<p>I'm an LA based high school composer that has been accepted to the prestigious Columbia and Juilliard Exchange program for composition (studying with Adler) and the USC Thornton School for composition. USC is giving me a full tuition scholarship while Columbia/Juilliard is giving me nada. Although going to school in NYC would be really good for me, the cost seems to be too high to actually consider going to the Columbia/Juilliard program over USC. Should I go to my dream schools in NYC or stay in LA and do a BM in composition at USC? It's a hard choice, May 1 is coming around the corner....</p>
<p>The Columbia-Julliard program is really prestitigious; about 5 are accepted each year. It’s also very enlightening to have a liberal arts and music education in 5 years.</p>
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If you REALLY can’t handle the cost go to USC. However, if you can manage the cost, I would DEFINITELY pick the Columbia/Julliard exchange. I think it’s one of the few programs that seems to worth the extra $$ if you can handle paying it. I mean, Ivy League AND Julliard, you can’t really beat that!</p>
<p>As a parent paying full freight for his Columbia son, I suggest you discuss this with your parents. If you believe (as I do) that Columbia/Juilliard is the better choice without regard to cost, then the question is whether your parents want to pay for the better choice. Many (most?) full freight Columbia students could have attended other institutions on full ride scholarships. All (including my son, with my unfettered support) chose to invest in Columbia. I don’t regret it for a minute, even though my retirement has been delayed as a result.</p>
<p>Just speaking as a pianist who has also just been accepted to the Columbia/Juilliard Exchange, I think the virtues of going to this program will be worth the extra money…though of course, if it’s really a problem, then there’s not much you can do. Maybe talk to the finaid office?</p>