<p>My son has been accepted to Oberlin Con. and Michigan State as a jazz studies major, piano. (he is wait-listed at UMich). He has played piano since 1st grade, but only got interested in jazz about 2 1/2 years ago, and really has an ear. Chops need some work. </p>
<p>Oberlin would be a great place for him. He got a $6,000 merit scholarship. He fits in with the students, likes the professor, practice rooms (with Steinways) are amazing, could get a double degree pretty easily in non-music as a backup plan to making a living as a jazz musician, and would love to go here if money were no object. Cost $52k - $6k = $46 k, for probably 5 years</p>
<p>MSU - piano teacher is great and enthusiastic about my son, MSU is a good school, more difficult to get a double degree than Oberlin, practice rooms and pianos seem crummy (small rooms, old pianos). Merit scholarship $8k, so cost $20k - $8k = $12k</p>
<p>Oberlin would be a big sacrifice $-wise, but doable for us. Is it worth it over MSU?</p>
<p>My daughter is a violinist interested in Oberlin and several other conservatories. We visited Oberlin this winter and were really impressed. Our financial situation is similar. We’ll give up some things, probably, but we can swing the tuition. My observation is that Oberlin is a very serious place for music and we like the double degree program. I don’t know Michigan State for music. It is a fine university, but not a conservatory environment. If your son wants to be a musician and you can swing it financially, I say go for Oberlin!</p>
<p>OP, if your son were going to classical music training I would say Oberlin all the way. I am unfamiliar with the Jazz training there. Try posting this in the music forum, available at the bottom of the main CC page.</p>
<p>OP, I assume you know this, but because you didn’t mention it: Oberlin is about to open a brand new jazz studies building, which will mean perhaps the best such facilities in the country: [Oberlin</a> College](<a href=“http://www2.oberlin.edu/litoff/]Oberlin”>http://www2.oberlin.edu/litoff/)</p>
<p>If your son wasn’t sure what he wanted to study, I’d say MSU. But, getting into a conservatory for grad school is tough. If it was my son and if it was “doable” as you say, I would go for Oberlin as it’s the best investment for his music career.</p>