<p>I am planning to apply to Crane, but I read that SUNY Potsdam is about 98% students from New York state. Does anyone know what the make-up is for the Crane School of Music itself? I am from Maine and was wondering if I would feel out of place at all. Also, are Crane students known to be friendly? </p>
<p>Any information you could share would be awesome. Pluses and Minuses of Crane would be great if you have any opinions on that...</p>
<p>Thanks!!</p>
<p>Can't speak directly to the student experience other than son had a hs friend (from CT) who had a fine experience and education at Crane. Crane has a top northeast and national rep for producing well qualified music educators.</p>
<p>All things considered, it's a fine school with a nice performing arts center and a great value for in state students.</p>
<p>One drawback to Crane that might not be apparent is access due to location. Potsdam itself is a nice enough college town but it's a drive-only destination. The nearest decent sized airport is Syracuse, a couple of hours away, and the # of flights there isn't great. Getting a student home at a busy travel time, like Thanksgiving, could be difficult unless they have a ride or plan way ahead.</p>
<p>New York State is in an extreme financial crisis right now. What that will mean for SUNY schools is uncertain but budget cuts in some form are anticipated because these are happening throughout the state.</p>
<p>Crane itself has most of the Potsdam students from outside NY State, the ratio is closer to 10% in Crane, with many from Vt & Mass. Recently Cape Air has started direct flights from Massena (25 miles away) to Albany.</p>
<p>Crane has 600 students, nearly all undergrads, and nearly all courses are taught by faculty - very few grad assts. Three major tracks for the BM, Music Education, Performance, Music Business. Music Ed Students can also major in performance or music business if they can handle the workload.</p>
<p>You will fit in fine at crane, you are already used to the weather. Keep in mind New York state is very diverse NYC is different then Rochester and Hunter or Long Island. Crane attracts kids from all over the state and I think is a great deal even for an OSS. We visited Crane last April My D does not think she can deal with the harsh weather and also wanted a bigger school. If these dont concern you then it is a good fit. Also the food there is great ranked #2 among all SUNYS.</p>
<p>Just a point for the newbies and those unaware: there are a number of "Master List" threads on the music forum, and they are accessible thought the search function. I have on occasion linked to them in other threads.</p>
<p>The '08 Master list of acceptances <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/424909-master-list-music-school-acceptances-fall-2008-a-33.html?highlight=master+list%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/424909-master-list-music-school-acceptances-fall-2008-a-33.html?highlight=master+list</a>
and the '08 Master list of final decisions <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/476684-master-list-final-decisions-fall-2008-a-10.html?highlight=master+list%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/476684-master-list-final-decisions-fall-2008-a-10.html?highlight=master+list</a>
are great resources in locating posters (past and present) with specific school or discipline knowledge.</p>
<p>Part of the beauty of this forum is the willingness of people to share information. By all means post questions to the board, but in the absence of detailed response(s), it doesn't hurt to go directly to a source with current or recent program experience through CC's pm & email features. </p>
<p>The worst that can happen is you may not get a reply. :)</p>
<p>I was also wondering if Crane students and the other students at SUNY Potsdam socialize...or does it feel like you are in a school of about 650?</p>
<p>Also, I was a little surprised at the low retention rate at Potsdam, 77% and the graduation rate is 43%! I am wondering why this is.</p>
<p>SUNY</a> - Potsdam Profile</p>
<p>Do you think this is different for the Crane School of Music?</p>
<p>Most of the students at SUNY Potsdam and Crane are from NY. However, I believe there are more students from out of state within Crane than there are in Potsdam, but it's still a majority of NYers. Some of your questions are of a more personal nature and I would be happy to answer them...feel free to PM me. I attended Crane last year, was grossly dissatisfied there and ended up transferring to Temple University.</p>
<p>I agree with Flugel on the financial crises in NY. Before I left, there was talk about less financial aid and tuition going up, the latter happens every year tho. However, my financial aid package was smaller to a surprising degree for the upcoming year, had I stayed there.</p>
<p>Sopranodad, with all due respect, I have to say that I think it very misleading to say greatbooks would do very well at Crane. There are many more factors to consider in the college decision than just size and weather. I only say this because I was hasty and foolish regarding my first year of college and only learned through the trials of time and experience of all the other factors which can affect one's decision on where they want to be for the next four years, earning a degree to get them a job. </p>
<p>As to the food, I suppose it depends on what you define as great. I find the food selection and quality to be better here at Temple, but they are vastly different schools. But at the same time, at any college you will find the buffets with day old food sitting out there...haha.</p>
<p>As to the graduation rate, well, to be honest, the academic side of Potsdam isn't the highest. I personally found it to be more like a community college. The acceptance rate is ridiculously high and they actually accepted too many students my year. There are many students who spend 5, and even 6 years at Potsdam because they didn't take their classes seriously...and there are a fair number of dropouts. The only reasoning I can guess behind it would be that many of the students who go to Potsdam aren't exactly academically motivated and are just in college to be in college. It's a party school, to a large extent. In some of the classes I took, enormous numbers of students failed out because they didn't put in the work. Five of my classes failed over half the class or more to students not putting in the work they needed to. Not to mention that the classes are ridiculously easy for a college level. To quote my sophomore writing professor, "I expect that you can write in complete sentences but if you can't that's ok, we can work on that". My junior year classes were harder than almost all my classes at Potsdam. </p>
<p>What are you planning on pursuing there for your major? Keep in mind that this is all based on my experience there but many have found success there, granted, it was a different school when they went, but still. I'm not familiar with the other music areas, but for Opera, both Stephanie Blythe and Renee Fleming graduated from there and are known on a international level. Ultimately, it's your decision and if Potsdam/Crane offers what you want, I say go for it. Only you can determine what place is right for you.</p>
<p>Best of luck and feel free to pm me with any other questions!</p>