, but the level of competition is intense, and so much of this business is a matter of luck, and to a large extent, the contacts you make along the way.</p>
<p>A good read for any aspiring vocal performance major is Renee Flemings autobiography. She did her undergrad at a small inexpensive LAC. Theres a great chapter on her auditions at Oberlin and a few other big name schools she either couldnt get in to or afford. She contends that a nurturing non competitive enviroment is better for a young voice. She then went off to grad school at Juilliard and great things. Save your money for grad school.
(there are plenty of other simular examples---Rod Gilfrey and Debra Voight went to Cal State Fullerton as undergrads)</p>
<p>I agree with Imperial Zeppelin. There is a great article on MSN today that charts various universities and State schools and shows the average aid and average debt that graduates leave with.
Here is the link to the index (it is actually 2 articles):
<a href="http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Collegeandfamily/Cutcollegecosts/Cutcollegecosts.aspx%5B/url%5D">http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Collegeandfamily/Cutcollegecosts/Cutcollegecosts.aspx</a></p>
<p>I have long since informed my dd that we need to look at overall out of pocket when making a final decision. She is caught up in the glamour of possibly attending a big city school. That may not be financially feasible and she may end up at a SUNY (which is a more than adequate eduacation).</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice. She is going to the school with the large scholarship and low loans.</p>