Berklee College of Music Top Questions

I would advice parents and students to visit college campuses and meet with students and staff members to get actual personal opinions regarding the school. I would also suggest students and parents to consider the cost of attendance in their decision.

Do whatever makes your child happy. You don't have to be "successful" to be happy.

I would say it is imperative to follow your insticts. Do as much research as you can about the school both before you get there and as soon as you enter. It is certainly a partnership between parents and students when doing research for schools, especially since finances are usually provided for by parents, but it is the parents job to make sure that the student also researches when they get to the school. This may entail talking to other students and teachers or offices provided by the school. Asking questions both before and after is the most important thing you can do. Ask as many people as many questions as possible, and you'll get at least a majority of the answers your looking for. Make comparison lists before, and goal lists during. Never settle! You are paying to get a great education, and that's what you deserve. If you want to get something out of a school and felt like you could upon entering, you absolutely should!

Finding the right college has little to do with the parents, or where they attended school. Which school to attend is a big decision, and one you will either cherish or regret for a long time. Doing proper research and finding reviews of different schools on a childs list is the best thing to do. I personally had it easy because I was well aware of what I wanted to do and where was the best place to do it. I only applied to one college and got accepted. But that is surely not going to be everybodys' story, so... Try your very best to figure out what you will want to do professionally as a career, and do the best research you can to find out which college specializes the most in that field. Also make sure that the college campus/environment suites you (as a secondary requirement).

Always look for Diversity. In the world today, so many countries are rising on the international scene. It is great to have friends from other countries that you establish long-term connections with because maybe 10 years from now you may be working with them. One of my closest friends here is from Italy. It also great to get in touch with other culltures and look at their perspectives because you learn alot more about yourself and you can also recognize how similar we all really are.

Let your children go to their first choice school.

I would tell prosepctive students to visit the schools they are interested in befor enrolling in it. Ask yourself if a city environment is where you want live and study. Make sure you can afford the school. I f not ask yourself if student loans are worth taking out in order to attend the school. Also know if you want to live at home or away.

Try to figure out what you want out of life.

More than anything, I would recommend that anyone looking to attend college figure out what they want to do in life, before investng the amount of time and money it takes to really do well in college. Taking time off between high school and college is a much better choice than trying to jump into college unsure of what you want to do. Remember, these four years are crucial in determining what you will do for the rest of your life.

Really take every chance you get to meet faculty and students and get involved in extra activities. Also work hard and get the education you are paying for.