I totally agree that any chancing totally goes out the window with any programs that require an audition. But I’m not sure how many small LAC have audition-required music majors, as those tend to be BA programs. As this is not my area of expertise, however, I definitely yield to those more knowledgeable.
@BeverlyWest joined the conversations just a few posts above you, I believe. Sounds like Loyola New Orleans is a great fit for her son!
Yes, the FAFSA will no longer take into consideration multiple students in college. The question will actually be asked, at least in 2024-25, but it will not be factored into the SAI. I am not aware of any FAFSA only schools that have publicly stated that they will award their own aid with multiple children in college factored in. I have no idea whether or not schools that use the Profile will do so.
I don’t know if anyone has corrected the posts saying that Bard has a double major. It is a double degree. Big difference. (They may have double majors as well).
Kids in the conservatory are required to do a 5 year double degree. I am not clear on whether jazz is studied in the college or conservatory or both. The conservatory does have jazz performances. Is jazz a BA or a double degree at Bard? Anyone?
It’s too old to let me change. Thanks for the education.
But honestly, I think to most it means the same…
@tsbna44 it is absolutely not the same at all. Double major (one degree) versus double degree is quite different.
I guess what I’m saying is - as a student you are having two focuses. I have a double - major. Had I needed to do additional requirements and had a double degree - more Gen. EDs etc - my resume would still read Bachelor of Arts - History, Broadcast Journalism.
Agreed they are not the same. I have one Bachelor, not two.
But the outcome, what people see it as is you have two majors.
You are correct. I did try and change. But it’s too old and won’t allow me. Thx
A double degree isn’t just more gen eds, And it is 5 years usually. BA or BS and BM or MM ( just to clarify for others). Not debating. Last post on this.
Jazz at Bard is in the college and not the conservatory. So, yes, one could double major with one BA at the end of four years. But two Senior Projects, possibly combined.
Williams also has full grant need based financial aid which is as generous as it gets.
I’m glad I read this. I’ve always used the term “double major”. So my astro/physics double major only has one BS. I more clearly have two BAs, because they were conferred on different dates. Interesting.
@AirMetro IF a student qualifies for significant need based aid at Williams.
Hi there!
I’m responding to a post from about two weeks ago, since I’ve been out of touch, but maybe it is still helpful to give our list for a kid who applied for jazz guitar but loves contemporary music (soul, funk). **
My kid applied to 12 programs. I do not recommend applying for that many. I’m not sure why he did, but it was horribly stressful, and looking back I would have guided him to pare it down, specifically cutting out a couple that we knew were a long shot financially.
The only one with strong financial aid as compared to cost was Loyola. There were great scholarships offered at many of these schools, but mostly didn’t make a big enough dent in cost for us. (our FAFSA # was about 22K).
LoyolaNOLA (attending)
UMiami
Berklee
USC
CU Denver
Columbia-Chicago
University of the Arts in Philly
UNT
University of Memphis
Our State U
The New School
Williams
** A bit of advice is that if a student is going outside their comfort zone, like he did with jazz, I’d seriously consider schools that are flexible about changes in major. He is changing his to pop/comm with a minor in jazz, and at Loyola that is super easy.
Oops, I didn’t mean to respond and send all that info to you, @thumper1 ! I meant to share it with the whole thread. You already know my whole saga. 
My daughter also loves Jazz. It’s hard to get a sense of how serious you want other musicians to be, many she knows
At
Juilliard are not happy. People love msm, but the way you describe Grinell and your son being neurodivergent…. I kind of feel like Oberlin is a no brainer.
My daughter would like it except too remote for her, she wants NYC which is also close.
Wesleyan, Amherst and those schools are incredible…. But for Jazz? I’m less convinced. My daughter is very involved and we live near there and kids there and they say, it’s less of a thing there. We do know a couple of great musicians at Williams, staff and student… but I think you need to consider oberlin.
It was for this person:
All the other schools have Grammy winning alumni tho…jk, but another thing to make sure is not only the strong culture of music, but the specific instrument teacher. In OP case, jazz piano.
I know Jay Hoggard pretty well and he’s always played jazz piano.
New School’s College of Performing Arts has jazz too.
I am the world’s biggest Oberlin booster as my S22 is a voice major in the conservatory. He went knowing little to nothing about Jazz, which is a separate department altogether in the conservatory with a relatively new, swanky, modern building of its own.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, he’s a huge jazz fan, thanks to the exposure to the incredible musicians and faculty that are performing all sorts of programs all the time. A close friend of his is a jazz voice and jazz percussion double major in the conservatory. You can double major in the conservatory, which is different from a double degree with the college.
People argue that you need to be in a big city for jazz opportunities, but I find that argument does not apply to Oberlin, especially for undergrad. There are also many opportunities in nearby Cleveland. The jazz faculty is world class. The merit money is real.
Definitely worth a serious look and connecting with potential studio teachers to see if there is a good fit. That’s what sold my S on Oberlin, and a major factor when planning for a BMus degree.
Best of luck.
Yes, agree with all of it! I don’t think most people realize just how close Oberlin is to Cleveland, and the amazing opportunities there as well! My D saw some fantastic world-class musical performances/artists in Cleveland during her time at Oberlin! It’s a very easy Uber ride away!