This is a place to share requests for help in choosing a school among your kids’/your options. Please ask questions and help answer one another. I’m starting this thread based on a couple of inquiries I’ve had from parents, though I’m not quite ready to ask any questions myself. 
Is anyone deciding right now? Or how did your kid choose?
Paging @shsoule . What schools are you and your daughter looking at?
Just wondering, does anyone know anything about the Zukerman program at MSM? It’s become a possibility all of a sudden and we know very little other than what the website says.
Quote from another thread, in case anyone with knowledge of Vanderbilt can help.
I don’t know in particular about the MSM program, but I’ve attended or viewed several of his masterclasses and I was not a fan. The teaching was mostly fine, though he once sent off a kid in the middle of a masterclass to practice, which I found really strange. But he made numerous off-color comments about both females and ethnicities during the event which were really inappropriate. There was also a notorious class held at the Starling-DeLay event at Juilliard in which he treated two Asian sisters really inappropriately, to the point it was reported all over media. Since it has happened a number of times, I think it is somewhat normal for him. He may have improved in this area since all the bad publicity, so it may be fine now, but I would proceed with caution.
Hello!! My daughter has a list of 8 accepted schools but has it narrowed to these four (VP - soprano):
University of Miami
UCLA
USC
Vanderbilt
Any insight or experience is appreciated!
Hmmm. I just looked up the article. Disappointing to hear. I have always been a fan of his style. Here is hoping that the music world continues to evolve and call out these behaviors so that they change.
You already have some good information from the other “vocal performance” thread. You haven’t provided much information on your D’s interests/personality (which is OK if you prefer not to). However it’s hard to comment as you have good schools…so now it’s about FIT. Which school is the best FIT for your D? Here are a few comments (particularly to VP):
1.) Does she know her teacher at any of these schools? Teacher is often proposed as the #1 reason to choose a school. I do think for a vocalist (since they are really young compared to instrumentalists) that this can be a little more flexible. Still, I would check if the faculty (or teacher) wants to work primarily to develop a solo opera singer, a choir singer or a versatile singer? And/or is the faculty willing to work with a young vocalist if they are still trying to find their voice (more common than not). So this really depends on your D. If this feels confusing…then she is still developing her voice…and a teacher that works with young voices (as opposed to kids that have had a lot more training and KNOW what they want to do) would be best. Note it’s OK to be still searching…most are…even if they think they know it all.
2.) Ensemble/Performance Opportunites - what does the school offer? Some schools are big choir schools. Other schools develp more soloists. Some schools have silos (you are in the vocal program and can’t easily do MT). I do know that Miami has a well-known MT program so if she has interest in doing some MT, it would probably be difficult at Miami (as they will cast out of that program). So be sure the school offers the flexibility or single-mindedness that your kid desires.
3.) Curriculum/Enviroment Etc. - Be sure to look at the semester by semester curriculum (including ensembles). And the overall “vibe” of the school. A visit is great, if possible. Your D will need to use her “gut” instinct to decide what is best for her. Encourage that…it’s important for all kids to learn to “trust” themselves…and not look to a parent/etc for all decisions.
4.) Decision-Making Style - If you are doing all of this, and she still can’t decide, that’s FINE!! Give her space. Give her time. Don’t worry (ourwardly - easier said than done). Some kids make a quick, decisive decision…and others drag it out and seem conflicted. And btw, I’m the first type (hey, good enough!) and my D take forever to decide anything (she’s a maximizer…has to mull over every detail). Neither is right or wrong.
Let her struggle with it. Be a sounding board. Just have faith. She’ll make her decision by end of the month…and there’s really not a bad decision in that group.
My son is really struggling with his decision, but we have a bit more time to work through.
His top 4, I would say, most likely in this order:
What’s interesting is that Northwestern wasn’t that high initially because we had been told Northwestern does not give big money so we had low expectations.
NW came in with a monster offer that frankly blows the others away. We have reached out to Boston and U of H to see if they have any more room to negotiate. He’s debating if he wants to with DePaul.
At this point, unless something major happens, we almost feel like Northwestern would be a no brainer.
If Northwestern is your cheapest option, that would be a no brainer to me! Although it is harder if your student maybe clicked with faculty better elsewhere and maybe worth trying to broker a deal. My older kid applied there and it certainly wasn’t the most welcoming of programs for us. I’ve also heard they aren’t typically generous for UG, I discouraged my daughter from applying. Maybe they have holes in the grad program right now so they have some extra money to move around? I’ve heard they can be generous w/their grad students. Congratulations to your son! What a great opportunity.
We are probably looking at 4 programs on the final list (UG vocal). They are all quite close and look pretty great financially for us. The 2 we know the least about is Lawrence University and DePaul (which are very different programs for sure). If anyone has insight, feel free to share or PM.
Well, I did not get to make the Chicago trip, but my wife and son were very impressed with DePaul. Their faculty were very friendly and have impressive resumes. I think DePaul is pretty underrated as I had an online conversation with someone in the opera business, and they said that DePaul has been pumping out some really good vocalists recently.
Hi! So I got into both UT Austin and Vanderbilt music schools, and both gave me full rides. UT Austin gave be about 33k, and Vandy gave me about 92k. I have no idea what to do. I’m a first-gen student so the prospect of attending Vandy (4.2% acceptance rate this year) is really thrilling, and the ridiculous amount of money they’re offering is also very enticing, but also, I have a support system at UT Austin already and I would probably get home to Houston more easily. I would like some advice. I also got into Johns Hopkins/Peabody but am waiting on an updated financial aid offer.
We also made the trip to DePaul and were definitely impressed! The faculty (the bios are just incredible), the students that sang, the friendly and welcoming vibe, the gorgeous facilities. They do 3 staged operas a year, which is a lot of performance opportunity and the program isn’t huge. The location in Lincoln Park is lovely, etc.
After digging in a little deeper, definitely feel like it falls under the radar.
Hi @bongcha
Congratulations on your great acceptances! Have you been able to connect with the primary professor/teacher on your instrument at both of these schools? As a music major, your primary professor will have a major impact on your experience. You will want to be sure that there is a good fit with respect to teaching style, communication, playing tone and technique. If you have not done so already, I suggest you contact each program and ask for a sample lesson, either in person or remotely.
I saw from one of your other posts that you are a clarinetist. I believe @kokotg has a son in the clarinet studio at Blair/Vanderbilt and may be able to chime in.
Congrats on your great acceptances! My son is a freshman in the clarinet studio at Blair (you might have met him if you did in person auditions–Milo), and he’s having a great experience so far. I peeked at your other posts, too, and saw that you’re planning a dual degree–that’s super common at Blair and they seem to be really supportive of it (my son is one of the few people he knows who’s only doing a performance major). He loves the supportive, collaborative environment. Lots of opportunities for chamber music, and he’s mentioned that there seems to be more of an emphasis on contemporary works than at some schools. Re: financial stuff–it’s good that you’re thinking about things like support systems and ease of getting back home. I do think Vanderbilt factors travel costs into FA, so that helps. And of course it’s a lot easier to catch flights from Vandy than a more rural school. My son gets substantial FA from Vandy, too, so I’d also throw out there that going to a school with a lot of money can have advantages beyond the FA package. Vanderbilt’s meal plan includes money to eat at area restaurants, which has been very nice. My son’s getting some funding for summer programs this year. If he ends up studying abroad, his FA should travel with him easily. He’s using the school’s (much nicer than his) bass clarinet, although that’s probably a pretty common perk at most music schools. Let me know if you have any specific questions (and feel free to message me), and I’ll either try to answer them or pass them on to Milo!
@macarthur
Would he be willing to drop it down to 3? Take U of Houston off the list.
I would to talk or email current students in each program as well as teachers. The blind curriculum review may help as well.
Is he concerned that Northwestern is going to be too much of a “work hard, little play” vibe?
Another question I asked my son was “If you didn’t go to xyz school, what would make you sad or miss about not going there?”
Yeah, I think U of H is def a distant 4th, but it’s the closest as we are in Texas.
Um, as to the ‘work hard, little play’, I’m not worried about his work ethic. He’s top 10% and a 107 average with plenty of APs so he’s worked hard. Having said that, he would LOVE the conservatory life where he never has to take a math or science again.
Syracuse COA will be 18k/yr. It is not the cheapest and not the most expensive. So financially I am fine with the decision.
What I am struggling with is is more parental. I was hoping he would go to a college with solid music training that he could do more performances. Why? Because I enjoy watching and listening to him sing. I know Cuse has First Year Players which allows any student to do a musical. And he will need to do at least 1 choir. But comparatively to other accepted schools Cuse does not require an opera component (but they can join that group). My son has done many things through the years but seeing him on stage was always my favorite.
I knew going in that my son would thrive best in a big school environment with lots of school spirit. I would love to send him to Indiana U which would fit his big10 spirit and amazing music program needs but I don’t think their offer is going to come in under 20k, not even close (we are oos).
Program wise I think Baldwin Wallace would be better. But the location and size of the school is not the right fit. Jacksonville U had the right location but he didn’t feel he would be as challenged in the program.
Im in that neutral phase. My head knows I did well. My heart isn’t so sure quite yet. I am ditching work and other plans to meet my ex and my son on the upcoming Syracuse tour. He did tell me that he’s looked at the Cuse class of 2027 instagram page which for a kid not into social media is a big step. And with the help of parents, he has a potential roommate. I saw my son come alive and look actually happy in New Orleans on our visit. I guess I’m just hoping I see something positive from my son in Cuse.
Be sure to ask about extracurricular performance opportunities. I remember not being aware of this for UG. There are a lot of “student run” performance opportunites at schools. So you cannot find them in the regular school ensemble list. Some people may think that these are “less than”…and yes they will have lower production quality…but as student-run the skills learned are important…and they may be a student’s first opportunity in a certain “role” or “style” right alongside seniors who are also developing skills, resumes etc. It’s all very interesting…so be sure to ask about those opportunities. And for opera, you can check if there are “opera scenes” classes (maybe not be for Freshman which is fine) that do small performances at the end. And, opera chorus is often an ensemble requirement for VP which gets you on stage. So you can check that as well.
I think my kid would love to never take another math or science class! I didn’t read that as 2plustrio thinking your kid had a poor work ethic. They seemed to be asking if he wants his school to feel that way.
You’re not alone. It’s a very hard time in the process. Soon, our work on this huge effort will come to a close, and it feels weird. I’m happy you can go to Syracuse, so you can see his reaction and feel sure that you have shepherded him somewhere great.
I bet he will love Syracuse, and I think things like school spirit should not be underestimated, even if the program is not exactly right. He will make more out of it, and he’ll do great if he is happy and energized by the school environment. My kid wants to be able to go to sports games. Having been a quad drummer for years, being at games and just being school-spirited in general is one of his great joys. It made him realize he didn’t want to go to Berklee. Those things are life!