I was planning to be a vocal performance major at either SUNY Potsdam Crane School of Music or SUNY Fredonia School of Music. I was accepted academically to both schools but not accepted into the music schools themselves. I have a few options, I’m just slightly distraught and would love some reassurance.
1.) I could attend either school as undeclared and take courses, join groups, and be involved just like someone who was accepted. Honestly, I would feel as though I was not good enough to be there doing those things.
2.) I could try applying to other schools, but I have had no luck finding a school whose vocal performance or music theatre application deadline hasn’t already happened. I am also interested in things like business of music, sound technology, and conducting if anyone knows anything in that area as well.
3.) I could look into not starting in the fall and perhaps trying to take some lessons with a professor as well as perhaps join a local theater guild.
I’m reaching out to you all hoping you can give me some advice on my situation. I am very open minded to all ideas. I am a female from New York state.
I would suggest number 1 and continue to take private voice lessons. I know of at least two VP student who are doing quite well in top tier MM programs who only took private lessons as undergrads. One was a architecture major and the other a comp-sci major.
That’s a bummer. But its not the end of the world. Check out the College of St. Rose in Albany. they may still have openings. Also, The Community College in Schenectady has music and music audio programs.
At some point in early May, a list comes out with colleges that are still accepting students. At that point, it would be too late to do an audition, but you could take music courses, and maybe pick up some lessons.
The other option would be to take a gap year to work on your singing, and try again next year. one suggestion (and keep in mind voice is not an area I am familiar with) would be to find a high level teacher you could get to , at either one of the programs you want to go to, or a good quality music school , and ask for an assessment of your singing. This will give you an idea of where you stand with singing and the ability to get into the programs you want.If it comes out that you are not really close, it could be you decide to keep singing as something you do for fun and concentrate on something else; if you are not that far, just need to work some things out, a gap year with a good teacher might work out great, or maybe go in academically and study privately through 4 years, then try at the MM level (one of the things about voice from what I have learned on here, is that voices develop later, it is way different then the insanity of violin where one of these days I think they are going to start in utero, vocal may (and I emphasize the may, since i am no expert on voice) give you more flexibility.
As little as I know about voice, I would forget quite honestly about trying program still accepting students, VP is competitive as heck, and I don’t know how much value you would get out of a school like that; could be you would find a gem of a teacher in an unknown school, but it would literally be a stroke of lightening.
@musicamusica thank you very much. That is my game plan as of right now. I’m hopeful that I will fall into that category. 
@electricbassmom I agree. It is very upsetting, but I know everything will work out. I will check into those colleges, thank you, dearly. The list is a great idea, as well!
@musicprnt good points! That’s also something that I’ve considered. I’m going to take lessons no matter what I do, I think. Thank you, truly!
I really appreciate all of your advice. <3