<p>My child has been accepted to a school he may decide to pursue, however we cannot seem to access the courses (particularly general education) he will be required to take his first year and/or throughout until he gets his degree. We have e-mailed his admissions counselor plus it is not posted on the website. Is this typically difficult information to access? It's essential to know whether he needs to take one Math course or several, can take two electives or none until his junior year.</p>
<p>What other questions should be asked of a college post acceptance (other than about financial aid)? I'd appreciate any feedback on this as I feel as though we are not evaluating everything as we should. Thanks.</p>
<p>Yep, as KatMT says. Look for “undergrad handbook” or similar wording, usually a link off the academics or current students webpages. Its also normally a VERY large pdf or word file. It’s the complete policy/procedure document for the institution, and should have all degree requirements by major.</p>
<p>When we had a similar question we contacted the music school admissions person, not the university one. They had a short document that laid out the course requirements by year.</p>
<p>MusicMuse784, didn’t mean to be non-specific in my above post, but sometimes life gets in the way. I went back and did a quick scan of the threads generated by the parameters I suggested, and these tend to be the more “general info” decision discussions as opposed to the specific school to school comparison ones. </p>
<p>A lot enters into the process. These are some particularly pertinent to music students.</p>
<p>-access to teacher (particularly if one is engaged with an artist/instructor that travels frequently), or is not full time faculty.
-number and level of higher level opportunities in terms of performance and ensemble placements, particularly if one is in a grad heavy or grad focused environment.
-outside exposure, performance and gigging opportunities.<br>
-scholarship parameters: is a tuition percentage scholarship adjustable based on annual increases? What are the criteria (academic/artistic/or combo) that must be met in order to maintain the scholarship. Are there additional scholarships available for matriculated students based on instrument/discipline as one rises through the food chain?
-for those in dual pursuit, double major programs, the ease of moving in or out of programs may be critical, and can this affect a talent based (or academic) award if paths change?
-Is there institutional financial support for any expense coverage for summer festivals or competitions?
-music facility quality, access and availability to practice rooms.</p>
<p>Many of the same criteria in selecting schools to apply to form the basis in final decision making.</p>
<p>Then there are the general concerns: safety, dorm/food quality, social life, location or ease of getting there, weather. </p>
<p>And of course, can we afford this.</p>
<p>There are also the what to do, what to bring type threads both from a music and non-music perspective. A bit early for that, but rest assured I’ll point them out.</p>
<p>Indeed violadad…thanks for this valuable information and to everyone else for your insights…thanks. Still cannot locate the information on the undergraduate component of the website so e-mailed the college to see where this information may be located. It talks about liberal arts courses being required but no specifics. Would that be a “flag”?</p>
<p>You may want to inquire about housing arrangements and how long students are required to live on campus or are assured on-campus housing. Types of meal plans available-that info will be sent to you a little later along with the usual room-mate matching forms and info about the Health Plan. Check into the computers they recommend too, and then know that unless your kid is going to be doing some heavy-duty composing, they may not need a super-machine! If your youngster has taken AP classes, do find out what will be accepted as they may fill some of the gen-ed requirements.</p>
<p>Pianomom12, sometimes the websites are not the easiest to navigate. Stuff is “hidden”, or just hard to find. On occasion, I find the site map is a last resort.</p>
<p>Try a search within the school’s websites for degree requirements, undergrad handbook, and similar terms. </p>
<p>It’s possible it’s just not there, for any number of reasons. Email, call the admissions counselor, and ask for the actual requirements if necessary.</p>
<p>I do not see it as a red flag unless they are unwilling to provide it.</p>
<p>After some financial packages we received, our list of preference has literally gone upside down, and we truly don’t know where our son would choose.
Some questions that would really help in the process:</p>
<p>1.) pros and cons between music conservatory and University music school (Jazz)
2.) Any info/feedback on Berklee (I’ve read some threads, both positive and negative, but cannot seem to quite grasp)
3.) How much advantage do you think being in NYC (in Manhattan) gives you for a jazz undergraduate? (I’ve heard there’s some interaction between kids from New School, NYU, and MSM)</p>
<p>That’s the sum of the collective wisdom. It really is how much your student may need all music 24/7, versus a higher level of academics, or specific subject needs beyond music; surrounded all the time by “like minds” or a need to find friends, peers with other interests beyond music, or a larger, more diverse environment.</p>
<p>Use your network. And CC is part of that. I think most on this forum realize that there will be exchange and interaction both on and off board. Use the pm and email features. I don’t see it as an imposition. I see it as “payback time” :D</p>
<p>I don’t have the discipline expertise to answer your last question. The wisdom suggests it is a major part of the equation. It can be a big plus. I can pull jazz thread links if you wish.</p>
<p>Hopefully some of the other jazz parents and students will chime in. PM SJTH if there’s no response within the thread.</p>
<p>These choices are tough. The best of luck. I can help in finding some past “stuff” here if you wish.</p>
<p>I agree…contact MUSIC admissions folks. DS went to a large university. The general education requirements for the music majors were VERY different than for many other majors. DS had NO math requirement and NO foreign language requirement. Other majors within his university did. The music department KNOWS what is required of their students…ask them.</p>
<p>Thank you for your response(s). You guys are AWESOME!
At the risk of imposition, I’m PMing some members with more specific questions.
Couple of more general questions:
How is the jazz scene in Miami?
4000 music students in one place with overwhelming majority being male students - son is hoping there is a plenty of interaction between Berklee and other schools nearby.</p>
<p>Current printed material just sent by Berklee to S (hs soph) states acceptance rate around 30%. I had heard the big fluctuations in acceptance too.</p>
<p>I have a son who is a MWP/vocal performance major at U Miami, he loves it. My other son has just been accepted there for Jazz studies/sax and has chosen there. We love it. (he also got into and got scholarships at UNT, DePaul, NEC (small scholarship), U of I (no scholarship). Miami is very generous with their offers. Have you seen their big bands? There are links on You Tube. They are amazing. The music students there in different areas get along great and transition seamlessly between the different music genres.</p>