As acceptances and nonacceptances are rolling in there is discussion of a Gap Year.
What about students who get into top schools of their choice, but do not get anywhere near the $$$ aid (whether it be merit or need based) they need to attend? If a school offers a certain amount of merit one year and a candidate does not accept, has anyone heard of them getting a larger scholarship the next year?
Or, is it better to accept an offer at a lesser known but affordable school, and then reapply the following year as a transfer student? I already know the answer to this for my own child’s situation, but I’m wondering about other people’s experiences and thoughts on the subject.
If you can’t afford it this year, you can’t afford it next year. Merit isn’t going up. Take a gap year if kid is really unhappy with the affordable choices with the understanding that they need to build a list of all affordable choices next year.
I don’t see the point of the transfer idea. The school will still be unaffordable.
@intparent I don’t think that is at all true for a music student. I am not talking about academic merit or financial aid.
Many kids can have tremendous growth in a gap year and I know several that went on to score very large talent scholarships at schools they were not even admitted to the year before.
As for transfers, I think it’s always a concern for music kids because so many schools will not accept music credits from other schools. But, in reality, I think that is something that should be looked into on a school by school basis, because I don’t know that it is true across the board.
Tremendous growth in a gap year, yes, but applications have to go out by end of November. So the student only has a few months to improve, not a whole
month.
Auditions aren’t until February…
@CaraCoMO
Also know that by accepting at the “lesser” school, it is also completely possible your child will be happy there and thrive.
My fear with a gap year was that since my D was already a working musician, she may not have gone at all. I believe a college degree (in basically anything) is important.
My D chose a “lesser” school (despite viable options at well known programs) that she really didn’t even know anything about - just that they had the major she was interested in, they would still accept her application and give an audition despite being after May 1 ;), and the environment was what she was looking for. Turns out she is getting an excellent education by wonderful teachers - her voice teacher has Grammy’s, her piano teacher is an Eastman grad, her guitar teacher and her other music professors are also well educated and/or successful working musicians. The environment is perfect for her. She didn’t need more. She’s happy. She is paving her own path to her own success.
I believe on this years “journey” thread, there is at least one student seeing great success in transferring.
There is NOT only ONE way to do this!
There has been a lot of great reading on the weight we put on the “perfect college” with the recent admissions scandal. I believe you can find the same level of success (which is most relative to your abilities) regardless of college selection.
@dbandmom I appreciate your insight. If my s does not get the $$$ he needs for one of the top tier schools he applied to then he does have other affordable music school options. It was actually other posts that got me thinking “gap year” and reapply? My thinking is, the money still might now be there a year out from now and then he’s still at square one. We also live in a place that has limited jazz opportunities. He needs/wants to get out of this town, at least for now! For that reason, I don’t think a gap year is right for him in this case, but I am looking for other perspectives.
@dbandmom, either on the list or in a PM, could you share what school and what major? My son only applied to “lesser-known” schools except one which is unaffordable, and I’d love to hear success stories. Thanks.
I wrote this on the other thread you posted on, and clarified a little:
I would consider the “lesser school” depending on teacher of course. There might be more chance to perform and shine, who knows. I think trying to commit to that school and making it work might be a pleasant surprise.
It can be hard watching peers going off to school and not doing the same. Of course, a productive gap year, if well-planned, can feel okay in that regard.
I think this really depends on personality and some other factors particular to each case and story, but I do think sometimes kids go to what seems like an inferior choice, relative to their top one, and thrive.
None of us can answer that of course, since we don’t know your musician kid.
@music2023 they have almost seven months to improve for prescreenings and 10-11 months before auditioning. For kids that were taking AP classes, marching band, sports… their senior year, that 7-11 months of concentration will certainly make a huge difference. Even if they had only a few months to prep, the lack of senior year distractions alone would make a huge impact.
@CaraCoMO we thought about a gap year for D and scholarships was part of the consideration. However, we’ve decided against that as her second choice is a great option and very affordable. Is S happy with his more affordable choices. Maybe have him talk with the teachers of his top tier schools to see what the teachers would advise. They may be able to get him more money or at least advise him that yes, he’d have a shot at more money or no, he’d be wasting his time.
Also, in jazz are there masterclasses/workshops during the year he could attend? I know in the classical world there are lots of those opportunities. Lastly, is one of his lesser tier choices near a full ride? Instead of a gap year, attend that school and then transfer the next year knowing he will be starting over as a first year student. I was told by Eastman they won’t accept transfer credits. D has almost a full ride (tuition and housing) at our state school and we discussed doing just that but D Doesn’t want to.
@sunnysar I like your idea of talking to the teachers at his top choices if he ends up getting admitted (so far one yes with merit but not enough, one wait list, and two still waiting) but with not enough $$$. I think it could be valuable for him to talk to them and get feedback and suggestions from them. Sadly our sort of top “safe” school has become less desirable as he learned more about the program for his instrument and realized it might not be the best fit for him. But, at another “safe” school he has almost 100% tuition and very affordable housing. It isn’t over yet, just trying to explore options.
Bummer about the safe school program not being a good fit! Does he have a mentor in the field that can guide him? We’re on the classical side so not sure if it’s the same for your S but D needs to get a masters so the savings on undergrad is important. My D has some great mentors/contacts who have all been instrumental in our decisions (although still waiting on three schools). one teacher is very well known in the flute world and asked around about D’s second choice school and came up with nothing but positive feedback on the teacher and studio thus sealing the deal for us. I hope his top choices come through with more money for him! I’m looking forward to this being all over but if in the end our D changes her mind and decides to take a gap year, I’m ready to take it all on again.