So when S21 had his two college tours as a junior we were able to arrange theater specific tours since he was applying to BFA acting programs. S24 is applying to LACs and possibly Ivys but may be a music major. The one tour we went on so far passed by the music building with a point. Is it appropriate at this point to contact specialized departments and ask for tours? Does such a thing happen at LACs and Ivys? Is this a post acceptance ask?
Our oldest applied as a double major (Biochem/Music) many years ago. We waited until after acceptances and rather than a tour, contacted the department and attended a rehearsal, ensemble coaching session or master class. In some cases, kid was invited to meet with faculty as well. We found this to be most helpful in deciding between schools. Attending a rehearsal gave kid a lot of insight into the vibe of the program and faculty/student interaction that you don’t get on a tour or when attending a concert.
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When we visited Kenyon on their Junior Day (back in 2019), they offered several specialized tours: a general tour, an English tour, an arts tour (including music), as well as a sciences and an athletic tour. We did the first three. I imagine other LACs do this, too, but probably on some special days.
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I haven’t heard of a specialized tour for music being offered at Ivys. It was during the “Preview Day” that my son ('22 music major/pre-med) was able to meet with the music department faculty and students for in-depth introduction to the programs and facilities. The Preview Day is structured with major-specific department visit, class sit-ins (any classes of your choosing), meetings with adms and FA officers, and dining and a sleepover at a residential college.
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Not sure if this is on your list, but at Oberlin you can contact the Conservatory admissions department directly and ask for a tour and to sit in on classes/rehearsals. If that isn’t desired, my S has been asked by friends a couple of times to show prospective athletic recruits who are interested in the Conservatory around and he has taken a couple of them to classes and shown them to faculty offices for sample lessons. If that’s on your list, PM me and I am happy to connect you to him for a tour.
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Thank you! He actually spent time this summer at the conservatory doing a music program so that one is not on the list. He has decided against conservatory programs at the moment and that Oberlin is a little too far for the BA program.
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Understood! It’s definitely not for everybody!
Best of luck with the whole process!
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Your son can always contact his admissions officer at each LAC he plans to visit and see if they can accommodate his interest.
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Vassar offered separate arts tours when we attended one of their open house days. We went on a tour that emphasized the fine arts rather than theater. They may have had a music tour, too, but I can’t remember.
If Haverford is on your list, I would definitely reach out to their music department. They’ve recently renovated and expanded their music facilities, and I bet they would be happy to show them off.
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Both are on the list, vassar very high up, waiting to hear about their open house day if that is the best day to go!
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I remember some schools offering add-ons to tours (like arts or stem, etc.) but only on certain days or at the big open house type events. Depending on the school, you might reach out to the admissions office in advance and see if they had a student who could show you more or speak to that area. Might depend on how busy they are, time of day. We did not do any of the extras that I remember though.
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Yes - for LACs, we had an AO led tour of the conservatory and an individual family information session at Bard.
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We did meet with someone from the music department at two schools, when deciding on where my kid should apply, but otherwise did the usual info session and tour, and waited until after acceptance. We visited all schools before applications, to keep the number of schools down.
Once accepted, you have a lot more access to faculty, can sit in on classes, and so on. At that point they are trying to convince the student to accept.
Of course you can go to concerts at any point along the way and that is very helpful.
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At this point seeing the music facilities and possibly hearing a concert will help him decide where to appy early decision which could be the only choice if he doesnt pick the most competitive school on his list. We are going to one open house where I am guessing everything will be available and were able to arrange a tour with a music faculty member at another program. Will wait to meet the specific instrument faculty in the fall if he feels that is needed.
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