My D was accepted into Berklee, but they “cannot offer a scholarship at this time”. She thinks this means that they really don’t want her. It’s weird, because she received healthy scholarship offers at Belmont, Boston Conservatory and the Chicago College of Performing Arts. Has anyone had success appealing a “zero dollar” scholarship offer at Berklee? It is her preferred school, but not at close to $50K tuition per year!
Congrats on admittance! I would tell her not to think that way!!! Berklee really doesn’t give out that much money and depending on her instrument, it’s very tough!!! You do know that Berklee and BoCo are merging? Not sure what that looks like yet but certainly a great option. Good luck!
The ramifications of hat merger definitely seems worth researching. By attending Boston Conservatory with a big scholarship, she may get access to some classes at Berklee.https://www.berklee.edu/berklee-boston-conservatory
Thank you @rockinmomab ! She is a vocalist. I think we expected something because she knows a few people over the last few years who have received scholarships. However, they are instrumentalists, but their skill level is no better than my daughter’s. I know Berklee says that they don’t distinguish between instruments when they grant scholarships, but I have a hard time believing they can adequately compare a guitarist, to a drummer, to a vocalist - especially when there are so many more vocalists who audition. The BoCo merger does present some possibilities, so that is something to keep in mind!
Every year is different so you really can’t base it on past years. Guitarists and vocalists make up about 50% (25% each) of the population so scholarship $$ for these instruments are definitely more competitive!!! Being accepted is definitely an accomplishment! Last year they had 9,000 applicants so it is getting more competitive every year. She should be proud. Good luck to you!
My S was accepted for Fall '16 as well. Congrats to them both! He was not awarded scholarship $$ either. It’s his dream school, Berklee or BUST. Hopes to major in Music Production and Engineering. Auditioned on drum set. We’re on the search now for scholarship $$. Fastweb.com, niche, and anywhere else we can look (suggestions please!). I for a short bit had the same thought as your daughter, but with the acceptance rate being a lot lower than it has been in earlier years I agree with rockinmomab. All the best!!
You might want to post this on the excellent music forum under “majors” here on this forum.
The merger really will give BoCo students access to Berklee while preserving the intimacy of the smaller school- at least that seems to be the hope.