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We are in the process of looking for schools for our daughter. She isn't sure about her major, but regardless, she would like to go somewhere where she can continue to play her oboe in an ensemble, and study privately. If she majors in music, it would be music technology. We are thinking of taking her to some schools in Virginia in April...Old Dominion, University of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth, maybe George Mason and Mary Washington or Washington and Lee. We'd love to hear some things about any of these schools. DD is probably going to be in the top 10% of her class if she continues (she's a sophomore) as she has been. However, she is not interested in a highly competitive school for acceptance purposes. She wants to be near a city (but not a huge one) and the school size medium...in the 10,000 student range.

By Lvdad (Lvdad) on Saturday, January 17, 2004 - 10:45 pm: Edit

Not on your list, but you may also want to consider James Madison University (about 14,000 or 15,000 undergrads). We visited with D earlier this year and we very impressed. We have several friends who are parents of current and recently graduated students - very good feedback from all -have yet to hear a bad word from anyone. There have also been earlier posts on CC about it also. Beautiful campus, good programs, some of the friendliest & most helpful people we've dealt with, and the cost is reasonable (the school is consistently a "best buy" in many of the college guides). I'm not sure, but I believe the Princeton Review mentions that they have a strong music program.

Also, other people on this forum will have better handle on this, but if she continues in top 10% of her class, might not William & Mary and University of Virginia be possibilities? The counselor at D's high school also likes Mary Washington strongly, though it is smaller/medium size (about 4,000 students).

Good luck as you start your search. I think that we traveled through most of northeast and midwest during D's "search". It was actually a lot of fun - definately a lot more more fun than the last several months of working on applications and the FAFSA!!

Good luck!!

By Vadad (Vadad) on Sunday, January 18, 2004 - 12:26 am: Edit

I echo the good comments about JMU and Mary Washington. Many local kids have gone to both schools and love the experiences they've had there. If she wants to be near a city, Mary Washington is only about an hour and a half from downtown D.C. and an hour from Richmond. In Richmond, VCU is the "urban" school and U of R is the "suburban" school (though they're only about 10 minutes apart). U of R has a lovely, manicured campus. VCU is a city school, bordering on both a very nice neighborhood (the Fan) and some relatively unsavory neighborhoods. One of my D's has been at VCU 2 years, though, studying art, and thinks it's a great place to be. UVA's music department has been a neglected stepchild, but is receiving more attention now that the capital campaign is focusing on upgraded performing arts facilities. Definitely check out Mary Washington, JMU, and U of R.

By Thumper1 (Thumper1) on Sunday, January 18, 2004 - 09:23 am: Edit

Thanks for the info so far. William and Mary is NOT an option. DD says Williamsburg is too sleepy a place. She doesn't want to live there (it's not her version of a "city"...mine either). That's why we thought Norfolk and Richmond might be good places. She thinks James Madison is a bit out there too. What is the "city" like where James M. is located?

By Tsdad (Tsdad) on Sunday, January 18, 2004 - 10:06 am: Edit

My son and I went to Richmond two years ago to look at the VCU, Virginia's "artsy" school, because of his interest in film. The school is located right in the middle of Richmond, and spread over many blocks. It is not self-contained, like USC where he wound up, and we did not find it attractive. The film program was the last thing on the tour, and the door to the room the tour guide (an Assistant Dean) wanted to show us was locked. He was unenthusiastic about the film program. My son did not apply.

Richmond may have things to offer, but as far as going to school in a city, we're not talking NY, LA, Chicago, Atlanta, Boston, or Philadelphia.

As for the University of Richmond: it's a very attractive school, but it is not located within walking distance of much of anything. It's set, very nicely, in the woods in the suburbs. Washington and Lee is also a very attractive school, but it is very isolated in Lexington, hours away from the WDC Metro area.

By Vadad (Vadad) on Sunday, January 18, 2004 - 10:55 am: Edit

If she finds Williamsburg sleepy, Harrisonburg will put her in a coma, and Richmond and Charlottesville will make her drowsy. The only major metropolitan area of any consequence "in" Virginia using those standards is D.C. George Mason has long been thought of as a commuter school, but it is growing and several departments have good reputations. Don't know about music. See comments about Mary Washington above. Beautiful campus, nice atmosphere, still, it's a drive to the nearest Metro station.

By Jenniferpa (Jenniferpa) on Sunday, January 18, 2004 - 11:00 am: Edit

If your daughter is really interested in majoring in music technology, you are going to have to expand your list. My daughter is currently in the application/audition stage for this major, and I believe that NONE of the schools you mention has a music technology program. There are approximately 18 schools who offer this sort of program (excluding pure music schools). Much depends on her preferred area: is she more interested in the composition side, or in the recording side? You might want to check out the audio engineering society web page. They list the vast majority of schools that offer music technology degrees. If she's more interested in the composing side, you have a few more options, since some music schools will offer a few classes in this area, but you have to ascertain that they have the approriate equipment. If you need any further info let me know.

Jennifer

By Clipper (Clipper) on Sunday, January 18, 2004 - 11:11 am: Edit

I will weigh in with my thoughts.
My older D goes to JMU and loves it. She is in graphic design. She did NOT want to go to VCU bc the campus was in a bad area with ghetto torn down buildings a block away from the VCU center where she played volleyball tournaments. Security call boxes were everywhere which we both were uncomfortable with. We know that all campuses have them but the way the campus looked I felt that they would be used more frequently than say at a rural campus. The dorms aren't that great from what I hear from her two friends that went to VCU. VCU is the best artsy school in the state but she opted to go to the second best in a safer place and a beautiful campus. She has a beautiful view of the mountains and has had a great time there. JMU is also noted for its band program. There is no "big city" there either but there are things to do. Not sure what your D wants from a big city - museums, opera? For a music experience then JMU is an excellent choice.
ODU is also in a bad area. It is down the street from the Naval Base. Lots of people walking around at night, drive-bys frequently occur. Not a safe choice and there is no "big city" activities available for college kids. There is an opera house and museums but not within walking distance. Most of the kids my D knows that went there live at home and commute so there isn't much of a comraderie.
Those are the only two colleges you mentioned that I could comment on.

By Pattykk (Pattykk) on Sunday, January 18, 2004 - 11:54 am: Edit

I attended Mary Washington and graduated from VCU. While Mary Wash is near DC and not too far from Richmond, the students did not leave campus much when I was there. VCU is urban, and there were many fun, funky places to go there when I attended. The city has gone downhill, however. I also found that the professors were indifferent to the students. I received almost no guidance.
If your daughter wants a big city experience, I would recommend American University in DC. I believe they have a music tech program, although I do not know any details. University of Miami is another possibility if she wants to head south. The Art Institute of Philadelphia is another possibility. In Virginia, Radford has a respected music tech program. Radford is a really sweet school not far from Roanoke.

By Momof3boys (Momof3boys) on Sunday, January 18, 2004 - 12:02 pm: Edit

S visited W&M and UVa and for the same reasons as DD, did not want to consider W&M although I as parent fell in love with it in terms of the offerings, size, campus, etc.

He visited UVa and was very favorably impressed, and although the campus is not near a large city, he was okay with the size of the town and proximity to DC (2 hr drive....okay for weekends).


He was ultimately accepted to his EA school, though, so did not apply to any Virginia schools as a result.

I have friends whose offspring attend JMU, VaTech, etc., and I've heard very favorable things for the most part. It is ironic that one of the reasons we moved to Va was to take advantage of the colleges here while also being in close proximity to DC--and now S is not taking advantage of either.

However, we still have sons 2 and 3 to deal with, college-wise, in the future, so there's hope...

By Tsdad (Tsdad) on Sunday, January 18, 2004 - 12:12 pm: Edit

VT is loved by many in the state, but my son wasn't among them. He found it too isolated and rural and lacking in diversity. It's a pretty decent school, fairly easy to get into, strong in the sciences.

By Jamimom (Jamimom) on Sunday, January 18, 2004 - 12:28 pm: Edit

I think Mary Washington is a true gem. Check out what they can offer in music technology. They do offer a music scholarship, I know. I also like St Mary's in Md and they, surprisingly, have an excellent music department. They are a bit off the beaten path but the campus looks like a vacation resort. I also can recommend Catholic U, lots of scholarships available, strong music department and College of Charlston (a heavy favorite of mine). If you can stand to go to Pittsburgh, Duquesne has a phenomonal music technology department, and they do have scholarships available.

By Pattykk (Pattykk) on Sunday, January 18, 2004 - 12:36 pm: Edit

Ah, Charleston! Lovely city and so many good restaurants. Great for the history buff.

By Choff (Choff) on Sunday, January 18, 2004 - 01:12 pm: Edit

I am probably the last person to ever think of recommending George Mason, but I do think you should at least check it out, if she's looking at Virginia and wants to be near a big city. I live five miles away and have always thought of it as a commuter campus and a "step-child" to the other universities in the state, BUT it truly is changing. My DS just transferred there this year and is living on campus. They have freshman dorm complex that is so-so, but they just built a new upperclassman dorm (suites/apartment style) and another one is under construction. He's living in an upper classman dorm and likes it a lot. The dorms stay open over break, so if someone can't get home, they can stay, or like him, go back and forth, moving things in and rearranging in peace and quiet. I know nothing about their music program, but do know they have a beautiful, fairly new Center for Performing Arts. The other nice thing is there is easy commuting to get off campus and into DC. My son doesn't have a car on campus (most do) but he gets around easily on the bus connections to the metrorail system for the area. As I said, Mason is moving up, while it's still a lot of commuters, there is at least activity on campus now in the evenings and weekends, and seems like there's usually something going on there.

By Momof3boys (Momof3boys) on Sunday, January 18, 2004 - 03:25 pm: Edit

I have a colleague who got her PhD at Mason a couple of years ago. She was very pleased with the graduate program there.

It is a very up and coming place, from what I hear.

By Thumper1 (Thumper1) on Sunday, January 18, 2004 - 09:58 pm: Edit

Wow...what a plentiful amount of info! One clarification about DD. She doesn't want a BIG city (no Boston, LA, Chicago etc). She wants a small city. Pittsburgh is the right size city and we know about Duquesne's music technology program. It's probably one of the best in the country and certainly one of the oldest. They are also starting a masters in music technology. And they also have a fabulous oboe teacher! She will go see that one and probably apply there. It fits all her criteria except the "mild climate"...right size school, right size city, etc. It is the perfect choice IF she majors in music technology, some days it's yes, some no (she's only in 10th grade). Today it's yes. The Virginia schools have a lot to offer, and we thought Richmond or Norfolk or somewhere might be the right size small city...are we right???

By Vadad (Vadad) on Sunday, January 18, 2004 - 11:39 pm: Edit

Richmond and Norfolk do not offer the same cultural opportunities that Pittsburgh does. Both are much smaller than Pittsburgh. Both are nice cities with many nice things to offer, but they will not feel anything like Pittsburgh, climate or otherwise.

Good luck!

By Jenniferpa (Jenniferpa) on Monday, January 19, 2004 - 07:35 am: Edit

Well, the Duquesne program is a good one. My DD wouldn't consider it because we're in Pittsburgh, and she wants to leave. Also, she attends Duquesne's City Music Center, so the whole thing is too close to home. If you end up visiting Pittsburgh, you might also consider the CMU program. Ithaca College might also fit the bill, but it is highly selective (accepts 5 students from 40+ applicants). UNC Asheville might be another possibility, depending on her focus.

If she continues to be interested in this area, you might want to try some of the summer programs so that she can narrow her focus. In my daughter's case, she came to realize that although she was interested in the composing side, she had an equal interest in the more technical/engineering side.

Jennifer

By Thumper1 (Thumper1) on Monday, January 19, 2004 - 09:06 am: Edit

Jennifer, do you have any specifics for summer programs that might focus a bit on music technology? DD goes to a highly regarded music camp in Maine (this will be her third and probably last year there) and next summer we'll be looking for other options. Her brother went to Tanglewood, but since she isn't interested in performance, that wouldn't be the best option.

By Jenniferpa (Jenniferpa) on Monday, January 19, 2004 - 09:12 am: Edit

You might want to look at the TIMARA summer program offered at Oberlin. My DD went to this and loved it BUT it's primarily focused on composition, and she's decided that's not where her primary interest lies. I believe that UNC Asheville also offer a program, and possbly SUNY Fredonia, but that's just off the top of my head. I'll check my files and get back to you.

Jennifer

By Bob_Mcc (Bob_Mcc) on Friday, January 23, 2004 - 07:25 am: Edit

UNC-Asheville has a good, small music dept & does feature music tech courses in the mix. Asheville's a gorgeous, but small, city nested in the Blue Ridge. Virtually everyone we know who's gone to UNC-A recently has been very pleased. The closest thing to a public LAC in NC. And, along w/ Mary Wash, one of the better, small, "lesser known among out of staters" public schools in the SE. UNC-A attracts a rather "artsy" student body, & is in close proximty to Warren Wilson (another very decent, small private school w/ a similar persona).

By Jenniferpa (Jenniferpa) on Friday, January 23, 2004 - 07:57 am: Edit

Regarding summer programs: Lebanon Valley College has a summer institute as does Radford. Actually LVC is rather interesting in that it offers automatic 50% scholarships to students in the top 10% of their class. It's a small LAC near Hershey, PA.

Bob_Mcc
Anything you can tell me abount unc asheville would be appreciated: DD has been accepted there, but has yet to audition. Actually, she's been accepted academically at all of the schools she applied to that we've heard from to date, but in all cases auditions are looming. Asheville's is not until April, but it really sounds like she'd like the town, although it's hard to get a feel for the college. It has, however, extremely attractive rates, even for out-of-state. The "artsy" student body is definitely the sort of thing she's looking for.

Jennifer

By Bob_Mcc (Bob_Mcc) on Thursday, January 29, 2004 - 10:52 pm: Edit

UNC-A is the closest thing (and, i'd think it'd be fair to call it so) a very good, second tier LAC -w/ the great benefit of being a public school.. While i couldn't convince our son to apply there...i think he actually would've been happy there. Everything we've heard about it, both from kids and parents of kids who've gone there recently has been VERY positive. It's quite small, and many departments are, consequently, rather "limited" in some degree.

But our we were very curious about both the math dept and music composition which are what our S was interested in; we had one of his teachers at the NC School of Science & Math "investigate" the math dept. and she reported back that it was small, but first rate. Asheville, itself, is as very "artsy" little city, and if cold weather is not a drawback, an absolutely lovely physical environment. The Black Mt festival (or its sequel) is held in the region annually. Well worth investigating, i think!
bob

By Daffodil22 (Daffodil22) on Tuesday, April 27, 2004 - 08:14 pm: Edit

For a Virginia state school, George Mason is a very good option. It deserves a lot more credit for its location and programs. City environment? GMU is only 20 minutes from DC, yet has its own campus and secluded feel. The IT and Management programs are very good, although Communications and Government are also superior due to the location. I don't really know much about the music program, but the other programs are great!