UCI v. SDSU Music

College Majors Music Major
1

<p>Hello. I was admitted to both UCI and SDSU. I just had a successful audition at SDSU, and made it into the music program, following Jazz studies. At UCI, however, not being my top choice, I didn't audition for music, so I am Undeclared in the Arts. I will have to wait till next year to audition for the program. Should I go with SDSU already in the music program or go to UCI and wait a year to get in to theirs? Looking for feedback from both UCI/SDSU current students, especially if you are in the music program! (jazz studies esp.) Thanks!</p>

<p>C</p>

2

<p>vcfreak15,</p>

<p>Sorry that I cannot help answer your question, because I do not know anything about those programs. From the list of acceptances at <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/817953-master-list-acceptances-fall-2010-a-51.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/817953-master-list-acceptances-fall-2010-a-51.html&lt;/a&gt; I note that the son of jazz/shreddermom has also been accepted at SDSU. From the list from two years ago, I note that the son of guitardad was accepted there but chose to go elsewhere. You might send them a PM to find out what they know about that program.</p>

<p>As you may notice, I have added your acceptance to the list (we are only doing confirmed music majors on the list, so I did not add your UCI acceptance). We would also like to include whether you sing, or the particular instrument that you play in that listing. Would you be willing to tell us that?</p>

3

<p>Thank you and of course. I play alto saxophone.</p>

4

<p>vcfreak, as BassDad mentioned, my son was accepted to SDSU for guitar jazz, but we haven’t even visited (he sent a DVD audition). We wanted a state school in the mix and knew San Diego was a great college town, but to be honest, he was never really considering it all that seriously. What I DO know, however, is that it’s a BM, which he liked. I’m not sure about UCI, but being a UC, I think they only offer a BA. My son wanted more music than non-music, and oddly UCI had no GUITAR in their jazz program, so that was out. If you live in CA, as we do, you probably also know that UCI is more of a commuter school than SDSU, although it’s certainly a great UC in a nice city. I would imagine academics are better at UCI.</p>

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<p>why did u not consisder ucla jazz studies?
a school very strong for jazz in CA would be CSUN and CSULB. I heard that the jazz program at CSUN is rigorous.</p>

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<p>Son did consider UCLA. But UCLA offers only a BA, not a BM. That was the one big thing, in my son’s case, against it. In line with that, he got a strong sense it was more musicology (being in the musicology department) and less performance-oriented.</p>

7

<p>I would not agree that UCI is more of a commuter school that SDSU. Many students are part-time at SDSU, and most take 5,6 or more years to graduate, if ever. </p>

<p>You probably will not be at a disadvantage regarding the music major at UCI as far as the BA/BM question, but you should find out if you can get a private teacher being undeclared arts. Also find out if the music academics are available to you as undeclared arts. From UCI’s website:
Freshman applicants may only apply for admission for the B.A. in Music program; admission to the B.Mus.-Performance program is available only to currently enrolled students who are selected on the basis of the B.Mus. audition, which is typically scheduled during the student’s second year.</p>

<p>So, it seems you would be auditioning for the BM along with everyone else later on?</p>

<p>The Claire Trevor School of the Arts at UCI is a wonderful place to study, because the programs are really small, there is plenty of personal attention, and lots of interaction across disciplines, ie, musicians working with dancers, opportunities to play for theater productions. The campus is beautiful, and the dorms are pretty nice as well.</p>

<p>SDSU is widely known for being impossible to get required courses. Freshman get priority, but after that, you’re last. Also, the general ed requirements for SDSU are much greater than for UCI. That could be a plus for some, but many musicians would think of that as a negative.</p>

<p>I’m quite familiar with both schools, but not necessarily their jazz programs. IMO the arts are much stronger at UCI, and the school is generally held in higher regard, though that can depend upon the degree. Okay, I’m completely biased as a UCI alum…and in my day, SDSU is where you went to party. But I’m old, so take all this with a grain of salt… ;)</p>

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<p>Hi,</p>

<p>Does someone know anything about the BA in music (piano concentration) at UC Irvine? it seems like everyone is in the BA initially, but one can choose a concentration later on.</p>