S23 Junior. I think music ed major will stick (voice although he plays an instrument as well). We would like to start planning out some college visits. Here is a tentative long list thus far. (number listed irrelevant. These are not listed by preferences. Just how my computer made the list)
Anyone have any strong opinions either way with programs? I dont think there is a perfect unicorn out there for him. He would love a midsized school with spirit and sports in a place with lots to do that isn’t too rural and is near water or mountains. Thus I don’t think he will find one that checks all his boxes.
GPA will likely end up around 3.4/3.5 which I know can affect admissions. ACT about 30-31. Cost will be a factor but consider all on this list as affordable for now. ECs 4 years of 2 sports, musical, band, and choirs (he takes choir as a class and does 2 extra EC choirs as well. Will likely be leader of one of the acapella groups next year). He has basic knowledge of piano and plays flute at a good level.
Gonzaga (WA)
*Xavier (OH)
*Loyola-New Orleans
*Stetson (FL)
*Jacksonville (FL)
U of North Florida
U of Redlands (CA)
Roanoke (VA)
*U of Indy (IN)
Salve Regina (RI)
Lawrence (WI)
*Shenandoah (VA)
*U of Pacific (CA)
Gettysburg ¶
*Duquesne ¶
Gustavus Adolphus (MN)
*U of St. Thomas (MN)
Baldwin Wallace (OH)
*Otterbein (OH)
*Western Colorado (CO)
Augustana (SD)
Carthage (WI)
UWi- Eau Claire
Western Carolina U
U of Minn-Twin Cities
Northern Arizona U
U of Arizona
ETA: Child may qualify for Tuition Exchange and/or FACHEX/Jesuit schools.
Any others on this list you would recommend?
University of Puget Sound — should get merit aid talent scholarship
Ithaca
I have Roanoke on my S22’s list… have you looked into Music Ed there? Seemed like they didn’t have much of a program but perhaps I am remembering wrong.
There was only 1 music ed major at Roanoke this year (per their CDS that I can see) so no, not much of a program. Was just looking at options that may be available to him for possible reduced tuition. But thanks for reminding me to look into program numbers.
Since you already have a couple "WCU"s on your list…
I would add West Chester University (Pa.)
It has great music/music ed. programs. It’s a nice campus in a nice little city. Not quite near water or mountains, but there are a lot of outdoor activities (hiking, biking, camping) not far away. Plus, less than an hour to Philadelphia.
Thanks for that info. I was genuinely curious. My S has a dual interest in health sciences and music ed so he plans to apply to Roanoke regardless. (Low-ish GPA so we really need some less competitive schools…) We did visit Loyno with my D who went elsewhere and really liked it, moreso for S who is a percussionist and jazz musician. They seemed like they had FANTASTIC relationships with local schools for their music ed majors.
Northern Arizona is great for music Ed. We know a lot of outstanding music teachers from NAU. And Flagstaff is beautiful.
Also University of North Texas for choral music Ed. My son is there. He’s having a great experience and getting a strong education musically and as a teacher. He’s also been able to keep up with a second instrument and is singing in a jazz choir this year as well as his classical choirs. UNT also has a conductors choir composed of all the choral music Ed majors that gives the soon-to-be student teachers additional conducting practice. My son loves this choir and in addition to singing and conducting, he often accompanies on his secondary instrument and on piano. So many opportunities at UNT. There is a lake nearby but no mountains.
I have to admit I find a few of the options from the midwest…different (as we say here).
UWi - Eau Claire and St. Thomas…not really music schools.
In the WI/MN area, most kids would be looking at Lawrence, St. Olaf, Luther (Iowa) for private schools with strong music programs. UMN and Madison (WI) have fine programs too. I know that Gustavus (as well as Concordia) do music as well…that old luthern tradition runs deep here. Still St. Thomas and Eau Claire are head scratchers for me. Carthage as well - maybe it has music - but not the reputation in the area.
Those are schools that have music ed and he would have potential for discounted or free tuition. (Lawrence is on the list).
Big state flagship nearby including UIUC, Madison, or Minn TC could be reaches due to GPA.
eta: His more local FACHEX likely admits with free tuition Loyola Chicago and Marquette dont offer music ed. So unless he changes his major, they are not options sadly.
Western Michigan has a well-regarded music school. Kalamazoo is an excellent college town. I believe OOS tuition is capped at 1.25 times the in-state rate. Good luck.
Added Ithaca, Western Michigan, and U of Hartford to schools to look at.
Any other suggestions for music education programs where a lower academic stats kid might be accepted? (guessing gpa 3.4/3.5 UW and 29-30 ACT score).
Musically he is solid but not “amazing.” I love my kid and think he is awesome but I’m also realistic. He is a male vocal bass who also plays flute relatively well along with some basic piano and guitar.
Well its a list of 42 right now for him to start to look at. As hes a junior, he has until next fall to really cut it down. But he likes having a bit of a guided list to start.
By “looking at” do you mean websites and virtual visits/iinfo sessions? How many is he going to actually visit? For music ed I hope he can get it down to 8, but that’s me.
I have a couple specific questions for him to look into. I wouldn’t have thought about this pre-Covid, but one of our young professionals did extensive research into adding public school teacher credentials to BM and MM from a major conservatory. Didn’t go that route in the end, but did learn much.
Find out if the state where your S is looking requires the Music Praxis test and, if it does, what the college/univerity’s pass rate is. I was rather stunned to learn that some schools have low pass rates on this exam even after multiple attempts. Passing the exam is necessary in many states to get licensure. (It is a thorough test of theory, music history, and teaching of instrumental, vocal, general music.)
2). Check the placement ratios for music ed students post graduation. I know in my state that the flagship does a lot of the job placements which impacts smaller schools. Placement success can vary instrumental vs choral/vocal vs general music - so he should check specifically on the area he is interested in.
3). Related, if he likes a school in one state, but would prefer to live and work in another post-graduation, check if there is reciprocity in the licensing requirements - or note what additional tests or other criteria must be met to be eligible for a license where not initially certified.
Another thought, don’t write-off a flagship due to grades if he otherwise might like it and it’s affordable. Music Ed majors must audition with a good audition possibly pulling some weight. His stats aren’t atrocious!!!
