<p>I would like some feedback from students and parents of students regarding these two Colleges and their Music programs, specifically related to vocal performance majors if possible.</p>
<p>Student wants to possibly transfer from UMich to Berklee, if accepted through audition for junior and senior years. </p>
<p>Please share any information you may have on any topic as it pertains to these two colleges and their programs.</p>
<p>Greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>These are very different institutions to study music at. What is the reason to want to do a transfer? And what kind of vocal performance are you looking into? Jazz? Classical?</p>
<p>Try posting this in the music major forum available from the main CC forum list.</p>
<p>Thank you for your immediate reply to my inquiry.</p>
<p>My daughter was blessed and fortunate to attend Interlochen Arts Academy her senior year of High School as a vocal performance major with all emphasis on classical music. She had attended a summer camp and fell in love. We were then able to secure a place through audition. She thrived and loved every minute of her experiences while at Interlochen.</p>
<p>Subsequently she auditioned and was accepted to 8 different colleges/universities at the time of graduation and chose UMich for many different reasons and through many recommendations. She was blessed with ‘voice’ and started singing when she was 2. She’ always loved music and had always felt there is no other place for her, in spite of the employment opportunities which may or may not exist following completion of her degree (she wants to go on and get Masters). She wants to perform, she’s gifted with natural talent and incredible range, etc. My support is always with her and I try to help her through decisions as best I can realizing that ultimately it is up to her and what she puts into it. I understand this is most competitive and cut-throat choice as performance major.</p>
<p>She has been at UMich now going on 2 years with a classical based program. She has been lost in the crowd of thousands and says that now she would like to experience and complete her education at Berklee, in a city vs. college town, contemporary based program vs. classical with the hope and understanding that her chances for actual performances is greater at Berklee and that their music program would be better suited to her needs. I have been trying to read through reviews for an overall idea of the differences, other than the obvious ones, to help her make a formed decision following her upcoming audition at Berklee. My problem is that I have read almost NO good reviews of Berklee or their music program or their college in general. However, I have read almost NO bad reviews of UMich, except that I’ve found nothing specifically related to their music school. </p>
<p>The decision is a difficult one, assuming she is actually accepted through audition. I am not a wealthy parent by any stretch of the imagination and am not sure I’ll even be able to secure loans sufficient to cover tuition at Berklee. UMich, out of state tuition has almost buried me. I believe in my daughter and her ability to accomplish anything she sets her mind to and regardless of where she finishes college she has the dedication and drive to create in herself the musical instrument necessary to obtain her ultimate goals. I just need some feedback and experience with this process so I can better form an opinion to share. She has been unable to speak with a counselor at UMich about this and is now very hesitant based on the reviews of other students/parents.</p>
<p>How can I help? She is my only child so I have no additional experience in this area of life. I’m an older parent as she was a ‘miracle’ child to me at age 37. My own career was created through experience, working 12-14 hour days, climbing the ladder and dedication. I was always happy with the choices I made based on my resources at the time so I have no real personal experience to base my opinion or ideas on either.</p>
<p>Your interest, commentary and any information and/or opinions you wish to share are greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for your immediate reply and suggestions. Once I’ve figured out this website I can hopefully navigate to the forum you refer to. You have been my second reply to my first post and I’m still pretty green.</p>
<p>Again, I appreciate your interest and assistance.</p>
<p>If you’re instate for UMich and have financial need, then your need is met. Berklee doesn’t promise to meet need to incoming frosh, so it would likely have even worse aid for transfers.</p>
<p>If you can pay all the costs for the new school, then that’s not a concern. However, if you needed a lot of aid, then do not cut any ties with UMich until you’ve seen the aid pkg from UMich.</p>
<p>If the NPC on the Berklee website is only somewhat accurate for incoming frosh, then you can’t heavily rely on it for a good estimate.</p>
<p>My son is a student at Berklee and it is like heaven for him. I know there are a number of negative comments about the school on various forums; I attribute it to the fact that the school is not the right fit for everyone, and some people who didn’t like it chose, for whatever reason, to be vocal about it. Berklee is unlike any other college I have ever seen – it is all music, all of the time, and the students who seem to enjoy it the most are the ones who are extremely self-directed and driven. I recommend that your daughter contact the admissions office and arrange to spend a day or so at the school to see if it is right for her. Be aware, however, that Berklee is very expensive, and they do not give many significant scholarships.</p>
<p>I have a friend who was a soprano at UM. She, too, felt lost in the crowd - so what she did is she carved out her own niche. She focused primarily on contemporary music - but classical contemporary - new music. She was able to stand out, have many opportunities to perform, forged great friendships, and now is a successful soprano in NYC (after attending an elite post grad program,) including heading her own new music festival focused exclusively on voice.</p>
<p>The musical voice training at Berklee is going to be significantly different, physically, than what she’s used to. There are many many knowledgable voice posters on the Music Major Forum which you can find here: [Music</a> Major - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/]Music”>Music Major - College Confidential Forums) There are also parents posting in that forum who currently have students at Berklee- including singers. Who have nothing but good things to say about the program.</p>
<p>It’s possible your daughter would be happier transferring to a smaller program - but one which is still classically based, but with more opportunities for different rep. Again, hop on over to the Music Major forum - I’m sure there are a number of people who would be only too happy to help.</p>
<p>* Be aware, however, that Berklee is very expensive, and they do not give many significant scholarships.*</p>
<p>That’s what many are concerned about. Are there any for transfers? If so, how much are they?</p>
<p>1Delta…how much are you willing to pay each year?</p>
<p>Be aware that it is VERY difficult to transfer music performance credits from one school to another. No matter how highly regarded the school that your D is transferring from, performance credits and music theory credits may transfer but will not apply to the new schools performance requirements or their music theory requirements. Every school seems to have a different music theory sequence. I know this, because my D transferred as a VP undergrad. Be prepared to add a fifth year.</p>
<p>link to Music Majors forum: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/</a></p>
<p>I don’t know about scholarships for students transfering into Berklee, but I’m sure that is information the school can provide if you inquire. Musicamusica’s point about music credits is a great one – I have heard that Berklee generally does not accept music credits from any other schools. I suspect the admissions office can answer that question as well.</p>
<p>*I am not a wealthy parent by any stretch of the imagination and am not sure I’ll even be able to secure loans sufficient to cover tuition at Berklee.</p>
<p>UMich, out of state tuition has almost buried me. *</p>
<p>Oh, yikes…didn’t see this. oh my!</p>
<p>I can’t imagine that Berklee will be any cheaper. Doesn’t she have any instate options?</p>