Choosing the right music school, college music department, or university music program, can be a daunting task for the uninitiated. Even for professionals in the music education field, it’s not always a slam-dunk advising a student as to which school would best serve his/her educational and career goals. In my 25 years as a director of admissions, I always...

For 25 years, I saw and heard every kind of musician come through the doors of the admissions office at Berklee, looking to become the next guitar god, go-to record producer, or Hollywood soundtrack impresario. Some students were quiet but determined, eyes on their feet, hands clutching trumpet cases...

Talent trumps all. That’s what some folks would have you believe when it comes to getting into a top music program. If you’ve got serious musical chops, and can sing like Pink, rap like Chance, or write like Lin Manuel Miranda, then the doors to NYU, USC, or [INSERT your dream school here] will...

The key to a student’s successful music education in a traditional (classical) conservatory is primarily their private lesson instructor – or referred to as the studio. A student considering various music schools should first research the faculty teaching on their principal instrument. Do they like the teachers performances, interpretation...