<p>I just finished my second year in a relatively good university composition/theory program but I'm somehow unsatisfied. My grades are fine and I'm pleased with my creative work, but I don't think I quite fit in at this school - the music school is a cliquey mess that I don't really have a part in, and while I get along fine in the couple of non-music student organizations I've joined, I haven't been able to keep up in the high-pressure, cool-kid, party-oriented social scene. I chose to apply to this school in the first place because they allowed a double major outside of music, but it's an option I didn't explore. I'm also (a bit unfairly?) concerned about the obscurity of the composition program; I'm hoping to teach at the collegiate level eventually and my teacher has mentioned that only a handful of graduates have completed doctoral programs and none have received faculty positions. I thought of transferring as early as the first semester I spent on campus, and although I became more comfortable as time went on I still haven't let the thought go.</p>
<p>On the other hand, it's an enormous risk. I would lose at least a year and probably two, forfeit my merit scholarship, and lose face with the theory/composition faculty if were I to ask them for recs and then either be denied from the school of my choice or choose not to transfer. I'm highly hesitant, but since I haven't been able to let the thought go I feel like it's something I might like to explore.</p>
<p>As for schools, I'm thinking of Rice, Bard, Peabody, SFCM and possibly Juilliard. I have good grades and a fairly impressive portfolio, but I've heard that some composition programs give the option of transfer applications but never accept anyone, but I don't know where; if anyone has any knowledge about this that would be helpful.</p>
<p>TL;DR: Rising junior composition major finds current school meh, but transferring risky. Worth applying to high-end conservatories anyway?</p>
<p>My advice is not to transfer - you’re too far along. Unless you can transfer for spring semester - I know Bard allows this, but on the other hand I’ve never heard of them accepting a transfer composition student into the Conservatory. If you were interested in transferring into the college music program instead, that would be different. But really, at this point I think you should stay where you are and try to reform your experience into one that’s more satisfying. Where you get your undergrad degree is not going to stop you from getting a PhD and teaching position. Yes, if your professors have no personal connections at the top composition programs, or if the graduates at your program are not respected - then you’ll have to make the case for yourself entirely on your own.</p>
<p>But most composition applicants are admitted mostly on their portfolios anyway, and you say you’re happy with your creative work. Yes, the resume counts - commissions, performances, recordings, major prizes. See what you can do to make some of those happen for yourself. And there’s nothing stopping you from making connections outside of your program. Start going to every new music concert and see if you can meet the performers and the composers.Correspond with them, send them your music. Go to festivals and workshops in the summer. Start your own music ensemble at school. Make your own clique. Play the music you want to play. Build your own audience. You’re going to need to do this anyway as a composer - no reason not to start now. </p>
<p>Yes, Letters of Recommendation are important for grad school - and the connections of your teachers. See if you can find ways to make personal connections with the professors at the grad schools of interest to you. Look for internships where you might get to know them, or festivals you can attend. I have no idea what school you’re at now, or what part of the country. Certainly if you’re in a major musical town your opportunities will be easier. If you’re more isolated, you’ll just have to be more creative in making things happen for yourself. </p>
<p>I can’t say I am an expert on composition, but I agree with SM based on my limited knowledge, that you would be better off staying where you are, finish the program, and then apply to a good grad school for composition. From what I know it is hard to transfer, and then you will have to acclimatize to a new program, new teachers, and may face culture shock with the faculty at said school if their view on composition is radically different than what you have done. Given that you think you want to go the PHd path, and are going to grad school, finish strongly as you can where you are, try to make connections, talk to your teachers about it, and use the grad school as the springboard. I suspect where you go to grad school will have a lot more impact on possibly getting a teaching position then where you got your UG, and people do go to the ‘big’ programs in composition, like Yale SOM, for grad school out of a lot of different UG programs. </p>