<p>Hi, I am a Soprano applying to undergrad programs for voice. </p>
<p>As of now, I am applying to:
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Indiana University
Northwestern University
Michigan University at Ann-Arbor
Eastman School of Music
Lawrence University</p>
<p>I understand that most of these are very strong schools and it would be risky to only apply to these; I need both a talent-safety and a financial safety. A place that isn't too stingy with financial aid, but still has a great program/teachers. Any and all recommendations will be taken to heart. Thank you in advance! </p>
<p>*I will not apply to any conservatories or any schools without a music ed program, just in case I change my mind.</p>
<p>My son’s cousin went to Gustavus Adolphus in Minnesota and studied voice. Don’t know how they are for financial aid, but she had some awesome teaching experiences, one in Korea.</p>
<p>Baldwin Wallace College would be a great option since you seem to want to stay in the mid-west based on the list you have now. They have a conservatory within the school itself. The facilities are brand new and absolutely BEAUTIFUL. The voice faculty there is strong as well. You would probably get some good academic scholarship money if you are a competitive applicant at schools like NW, UM, and UIUC.</p>
<p>Baldwin Wallace is a good choice. However, literature from last year’s audition cycle stated that for voice their acceptance rate is 20% so it might not be a viewed as a safety. They do offer academic and talent monies which rival instate tuition. Lovely campus and close to Cleveland so you would get the benefit of a small town and a big city.</p>
<p>I don’t know where the number 20% came from but I highly doubt that is correct because for voice their numbers have been around 35-40% for almost 10 years straight…</p>
<p>…or even if it is correct there often blips on the radar for schools’ admissions years where they just happen to get a lot more applications one year than is normal. I would still recommend it as a safety. Voice is going to be a one of, if not the most competitive audition at most music schools, so it is all relative.</p>
<p>v-c: About Baldwin Wallace - it was in their printed literature handed out at auditions. Instrumentalists had an 80% and voice 20% for an overall of 35-40%. Still a great school. Also, one of the warmest and nicest friendliest audition day that we attended last year. (It might be because they include musical theatre under voice for their numbers.)</p>
<p>Also, if you are coming east to Eastman, look at Ithaca. Son’s friends who were voice majors applying to Eastman, etc. used it as a safety. They do offer regional auditions so you wouldn’t have to travel to NY to apply. Great college town and decent scholarships if you have good academics along with talent.</p>
<p>Agree 100% with cartera45! As for Ithaca, I would not in any way consider it to be a “safety” for VP- I have known girls who were turned down there who had attended credible programs while in HS.
Another thing not within your control is the number of applicants and the quality of same in any particular year. Some years, there are an abundance of excellent applicants, while others are sparce and there are a large number of acceptances; that can result in one school having a very large entering class (if all accepted students attend) or a tiny one (or even none at all!).
What may be a safety for one student- and I know one who has posted on here who has a terrific voice, so any school would have been lucky to have her- may not be for another. If a school has an abundance of, say, light lyrics or high coloraturas, then they may not be so eager to take in any more. Schools often double-cast, so if you “fit” the type to fit in with a singer they already have then you might stand a greater chance than another girl who might even be better than you but who might not work into their program. What a lot of us are trying to say is that it’s a crap shoot: pick your schools because you like them, do your research, sing your very best and wait for their decision.
Good luck to you!!</p>
<p>Maybe this has been mentioned, but it may be a good idea to audition early at a school that has rolling admissions. Then, hopefully, you have an early admission to fall back on if all else fails. My D auditioned at West Chester in November so she had an acceptance by early December. She ended up choosing the school that was the very last in giving out acceptances though. She felt great having that early admit however. I think Westminster Choir College had rolling admissions too - I could be wrong. They have more depth in their faculty than any other place I know of.</p>
<p>Look at Elmhurst College. We have a very good music department, Sue Moninger runs a wonderful choir program that travels all over the world. It’s a great small liberal arts college, very supportive of students, and we tend to give a lot of financial aid, especially to high achieving talented students. If you’re in the over 25 ACT score range it would be a great safety.</p>
<p>If your kids are interested in something Southern - Centenary College in Shreveport, LA has a very well respected voice program with “world-class” choirs. The main choir travels extensively internationally, which can be really fun. Admission is by audition, but its not as competitive as top schools - and their financial aid is great.</p>
<p>Also, look at Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX.</p>
<p>WCC does have rolling admissions, but can not be considered as a “Safety” school for voice. They do, however, also have an excellent Music Ed department.</p>