choices

[berniano]

For all of you are pursuing or have already attained a music degree (particularly a performance degree):

I am curious to know what factors went into your decision of choosing a particular music school. Was it the prospective teacher, name recognition, program, tuition, location, etc? Which aspect was most important at the time, and would any of you do differently now if you were able to start over again?

I'm asking because I have to make some choices by May............... and would like advice!
Currently, I could probably be a big fish in a small pond at no name school with likely alot of financial assistance, or--- be a smaller fish in the big pond of a good school with maybe some (but not as much) financial assistance bc of the competition simply to be accepted.

Any insight is VERY much appreciated!

Beniano

[georgecziffra]

I'm not a music major (or minor), but I chose to go to my current school partly for the great music teachers there (plus the fact that my mother works in the music department full-time and I get an 80% tuition cut).  I think the quality of the music teachers is the most important factor in choosing a school, because you can get a lot out of music classes and lessons if you have very knowledgeable and personable professors.  I am taking piano and composition lessons, and they've become the highlights of my week because my teachers are so helpful and fun to be around.