Specialty College (Arts/Music) or Typical University with a good program?

[Anonymous]

DS is deciding between Berklee College of Music, and a number of well-regarded music production programs at universities:
Lamont School of Music at U Denver
CCM at U Cincinnati
Boyer School of Music at Temple
RAMP major at Drexel
He is in at some others but I think he's crossed them off the list.

Temple and Cincinnati are about $15K cheaper than the others, but we can pay for any one of them.

The decision is really about Berklee vs. the option for a more traditional college experience--so any of those other schools. Berklee has the best program--pretty much any and every music class you can think of, every ensemble, ability to collaborate with tons of other musicians, networking, multiple cool majors within music, and FWIW people are impressed that he got in (the other university programs are selective for music, but most people aren't aware of that). But he (and I) are worried about burnout and FOMO on a more traditional college experience--we've heard Berklee is "so much" music that some kids end up not liking music anymore, and then of course if you want to change your major you basically have to transfer schools. There is no defined campus, no sports teams to cheer for--unless you want to cheer for another college's teams--few recreational athletic facilities, few clubs, and limited diversity in terms of what your fellow students are studying.

I'm wondering if anyone had a kid that had this choice--does not have to be music, could be a similar example like choosing an art school over a university with a good arts program, or vice-versa, what did they choose, and why? And do you think it was the right choice?

[Anonymous]

Berklee does have a pretty low graduation rate (just 67% after 6 years). I think because students burn out and/or decide to move on to their career without the degree. Many Berklee students end up in a lot of debt without graduating college. That would give me some pause in terms of the four-year college experience.

Congrats to your student on having such great options! I know the music audition process isn’t for the faint of heart.

[Anonymous]

We want our child to have a more well-rounded education and experience so I'd pick any of those he's happy with but not Berklee.

[Anonymous]

I have a kid who is exceptional in theater and we debated BFA vs BA, which is similar conundrum, I think.

They ended up doing a BA and did a double major in theater/something practical.

What I said to them is unless you know it in every fiber of your bones that there is no other path for you in this life...unless you are SO SURE...do the BA. And I do think some kids really know and a BFA is for them.

[Anonymous]

My music major (elsewhere) was never keen on Berklee because it’s so massive that you actually may not get much playing time or time on the equipment, especially in the early years. Frankly it seems like Berklee is all about expansion and tuition and marketing right now. Thousands of students in Boston, New York, Valencia, and online too? Not exactly a conservatory experience.

[Anonymous]

Berklee or Julliard are for kids who want to work in the music industry.

I know a fantastic jazz drummer who attended (she did receive a nearly full
Scholarship), loved it and I think joined Marsalis.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Berklee or Julliard are for kids who want to work in the music industry.

I know a fantastic jazz drummer who attended (she did receive a nearly full
Scholarship), loved it and I think joined Marsalis.

As working musicians.

[Anonymous]

Incredible options!

I think you've summarized the pros and cons very well. I agree with a PP that if your son absolutely cannot conceive of doing anything other than music, go for Berklee.

[Anonymous]

My music production major is headed to Jacob’s but applied to CCM. It seems like a school like that is perfect for your kid. It’s literally a conservatory in a bigger school. In the end, they have to go where they are happy and feel like they fit in. Where does your DC feel at home and with their people?

[Anonymous]

Also, ignore other people. If they don’t know that CCM music production is much harder to get into than Berkelee then that’s their problem.

[Anonymous]

My theater production senior has these choices - narrowed down to two BFAs, one at a more “specialized” school, one at a large state school and one BA (Fordham). It’s honestly a personal choice on the student if all things are equal financially/you can afford them.

It’s their first big decision and I’m seeing it first hand - I’m letting mine decide and giving my opinion when asked. Really the answer lies with your kid and what type of program they are looking for and will thrive in. Have you visited options? If you can and haven’t you should if possible. Good luck to your kid OP and congrats to them!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My music production major is headed to Jacob’s but applied to CCM. It seems like a school like that is perfect for your kid. It’s literally a conservatory in a bigger school. In the end, they have to go where they are happy and feel like they fit in. Where does your DC feel at home and with their people?

Congrats to your kid! This is OP, DS applied to Jacobs and was rejected unfortunately; I think that would have been a good fit for him. We visited Cincinnati this past weekend at admitted students' day and really liked CCM. It is a BM degree but they require a minor in Entrepreneurship (and if he felt the BM was too much he could easily switch to a music BA and double major in something else) and CCM, as a school, is just cool--there were kids majoring in costume design, musical theater, media production, ballet, and acting in our group. Campus was really nice, great athletic facilities, dorms we saw were renovated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a kid who is exceptional in theater and we debated BFA vs BA, which is similar conundrum, I think.

They ended up doing a BA and did a double major in theater/something practical.

What I said to them is unless you know it in every fiber of your bones that there is no other path for you in this life...unless you are SO SURE...do the BA. And I do think some kids really know and a BFA is for them.

Op here, it is similar and I recommended DS apply to different types of majors for that reason. Some programs are BM (like a BFA, lots of required credits in the major and it's basically impossible to double major), some are BS or BA and so there's ability to double major in something else. Some of the programs (Drexel for example) require music business courses as part of the degree requirements. Agree with you I did not want him to only have BM programs as an option.

[Anonymous]

Nephew is a prodigy multi-instrument musician. He went to Berklee. He is now a session musician for several top 30 artists and has been on 2 world tours with a not to be name a-list pop star. He is living the life. Berklee connections were incredible for someone who was already super talented.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My music production major is headed to Jacob’s but applied to CCM. It seems like a school like that is perfect for your kid. It’s literally a conservatory in a bigger school. In the end, they have to go where they are happy and feel like they fit in. Where does your DC feel at home and with their people?

Congrats to your kid! This is OP, DS applied to Jacobs and was rejected unfortunately; I think that would have been a good fit for him. We visited Cincinnati this past weekend at admitted students' day and really liked CCM. It is a BM degree but they require a minor in Entrepreneurship (and if he felt the BM was too much he could easily switch to a music BA and double major in something else) and CCM, as a school, is just cool--there were kids majoring in costume design, musical theater, media production, ballet, and acting in our group. Campus was really nice, great athletic facilities, dorms we saw were renovated.

Thanks. He is so excited. CCM is truly fantastic. I think your DC just needs to go where he feels comfortable. Things will all work out. You can never tell what kids will do in the future. He has amazing options and should feel proud!