<p>VERY hard decision trying to decide between JMU, Shenandoah and BOCO. My D really wants BOCO but she will graduate with a $50,000 debt, whereas with the other two colleges she would not. The dilemna is...will the BOCO network and training pan out in the end and make the debt worth the price. My background is in classical theater and I know from professional experience that network coupled with good training mean EVERYTHING. I am not as familiar with the workings of the music industry. I know that JMU has a great opera/classical department but is there a strong connection to the professional world?...and the full saturation to music that Boston offers...then again she can always try BOCO for graduate school. If she chooses Virginia,the question lingers will next year pose a "what if" scenario. AAHHH, the dilemna.
Similar situation last year with my other daughter....she was accepted in Syracuse for a BFA in acting and Muhlenberg for a BA in theater/music. We stayed up until the early hours on April 30th weighing the pros and cons. She chose Muhlenberg because she did not want to steer away from music and general education courses. She LOVES where she is and it has proven to be a great choice. I hope April 30th of this year brings as good of luck.
Speaking to recent graduated students, they thought that $50,000 was not that bad a number!!! What a statement that makes. Education is only affordable to the very wealthy or the poor. The middle class, as usual carries the torch.
Any personal imput on BOCO would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>How does a young classical singer, who, at age 22 upon graduation, will most definitely need additional years of training/grad school, pay back $50,000 without cutting into needed funds for living, training, travel, etc.? I’d say find a good teacher at one of the other schools and do not go into debt. Being debt free will give her a leg up on her future, no matter what it may hold. From what I’ve read on this board, these other schools are excellent choices, equal to or better than BOCO. Good luck!</p>
<p>I don’t know if you are familiar with the new forum for classical singer but there is a wealth of information there…just google it… Lots of professional singers, teachers students posting…</p>
<p>Anyway…they always say…doesn’t matter where you went to school…matters what comes out of your mouth when you sing…No way I’m leaving DD with $50,000 debt to pay off when she graduates…I’m also not doing it…that’s $500 a month!</p>