NYU transfer advice? - Music Business (stein) or Clive Davis

Colleges and Universities A-Z New York University
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<p>Steinhardt does require an audition, but there is no musical component to the curriculum. I know it sounds strange, but that is apparently how they do it. That was one of the main elements that made me lose interest in the Steinhardt program. Basically it's like, "ok, well we're going to audition you to make sure you know how to play, but we're not going to teach you in order to make you a better player." That order of thinking makes no sense to me.</p>

<p>Like I said before, I personally feel that the Clive Davis program is the way to go. The only problem is that both of the Music Business programs at NYU are currently going under tremendous change. Steinhardt's is over 30 years old, while the Clive Davis department is only 3 years old. One is fairly out-dated and one is just an infant. Both programs did acknowledge to me that they will be working much more closely with one another in the coming years.</p>

<p>One main reason that I've decided not to attend NYU for undergrad is that paying $50k a year for the current instability of both of these programs just does not make any sense. Maybe in a few years they will have their new roles and identities solidified, but not yet. Although, if money is not an issue for you - then go for it.</p>

<p>If money is an issue, then maybe you should consider somewhere else for your musical and production education and save NYU for its amazing JD/MBA combo to focus on your corporate management/production goals (this is what I plan to do). After all, Clive Davis himself did not start his career in music until after he had his MBA/JD from Harvard.</p>

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<p>thanks kennyc, </p>

<p>I also like the JD/MBA combo program, but can you get a "music industry" undergraduate degree anywhere that's not expensive? I'm not sure you can beat the "prestige and connections" factor that NYU offers.</p>

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<p>many many schools have music business programs these days. a few include nyu (obviously), usc, cal state northridge, univ of miami, drexel, berklee college of music, wayne state university, columbia college chicago, musicians institue, university of mass. lowell, syracuse...and still many others.</p>

<p>some of these schools are not cheap (usc, berklee), but they are all less money than nyu. some are very inexpensive such as csu northridge ($1500 a semester after you obtain california residency). do not get wrapped up in the brand name of college for undergraduate course work unless you have no plans of attending grad school. </p>

<p>nyu does have prestige, but not for the programs you are entering. how can a program like clive davis that has been around for only three years offer many connections? obviously the faculty have their ins and outs for the industry down tight, but as far as making use of an alumi network...well it just does not exist yet. steinhardt is a different story as it has been around for thirty years, but after being in the music business myself for the better part of the last decade i can gauruntee you that only a small fraction of those grads actually gainfully work in the music industry. steinhardt specifically told me that they do not facilitate any internship or job placement for students or grads, they simply leave it up to them. Forgive me for bringing up Berklee again, but it for example, has a prominent alumni list that reads like a who's who directory of modern music (plus remember how i said many clive davis faculty are berklee alums?).</p>

<p>many people in the music industry that i know and work with either have other kinds of degrees or no degrees at all. music business programs in colleges are fairly new over the broad spectrum of things. the music industry does not hold job fairs or post classified ads. it is about making personal relationships with people who can help put you where you want to be and taking any oppurtunity, no matter how small, that will push you closer towards your goal.</p>

<p>believe me, i am not trying to badmouth nyu or their programs. if i had the money to throw around, i would probably go to nyu for undergrad. nor am i trying to say that going to berklee will guaruntee you a successful career in music. however, the instability and current change in both of the programs at nyu and inability to showcase their alumni's successes just does not make me feel like it is a sound investment.</p>

<p>Once again, the music business is what YOU can make out of it. A college degree means little to a lot of people in music, and what you would mostly gain for yourself is a great amount of knowledge that most people learn from time and experience. any music degree is just not a strong marketing tool to land a job of any kind. graduate degrees, however, can give you specialized skills (such as being an attorney) that will open doors within the industry to you that would otherwise not be available.</p>

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<p>KennyC:</p>

<p>Thanks for the info. I need to decide whether to go business (then music industry grad or JD) or Music Industry (then JD/MBA)..., and time is running out. I'm leaning toward NYU, because I don't want to waste young years outside of the music business, when I can go to NYU and make connections at the same time. Oh well...we'll see...</p>

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<p>Very interesting and informative discussion. I have a Business Management undergrad and am going for my Master's in Steinhardt's Music Business program at NYU this Fall. (ps. Steinhardt doesn't require an audition or GMAT or GRE for grad students but an internship is required as part of the program)Granted, I haven't started the program yet but I think going to NYU for undergrad is just too expensive. I am looking to be an executive for a record label one day and I think the Steinhardt program is perfect for that.<br>
Whatever you decide, good luck collegegirl. :)</p>

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<p>hi, I was wondering what did you do for your portfolio? I just applied for the fal semester and I am really anxious to find out if i got accepted. I really really want to get into this school, I have on the experience side a few amateur performances, sent in demos of professional recorded music with a successful music producer. I have an accumulated 3.8 GPA and lots of extra curricular activities, but I am aware of how selective this program really is and I can see myself going to a school other than NYU…what are my chances?
Thanks</p>

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<p>Can anyone help me, is anyone here in the Clive Davis program? what are my chances of getting in? please help…
what do they want to see on the porfolio…does it matter that i didnt include live performances on video and only my professionally recorded songs?
Ali</p>