<p>saadrick, I’ve added your acceptances to our Master List here: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/1064613160-post882.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/1064613160-post882.html</a></p>
<p>I’ve listed the degree pursuit at Columbia as BA unspecified, but if you clarify, then one of us “dads” will amend the listing.</p>
<p>I’m sorry, I really have to vent here. Saadrick, congratulations on your stellar accomplishments. I find it stunning that a person who is so exceptional, has been accepted to maybe THE most selective program (Columbia/Juilliard) in the country, somehow is not worth a scholarship of some kind!!! What’s with Juilliard? I suspect they don’t really want dual degree students? They’re not interested in composers? I know Columbia offers only need-based aid, but what’s with Juilliard?? I wish I could hear the answer from a Juilliard administrator. It really doesn’t make sense to me. </p>
<p>Hey, it’s their loss. Go to USC and don’t look back. You will have a great experience, and you’ll accomplish a lot. Use the extra $ for summer programs, study abroad, producing performances of your works, buying a car, whatever you need.</p>
<p>I was going to say they are dangling a very big carrot, but with a very hefty pricetag. The C/J exchange program with no money being offered seem very odd to me as well.</p>
<p>Juilliard got hit a few years back with that investment scam. They’ve been hurting. Aid has pretty much been limited to need, and rather meager at that. They’ve had to let a lot of good ones get away. I noticed you asked if “it was worth it” rather than “how much debt should I take.” I’m guessing you don’t qualify for need?</p>
<p>Saadrick: just to add a different viewpoint, if you can afford to go to Columbia-Juilliard and are not going into debt for it (which I infer is the case, as Columbia offers full need-based aid, no?), and you are also interested in the academic portion of your education, you should take into consideration that Columbia is really a lot stronger academically in most departments, including academic music, than USC; Columbia is also a far more “intellectual” and edgy environment. The experience at these schools would be very different. Have you visited?</p>
<p>And Saadrick: contact Deborah Bradley at Columbia, who is in charge of the music performance program - in the past, there was some kind of funding students could audition for to pay for study at Juilliard. I don’t know if that still exists or applies to the double degree program…but you should look into it!</p>