I know this topic has been brought up several times. My D20 is trying to narrow down her application list and is likely going to begin as a music BA and then adjust from there. She wants solid academics since she’s not sure where she wants to go with music. Only that she’s 100% sure she wants to continue. She has a 3.7UW with a fairly rigorous schedule. Not a science/math person, so that has brought her grades down some. She’s top 20% in her class. She is taking the SAT on Saturday and I expect her to score 1100-1200. Her ACT was abysmal. She has made it to Texas state on her instrument 10th and 11th grade and surely will next year. She wants a collaborative, relaxed academic and musical environment. Here is what I have so far:
Puget Sound
Lawrence
Loyola NO
St. Olaf (probably a reach due to test scores)
I’ve looked at many other similar SLACs without music schools and the bands and ensembles look really tiny, or are filled in with community members, or the level of music is not above what she’s doing now… I don’t think she would like that. Are there any other schools I might be missing on our list? And it needs to be semi-easy to get to from Texas. Connecting flights PLUS a several hour drive is not going to work.
What’s her instrument? Or is she a vocalist?
DePauw and Kalamazoo College both have well developed musical programs. DePauw should be relatively easy to get to flying into Indianapolis, Kalamazoo has an airport I think, not sure how easy it is to get to. Maybe Wooster and Butler are worth a look also. Glad to see Lawrence on your list, great music and they encourage participation by non majors. Test optional too.
Her primary instrument is clarinet. I had not considered Butler, DePauw or Kalamazoo. My sister went to COW and hated it, so my opinion of the school is somewhat colored by that. May be a little too far from civilization, too. (We have family in the Twin Cities so that makes St. Olaf a bit more appealing.) Thanks for the suggestions.
Have you or has she read the Double Degree Dilemma essay closer to the top of this music forum? It is actually about the different ways to pursue music and can be helpful.
I also suggest the Colleges that Change Lives website for ideas. Some of the schools mentioned here (like Wooster) are on there. Loren Pope wrote a book with that title but it is now a website and national fairs.
Be careful about her doing a BA in music at schools that DO offer a BM, unless she wants that option. Sometimes the best teachers and performance opportunities go to the BM students, but not always, so you have to really research.
I hear you about schools without music schools and the level she might want, but honestly there ARE schools without conservatory/school of music/BM with excellent musicians. Again, you have to delve deep
If St. Olaf emerges as a clear favorite and would be affordable based on its Net Price Calculator, applying Early Decision could bring it within range - their ED acceptance rate is 80% (vs. 43% overall). Lawrence could be a great choice too - be sure to apply Early Action, which has a higher admit rate (86% vs. 61% overall) in addition to providing a non-binding decision before the holidays and cutting down on the need for safety applications.
Perhaps check out Sewanee in TN - their renowned summer music festival would be a way to experience the setting: http://ssmf.sewanee.edu/
Chapman is a bit bigger (around 7K undergrads) but a great place for music+academics, very popular with students from my kids’ arts-magnet high school… and easy access via the Orange Co. airport.
As someone who went to Luther I can vouch that the college is an easy 2 and a half hour drive from the MSP airport. There is also an airport in Rochester (MN) that is about an hour from the school, if that helps!
Thank you all for the suggestions. I don’t know if she’d consider Luther. My husband and I both went to another SLAC in Iowa and she was slightly aghast at the location amid the cornfields! We both loved it, though! @merc81 I had looked at Sarah Lawrence in the past and wondered if it would be a good fit. We have family in nearby NYC, too.
Pacific Lutheran in Tacoma just became test optional for fall 2019 I believe. Close to Seattle-Tacoma airport. I believe one of my son’s friends got in on a full scholarship for harp. I haven’t looked into it myself though.
@compmom Yes I printed out a copy of the list many months ago (may have been when ACT scores came back LOL) and it’s tucked into my CTCL book. I’m pleased to see more and more great schools being added to the list! She did just take the SAT yesterday and felt much better about it.
