<p>My parents scheduled a meeting with the head of music admissions at Umass Amherst. I'm pretty sure it's just us three and him, I'm only a junior so it's not an interview of me or anything. Correct me if I'm wrong but I think I'm just supposed to ask questions, if so, what are some important questions to ask?</p>
<p>Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>It would be good to ask things that are not answered on the school web site. If you ask really obvious stuff you will be telling them that you did not bother to find out very much about the school on your own. You might ask about how many students on your instrument (or voice) applied for admission this year and how many they plan to accept. You could ask if the number of expected graduates for your voice or instrument this year will be smaller than, about equal to or larger than usual. That will give you an idea of whether there will be fewer or more applicants accepted next year. You could ask some questions about obtaining sample lessons from faculty members if you have not already had them there. You could ask about what graduates from their program wind up doing. If, after reading their web site carefully, you have any questions concerning the application process, be sure to ask those.</p>
<p>Hi Adimi: Besides what BassDad has suggested, I would also print up his article “Music Major Hopes” located at the top of the forum. There is a lot of great information there and potential questions. Study the school website as he suggests. Find out if the school is accredited by the NASM. Check out the academic requirements for the various degrees and see what kind of flexibility is in the degree programs. Make sure they have the degree options you are interested in. Ask about the academic profile of their entering freshmen, and how important are grades vs auditions. Ask about using AP credits and testing out of piano/theory requirements. Ask about their ensembles and their make-up (grad vs undergrad, majors vs non-majors). Ask about merit scholarships and financial aid. Hidden costs such as paying for accompanists. Ability to choose your teacher, if multiple teachers are available. Are lessons made up if the teacher is away. Opportunities to learn adjunctive instruments/disciplines. Who will be present for the audition. Where do graduates go? (this is really important). Lastly, consider asking where applicants go who turn down offers from this particular school. </p>
<p>I also suggest meeting as many people in the admissions office as you can when you visit, and find out who are the best people to call and their numbers in case you have to call back in the future. It really helps to connect names to faces, and it is not always obvious who is who from their websites.</p>
<p>I think there have been prior conversations on this topic also. Maybe violadad can find them? (Thanks in advance, violadad!)</p>
<p>CC’s search function has been timing out most of the day at least for me. Stymied now on adding links to at least three posts. </p>
<p>(I think people think I work here… :D)</p>
<p>I think those people are right, even though you aren’t employed here.</p>
<p>CC has been slow for me today as well. Did SAT scores get released today or something?</p>
<p>Don’t know about SAT scores, or anything else. Had to check the calendar, as it has crashed the last two years when Ivy admits are released.</p>
<p>I went to the Community Forum to start a thread to report the issue, and there were three already existing. Seems it’s been a problem over the last day or three.</p>
<p>It also is notoriously slow in adding a post once the submit key is hit.</p>
<p>As BassDad said, go in informed. The basic criteria that you used to narrow down your list can now be further defined and clarified. My recollection is that you are considering a performance/ed path, so you will want to know some ed specifics if not addressed within the web materials: if performance faculty teach music ed students, if lesson times are of the same length, ensemble and performance opportunities the same. Success of grads, percent employed upon graduation, and percent still in teaching five and ten years down the road. Inquire about the student teaching experience. And try and get a feel for the ability to switch direction from the dual pursuit should you decide to concentrate on only one aspect.</p>
<p>Some general background
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/865050-questions-ask-campus-visits.html?highlight=visits[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/865050-questions-ask-campus-visits.html?highlight=visits</a>
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/448592-questions-ask.html?highlight=questions[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/448592-questions-ask.html?highlight=questions</a> (vocal specific)
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/891462-questions-after-acceptance.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/891462-questions-after-acceptance.html</a></p>