<p>I am a classical voice applicant for the class of 2015. I am planning on pursuing a double-degree in performance and liberal arts (history/religion/ethnomusicology). I cannot make a decision between Oberlin and Rochester. </p>
<p>Based on my lessons with voice professors at each school, Eastman seems like a much better fit for me. Based on quality of life, Oberlin seems like a better fit simply because I would definitely fit in with the student body and it is not a 20-minute commute back and forth between the conservatory and everything else. When I visited Oberlin, I felt a certain comfort there which I did not feel as much when I was at Rochester the very next day. How much do I weigh in quality of life?</p>
<p>This brings me to my next conundrum. If I went to Rochester, where would it make the most sense for me to dorm? I find a certain appeal in living in the Eastman bubble up North. I would be around more kindred music majors, but I do want a "college experience", after all. </p>
<p>There is also the issue of grad vs. no grad. Oberlin has no grad program, therefore, by the end of my time there, I would be more likely to score roles in the opera than I would be at Eastman. How much should I weigh this into my decision?</p>
<p>Say I gave up on pursuing this double-degree and decided to do only music...where would I find the most musical solace? </p>
<p>Both schools have very amazing, very different things to offer. I suppose I wanted to simply put this out there on the web to see if anyone anywhere has anything worth sharing that might make the pendulum swing in either direction.</p>
<p>Congrats on getting into two great schools. Both schools are terrific, so you can’t go wrong. I would take the dorm out of the question, as that is probably a less important decision factor. Only you can decide your path … I would put all the important factors on a spreadsheet, giving a weight to any factors that are much more important than others. Score both schools on each individual factor (1 to 5, 5 being the better score) and multiple the factor’s score by the weighting you gave that item (connection to voice professor, weight 5, Score 4, total for that row is 20) and add the totals. The weighting for dorm life may be more like 2 or 3, so any score you give for dorm life won’t sway your totals as much as a good connection to a voice professor. If the highest point total for a column (Oberlin or Eastman) is Oberlin, and you also feel good about that, then that may be your school. If the highest point total is not Oberlin, and you don’t like that answer, then go back to your weightings or scores and figure out what factor is not making sense. When you’re done with the exercise, the numbers and the answer in your gut both feel right.</p>
<p>Congratulations! This is the kind of problem you want to have. Can you go spend a day at each school and attend some classes? Maybe spending more time at each would help you decide the best fit.</p>
<p>If you couldn’t visit, try calling admissions and see if they could get you in touch with any students. Hearing their perspectives and being able to ask questions directly can give you a better idea of what it would be like to attend either school. Good luck!</p>
<p>The climate in both places is “rigorous”, but at Oberlin you walk everywhere, while at Eastman, you take the shuttle back and forth between downtown and the River Campus. Having lived in Rochester for years, I can say that, if accepted at Eastman,you would be better living in the Tower there, since you will have practice facilities and mandatory rehearsals and concert attendance; they have classes in one place on the hour and at the other, it’s on the half-hour, so you do have time to make it to class.
No, at Eastman, you won’t have much of a shot at being in any of the operas, but remember, you will be an undergrad with a young voice, so it’s not wise to push it. You’re not assured of roles at Oberlin either, since they do have a few 5th year graduate students and there are the upperclassmen! You’ll also have studio classes at each school and other performance ops, so things will sort themselves out. Find a teacher with whom you feel comfortable, who teaches in a style that works for you and who you really like- THAT’S the most important thing for a singer.Have you had sample lessons yet? Talked to teachers face to face, via phone or e-mail? Talk to some of their current/past students if you can; sometimes, teachers can promise what they can’t deliver or you can read too much into what they say to you when you are in the nerves and tension of audition time!
If you truly want a performance career, think long-term. You’ll have college, then grad school and then a YAP or two, or three! You’ll have plenty of time to be on stage, and vocal damage, once done, isn’t easy to correct.</p>
<p>Re: weather at Oberlin. Just talked to my D there and she said a few students have donned their shorts for the fine weather they are currently having. She said it was “hot” yesterday but I just looked and I think it is supposed to snow tomorrow.</p>