The New England Conservatory of Music

Date: Feb 24 2011
Major: Music - Performance (This Major's Salary over time)
This is a great place for rich dumb kids to go play around with daddy's money. For poor kids, its a one-way ticket to low income, and possibly debt-stricken poverty. Do not take out loans to go here, the "prestige" means zip. Do not plan on being a classical performer—if you go, be prepared to teach/wait tables for the rest of your life while struggling to pay rent. Most of all, do not take out private loans through their "recommended" bank, which is a total rip off. W/out a cosigner you're looking at +9% variable loans, which is about what you'd get from Tony Soprano. The school projects this image of being a pillar of society, vestal virgin carrying the flame of music across the centuries, ticket to success, etc…don't believe it, and don't sell yourself into economic slavery just to be a part of it. Seriously, the teachers at NEC have a moral responsibility to their students, and on a daily basis they take a huge salary paid for by selling false dreams—do you really want to learn music from someone whose livelihood is based on that kind of spineless devil's deal?

Music school should be close to free, b/c when you get out you will not make much money, period. If you really want to get a music education, go to Europe where the tuition is subsidized and the finance industry hasn't gutted the whole system, yet. If you do, you'll be much happier(and more free to do what you want) when you get out.