<p>Hey,
I am a tenor who is graduating high school and pursuing a BM Voice Performance degree. I have been accepted into Rice, IU, Northwestern, NYU, Maryland and others but really it is down to Rice and IU. From Rice I have received a scholarship of $10,000/year and from IU I have received $22,000/year. I know that both programs are fantastic and that they are also very different. Any advice as to where I should go would be greatly appreciated. I CAN'T DECIDE! :/</p>
<p>Have you had lessons with the studio professors in each? Did one connect with you better than the other? They are really different programs. Rice is small, only 36 total grad and undergrad. IU is very large. The universities are different too. Did one seem more like a fit than the other? If you really liked Rice, you can take IU’s offer and see if Rice will increase their’s. We did and they did since Rice was her first choice. We told them if they could get closer to the other offer so that the total cost of attending was closer she would go there. Can you go back a visit again and this time take a lesson as an accepted student? That is what sealed the deal for DD.</p>
<p>I will be having lessons with professors at both schools this week to see if I can find a fit. I really liked the feel of rice a lot, but it is so expensive…</p>
<p>I agree with singermom. Scholarships are negotiable if you have a serious intetest…and come to think of it, when you have no intetest at all…but they do!</p>
<p>Just read my post, it should have been “interest”. It’s tough typing on a cell phone!</p>
<p>When you have your lesson at Rice talk to them about the money issue. Do not be embarrassed or afraid to mention it. You will never know unless you ask and the worst they can do is say no that is the best they can do.</p>
<p>What a wonderful problem to have! Having two great scholarships to two of the best schools of music in the world! Not a vocalist so can’t help you with specifics. But congratulations!</p>
<p>Talk to both the teacher at your lesson and to someone in either admissions or financial aid. Sometimes the studio teacher can pull strings (sometimes they can’t or won’t). Usually the admissions/awards person has the bigger picture (but less attachment to you).</p>
<p>operaluvr,</p>
<p>we would like to get all of your acceptances posted to the <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/1045522-master-list-music-school-acceptances-fall-2011-a-62.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/1045522-master-list-music-school-acceptances-fall-2011-a-62.html</a></p>
<p>I have entered the five you mentioned, but we would also like to hear about the others, even though you have decided against them. This information can help other students in future years.</p>
<p>For Rice you would talk to the Director of Music School admissions and the teacher. Rice regular admissions and financial aid would not be involved since it appears as if you have only received a merit award. Only need base ones can be discussed with financial aid. So unless they incorrectly did not provide need based aid, the music school is where the decision will come from.</p>
<p>that is correct Singersmom. Did you have a S or D at Rice? You seem very knowledgeable about the university. Maybe you could give me some personal insight into one or both of the schools?</p>
<p>operaluvr I sent you a PM.</p>
<p>Both programs are different, but understand that as undergraduate, you will have limited performance opportunities ( despite the great facilities that the schools point out during the tours!).Singersmom07 does point out the big difference in that IU is huge and Rice is small, but the really important thing for you to deal with is finding a teacher with whom you “click”. You’ll be spending the next 4 years with him/her (and don’t rule out a female teacher!) and it’s necessary that you have complete confidence in them and that the style of teaching is right for you.
Good job, we’ll be waiting to find out your decision!</p>
<p>Well, you are obviously very talented to have gotten into all of those schools! While IU has an amazing international reputation I would strongly consider Rice. The faculty there are the best you will find anywhere. Not to mention how selective a school it is! I would have that acceptance letter taped up to my fridge :)</p>
<p>I would go with Rice. IU is a huge school and you may not get a lot of performance opportunities as an undergrad.</p>
<p>Well, I have decided. I will be attending Rice University next year to study under Stephen King! :)</p>
<p>Congratulations, operaluvr! Both Rice and Indiana are fine schools, but I think the consensus is that Rice is an excellent choice. Everyone that my son knows in music at Rice loves it there.</p>