<p>Ps I know a few talented kids at Columbia who love it. However, their parents have mentioned expense as an issue, and open enrollment as a factor that can water down rigor in the academic couses. This may not matter whatsoever to someone focused on the hands on elements of performance and production. Chicago’s a great town for music, as is NY. If I were considering Columbia, I’d also keep New School on the list I think. Meaning they’re pretty urban in nature and not traditional campuses.</p>
<p>I am not sure what you mean when you write that he “loves classical.” especially if he is self-taught. Do you mean he loves listening to classical, or does he play classical guitar? In our experience, it takes years with a teacher and many hours of practice a day to become a proficient classical guitarist. But I’m sure there are prodigies in this area who pick it up more easily. Still, I would think a teacher would be needed. So if you explain whether he plays classical or not, it might help guide advice.</p>
<p>Curtis didn’t have classical guitar a few years back, so I am glad they do now. I don’t think Bard has classical guitar. Someone can correct me.</p>
<p>Some state schools have programs in guitar (including guitar other than classical), and it looks like you have that covered in your area.</p>
<p>In our state, UMass Lowell has a contemporary guitar program as well as music business/recording. Northeastern in Boston might be worth a look. Hartt Conservatory at the U. of Hartford in Ct… Oberlin is a possibility although I still don’t really understand the classical guitar experience of your son. Belmont and USC from what I have heard on this forum. University of the Arts in Philadelphia might be worth a look, depending on cost. Have you looked at North Carolina School of the Arts (not sure about their offerings, but it is in the South, obviously).</p>
<p>Another way to go is a school like Bennington or Sarah Lawrence or Hampshire, where students can do music in a way that involves a lot of independence and cross-disciplinary work. I think Frederick Hand teaches at Bennington. Great faculty, students share work weekly, and musicians play for dancers, film students want scores, etc.</p>
<p>Or your son could choose a college based on other factors and do music on the side. I would think a city would be a better location in that case.</p>
<p>Even if a calculator says that your EFC is 16 cents, or “0”, you end up paying $2-5,000 to schools. Schools will include a work study requirement, for instance (kids are expected to contribute $2-3,000 themselves), health fees/insurance, tuition refund insurance, and some other charges. And then of course loans make up a good portion of the aid that “meets need.” </p>
<p>Berklee is expensive, of course.</p>
<p>Some schools are SAT optional, but merit scholarships still depend on SAT scores for those schools.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>cross posted with others I think!</p>
<p>What compmom said about classical applies to jazz as well. When it comes to some of these college jazz programs on your list, having an interest in jazz, having elements of it in one’s compositions/style, and having learned a lot of theory (at my son’s HS, jazz theory was also a different course string than classical theory) is not the same as years of lessons with a jazz teacher, competing for and playing in spots in school or summer jazz ensembles and combos. It’s extremely competitive, especially for guitarists. This is not to say the self-taught kid can’t cut it, but more to give you an idea who he’ll be auditioning “against.” </p>
<p>The first time my son did a summer jazz program, our eyes, and his, were really opened. Suddenly, there was another “one of him” from every town in America. And they were serious! </p>
<p>Visiting some schools, or perhaps one that is near you, ahead of time - and taking a sample lesson - may give you a good idea where he stands - just as far as “jazz major” programs. There are lots of threads on the benefits of doing this, although we did not do it. My son only saw the schools when he auditioned live there. It worked out okay for us.</p>
<p>I think it’s great that you’ve got some recording/industry type programs on your list as well. Kmcmom13’s advice is spot on. And there are certainly many guitarists very similar to your son in the strictly contemporary programs at Berklee (and Thornton, Belmont, and a few other places others have mentioned). If you can make the FA cut it, your son will find what he’s looking for by going one of those two routes.</p>
<p>There’s a great book on strategizing and preparing for the FA of it all that is frequently mentioned on cc: Paying for College Without Going Broke. I haven’t read it, but you might want to check it out.</p>
<p>Just remembered that one of the most talented and accomplished music teachers our daughter has had originally went to Wayne State for undergrad. Then…Juilliard!. He now teaches theory and composition at NEC. I know Wayne State might be a place that meets some of your geographic and financial criteria, but know nothing about it otherwise.</p>
<p>Also want to add that one issue that comes up a lot is whether a student wants a BM or a BA. It sounds like your son wants a BM. Does he want a rigorous regimen of classes in music (and production)? Does he have other interests? Does he understand the different degree options, BA, BS, BM, BFA, double major, double degree etc? (The Peabody Institute admissions site has a nice piece on these.)</p>
<p>If he has homeschooled and is self-taught, does he want to continue to do music on his own, and it that something that suits his temperament? How will he feel in a more structured program?</p>
<p>Even though our daughter had a teacher for composition, her temperament is such that she does her own thing and the good teachers go with that. I am wondering if your son is similar. This can mean, for some, that doing music on one’s own can be satisfying. For my daughter, she looked at schools where she could follow her own drummer. She avoided,for instance, schools that had freshman composition seminars, where the students would get all kinds of exercises and structured assignments (she is doing that now as an almost senior, but it is at a different level and allows autonomy).</p>
<p>So I am throwing in the idea of “fit” as well, since your son has been doing both academics and music on his own. A small liberal arts college with some opportunity to do music in an individualized fashion, either in school or out, might be another option, as I mentioned before. (And editing to add that we found most conservatories and music schools, at least the free standing ones, were quite expensive, even with substantial merit aid.)</p>