I know that with performance it’s all about the audition, so there is no TRUE safety. I just need a safe bet financially…
I want to go to a conservatory but I doubt they will give me enough aid ( merit and FA) to make it doable.
So, I’m wondering if anyone has any knowledge of Uof Kentucky? I’ve heard they give 2 full undergrad opera scholalarships with stipends every year. Any other places that give BIG scholarships for VP?
Thank you so much!
Your in state public options are usually your best financial safeties.
If you have good academic numbers, DD found that some OOS universities would grant in state tuition and merit awards that reduced the cost to below our own in state option. I don’t know if Kentucky is one of those but South Carolina and North Texas were.
Yes, thank you @musicamusica I just wasn’t that over the moon with the SUNY programs I visited ( crane, purchase). I’m looking for other options.
I will look at your suggestions @Singersmom07. Thanks.
My goal is a top tier conservatory ( Juilliard, NEC, Oberlin, Curtis, Peabody, Eastman) like most, but financially I know they may not meet my need if I am accepted.
I think you need to recognize the nature of the “safety”. If you get into schools that you can not pay for…what then? The fact that an OOS gives only two scholarships does not make it much of a safety. But UNT and their generous offer (forgot about that one @singersmom07 even though that was one of D’s undergrad options!) is not only a safety but a good school. Going into debt is not advisable for an undergrad VP student. Plenty of great undergrad singers come out of public U’s that you have never heard of. And when you go to your grad auditions that’s the only thing that matters. REALLY. With all the goal setting and excitement I know it’s tough to get into this mind set but “Over the moon” is not as important as not going into debt. Get a genuine financial safety.
@musicamusica
I appreciate your response. I’m looking for a teacher…like I’ve always been told to in VP. The teachers at SUNY were not great, IMHO. I’ve taken quite a few sample lessons this past year. I’m on here trying to get a FEW genuine financial safety schools. Crane at Potsdam is my only one at the moment.
Perhaps over the moon isn’t necessary, but I NEED to like and connect with a teacher I’m going to spend 4 years with, don’t I?
If I didn’t recognize the nature of ‘safety’ I wouldn’t be here asking for help. I went to school this morning and my solo voice/( I go to a performing arts HS) audition prep teacher told me to look at UK. So I was reaching out to see if anyone has any real experience with the school.
I am well aware of not going into debt for VP undergrad. It’s exactly the reason I reached out. Thanks again for reminding me that this is next to impossible to do unless you are wealthy!
I second the comments by musicamusica.
Try to make some connections with faculty at the genuine financial safety. There are many good teachers at these schools that can help you to grow and keep in the game until grad where there “typically” are more scholarships.
Have you considered Florida State U? They automatically reduce out of state tuition for those admitted to the music program - to close to in-state tuition. http://www.music.fsu.edu/Admissions/Financial-Matters/Undergraduate-Music-Scholarships And I second UNT as a very affordable option.
“Thanks again for reminding me that this is next to impossible to do unless you are wealthy!”
I understand your frustration but that’s not what I said. I said that some of the best undergrad singers come from schools that you never heard of. And plenty professional singers, including my D, got through with no debt by going for the true financial safeties. I understand that since she first auditioned as an undergrad there has been a surge of young women pursuing their degree in classical voice. So the opportunities that she went after might not be as readily available to other students coming out of HS. But you have to understand, that along with this surge there has been a radical decrease in post grad opportunities. So real financial safeties become even more critical than they ever were. I know that this seems harsh and downright mean, but there it is. And yes, EVERYTHING is easier for the children of the 1%. But having less money only means that you have to work harder and smarter. And students who work harder and smarter thrive in the real world. I promise you.
Thank you Thank you @musicamusica.
I am very grateful and yet I am finding this realistic journey rather heartbreaking.
I am English born and raised by Brits so ‘over the moon’ is a term I use that may not translate they way I intend it to.
I agree that VP has become over subscribed. saturated etc.
I am working my butt off. I go to one of the most prestigious pre college programs in the country. I was a YoungArts winner as a junior. I have applied and gotten into WNO, Oberlin Summer HS, OCU summer opera, CCM summer study. I have done everything I can to make myself the smartest singer I can be ( I placed higher in theory at pre college than any other vocalist. yay me!) Plus- I am in the NHS and a strong student. oh and I love my current teacher. She is a hard act to follow, saying that I have met others that I could see myself with quite easily.
again, thank you.
Thanks @SpiritManager. I look at both with my parents. I’m my sure Texas is doable. I’d never see my family 
Although I do have Rice on my wish list.
Hey! My mom is a Brit as well so I get it :)>- It seems as if you are well on your way! And it’s why I always mention on this thread that it’s a long haul. In another 8-10 years when you are finally ready to do your A-House auditions much of this will seem like a blur. My D did similar programs during her HS summers too. But I think that HS students and parents are so focused on the current list of programs and achievements that they loose sight of the end goal which is to be a good singer who can afford to continue a (still expensive) post grad career. (Talk to recent grads and get a fix on how expensive it is to do auditions.)
Keep your eye on the goal and know that by smarter, I mostly mean financially smarter. It’s all part of it. Good luck!! Go for it and (what the heck) why not get into Curtis. =D>
Yay for the Brits!
My parents want me to apply and audition for Royal Academy of Music, Trinity Leban & RCC. They all come to NYC in January.
Yeah, I figured you meant money wise…but since I cannot change my and families situation -I try to focus on being smart in other areas. I’ve got an 80% scholarship at precollege so that keeps me hopeful.
I have a friend from my HS who got into Curtis this year. I know it’s possible!
Thanks again.
One thing to consider - have you run the financial calculators? Conservatories and Schools like Rice meet demonstrated need and Rice adds that to the merit awards. You have to know your expected family contribution, though.
You might take a look at McGill. Lots less expensive than US schools, and not too far from New York. Btw: I don’t know about Kentucky at all. Did want to acknowledge your inquiry before making alternate suggestions.
McGill is on my list! I love it there. I have a good friend who dances there & my opera workshop teacher in school is a graduate! Thank you @songbirdmama
Florida St waives OOS and wil stack academic merit on top of vocal merit. Not all schools stack academic and music merit. If you have the brains, try to get both!
You might also want to consider a really warm coat, then! 
I love McGill, I love Montreal. I do not love Winter!!!
Stand alone conservatories generate their revenues mainly from tuition. They enroll many foreign full pay students. You are smart to keep all your options open and recognizing the few big opera scholarships out there are super competitive. I believe Indiana U has one too… FSU is a good suggestion and playing your cards for academic merit - what about Temple - is a smart strategy.