Berklee College of Music Top Questions

It is most important to talk to students who ALREADY ATTEND the college of interest (students who both like AND dislike the college). Also, it's most important for incoming freshman to truly understand that they most likely have not been fully prepared for embarking on a career path just from high school, and that they will probably change their mind about how they'd like to build their future multiple times throughout their college experience. Lastly, it's cliche, but true: Make sure to pursue things you love, things you enjoy, and things that make you happy - all the way from classes to prospective jobs and careers.

The best advice that I could give to the new hunters of a worthy education, is to visit the campus and talk to everyone you see. Only the real students attending the school are the ones that have the most and truest voice on how the campus is. Speak to the students first, and everyone else later.

If you or your child has a clear idea of what they want to do when they graduate, he/she must choose a college in which he will get the most out of for their selected path. You must also do what is in your heart. And get to know people, because you will never know who might help you out in the same industry when you need it.

First of all, forget your GPA, your SAT scores, your AP scores. Forget what classes you're taking, what classes you already took, what classes you think you have to take. Forget how badly you did on your math test, and how well you did in history. In fact, do yourself a humongous favor, and completely wipe high school from your brain. Then take a deep breath, and say this out loud: "I'm doing this for me." Don't let yourself be consumed by the judgemental numbers and superfluous pre-requisites that high school has forced upon you. Yes, high school is important, and yes, you should take it seriously, but don't EVER let anybody tell you that grades or course choices will decide your future. Only YOU can make that decision. College isn't just about "getting an education"--it's about making you into the person that you will be for the rest of your life. Think about the kind of person you want to be. What do you want from life? What do you want to offer to the world? Forget all the numbers, think about you--this isn't a test. This is life.

Start looking early. If you have many interests and talents, find the best schools for each. Make a Pros/Cons list if you have trouble deciding and follow your heart. Once you get there, get involved with anything and everything you can. You never know how the skills you learn there or the people you meet will be of help in the future.

Students looking for the right college should definitely take tours of lots of prospective schools. They should make sure to meet students and teachers at each school that they visit as well. When making the final decision, I went with my strongest immediate feeling, and it was the right choice. After choosing a school, to get the most out of your college experience, be sure to stay focused on work and get your money's worth. Make sure to take advantage of extra curricular activities, such as clubs and sports, and make sure to get the most out of your classes.

In this time of economic crisis, no one wants to waste any money on something they're going to quit in a couple of months. Researching the right college will save money and time. Also, in these uncertain times, you want to look for a school that will adequately prepare you for challenges to come, no matter what the will be.

I don't think students should come here just for a music degree and then go to a "real college" to get a "real job". It's no good to the parents or the students (considering paying off debts. I know too many people who have done that, and many more who ARE doing that as I write this out. The "right college" doesn't mean the one that all of one's friends are at, or the one that is focused on only ONE subject that one prefers. That's just not how life works, so one shouldn't think that a college would be any better/different. What I've learned, is that if you don't feel comfortable somewhere...TRANSFER. It is poor for your lifestyle and who you are, to stick around where you do not feel that the education is suited to your needs. That's the lovely thing about life; one has choices and decisions that can ultimately come to benefit oneself. In fact, that's just what I love about being in college; I find myself having to apply an increased level of maturity and end up growing and learning from it.

It's not about doing what you love, it's about getting what you want while you're doing it.

Do not go to a school because you feel like to have to . Study something you love, no matter how much or little money it will make you. Work hard because you love doing what you do. Research the schools that have acclaimed programs for the feild you want to study, then pursue them