<p>I am currently deciding between the Steinhardt School at NYU and Lawrence Conservatory. I am going to be a performance major. I have one day to make a decision. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>Real Yin and Yang there. Both great schools, but we're talking the difference between Manhattan and Appleton, WI. You really need to make that choice, of course assuming that the teachers that you would be studying are equal.</p>
<p>Parents would probably sleep easier at night knowing that you're living in Appleton, but it's all up to you.</p>
<p>Lawrence offers an individualized educational program with excellent advising. My son is in the conservatory program. He is a first year and has had two classes that have been tutorial for music, he and the prof. From their website: "Lawrence encourages self-directed study. More than 90% of Lawrence students choose to work one-on-one with a faculty member participating in an independent study, assisting with faculty research, or co-authoring articles for publication in professional journals. A Lawrence education promotes independence and creativity, emphasizing the application of knowledge." I am beginning to understand what that means. It's real; what they say is what they do. He is also doing a double degree in Government and it looks like a minor in economics.</p>
<p>My son chose LU because he didn't want to just be in a conservatory program. He had lived and breathed music since 7 and wanted to branch out. He wanted a campus environment. He loved the Midwest when he visited and didn't want to be on the East or West coast. </p>
<p>Lawrence is not for everyone. It is a tight-knit welcoming community in a college town on a river. (It would seem to me the opposite of NYC) My son's girlfriend told me that reason she chose LU is because of the type of kids on campus. Her passion is creative writing. I asked her how she is doing and she said that she absolutely loves it.</p>
<p>Although I don't know the program or the city, I imagine being at Steinhardt and in NY would be a wonderful experience as well. It really depends on what you want.</p>
<p>But if you are worried that LU doesn't have the prestige or location, think twice if it offers you the type of education you want. I am beginning to learn that it is a very special place.</p>
<p>At NYU you'd have great academics, including good music theory and history, and probably a very good cello teacher, but the overall level of student playing is not particularly high, and the orchestra is (from what I hear) not very good. Lawrence's academics might be a little lower level, but not much, and the music would be better. NYU does have some very good grad students in performance, and is good for certain instruments-- no doubt. But its music school is definitely less cohesive than Lawrence's and is just not known as a "destination" for undergrad performance students.</p>
<p>I know nothing about NYU, so I really can't compare the two. However, I do know that Lawrence has a very welcoming and supportive atmosphere, excellent academics, and a great music program. My son was also accepted there. For him, however, it was just not big enough. He wanted a place with a larger range of music activities and opportunities, so he chose Indiana. However, he was still impressed with the music teachers and students he met at Lawrence.</p>
<p>Welcome, retrocellist55</p>
<p>If you have more than a slight preference for one of the teachers over the other, then I would suggest going that way. </p>
<p>If not, I will pass along the advice my daughter's GC gave her, "Apply with your head, choose with your heart." At this point, it is too late to do a lot more complicated analysis. Go where you feel you belong.</p>