<p>I am a potential piano major at those three schools,
and I am in worry because I cannot simply decide where to go.</p>
<p>I also have been accepted to Indiana School of Music, but I decided not to go because they have a big big school, and a big graduate school.</p>
<p>For Eastman and Oberlin, I already contacted professors I really would like to study with and they both said I probably can study with them if I notify them as soon as possible.</p>
<p>As for U Michigan, the professor I contacted did not write back and I wrote to him about two weeks ago. </p>
<p>Another dilemma is that at Oberlin and U Michigan I can continue academics since I got accepted to both the school and the conservatory/music school. Also, I would love to participate in a lot of festivals and competitions during my undergraduate years in college! </p>
<p>Oberlin offers a strong piano faculty, many ensemble opportunities, opportunities to study other keyboards (fortepiano, harpsichord, organ), master classes, a supportive environment for exploring academic interests, lots of practice rooms. No graduate students.<br>
I don't know about the other schools on your list.</p>
<p>Michigan is terrific, but lack of response by faculty member is worrisome. Eastman is great school, but academic extras logistically challenging. All other things being equal, i.e. the financials, it sounds like Oberlin is your best bet. What did you think when you visited each? The weather is similar, though obviously Eastman has more snow. Travel logistics might be a factor. Lots of wonderful options. Good luck to you. Lorelei</p>
<p>campus cultures are VERY different at the three schools, but music is great at all of them. DD opted for UMich two years ago, and loves it; loves the mix of conservatory environment and a larger group of liberal arts kids (she's doing a double degree program at the moment.) She's a city kid, and Oberlin just seemed a little small and rural for her, but the quality of music and academics there is also great. Like Oberlin, Umich also emphasizes undergrads, although there are grad students as well. D's roomate is a pianist and very happy. Eastman will be much more insular / conservatory only since URochester campus is a bit of a trek, So if a double degree is part of the picture, I'd say that's easier at Oberlin and UMich which also both have many more conservatory students doing academic programs as well. In fact, at UMich (and I think Oberlin also) ALL the music students are taking at least some academic courses, whereas I think at Eastman it is possible to do the humanisties requirements just at Eastman and never set foot on the UR campus. Happy to provide any other details via pm. Good luck with your choice!</p>
<p>ps: not sure why you didn't get a speedy response from UMich faculty, as D's experience has been that teachers there are very available and responsive; the semester just ended, however, and there are many concerts, juries, and exams going on, so I imagine the lack of response has an explanation.</p>
<p>I would definitely try to contact that teacher by phone or email again! Sometimes, they just get very busy and forget - the email disappears and that's that. Try again. If that doesn't work, you should call the head of the piano faculty to try to find out what is up. My son was accepted for violin at U. Mich. and was not told that a teacher had been assigned until he actually called the teacher - who then confirmed it. This was only a few days ago!! They are not too clear about this in their acceptance packet.</p>
<p>Euphgal - depends on what you mean by large. Eastman has about 550 undergrads to 250 grads. They have a very strong under grad focus. The piano department at Eastman is fabulous and is one of the top programs in the country. Taking academic classes at Eastman is doable (my son took classes almost every semester at the River Campus of U of Rochester) but doing a double degree would be extremely difficult for a piano major. Eastman piano majors are required to collaborate with 2 students each semester. (My son and his pianist got together 2nd semester freshman year and worked with each until graduation.) I think this is a great experience for everyone but may not be something you are looking for.</p>
<p>I still don't know where to decide!! But by listening to others and talking to music teachers, I think environment definitely plays a big role, too.</p>
<p>I'm from the city, so visiting Oberlin was quite shocking, to be honest. Cleveland wasn't as big as I thought it would be. Yet, the school itself wasn't as small as my friends and my interview alumni described. And for Eastman, I found the city quite "grey" if that's the right word to describe it. So, if I'm looking for school just with environment, I would definitely choose UMich in Ann Arbor.<br>
And travel wise, ... Michigan is yet again the best bet (nonstop flight!)
then again...these factors shouldn't be the only concerns, right?</p>
<p>Good luck on your decision!! I'm having a hard time on my decision as well... though I'm choosing between Michigan and Illinois-- I'm leaning towards Michigan.</p>
<p>I think the biggest factors for me in deciding is (1) teacher, and (2) academic program of the school - which is why I'm so torn with my decision. Anyway who are you planning to study with if you go to Michigan?? From my experience, the professors are really good with replying to emails.</p>
<p>And I really love Ann Arbor - it's like the perfect college town.</p>
<p>All of these are good schools, and if you like the teachers and think you can thrive under their instruction, it is quite reasonable for the logistics and environment to play a part in your decision. Good luck. Lorelei</p>
<p>I emailed two other teachers at UMichigan on Thursday but I haven't heard back from any of them yet. I don't know if I made a bad impression on my audition because I haven't received ANY merit scholarship based on my audition (I got other grants and etc.) whereas Eastman and Oberlin gave me at least $12,000+ </p>
<p>For Eastman, I contacted Prof. Antonova, Oberlin, Prof Cheng, and Michigan (then again..I contacted about three teachers now) I do not have specific list and would like to study with any of them (if I get in contact!) </p>
<p>Try using the telephone, and contacting the department secretary, too, if you can't reach the professors at Michigan.
Do you mean Angela Chang at Oberlin? She is supposed to be a great teacher.</p>
<p>As a mom & college prof, try to think 4 years down the line. What seems most important to you now may not seem that way in a couple of years. Obviously, teacher is important, but there are great teachers at all these schools. Big city / small city might be a consideration if you plan to take advantage of night life/artistic opportunities/etc. However, if you're a double major with conservatory-level music, most of your life will probably revolve around practice rooms and the library, so off campus opportunities may not be so important. More important would be whether the local community is welcoming to students. Some are, some aren't. Also UMich won't necessarily be a lot warmer or less snowy than Rochester. Weather in Ohio was pretty bad this year, too. </p>
<p>S auditioned for jazz at UNT, Eastman, Berklee and was accepted at all 3 with merit scholarships. He loves Eastman after summer camp and audition experience and has accepted their offer. But he only wants to do music, music and more music. </p>
<p>Good luck! At some point, you probably just have to take the plunge and not look back. There will be wonderful opportunities at each of the schools.</p>