<p>Spelmom, I think I'm reading that you're willing to go ahead with MSM without money, right? (Sorry, it's early. My coffee hasn't kicked in yet.) You may want to contact the school and appeal for money, especially if you can make any kind of case for it. (Did the financial info come with the application? Sometimes it comes separately.) It can't hurt anything at this point, and might help. But you have to go fast, while there still might be some money available - from students who are turning down their spots.</p>
<p>Binx,</p>
<p>Yes, you are correct. We do not qualify for need based aid, and S did not receive a merit award from MSM--this information came with the acceptance. I do intend to contact them to see if this might perhaps change if others turn down their awards. While we were not expecting much, as they did make clear that an award, if offered, would be minimal, the fact that New School has offered a substantial merit award, as did his safety school, Northern IL, does give pause. S is my child who is most sensitive to finances, and he is having trouble with turning down the merit award, even though MSM is his clear first choice. We will weigh all three choices carefully over the next few weeks, but chances are good that he will attend MSM. He has a decent shot at some outside scholarship $ that will help somewhat.</p>
<p>Spelmom-</p>
<p>Our son is halfway through a music ed degree and NOW has the chance to transfer into MSM. It is not a lock that he will do so.
He may complete his music ed bachelor then go for masters performance....
Son will come home this weekend to discuss it with us.....
He may even consider commuting since we are in northern NJ. Not optimal, but would save some $$$.</p>
<p>In a perfect world, we wouldn't have to give this much thought. He put in the hard work to get admitted and he should be able to attend, right?
But we have another child to consider and modest income. </p>
<p>Wish there was a way to send our son's merit aid to yours, if he declines!! This is just not too easy, is it?</p>
<p>Our experience with merit awards at the better schools was also disappointing. These awards are based on the audition so it is pretty difficult for the schools to review these awards. We had better success with workstudy. It is also possible for a music student to make some significant money getting together with others and doing outside gigs.</p>
<p>edad-</p>
<p>Our DS was awarded some workstudy at his current school and also at MSM. He was a bit but not the full awarded amount.
The reality of long practice sessions, multiple ensembles and in his case, student teaching, just limits his ability to work as much as he'd like.</p>
<p>He has done some wonderful outside gigs and that helps alot since we don't provide pocket money!</p>
<p>Edad makes a good point about gigs, especially in NYC. My S stayed at school over spring break (2 weeks) and picked up nearly $1000 in gigs. Both schools you're looking at are in NYC, so you may have that going for you either way.</p>
<p>Thanks so much to all for your comments and support. Musicmom, that is such a kind thought. I know your situation, believe me. D just finished undergrad last year. If S were the middle child, this type of outlay would be out of the question for us as well. I hope that things will work out for your S the way you want them to.</p>
<p>I confess to being a bit overwhelmed at the present with less than 24 hours into this. I have been so stressed for weeks about the results that I find it impossible at this moment to transition into being overwrought about how to pay for it all. But I believe it will work out.</p>
<p>Edad and binx, we sure are hoping for gigging opportunities. I don't know how quickly those will come, certainly the competition must be keen, but eventually I would expect that they would. I know he would be comfortable with that as he has a good deal of experience.</p>
<p>I think this has been addressed somewhat in a different thread, but does anyone have any thoughts on a BFA degree v a BM degree?</p>
<p>Spelmom, I know nothing at all about The New School, but I am sure at Manhattan the gigs will come. Especially if he's willing to take something outside of jazz once in awhile. My S has even had a paying gig AT Manhattan, when they needed another (french) horn in their orchestra or something. Once you start taking a few gigs, it snowballs via the networking. My S takes all the gigs he can get (he needs the money) but he still has to turn down plenty, and passes them on to other horn players. I think the same will happen with your s.</p>
<p>Re: BFA vs. BM, I think there's a thread about it on here somewhere already.</p>
<p>My son is a alto sax player (primarily) and is visiting Juilliard, the New School, Manhattan School of Music and NYU while in New York. He will also be visiting Berklee College of Music in Boston where he has as a high school junior been offered a good scholarship. Any thoughts on these comparisons? He is also a vocalist, plays keyboards and likes to compose and record.</p>
<p>Dolphin 8</p>
<p>I assume your son is a jazz student and he must be very talented if he has already been offered a scholarship as a junior. Congratulations to you both. My S is also a jazz tenor saxophonist and we considered all the NY schools you mentioned. We did not consider Berklee. Juilliard has an outstanding faculty and was very attractive to S. However, it is a very small program; my understanding is the instrumentation for the entire undergraduate program consists of one jazz orchestra. They also require as part of the pre-screening repetoire demonstration of doubling ability so if your S intends to apply, he should be prepared for that. My S did apply, but was not invited to audition. </p>
<p>We also visited NYU and attended the information session. I would have preferred a university based program, but as our search progressed I came to understand that my S really wanted a conservatory experience. He felt the performance program at NYU was not strong enough and did not apply.</p>
<p>We did visit Manhattan on the same trip as the NYU visit, and despite my reservations about a conservatory, I loved it instantly. Other parents I know later confessed the same. The saxophone faculty is very strong, the atmosphere was energetic and warm, and every student I spoke with loved the place. While my S also applied to the New School, we never visited because school was never in session while we were in NY. What I know about the program suggests to me that it is a better environment for graduate study. One of the big draws for students is that you can study with whomever you choose; if that individual is not on the faculty the school will pay for it. However, I believe that option is only for upperclassmen. We do know a student who recently transferred there after three years at a LAC and he confirmed what I had heard elsewhere that the school does not have the strongest students. I believe they are working hard to compete for top students, however, and will award generous merit scholarship.</p>
<p>My S was offered a generous scholarship at New School, but after talking with all his music teachers and mentors, I think we have decided to go with Manhattan. All have agreed it is the best choice. Justin DiCioccio, who chairs the program is very highly regarded, the school draws top jazz students from across the country, particularly saxophonists, and the facilities and location are wonderful. </p>
<p>Your son should definitely auditon for the Grammy Ensemble next year--selected students who are seniors are automatically admitted to Manhattan, probably Berklee as well. Good luck with your search.</p>
<p>My son did two workshops with Justin DiCioccio as part of the Essentially Ellington Competition (HS). He is one VERY critical dude (sigh).</p>
<p>That sounds a little scary. Is he nasty about it? I know he was on S's audition panel, but I don't think he made any comments. S has been pretty tight lipped about the audition.</p>
<p>OOPS! </p>
<p>My son has since informed me via instant message that Justin DiCioccio was the fun guy, and another person they had was the mean guy.</p>
<p>Sorry about that!</p>
<p>just heard Ball State has violin gradiate assistanship opening. Should cover everything. looks like I can still apply. any thoughts on this school?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>I don't know about the school. What I know is that they hired violin teacher (from Russia originally). She used to be at CCM where I'm actually. She is great!
hope this helps.
Good luck!</p>