I applied to aimm back in December 2018. I started doing the online prep course but I’m struggling a bit with it because I’m having a very hard finding time to do it. I really am interested in the guitar certificate program they have. I’ve been playing guitar for 7 years. I did Berklee’s 5 Week Summer Performance Program and as I have heard, Berklee tends to play favorites. Networking at Berklee is really good but ny fear is if I get hired for a really good gig, I’d dropout. If I’m at AIMM I’d get to do what I want to do faster. The only rough part with AIMM is the fact I’d be living in an apartment and not doormitories. I’d rather not spend $20,000 for housing at Berklee though. With AIMM, the apartments are right next to the school and I could have a roommate.
From this and your other post here, I gather that you’re dealing with a lot of uncertainty regarding your ability to do what’s required in a rigorous music program. I also get the impression that you’re not getting much in the way of support and useful advice from anyone–do you have a counselor, a therapist, or a family member whose opinion you trust to help you focus on how to proceed from here and fulfill your musical ambitions?
I gather that Berklee’s 5-week program is pretty intense (I don’t know that it’s true that they “play favorites”). My son is in his first semester at Berklee, and I can tell you that the work there is pretty intensive too–you would be expected to work hard on things like theory, ear training, harmony, arranging, etc. Just playing your instrument is only a piece of it.
Berklee is also very expensive, and making the transition to life in a big new city can be challenging, especially for someone who seems to have doubts about her ability to make that kind of transition. If you want to go, I think it’s probably best if you wait a bit until you feel more certain that you won’t be inclined to “drop out” of things, and that you’ll be able to manage your time to do the necessary work.
AIMM sounds like it might be a good place to test yourself and work on those skills before making the big leap to Boston. You can always apply to Berklee as a transfer student (although they don’t usually transfer music credits from other schools–only liberal arts credits).
Berklee also offers online classes for credit–that could be the best of both worlds for you. You’d be doing Berklee-level work and getting the credits without the expense and commitment of moving to Boston. It might give you more insight into what you really want to do.
I wish you the best of luck with it all–just try to find a competent person to advise you so you don’t have to go it alone.
Thank you! I took 22 classes a week during the 5 Week. I have friends there for actual college and they said that the college isn’t as hectic as the 5 week and I’d have time to actually do my homework and finish it! The majority of my friends there said they take about 9 classes a week. AIMM seems worth it to me because it’s a more chilled out version of Berklee.
Also I’m able to audition at AIMM instead of doing that online course.
AIMM sounds as if it might be a great option for you right now, then! I wish you all the best, wherever you ultimately end up!
Atlanta Institute does not have any bachelors programs (or masters), only certificates, and a couple of associate’s in production. It is not comparable to Berklee.
If you are in a hurry to live and work as a musician, it is fine to go to Berklee and leave to play, gig, tour. Lots of people do that.
If you liked Berklee’s summer program and have friends, and can afford it, go for it.
There are many other schools as well. Check out UMass Lowell, for instance.
I’m not sure what the point is to get the certificate. It might be more affordable to just study privately with a teacher.
I can afford it but I just don’t know if I’ll get in. I’ve been studying privately with my teacher for the last 7 years.
These aren’t the only two choices. If you went to an undergrad program, do you want a BM or would a BA interest you? I am assuming you want to focus totally on music in a BM but just asking.
There are other schools besides Berklee but you should apply regardless of your self-doubt. Good luck.
ps if you want suggestions on other schools, let us know…
@compmom is right that you should look into more schools and apply even if you don’t think you’d get in. But my impression was that you’re more concerned about whether or not you’d actually do what’s required to STAY in a rigorous college program once you got in. That was behind my thinking that you try 'testing yourself" somewhere where you wouldn’t up-end your life just to go there, see how well you DO follow through on doing what’s required, and find someone close by, if possible, to help you work out some of the things you alluded to (like your feeling that you might “drop out” of things).
Everyone is subject to uncertainties about his or her abilities, and that certainly shouldn’t stop you from following your dream. But I think that timing is also important, as is getting good counsel from people who know you (as well as from compmom and other highly knowledgable people here). You need to have a pretty good sense that you’re ready to give it your all, regardless of the outcome down the road.
@compmom
I apologize for just now seeing this but where are some other schools you’d suggest applying to?
First can you tell us more about what you want in a program? You might want to read the Double Degree Dilemma essay close to the top of this forum, about different ways to pursue music. Think about BA versus BM, size, location, academics required, and “vibe.”
For starters, look at Hartt, Ithaca, Bennington and UMass Lowell for guitar. Classical, rock, jazz? Also check out Belmont, College of St. Rose, Miami Frost, USC, Loyola New Orleans, UC Denver- ???
Columbia College Chicago would be a great place for you I would think.