Frequently Asked Questions

Deciding to major or minor in music is a deeply personal choice—one that requires equal parts self-reflection and practical understanding. Start by asking yourself the following questions:

• What is your passion when you wake up each morning?
• Can you envision yourself doing anything other than music each day of your future?
• What do you experience when you engage in a musical activity?

If music feels like more than just a hobby—if it's your outlet, your identity, your greatest joy or deepest curiosity—you may be ready to take that next step.

But passion alone isn’t the whole equation. Consider your current skills and your appetite for growth. Do you enjoy practicing and improving? Are you motivated by performance, collaboration, creativity, or technical mastery? A music major will challenge you intellectually, artistically, and personally. It can also open doors to an array of careers—from performance and composition to production, teaching, and arts administration.

A minor in music (or double major) may be a better fit if you want to maintain your musical identity while pursuing another academic interest—whether it’s engineering, psychology, or business. Many programs support cross-disciplinary study, especially at liberal arts colleges and universities with strong music departments.

Still unsure? That’s okay. Part of our job at Inside Music Schools is to help you explore these questions, gain clarity, and find the right path forward.

It’s not just what you already know but also about potential and a willingness to learn. That being said, here are some skills and traits that will help you when applying as a music major:

• Experience studying with a private teacher and plenty of preparation and support for auditions.
• Experience in school and/or community bands, wind ensembles/orchestras, ensembles, choirs, or your own band or performance group.
• Experience and some degree of comfort in performing solos as well as performing with a larger group.
• Ability to read music, sight-read, and sight-sing.
• Listening and aural skills.
• An understanding of basic music theory.
• Exposure to lots and lots of music, in the genre you like to perform and other genres.
• Experience participating in after-school music programs, summer music camps, and training programs.

No. When a family contacts us, we hold a 20- to 30-minute conversation via Zoom in which we learn about the student, and they learn about us to determine if we are a good match. We then follow up with ideas about how we could work together.

When a family reaches out to us, our first step is to schedule a free introductory meeting. This 20-30-minute Zoom conversation gives everyone a chance to meet and determine if we are a good match. It also provides families with the opportunity to ask questions and learn about our philosophy, what we do, and how we do it. Then, we’ll follow up with a proposal and ideas about how we can work together to meet the family's goals.

We hold an extensive Intake Interview via Zoom. During the Intake, we take a deep dive into the students' musical and academic background, and more importantly, their goals and aspirations. We learn a great deal about the students’ interests, knowledge, and ability, and what the parents and students envision for the college experience. That information determines what the next steps should be and informs our work together.

We advise students to begin in their sophomore or junior year. We work with high school seniors, too, but by then, there is a much smaller window to make an impact on training and preparation. Students need to know, in advance, where they stand compared to other college-bound musicians and what they should be working on for auditions and interviews. If a student comes to us in their senior year, we may only have time for one mock audition or one simulated interview. It is still valuable! However, if they come to us earlier, we can repeat these activities depending on the level of service you select. The student enjoys progress over time and gets opinions from multiple specialists.

The only way to find out is to discuss your goals with us and see what we can achieve together. Set up a free introductory meeting to discuss this further.

We work with a wide range of students—from highly advanced young musicians aiming for top conservatories, to passionate students who want music to be part of a broader college experience. Some are planning to major in music, others are exploring minors or dual-degree programs. All benefit from a customized approach.

Yes. Based on the student’s musical level, academic background, goals, and personal preferences, we help build a well-balanced list of schools—conservatories, university music programs, liberal arts colleges, or dual-degree options. We guide families through the discovery process with real insight into what makes each program unique.

Not at all. While we have deep expertise in classical music, we also work with students pursuing jazz, musical theater, contemporary/pop music, songwriting, music production, composition, film scoring, and more. We match students with specialists who understand their genre and goals.

Yes. Our services often include guidance on personal statements, music-specific supplements, and school-specific application requirements. We help students craft compelling narratives that reflect their musical identity and goals that can set them apart from other applicants.

It depends on the student's grade level, goals, and when they begin. Some work with us over the course of a year or more, while others seek help with specific parts of the process, such as audition prep or final school selection. We tailor timelines to each family’s needs.

Yes. We work with students and families around the world via Zoom. Whether you're based in Europe, Asia, South America, or Canada, we can help you navigate the U.S. college music admissions landscape.

No ethical consultant can promise admission to a particular school. However, we can promise that your student will submit the strongest application possible, will be fully prepared for auditions and interviews, and will have a realistic and well-researched school list that matches their strengths and goals.