<p>I am one of those parents who is very supportive of my S (Jr in HS) wanting to major in music. He is looking at performance/ed, and is a very talented sax player (superiors in level 7 at states). </p>
<p>The problem-academics are not his storng suit. He has a 3.0 GPA and SAT scores which are abysmal (430/440/430) - even with extensive tutoring. </p>
<p>He is looking for a college which has a marching band as well as a Music Ed major (he feels it is important if teaching is his end goal). Summer is approaching, and applications are getting ready to go out. </p>
<p>So-thoughts/suggestions on what would be good schools (assuming he aces his auditions) which he might get into with his test scores?</p>
<p>What state do you live in? Where does he want to teach? There is probably a state school with a good music program which will admit him with those grades & scores.</p>
<p>saxplayersdad, while I don’t have a specific school, I think SpiritManager is heading you in the right direction. I would add that you want to approach it just like any other student in any other discipline. Look for schools that are reaches, some that are matches and some that are safety.</p>
<p>saxplayersdad,
Has your son ever had a complete neuropsychological evaluation? It is unlikely that your son’s testing represents his real cognitive ability given how good he is in music. </p>
<p>How is are your son’s planning and sequencing skills? Can he keep track of appointments? Is he able to do organize other aspects of his life?</p>
<p>Learning why your son is struggling with academics will help your son in many ways as an adult. For one thing some learning issues that get in the way of a child’s academic success can be remediated with appropriate therapies. Also regardless of what your son chooses to do he will probably need some of those skills that he is struggling with (such as math and reading). Getting him assistance might be a great gift and also open up the door for him to excel in ways he never imagined as a musician.</p>
<p>Also look at schools and conservatories that do not require SAT scores. A 3.0 GPA is perfectly fine for many of these music schools. Our local large public university with a good music program does not require SAT scores.</p>
<p>My daughter will have similar SAT scores as your son when she takes the SAT, unless the College Board grants her extra time. We are awaiting their decision. I understand it rarely grants extra time (the College Board doesn’t seem to care about neuropsychological tests). It would be helpful to have, as she could add universities such as Indiana to her list.</p>
<p>Has your son tried taking the ACT? It might yield a better score as the test is quite different. My B student scored around the national average on both the SAT and ACT and did not have a problem with college admission as a music student.</p>
<p>Take a look at Hartt. U of Hartford has lower academic requirements, but Hartt has conservatory music. Strong in music ed too, but no marching band. Berklee did not require SATs (not sure if that is still the case) but obviously does not have a marching band. </p>
<p>I agree with the others who suggested addressing why he tests so poorly. It might serve him better for the SATs and in addition it might be helpful with getting accommodations in college if needed.</p>
<p>Saxplayerdad—I would echo Spiritmanagers recommendation and add that even though your state school might list a higher average GPA or SAT for general admissions, the SOM or music dept may make an exception for a talented musician. Call them.</p>
<p>I support so many points made above. I want to emphasize the 3.0 GPA is solid, and for a student whose musical talent is desired by the school, test scores are not normally a deal-breaker. Regarding schools that might fit your son’s interests, look at Michigan State University, if the Music Ed certification would reciprocate for the state where he is interested in teaching. A 300-piece marching band, the “Michigan State Marching Band Altos” even have their own web presence! You can read the bio of the saxophone professor, and even the Dean of the College of Music is a saxophonist. MSU has a jazz studies program, too, but those outside the major may also audition for ensembles. And the campus is lovely. Perhaps this is my alma mater? Regardless, seemed to fit the bill. they are also renovating two performance venues in the coming year.</p>
<p>University of Rhode Island has a marching band and is reportedly delighted to fill slots with out of state students (because the couldn’t possibly fill them with just kids from RI). The son of one of my friends went there for music ed/trumpet recently and went on to study trumpet performance at University of Hartford/Hartt on a full tuition scholarship (which indicates to me that URI’s music dept. is pretty darn good – at least for trumpeters.)</p>
<p>Consider Indiana University and Arizona State University. They are not as difficult to get into academically as some of the other great music schools. Note that the application for the IU music school is due November 1.</p>
<p>I am extremely interested in this as I too have a terrific sax player who wants to do music Ed ( or double with perf) but not genius level grades. I’m a little luckier as his GPA is around 3.6 and first attempt at SAT is 1320 on 2 parts. He wants east coast and is looking at a big variety from Crane to Miami, but all thoughts are most welcome.
And his un-stellar grades are all about effort not ability!!! But he sure loves his music</p>
<p>Why does he want to go into music ed? If the lower grades are a result of effort issues, with LD issues or not, then your S should think twice about a music ed degree. Music Ed takes a lot of discipline to get all of the course work done, rehearsals, ensembles and also do the student teaching. Although not music, my S who had similar issues wanted to be a history teacher. He could not stay organized and would not do the effort required to do the practicums. They culled him out the first year. There is a lot of work a teacher does besides stand in front of the band. Students also underestimate the amount of work required for a performance degree. Music study is not all sit around and play your instrument.</p>
<p>I went to Florida State University as a saxophone music ed major, and loved it. The marching band, known as the Marching Chiefs, is arguably one of the best marching bands in the country. The saxophone professor, Pat Meighan, is wonderful. There is also a good jazz program, if he’s interested in that. And many universities will get around the low SAT score in order to let in a talented musician.</p>
<p>The B average will be workable for most schools of music/conservatories and fortunately there are more and more colleges going test optional: Ithaca, SUNY Potsdam(Crane School of Music), and Baldwin-Wallace just to name a few. He would be waiving academic scholarships but still eligible for music scholarships. Definitely look into your state schools and also if there are any strong community colleges offering music that could be a safety for him as well. One of our local community colleges has an amazing record for sending their grads on to “good” 4 year music schools. This morning I just saw a commercial for our local music community college with one of son’s high school classmates highlighted. This young man went to Allstate (in NY not that easy) and played in the local youth orchestra. Several other of son’s highschool music buddies have attended the school with great results. If for some reason your child can’t attend a first choice school due to academics or finances or failed auditions, there are some options open.</p>
<p>Saxplayersdad - I’m not sure where you reside, but also consider Univ of North Texas, fantastic jazz program and SAT scores are w/in the range you mentioned. Out of staters often get in-state tuition at only $8,500 p/year as music scholarship. Also University of the Arts in Philadelphia have scores in 400’s range across the board, and have an amazing jazz combo-focused program. My S and I visited in April, and were so impressed by the combos and jazz pro talent that teaches there. It is private, but from what I’ve heard they are known to give large merit scholarships for talent. Two very different programs, but both of high quality for jazz performance preparation. UNT has Music Ed major, not sure about U of A.
Good Luck, and PM me if you’d like any more detail on U of A school visit.</p>
<p>If he is a great player, try Western Michigan.The music department there is terrific, but academically the admission criteria are very lenient. I should mention, though, the music department is VERY selective.</p>