I appreciated reading this as a parent of a violist who is one of seven. We are in a similar position. We ended up with a few full tuition offers where the R&B was feasible, one of which is the Robert McDuffie Center for Strings* in GA. I know it’s very late in the process but maybe not for a small school like this one. It might be worth inquiring. Also, it doesn’t hurt to ask for more money. The least the schools can say is no!
*ETA: I know they do offer a few full rides.
thanks for the reply. I am still scanning these pages as an anxious parent. We are gathering up other offers now and trying to figure out what will be the best option. Michigan has given full tuition and is probably the most feasible for room and board, but not necessarily the best fit. The teacher is great as far as communication and interest, but doesn’t play as much as other teachers and would be different teaching method. Indiana has an amazing teacher, but has not offered full tuition(yet??). Eastman is giving a lot of money, but not quite a full tuition and the room and board is expensive. He seems to like the teacher, but it was only a virtual lesson. He was accepted to New England Conservatory, but I have not seen the scholarship offer, and I know the least about this location. He got wait listed at Julliard, which disappointed him, but I am not sure this would have been the best fit anyway. So we are going to have a busy April trying to figure this out. Thanks for the reply. The Room and Board is most affordable at Indiana if they can get the tuition covered. I feel like that is a good fit, but I feel like he is interested in a conservatory. Anxious times.
Curious: what does he perceive as the difference between Jacobs School of Music and any of the conservatories mentioned? To me, Jacobs is a conservatory if not in name. Ditto Michigan SMTD. When you write “I feel like he is interested in a conservatory” I am kind of mystified: he means freestanding? Why?
I don’t know your financial situation but if there is any chance he wants grad school, affordability is of course a priority for undergrad, though difference in teaching method may be a factor to consider (I defer to you and others on this).
He has some great acceptances and wonderful awards so the difficulty is in choosing, which is tough but in the end not a bad problem to have! Is he doing visits?
We are visiting Eastman. We have been to Indiana twice and Michigan once. I am unsure if we will go to New England Conservatory; it will depend on scholarship viability. They have had the least contact. We have not had a lesson and only a taped audition. I would be interested in opinions regarding New England Conservatory.
I think money is the biggest factor; unfortunately. I would be interested in how people view the schools as far as helping to further a career. Does it matter where your undergrad is? Does it matter how prestigious your teacher is? I would normally think it would, but based on the audition process it seems like the music world is different. Musicians can apparently listen for 5 to 10 minutes and know if you are good or not. So maybe it really is all about how well you will learn from the teacher.
I am really not sure why a conservatory seems to be what he is leaning towards. He may just be leaning towards Eastman and it happens to be a conservatory. He was also interested in Julliard, but I think it might have been name recognition more than anything else, since we really have not had any contact with teachers.
Thanks.
In our experience, (and the experience of those of the same audition year as my son) NEC offered the least amount of scholarship money. Ditto with Juilliard if accepted off of the wait list. IU and Michigan are both fabulous programs as is Eastman.
I would say that a good fit with the teacher is more important than prestige. So looking at teaching philosophy, the tone and style of the teacher and the students coming out of the studio, communication and so on.
Also as you are weighing options, be sure to look at whether there is a significant difference in travel costs. Some schools are much more challenging to get to and from with pricier air fares and ground transport.
I think grad school comes down to playing ability + contacts. (This applies to summer music as well, which can be another financial headache. My son’s violist friends are all attending Aspen with fellowships because their teacher is there and arranged it.) At his school, there’s a great deal of collaboration with professional musicians and teachers from other conservatories. This coupled with student effort in practicing/growing as a musician seems to consistently smooth the path to (free) grad school, from what I’ve observed.
There is little difference between “conservatories” and “schools of music” since both offer a BM degree. Eastman is not freestanding of course.
NEC seems to communicate less, not sure why, but it is a great school.
The thing is, the freestanding conservatories (like NEC) give less financial aid and merit aid doesn’t cut it either. The BM programs that are part of a larger university tend to give more financial aid, in our experience (Eastman, MIchigan, IU). I am surprised room and board are not covered with financial aid.
Again, in our experience (kid is almost done doctorate), kids in top grad schools come from all kinds of schools. If he ends up at the local state U., and does summer programs with the money saved, that could be fine, depending on the teacher. I know he will feel let down but…
We had a similar situation actually- many acceptances at top conservatories but couldn’t pay despite merit. I completely understand. My kid went to a BA program with amazing financial aid, but they are in composition. Just know he will do fine wherever he goes if he works hard, works well with others, and connects to people and opportunities.
ps for some reason we know a lot of Eastman grads!
Thanks all. We are going to do some negotiating and see where we land. He has talent and determination, so I am sure he will do fine; but I’m not sure he is mature enough yet as far as networking and the social game that I believe will be necessary to make it as a violist. I’m writing down where I think he will end up and putting it in an envelope and will see if I am right come May. It will be nice to see Eastman and compare to Michigan and Indiana. I am not sure whether we will get to see New England Conservatory or not.
We are on a similar path with my son (violist)-he’s currently deciding with Eastman and NEC at top of his list. I’m happy to share our experience if you’d like to PM me.