<p>My daughter plans to major in Bassoon Performance. She was accepted into a number of good programs but right now her top choices are NEC and IU Jacobs School of Music. Each school offered merit scholarships but not the amount we had hoped for. We are appealing financial aid, but who isn't? ;-) NEC is notorious for being stingy with aid. IU is re-evaluating our case and thinks they can come up with more funds. We will know next week.</p>
<p>Anyway, right now she is leaning towards NEC which is more expensive IU. She prefers the smaller campus and the city location. But we are wondering if the quality of education will be that much better at NEC than IU? Yes the faculty at NEC are from the BSO and Boston Pops. But will NEC really provide her with a better music education/experience than IU? Is NEC considered more prestigious than IU when it comes to getting into grad schools? Will it really be worth spending the extra $28K for the four years to let her go to NEC? Our family contribution is still rather sizeable for both schools.</p>
<p>And, how much student loan debt can a music performance major really handle after graduating grad school? (Knowing $0 is probably the correct answer?) Are there other parents out there expecting their music major offspring to share the load? Would love to hear from anyone. Thanks!</p>
<p>A lot really depends on who she will be studying with. Has she had lessons with bassoon teachers at either school? What does her current teacher think? Prestige doesn’t really matter much for graduate school in performance. Just like undergrad, it is all about the audition. Musically, she will get a fine education at either school, but they will offer very different experiences. If she is interested in pursuing academic classes at all, she will have much more selection at Indiana. Indiana will provide something more akin to a regular college experience. NEC is small and she will likely have more personal attention and more performance opportunities. If the teacher situation is relatively equal, then it comes down to personal preferance and cost.</p>
<p>I also recommend the music major forum, where you will find the perspective of parents and students pursuing and engaged in performance disciplines.</p>
<p>I have to agree with shennie. The instructor is of primary importance, but the experiences and environments are different. All are fine faculty, yet there is only one (listed) bassoon faculty at Jacobs. NEC offers three, and studio preference may be a compelling choice.</p>
<p>Both are excellent programs, and each will position a dedicated and talented student well.</p>
<p>You may want to investigate the ratio of grads to undergrads at each, and the studio mix and make up. </p>
<p>It can boil down to cost. Undergrad debt, particularly in a performance field should be kept to a minimum. Grad level work is pretty much a path most musicians end up taking, and that additional expense should be factored in.</p>
<p>IU/Jacobs will offer excellent academic options if she decides to switch gears from a performance path.</p>
<p>In addition to NEC & Jacobs, your daughter had acceptances to a number of fine programs, which makes the choices more difficult. If her level of talent and subsequent award at another program brought her close to a full ride, you may wish to consider that option very seriously.</p>