<p>My son who's a drummer has been accepted to Jacobs School, Univ of Miama, FL and also Berklee and Univ of Illinois at Champaign for jazz studies performance. I've been reading the posts about Berklee but haven't read much about U of I or Jacobs. I'm curious to get some opinions about the different schools. We're waiting to hear about scholarships - already got our offer from Berklee - wasn't much considering the total cost. I'm wondering if Berklee is really worth the higher price tag. Also, son enjoys the big ten atmosphere and I'm wondering how he'd do at a "music school". He's also undecided but leaning towards Berklee.</p>
<p>Hey there Rhondag,</p>
<p>I was looking into being a music major for quite a while, so I’ve done a load of research into these topics, but:</p>
<p>First, do not go to Berklee if you/your son is expecting a typical, campus-oriented college experience. When I visited Berklee, that’s what I was expecting, and it’s the exact lack of such that turned me off so much. It’s an urban school set smack dab in the middle of Boston. If he doesn’t like cities much, he won’t like Berklee. That said, Boston is about as safe as you can get in terms of big cities.</p>
<p>It also depends on what his stylistic leanings are. If he likes contemporary/jazz music or just can’t stand classical, go to Berklee. Otherwise, degrees from Miami/Illinois may be regarded as more “legitimate” in the eyes of some employers in the future (doesn’t make much sense, I know, but I hope you understand what I’m getting at).</p>
<p>rhondag, welcome and congratulations to your son. While Lencias has given good advice, I have asked the moderators to move your thread to CC’s music major forum.</p>
<p>You will have the insight and experiences of those at and familiar with musical schools.</p>
<p>If you read this before it is moved, a direct link is here</p>
<p>[Music</a> Major - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/]Music”>Music Major - College Confidential Forums)</p>
<p>rhondag, there’s a similar thread here: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/891462-questions-after-acceptance.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/891462-questions-after-acceptance.html</a></p>
<p>Post #13 there is jazz specific, but do read the who thread and the links, which may help.</p>
<p>If you need help searching for more info here. let me know.</p>
<p>I was planning on applying to Berklee as a jazz major, but I decided not to. I got a lot of negative impressions of the school. Most of it was that it seemed like a very “hip” or “trendy” kind of school. The kid behind me in Government class who was a hip-hop DJ was accepted and is going to Berklee. If your son is into fusion stuff, maybe that’s the school for him. But if he is into straight-ahead jazz, and even classical music I think Miami sounds like a great choice. </p>
<p>If you haven’t seen these videos you should check them out! It’s a combo of Miami students who are all freshman!
[</p>
<p>jacobs is wayyyyyyy better. nooo comparison.</p>
<p>Rhondag, how did your son like Jacobs when he auditioned? I can’t speak to the jazz program there, nor do I have first-hand knowledge of the programs from the vantage of a matriculated student, but I do know that we absolutely loved the campus, the town and the overall feel, although son ultimately chose to attend the University of Michigan SOM. You may not have “heard” a lot about Jacobs but at least in the midwest it is exceptionally well-regarded overall as a music school, a favorite of many brass players we know, and the town is “hip” for its contemporary music and arts scene. While we were there, son saw one of his favorite indie bands playing in a cafe, found a treasure of a record shop with rare-ities, met people who were a blast, and otherwise drank the place in. The kids call it “mini-NYC” in terms of fun and flavor. They also have a strong telecommunications program (multimedia) and a well-ranked business school. A kid inclined for the big 10 experience would likely be very happy there. Also, if your son is a strong scholar, their academic scholarships are to my mind quite generous and the out of state price comparatively reasonable. The only drawback from my son’s perspective was pretty much a program specific preference or nuance in terms of a curriculum – that’s it. The kids that he sat in on classes with loved it there, and were every bit as excited to be there as the kids in the program he chose. I don’t think you can go wrong with Jacobs, and while my son never applied to Berkley, precisely because it is not a rigorous university setting, (so I can’t compare) it sounds like your son might prefer Jacobs.</p>
<p>deagle1, just a heads up, the site’s TOS prohibits youtube links, links to personal blogs, or personal social network pages, commercial sites, and various others.</p>
<p>The accepted way of getting around it is to insert a phrase like “Google the Podunk U jazz octet and check out the videos” or similar. </p>
<p>The old “PM me for link” works as well.</p>
<p>I’m NOT the forum police. Just a bit of advice from a geezer to a newbie. :D</p>
<p>Depends entirely on the student, and on whether music only, with lots of city gigging opportunities, is more important than Big Ten football or fraternities. I would argue that the level of jazz music is probably highest at Berklee, with Frost coming in second, followed by Jacobs and lastly UICU (jazz only! Classical is a different beast altogether!). </p>
<p>However, the environments are so different as to be incomparable. Berklee is not in any way a “typical” college environment, but it doesn’t purport to be. The city/no city, campus/no campus differences are very important, as are the types of players each of those schools attract.</p>
<p>first of all, as a sophomore in college attending a music program at a major university, you have less time to practice- you have to balance GE classes who you take with non-music majors into your schedule.
conservatories give you more time to practice… well Berklee is a professional school… not much of a difference.
however, going to IU or U of I may ensure that switching majors is a possibility. believe it or not, so many of my friends switched out of music.
also, a degree from IU or U of I may be more valuable. I have a friend who chose X university over Y conservatory. as my friend says, "Everyone’s heard of X university but might not have heard of Y conservatory</p>
<p>My son is completing his freshman year as a percussion performance major at IU/Jacobs. He has decided to get a minor in jazz after his experience there this year. If you would like his contact info for your son to ask him questions, PM me.</p>
<p>thanks for all the advice - son received generous scholarship from U of I - Jacob’s offer was good but not as nice as U of I’s. Berklee - we won’t be able to afford - went back and asked berklee if any more funds are available. Was wondering if students have done this once they receive scholarship offer- do they go back and try to negotiate for more? In son’s case, he would want to see if Jacobs will offer any more. He’s now trying to decide between Jacobs and UIUC. Took lessons from both drum teachers, liked them both. Likes IU college atmosphere more than UIUC - but doesn’t know which school at this point. I’ve been reading how important the teacher will be, but since he likes both, don’t know what the decided factor should be. The music school’s reputation? - in this case, I think Jacobs wins.</p>
<p>rhondag, the negotiating strategies are here <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/842453-bargain-scholarships-politely-course.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/842453-bargain-scholarships-politely-course.html</a>, and there’s a link within to another thread.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>I would suggest contacting the professor and letting him/her know that you are trying to decide between schools and that money will play a role. My son is at Jacobs and was able to get some additional $'s. The chairman of the dept. called him to see if he had made a decision and when my son said finances were playing a role, he said he would see what he could do and it turned out well. Good Luck!</p>