<p>For now, I've decided to attend Musicians Institute in Hollywood to obtain a certificate in music business. However, I don't think a certificate will be too helpful in finding me work. Once I graduate from Musicians Institute (it's a 6 month program) I would also like to attend USC to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Music Industry. Would this be helpful in my future or does succeeding in the music industry really depend on WHO you know? My brother went to USC and I'm more determined than ever to succeed.</p>
<p>I've no knowledge of Musicians Institute other than what can be gleaned from their website. It is a for profit school, as opposed to the bulk of non-profit educational institutions discussed on CC.</p>
<p>There is nothing inherently wrong with that. Many for profit schools do an excellent job of providing specific, often technical training in certain fields and have an excellent record of job placement and enjoy very good reputations in supplying candidates within certain fields.</p>
<p>Just realize you're not comparing apples to apples if you're comparing programs, faculty, and overall educational between between the two types of institutions.</p>
<p>"Music business" encompasses a wide range of careers, from promotion, talent management, marketing. In many cases, it requires a degree of entreprenurial skills in addition to the academic basic fundamentals of marketing, finance, psychology, management, music theory and history. Some of these can be taught, but many of these must be nurtured, mentored.</p>
<p>Contacts can very important, but may very well be obtained from the program you cite.</p>
<p>I don't see how it can hurt you, other than potentially in out of pocket costs. It may give you a leg up in USC's program.</p>
<p>A leg up is always a plus.</p>
<p>Why not go directly into USC's program? That's what I'm missing.</p>
<p>Just my $.02.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>The reason I'm not directly going to USC is because I don't have the grades to be admitted right now. However, that will change without a doubt.</p>
<p>Hi Larinaga,</p>
<p>Welcome to CC. violadad has stated it quite well, actually: are you interested in an overall college experience, or are you mostly interested in learning the biz, so to speak, and getting out there and working? I'm a graduate of USC and knew many music industry majors--they graduate with exceptional preparation to enter the field because the faculty at USC are very well connected to the industry, there are ample internship opportunities, etc. However, attached to this vocational training are things like the core curriculum (six categories of academic subjects all USC students need to take, plus two writing courses), school of music mandatory requirements (theory, history, and ensembles--even for music industry majors), etc. </p>
<p>I knew some music industry students who were very restless, saw much of what they had to do as jumping through hoops, and were biding their time to graduate. Others really enjoyed interacting with USC's diverse student body--music and in general--excelled in their theory and history courses, and graduated with honors. Another group I had some contact with were actors: some really wanted to stay and earn a bachelor's degree; others hated studying and writing, saw schoolwork as a distraction, and bided their time until a part in a small film or TV show came up; then they dropped out. </p>
<p>This is the main contrast between Musicians Institute and a university like USC. Even though USC offers professional training, there are "strings attached," so to speak, that aren't part of what Musicians Institute does. So I think this is one of the questions you'll need to answer for yourself in terms of what you want to achieve and how.</p>
<p>I'm interested in the overall college experience, as well as learning the biz. I'm considering not attending Musicians Institute and just giving it my all in order to be admitted into USC. I don't mind the strings attached so to say. I enjoy learning very much. I'm sure USC is the better choice. I've noticed one of the requirements to the admissions process is a "statement of objectives." What exactly does that mean?</p>
<p>If the grades are an issue, you have a couple of options. Look at schools with music business degrees that are a bit less competitive for admissions than USC. You need a safety or two anyway. </p>
<p>You might do a year or two at a community college, pull up your grades, and apply to USC as a transfer. It may add a semester, maybe more if all your cc credits don't transfer.</p>
<p>You can do the MI certificate. It could prove you are serious, and it MIGHT work to your advantage for admission to USC or another program. You may get real lucky, land a job out of MI and change your mind.</p>
<p>Without knowing how close you are to USC's admission standards (or any other program's), or your financial resources, it's difficult to offer a best way as to how you might proceed. I'm just throwing out some options.</p>
<p>Realize that any financial aid from MI would in all probability be federal aid, possibly state loans based on FAFSA. Any federal aid dispensed for the certificate program would be deducted from the aggregrate maximum allowed, possibly hurting you moneywise if you do decide to do a bachelor's program after MI. Do not expect any institution aid from a for profit entity.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>This past year, USC accepted just 4% of the applicants for the music industry program. That's almost as bad as their film program, which accepted just 3% of the applicants. Anyway, you need some realistic backups.</p>
<p>To answer your initial question, no, a college degree is not at all necessary for a career in the music industry. But a college experience is a great way to grow up. Anyone will tell you, what you learn outside of the classroom, is so much more important to become a successful adult, then what you learn in your classes.</p>