<p>Hello everyone, I'm a junior in HS currently living in Northern VA. I'm interested in applying to JMU to be a Music Performance or Music Ed. major. I was just wondering how competetive it is to be admitted. I am also considering VCU, Ithaca College, Syracuse University, Miami U of Ohio, and possibly a conservatory for fun (I'm not sure I'm good enough to get into Eastman or Julliard). If anyone has insight as to how these Colleges would stack up head to head, it is greatly appreciated. Also, is JMU the type of school that would deny you from the music program if you aren't accepted into the general university? Do the music directors have a say in your admission into the university? My GPA isn't that bad, but JMU is becoming more competetive each year.</p>
<p>I don't know how it compares to any of the other schools on your list, but JMU has a pretty competetive music program. I'm told that JMU is more competetive than VCU, but that's all I've heard. It probably partially depends on what instrument you play (or voice...whatever) and how many people come and audition next year. I auditioned this year and got in, but other people on different instruments who I know are very good players did not get in. One played the sax and he said he heard that the school was taking 4 alto saxes this year but somewhere around 40 tried out. My band director said that the school was only taking around 4 trumpets this year too. </p>
<p>The music program cannot accept you if you do not get into the university. However (although I don't know this for a fact) I think that getting into the music program will affect your chances of being accepted to the university. I say this because unlike you I do not have a great GPA (not good enough to get me into JMU normally - it's a 3.3 weighted, but unweighted it'd be a 2 something) but I was accepted. My friend who has a better GPA than me was not accepted.</p>