<p>Hi! I'm deciding between UMich's School of Music and Sarah Lawrence College. I heard that Sarah Lawrence has a good music program..and lots of individual attention (and obviously more performance opportunities)....but does it make a really big difference to go to an actual music school? I'm concerned that though SLC lets you spend 2/3 of your credits on music, but it still forces you to spend much time on academics (and treat music purely as a hobby)...</p>
<p>How many performance opportunities will you get in UMich's School of Music as a music ed major? I got accepted into the choral music ed program with a piano emphasis...and what are the chances to transfer to a performance major?</p>
<p>Regarding housing, is it possible to get a single in your freshman year at UMich? (SLC has seems to have poor housing...and you'll only get a triple as a freshman...) Also, SLC seems to have a less diverse environment...white female predominates...some international students say that such an environment make them feel uncomfortable...</p>
<p>Just curious. Why do you think Sarah Lawrence has more performance opportunities? There are 450 performances at UMich SOM each year – and performance opportunities for a very very wide range of students, whether in the SOM or casual. Back when they still ranked music programs, UMich typically outranked SL, and is still considered by many to be among the top 10 in the country, depending on discipline, and in some areas, eg. composition grad, ranks right up there with Yale et al.
Sorry I can’t help you more – go for fit and finance. Regarding chances for switching to performance major – not sure anyone can answer that – really depends on your background and talent level; obviously though you’d have a good idea of the odds after a year there. Think you can request single rooms but they cost more and are not plentiful.
At any rate, we did not look at Sarah Lawrence so I can’t give you much of a comparison except to say that my son loves the Mich SOM. Congrats and good luck with your decision. You might want to post this question in the music forum where you might get better responses.</p>