<p>I'm a junior in high school right now and looking for colleges. I'm in a rock band currently (although I will have to leave it behind when I leave for college) and know that I want to seriously pursue music, although I do plan on majoring in something that is not music in college so that I can have a better chance of finding a stable job. </p>
<p>I know this is something of an odd question, but can anyone recommend colleges where I would have a good chance of starting a band and seriously pursuing music? Factors would include a student body large & diverse enough to contain other musicians, location (not necessarily in a city but at least near a decent college town with a music venue), the existence of a rehearsal space or open music building on campus where we could practice, and hopefully a music scene in the college and/or college town. </p>
<p>In terms of academic quality of schools I could get into, my SAT is 2260 and my average will probably be a 91 or 92 when I apply. The music thing is my main criteria for finding a school, but I also prefer a midsize college (not a tiny LAC and probably not a reaaally huge university) and don't want to go anywhere super fratty or totally homogenous. Can anyone help me think of schools that fit this description?</p>
<p>NYU - The Strokes
Columbia - Vampire Weekend
Wesleyan - MGMT (LAC but good college in all areas and lot of music ppl)
Emerson - Passion Pit, small in Boston and near a bunch of other colleges
University of Vermont - Phish
Boulder - 3OH!3</p>
<p>Look at all the lists of great college towns, there will be a music scene. Atlanta, Madison Wisc. </p>
<p>You need to not only consider the costs of attending specific colleges, but the cost of living in certain communities. Unfortunately, NYC, LA, SF, and even Boston are exorbitantly expensive. Philadelphia is surprisingly affordable, and you can afford to rent a house with rehearsal space for less than dorm rooms cost. It’s a great city for music, too (largely because it’s affordable for young, struggling, creative types). Penn is a reach for you, but Drexel has a great Music Business program. You might qualify for a scholarship there. They are more oriented to tech and business majors, though, and are very expensive. Temple is relatively inexpensive, and you might qualify for a nice merit award there, too. They have an excellent Music school, along with a broad range of majors. You could probably treat them as a low-match, if not safe, school. Vanderbilt is a reach, but not completely impossible for you, and it’s hard to imagine a better place to be than Nashville for meeting other aspiring musicians. Vanderbilt has a world-class music school, too. I think Tulane is a solid match for you, academically, and you might get a merit award from them. My son got in with lower stats than yours, albeit with no money offered. If you like traditional Blues and R & B, Rhodes - in Memphis - is another possibility. I don’t know how affordable Montreal is for housing, but the club and music scene are great, so McGill is another reach school for you. </p>
<p>I would look at Oberlin. The presence of the Music school gives it a vibrant musical scene and it attracts lots of kids interested in music but not music majors. The practice rooms are open to anyone and there are plenty of opportunities for musical groups to perform. Because of the Con, it’s also larger than most LACs. It’s just outside of Cleveland which has it’s own music scene going-to say nothing of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.</p>
<p>Athens, Georgia and the University of Georgia has a huge music scene, producing the B-52s, R.E.M., Widespread Panic, Matthew Sweet, Dreams So Real, Drive-By Truckers, and a host of others. Easy access to Atlanta and a fairly low cost of living might make this a fairly attractive option, and UGa is a pretty good school.</p>
<p>I know two people who played in serious bands in college and both are still in the music business – one in management the other is in a reasonably well known band – -one went to Wesleyan (smaller than you wanted) , the other went to UT-Austin (bigger than you wanted). I’d at least consider both of these schools </p>
<p>If starting a band in college is what you would like to do, you can certainly do it at any college you attend. All you will need are like minded individuals ready to make some sacrifices to see their dream come true.
Best of luck to you.</p>
<p>@AnnieBeats are there any good/notable schools there other than UT Austin? Id love to live in Austin but I’m very much a New Yorker, I don’t know how well I’d fit in if it was 99% native Texans</p>
<p>Believe it or not, Austin TX is more similar to New York than you think. People hear Texas, and they think of a super conservative environment with racism, but it isn’t like that in the cities. A New Yorker would for in well in Austin. In Waco, TX? Not so much, but Austin, Yes. My husband was raised in Austin and we visited his family there. I was stunned to see the amount of “hipsters” that live there. It’s a very trendy town I will do some research to help you though.</p>
<p>Also, every college has a band attached to it. Whether it’s a big name, or just a few friends getting together. Since you are from New York, I will reccomend SUNY Purchase. It’s not far from the city, but you would still be able to go away. It is extremely artsy and has a lot of concerts and consortiums ( I think that is what they are called) within the school. They also have music festivals.</p>
<p>There’s a music scene in The Loop, which is very close to WashU, but it’s been a long time since a band has hit it big from St. Louis. Rappers and solo acts yes, bands, no. But Chuck Berry still plays once a month at Blueberry Hill, and many local bands play on the same stage.</p>
<p>UT Austin offers very little financial support to students, Washington U. St. Louis is an excellent choice and the city is a bridge of Eastern, southern, Midwestern and western vibe. Its all in there, and they offer excellent financial help. So, that is something to consider.</p>
<p>@mrmom62 @ccco2018 thanks so much! I think I’m going to apply to Wash U St Louis then, not sure about UT Austin since it’s huge and doesn’t offer a lot of financial aid</p>
<p>What about Notre Dame? I have double legacy there and am seriously considering applying because I like almost everything I know about it, but I’m worried that because it’s not really near an urban center that I wouldn’t have a good chance pursuing music there.</p>
I will do some research to help you though.</p>