Anyone else struggling with justifying the cost of this program, simply because it’s wonderful having an acceptance?
Hey, I’ve seen you posting in the Music Major thread. Full disclosure, I am committed to Clive '23, and it is the only school I applied to. Whether or not it’s worth it is complicated, and it definitely isn’t the same for every person. Here are a couple of things to factor in -
- How familiar are you with the curriculum? Not sure what other schools your child is choosing between, but I think it's worth asking. I find it interesting that a lot of people find themselves torn between Clive and Berklee (or any conservatory) because Clive isn't a conservatory. Maybe you're already aware of this, but Clive's program is really different from what other schools offer (which is what I love about it!). It's definitely worth fully examining whether or not Clive is what your child is looking for.
- Is your child clear on who they are (from a career/industry standpoint)? Do they have a plan for what they intend to get out of going to, not just Clive, but any, music school? IMO, if you are going to spend that much money on an education, your kid should have clear intentions for that investment. It's pretty easy to kind of float along in music school and not get much out of it in the end. It's truly just who you meet and what you make of it.
Clive is a small, highly curated program. As a student there, professors–and possibly other opportunities–will be more available to you, simply because of the prestige and size of the school. There is also the added benefit that comparable schools don’t have (except Thornton’s pop music program), which is being located in a major music hub. That’s a big deal. If Clive/Thornton students make the most of it, they should have a leg up on everyone else by getting four years to put roots down in the two biggest music cities.
To me, Clive is only worth the price if it is offering something you, personally, need in a school and can’t get anywhere else. (Plus, it’s not like other music schools are cheap!) It was the only school that checked every box for me, but that definitely isn’t the case for everyone. If you have more specific questions, feel free to PM me! I’ve given this one a lot of thought 
Whoa @okisaperson you only applied to one school? Wow, impressive! I will have to say my daughter has taken a single class through Clive Davis this semester (she’s in Tisch for Drama) and it’s been totally eye opening. I hope you get all the benefits you expect from your four years, it really is a unique opportunity.
Thanks for the detailed response , @okisaperson! My son does know EXACTLY what he’s looking for - and is very focused on his path. We knew going in exactly what the program was - and how expensive it was. We werent convinced he’d be accepted - but he took a gamble and applied. It was validating that they could see he was talented enough to be admitted. He has accepted a different college,however, as we just couldn’t justify the >$200,000 out of pocket expenses after his scholarship etc. We don’t qualify for financial aid. It was fantastic that he was accepted, and he should be very proud about that - but he’s choosing a good path. I know I’m biased, but he’s talented enough to do really really well wherever he lands. Best of luck to you on your journey!