<p>I am applying to USC's Pop Music program and Berklee College of Music's Performance and Contemporary writing and production majors. </p>
<p>For USC, I have passed the prescreen and have been invited to audition. BUT, I am an international student, and I live in Australia. The DVD I sent in to USC was very thorough, consisted of 4 playalongs, a video of 4 different grooves and a drum solo. I also sent in lyric sheets and 3 demo's that i recorded with me on every instrument and on vocals. I filmed the DVD in a recording studio in High Definition video. I did this with the idea that maybe it could stand in lieu of a live audition.</p>
<p>I have told them on numerous occasions that despite that cost I will fly over to audition.</p>
<p>I was contacted by USC and they stated that "I appreciate your willingness but flying over for a 15 minute audition is rather extreme, the panel will re-review your DVD and we will phone/skype interview you."</p>
<p>That is fine by me. BUT, now I also have an audition for Berklee in Seattle and it is a compulsory live audition. </p>
<p>I have three options</p>
<p>1) I fly over to the USA and Audition for both
2) I audition for Berklee but not USC
3) I don't audition for USC and I can audition for Berklee in Australia in June, meaning that i wont start until January.</p>
<p>Well, I guess first: do you have a preference of schools if you were to be admitted to both? Is expense an issue? Obviously, if you’re in Seattle, it’s a fairly reasonable thing to get to LA to also audition/interview at USC. </p>
<p>I would say audition for both. Have you been to the USC campus? or to Boston? USC couldn’t be more different from Berklee experience, from size of school to campus life to climate. Berklee does accept a fair number of drummers every year, and I don’t know how many USC accepts. Are there any other west coast schools you could also visit to make the trip even more worthwhile? </p>
<p>Again, I think I would lean toward the trip here, especially if you haven’t set foot on the campuses. Best of luck to you from a drummer’s mom!</p>
<p>To be honest, i would prefer USC. I went to UCLA for a year on exchange and loved the campus life. Yes I have visited USC. I have not visited Berklee. I like the idea of studying music but not being with just Musicians. </p>
<p>Expense is definitely an issue. I’m hoping for a scholarship at either school and this will greatly affect my decision. For example if I get into both, but Berklee offers a larger scholarship i will go with Berklee. </p>
<p>I can afford the flight, although it’s my parents money and we are in a tight situation financially. I am also wondering about “rocking the boat” as such, as USC seem to be quite happy with the materials I have sent them so far. Am I better off to skype with USC rather than audition? </p>
<p>Another point a Berklee Graduate has raised is that If I apply to Berklee in Australia (which would mean i miss Fall but start Spring) it may be less competitive and I may have a better chance of getting a scholarship of some sort. I am not sure about this as I would expect them to have less available places during the Spring Semester so it will work out approximately the same. </p>
<p>If money is not a problem, option 1 certainly gives you the most flexibility and lets you visit USC and maybe arrange a sample lesson there. I don’t know how Berklee runs their off-campus live auditions, but many schools just send an admissions representative with a video camera. You may not get to meet with a teacher in Seattle. Perhaps there are some people here on CC with first-hand experience, however. Failing that, you may want to contact Berklee directly to find out who will be at your audition. That is good information to have in any event. If you are coming that far, you might consider rearranging your trip so that you travel to Boston via LA, skipping Seattle entirely. If you book the flights all at once, it might turn out to be not much more expensive than flying to Seattle. That would let you meet the faculty at both schools, have sample lessons at both and audition live in front of the faculty at both - the best of all worlds.</p>
<p>If money is a problem, realize that neither USC nor Berklee typically offer much in the way of financial aid to international undergrads. In this case you have to decide how much value you are going to get from the trip, particularly if it turns out that Berklee is just going to record you for later viewing by the faculty.</p>
<p>At this point, it sounds like you have done pretty much everything you need to do in order to audition for USC via the recording you have already made. I do not see the point of not following through on that application. Yes, you may have a hard decision to make if they accept you and Berklee is really your top choice, but not applying at all to USC is tantamount to making that same choice now rather than later. Since you have done the hard part of the work for that application, why not allow them to hear it?</p>
<p>(crossposted with OP’s second post. More to come…)</p>
<p>The travel money issue is between you and your parents, but if you can swing it, the common wisdom is to do an in person audition. While the evidence is anecdotal, most large talent based awards are typically the result of the on-site audition.</p>
<p>The other thought is that most US music programs do not admit music students in the spring semester Some do but it’s the exception rather than the norm. Some of the issues that can arise are not bonding sooner with peers, establishing connections, networking, ensemble pairings, seatings and ensemble placements, plus being out of synch academically in a sequenced, structured program (like music education).</p>
<p>Those are the “pros”. The cons are the expense, coordinating audition dates so you minimize your time and additional costs while here. </p>
<p>It’s a matter of weighing the priorities and establishing a plan that you as the student and your parents checkbook can be comfortable with.</p>
<p>OK, so money is an issue and you have already seen USC (but presumably have not yet met with the teachers in question and have not had sample lessons.)</p>
<p>I think a live audition in front of the decision maker(s) is always preferable when it can be arranged. If you are going to be within reasonable distance of USC on a day that they are holding auditions, I think it would certainly be worth pointing out to them that you were going to be within striking distance on other business and would like to arrange a live audition if at all possible. Many people certainly are admitted on the basis of recorded auditions, and they may be perfectly willing to accept what you have already given them, but there is a level of confidence that arises from looking someone in the eyes, shaking their hand and being able to see their reaction in real time to what you are playing. They may have already filled their audition schedule, so there may be no other option but the recording and the Skype interview, but it will not hurt to ask.</p>
<p>Concerning Berklee, they are known for having a low graduation rate, partly because some of their students get employed in the music business before they have time to graduate. The running joke is that they have in some sense failed you if you stay around long enough to collect a diploma. This means that by January, they will have a fair number fewer students than they started out with in September. Rather than run classes at less than full capacity, they actively encourage many of their students to start in January rather than December. </p>
<p>I would be very careful about the “easier admit in January” business however. It may well be true, because I have heard of students who were denied admission for September also being offered deferred acceptance provided they were willing to start the following January. However, I have also heard that it is easy to get lost in the shuffle there if you are not in the top half of the class. Also, I do not know how they allocate financial aid money between the two. Depending on their fiscal year and when they set aside the funding, it may either help or hurt to start in January rather than September.</p>
<p>A little bit more information that may or may not help. I know from someone who teaches at Thornton that interest/applications for the popular music has literally exploded from last year (its first year). Given that it accepts students in myriad disciplines (vocal, various instruments, etc.), this means very few spots for any given type of applicant. I’m not sure if/how that information helps you, but perhaps “don’t rock the boat” is a good m.o. in this case. We love my son’s prescreen DVD, and are worried about both nerves and sight-reading for the live audition. It would nice not to have to think about either. (My S is auditioning for studio/jazz guitar.)</p>
<p>We also know from my son’s several friends who already attend Thornton in various programs that USC’s scholarships tend to go to students at the top of the academic spectrum–not just for their musical talent. If anyone’s heard differently, I’d love to know. And it’s true they do not accept music students for Spring.</p>
<p>My son also auditioned (already) at Berklee in Boston - while there, in the parents’ waiting area, we heard that the regional auditions are very impersonal and cattle-call-y. My S also heard this from friends who did their regional auditions in the past. I have no idea, but I’m assuming this might (or might not) mean they just send people to videotape.</p>
<p>ETA: Sorry, I just reread your post and see that your two choices for Berklee are Seattle and Australia. For some reason I thought a Boston audition was in the mix. Never mind!</p>
<p>Son is a freshman in the popular music performance program at USC. The people who run these auditions are very kind and encouraging. I think that if you tell them you will be in the US in February and ask to stop by to audition for them then, they are likely to accommodate you. Jazz/shreddermom, I was told by admissions folks that some of the classical auditions are very tense and intimidating, but the popular music folks are laid back and help the prospects get comfortable. Son said this was certainly the case for his audition. Also, there are a limited number of “guitar shredders” in this year’s class, so that may be to your son’s advantage This year’s class has 2 or 3 drummers I think, so coming and meeting face to face is better than not since they have to have more confidence in an in person experience. Having said that, I see no reason to not at least take them up on their offer of an internet interview if you are not able to physically show up. They are looking for the top talent they can attract and will do their best to give you a fair look. Jazz/shredder mom’s comments all are consistent with what we hear. Current popular music freshmen joke that they are lucky they applied last year since the new talent is going to be so phenomenal. There are some phenomenal kids in the freshman class, but I suspect a bigger talent pool of applicants can only result in more phenomenal talent. Good luck. Auditions at USC are only one weekend I think. If you could make the weekend at USC and then make arrangements to fly to Boston to audition there I think that would be best. Once you have made it to the US the incremental cost of a round-trip between LA and Boston won’t be that much. Re: scholarships I think that the classical music scholarships are more available because of the longevity of the program and support. I don’t think there is much scholarship for the popular music program given for talent because of the limited opportunity so far to build that type of support and they are still building infrastructure (drum labs, practice rooms, etc.) for the program and that has to take top priority now I think. Popular music students are eligible for any other USC scholarship opportunities and you should pursue those. Good Luck.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the great replies, you really are a caring bunch!</p>
<p>I have decided to audition for both. I will be flying to Auckland->Sydney->LA->Seattle->LA->Sydney->Auckland.</p>
<p>I have to start practicing up. </p>
<p>To those who assumed i wasn’t scheduled a live audition at USC, I was, and fortunately it hasn’t been canceled yet, so luckily I will just inform the head of department of my change of plans.</p>
<p>Do you think it’s a bad or good idea to say to faculty at USC that I have an audition at Berklee too hence my change of plans?</p>
<p>Schools are not surprised to learn that students are applying also to other schools! While I don’t think it’s necessary to name drop the specifics, it’s perfectly okay to say, “I was able to line up several auditions at the same time, so it was easier to justify the trip.”</p>
<p>Please take into account the cost of the university-wide scholarship interview that is separate from the audition. I am not sure if this applies to international students or not. But since USC is a private Uni., I would think it does.</p>
<p>D applied to USC piano performance 3 years ago and passed the prescreening. She opted not to do the live audition and had them review the prescreening CD and she got in. Later she was invited to the 2-day Trustee Scholarship (full tuition) orientation/interview (not sure what they call it). This is the one that she needed to be present to be considered for the scholarship. Presidential scholarship is 50% tuition. I don’t know whether the selection criteria for music major is based on academic record or audition result. I am sure there are other scholarships within the music school that do not required the in-person interview. So there are a few questions you need to ask:</p>
<ol>
<li>Do the Trustee scholarship and Presidential scholarship apply to international students?</li>
<li>If they do, is it mandatory to attend the scholarship orientation for international students.</li>
<li>If you opt for live audition and are a candidate for above scholarship, do you need to attend the 2-day orientation or can they use your live audition/interview?</li>
<li>Are there other scholarships within the music school that will cover most of the tuition cost and do not require you making another trip?</li>
</ol>
<p>Parents, please chime in your opinion or other questions that the OP should ask USC.</p>
<p>raddad, for the record, my son is not auditioning for popular music or classical guitar, but for the studio/jazz guitar program. So the number of “shredders” in popular music won’t really help him, unfortunately. BTW, he HATES that that word is my username, and loves to remind me that it’s not necessarily a compliment.</p>
<p>Trustee and Presidential scholarships require top academics, even for musicians. What I was saying was that I have not yet heard of a student who receive any type of scholarship based strictly on musical ability. USC’s answer to my question was “they look at both musical talent and academic stats.” Whatever that means.</p>
<p>Good catch, pointegirl. If there is a second round of interviews and/or auditions that the OP would need to attend to be eligible for the big scholarship money, that could certainly change their plans. In their place, I would want to know about all possible sources of financial aid for international students and would ask about academic scholarships, audition-based scholarships, any need-based money that might be available and whatever else might be available. I don’t know about USC in particular, but do know that some schools have funds set aside from alumni donations that are targeted specifically to applicants from certain countries, so it would be worthwhile to see if USC has any of these for Australia.</p>
<p>For any type of financial aid there are many things the OP will want to know including:
the amount of aid involved
whether it is gift aid in the form of a scholarship or grant, or whether it is a loan
when, how and to whom will the funds be distributed
in the case of loans, the interest rate and repayment schedule
whether or not it will be reduced should the student get other scholarship or award money from a third party
whether it is a one time award or is renewable from year to year
the maximum number of years it can be renewed
the conditions that must be met to remain eligible for renewal
the application deadline and whether that is a mailing date or the date by which it must be received
the forms that are needed
any other items (including auditions, recordings, interviews, etc…) that are needed, when they are needed and whether the applicant must be present
<p>I thought that the Audition was for admission/scholarship? I’m very confident in my musical ability and think that I have a pretty competitive resume. I think that if I didn’t audition that I may be accepted off the DVD, but for a scholarship i’m not so sure. I’m 21 and have just finished a bachelor of commerce in economics and finance and whilst i studied this I continued to gain a lot of musical experience on the side. My only downfall will be my grades. They are not outstanding. I was lucky enough to go on exchange to UCLA for a year and foolishly took 3 upper div Economics classes per quarter with some of the hardest professors and received around a B average. BUT, I lead my band to win won of the biggest College music competitions in the USA. Whilst I am academic, studying Economics and Finance was not something i wanted to do, it was my back up plan, as the music industry is quite an uncertain industry. </p>
<p>If the audition is for admission and a scholarship (which i’m pretty sure it is) I am definitely going to be attending.</p>
<p>There are some schools at which competition for specific large scholarships is by invitation only and happens separately from the admissions process. Typically, the candidates are called in for a round of interviews. This happens most often with academic scholarships but, seeing that both talent and academics are important for the USC program, it could turn out to be an issue. Pointegirl indicates that USC does this for at least some of its scholarships, so it would not be a bad idea to find out in advance if postponing the trip could allow you a better shot at some real money.</p>
<p>The fact that you already have a bachelor’s degree may make you ineligible for a lot of sources of financial aid for a second bachelor’s degree. It is an important issue to raise when asking any of the questions that we have brought up here.</p>
<p>When I refer to financial aid, I mean financial aid of all sorts including need-based, as well as scholarships for academic and/or artistic merit. Being an international student and especially already holding a bachelor’s degree may disqualify you from consideration for many scholarships at the undergraduate level. It is a good idea to find out sooner in the process rather than later.</p>
<p>Bassdad, I know that International Students and Domestic students are treated the same when it comes to scholarships at USC unless otherwise stated (eg a scholarship for african-americans etc).</p>
<p>I can’t seem to find anything on how being an International Student with a undergraduate degree already makes you ineligible for a scholarship. Any ideas on where I could find this information?</p>
<p>Just found out that the trustee and presidential scholarships choose from an international pool. Doesn’t say anything about having a bachelors degree already.</p>
<p>Trustee and Presidential interview invitations will be out in the next week or so. They are divided between the different schools so Thornton has its own to dole out. In addition, there are Thornton music scholarships. However, scholarships can vary in size dramatically.
I remember you posting awhile back when deciding where to apply. Is there some reason you didn’t apply as a graduate student?</p>
<p>SpiritManger, does Thornton only give those Trustee and Presidential scholarships to applicants with top academic stats? If that’s not the case, it must be that the only scholarship students we happen to know at Thornton just happen to be those highly academic musicians. Then again, auditions haven’t even happened yet, so if invites go out this soon, how would they know who to invite, if it’s not on the basis of grades/test scores alone? I thought the interview invites/acceptances went out the first week of Feb, after auditions.</p>
<p>And I too was wondering the OP didn’t apply as a graduate student.</p>
This year’s class has 2 or 3 drummers I think, so coming and meeting face to face is better than not since they have to have more confidence in an in person experience. Having said that, I see no reason to not at least take them up on their offer of an internet interview if you are not able to physically show up. They are looking for the top talent they can attract and will do their best to give you a fair look. Jazz/shredder mom’s comments all are consistent with what we hear. Current popular music freshmen joke that they are lucky they applied last year since the new talent is going to be so phenomenal. There are some phenomenal kids in the freshman class, but I suspect a bigger talent pool of applicants can only result in more phenomenal talent. Good luck. Auditions at USC are only one weekend I think. If you could make the weekend at USC and then make arrangements to fly to Boston to audition there I think that would be best. Once you have made it to the US the incremental cost of a round-trip between LA and Boston won’t be that much. Re: scholarships I think that the classical music scholarships are more available because of the longevity of the program and support. I don’t think there is much scholarship for the popular music program given for talent because of the limited opportunity so far to build that type of support and they are still building infrastructure (drum labs, practice rooms, etc.) for the program and that has to take top priority now I think. Popular music students are eligible for any other USC scholarship opportunities and you should pursue those. Good Luck.</p>