Choosing schools: prestige or money?

[shellfishsea]

Hey guys,

So I recently had to take a break from school due to health issues, but I finished my first year of BMus at a fairly good school. As a result, I may have to transfer to a local school   that only offers a BFA in music. As much as I enjoyed my program it was often very overwhelming and I felt I wasn't able to keep up, especially when it came to practicing. Ultimately I want to teach piano privately and possibly get a masters in pedagogy. The BFA would free up a lot of time, but my friends tell me how it's a really crappy school, but I feel they are biased since they couldn't really provide a convincing enough reason.

I admit I share some of my friends' prejudices, and feel like if be selling myself short if I went there. The music courses aren't as rigorous but my main focus is performing. So t he question is: should I settle for a "lesser" degree to save some money? Would it affect my career as a piano teacher or grad school applications?

Thanks"

[gregh]

I don't know much about music education, but I think it would be much the same for colleges in general.

First, there are online sites where colleges are rated by the students, such as

https://www.studentsreview.com/

Also for professors. That might give you a little broader view than your friends' opinions.

If you're worried about money I would generally recommend starting at the local community college for the first two year's worth of work, then transfer to the school whose name you want on your diploma. You'll have to do a little research into the program you want to transfer into, the requirements for graduation, and which classes will transfer from the community college. But the schools coordinate that pretty well, and counsellors know how it works.

The name of your school can matter when you're looking for your first job. After that it matters less and less, while your job history and current abilities matter more and more.

If you're worried that the other school just isn't very good at teaching music, I guess I'll let other forum members address it.

[shellfishsea]

I'm from Canada so our systems are a bit different I assume Canadian schools don't tend toward either extremes (ie. not terrible but not Ivy League). I don't want to teach in a public school, but I lean more towards private piano teaching so I suppose going into performance would be best. In that case does the school name really matter? WOuld I get paid less if I had a BFA in music vs. a BMus?

[gregh]

I'm from Canada so our systems are a bit different

Sorry, I guess I was a little presumptious. My experience is in the USA.

As to your other questions, I honestly don't know. I've been hoping someone else here could help you with that. Actually, I could see where the name of the school would matter if you're continually promoting yourself to people that don't know the industry and don't know you. But then, they might not know to be impressed by your school, either! And when I've seen piano instructors advertise around here, they don't actually give their alma mater. So I still honestly don't know.

[Bob]

I'd go with the better school and pass on the BFA.  Get the name.  Get the better school.

Otherwise, it's picking a school by teacher usually.