My son has been admitted into a few schools where the chair or director of the department has reached out to have a discussion with the student and parents. We of course know all the basics about the program. What questions should we be asking.
My son is a jazz instrumentalist, too so I would ask schools these questions. Some jazz studies directors may ask you to contact financial aids / scholarship department.
Private lessons / choice of private instructor: How often âin-personâ lessons are given per semester and how many minutes per lesson? Itâs vary between 30 min to 60 min.
Number of ensemble opportunities: How many ensembles possibly to play in, as freshman and a bassist? By auditions?
4-year graduation rate: If they sound âAll of them graduateâ, it would be great!!! It really doesnât make sense for jazz performance major to take more than 4 years to get BM.
Requirements to maintain â4-yearâ talent / merit scholarship: Minimum GPA? With or without ensemble / community obligations? Donât assume, they will award all 4 years unless you really hear it or itâs written. Some students drop out due to âfinancial reasonsâ.
Requirements for continued financial aid / grant (if you need any): Submitting FASFA every year? Would amount $$$ of schoolâs grant (no repay money) be changed a lot based on income? Schools may tighten awarding grant $$$....
Average tuition / cost increase: Schools do increase every year, unfortunately, at least for awhile.
Realistic local gigs / work-study opportunity: My son had some local gigs, and was awarded âwork-studyâ by school so he applied and interviewed at campus but didnât get jobs in freshman year....
â-Then, I would add this important questionâ-
How the school is handling / managing current Coronavirus campus closure (aid they did) and online classes: Does the school guarantee with their âmodified curriculumsâ, obviously with no ensemble classes, to graduate in 4 years with âperformance degreeâ?