Texas Christian University

Date: Dec 30 2011
Major: Music Education (This Major's Salary over time)
I and currently in my third year at TCU and am enrolled in the vocal music education program. I grew up in a community very similar to TCU, mainly Caucasian and middle and upper class. I decided to attend TCU due to small class sizes, beautiful campus, and a scholarship offered by the school of music.

I absolutely love the School of Music at TCU. I work closely with all of my teachers and have had most teachers all through my schooling. The heads of the music department are easy to contact and genuinely care about their students. As a music education major TCU gives many opportunities to teacher prior to student teaching your senior year with your peers and also students from schools in the local area. Personally I think the School of Music is fantastic and if you're looking at TCU as a future music educator it should not be over looked. If you are interested in scholarship I would suggest contacting Dr. Shrock, or the head of the choral department, and set up a visit, he will help you tremendously in getting into the school and getting a scholarship if he wants you. Also the School of Music has multiple fraternities, sororities and organizations for music majors, minors, and active music students to join. The Music community at TCU is very close and it is the one part of campus that is genuinely friendly and acts as a family.

On that note, had I note been a Music Major, I would not have attended TCU and if I had, I would have transferred. Housing is AWFUL, they require students to live on campus but never have enough housing for students. Some friends of mine did not get housing until the first day of classes. Also off campus housing isn't overall abundant or affordable and finding it can be a difficult task. Overall the students are fine but a little self absorbed and if you're not part of the Greek community then the social life can be a little difficult. The overall school staff, not faculty, is a pain to deal with and is often rude, including the chancellor himself at times. The faculty is friendly when spoken to but unlike the School of Music it is not overly easy to create a friendship with the regular teachers. But overall the classes are great and I have learned a lot while at TCU.

One final thing, TCU is expensive, and I would not suggest going without some form of scholarship. Tuition increases every year from between 6-8 % so keep that in mind when looking at the cost.

Overall great School of Music, good classes, good teachers, but other parts of the school are questionable.