Berklee College of Music
Boston, MA, USA

Reviews

Berklee College of Music

Lynne from Suisun City, CA

a current student here
23 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
about the music business
Am enjoying being here
because I love the business
Bang for the buck
You can do anything you want as long as you put your mind up to it.
Tips for prospective students
If you are serious about a music career either on the business side or the performing side of the music business; I recommend Berklee College of Music.
Great for these types of students
Students who love music and want to understand the music business.

Emilio from Spring, TX

a current student here
18 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
There is so much to offer here and all the faculty is there for you. They are so kind and helpful in whatever you need. All the classes you take really seem to mesh with each other. Which is really helpful when doing the work. The teachers are extremely knowledgeable and will make you a better player!
Am enjoying being here
I do like is here. There is just so much music everywhere and so many people into the same styles as you. It's great meeting people and have awesome jam sessions.
Bang for the buck
It's totally worth every penny, even though it's extremely expensive.
Tips for prospective students
Practice hard and really impress them at your audition. That way you can get some money from them. It's really a lot of work, if you choose to do what you're given. But time management is key!
Great for these types of students
It's great for those that love music and know that their profession is going to be in music. It'll increase your all around musicianship and teach you more about the business side of music as well. Berklee offers everything a musician needs in the real world today!

Logan from Edmond, OK

a current student here
13 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
Berklee is difficult, but if you want to learn and make yourself the best you can be, then this is it.
Am enjoying being here
Boston took awhile to get used to, don't bring a car here, HA! There is nowhere to park it. The classes are great and the faculty is as well.
Bang for the buck
It is expensive, but I believe it will pay off later. Get everything out of the classes that you can. Go talk to your teachers, often.
Tips for prospective students
Don't decide to come to Berklee in April. You must decide well before that for several reasons. Take time to get the money you will need to attend. Also, spend much time getting ready for your audition. It's worth it.
Great for these types of students
Musicians, performers, film scoring, drivers, self motivators.

Andrew from Oakdale, CT

a current student here
10 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
Unlike other colleges, there are only like 20-30 people in your class. It's a lot easier to get the one on one help from your professor that can't be offered at other colleges. There is a wide variety of classes to choose from and you will have the knowledge needed to pursue any career in the music industry.
Am enjoying being here
What's better than going to a college specifically for something you love? Although Berklee is a music college, there are still a variety of liberal arts classes along with other classes. You aren't forced to just taking music classes. Besides that, the teachers are awesome and basically everyone is laid back. All the students are welcoming and it's pretty easy to find someone who has similar tastes in music as you!
Bang for the buck
Although it is very pricey, Berklee is probably the best college for contemporary musicians. With names such as Steve Vai, John Mayer or Quincy Jones who attended the college, it's definitely not something to look away from. You learn a lot and there is a wide variety of choices and combinations to suit your needs as a musician.
Tips for prospective students
Be ready to listen to and play a variety of music that you aren't familiar with. Entering students don't get as much freedom as the upperclassmen as far as class selection goes, so you may get stuck in something you don't like. And of course be prepared to practice!
Great for these types of students
Musicians of any type, songwriters, composers, etc.

Joshua from Brookline, MA

a current student here
8 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
This college is what you make of it, getting A's isn't enough, I put the knowledge I learn every semester to serious use outside of school, as well as befriending my teachers and visiting them during their office hours.
Am enjoying being here
Berklee is an incredible place to network for your future. I have chosen my friends carefully and spent my time wisely. I made sure that the doors were opened for me so I have a career when I graduate.
Bang for the buck
Unless you're a Music Production and Engineering Major or an Electronic Production and Design Major (which I am neither) which are the best funded departments then NO, you are not getting any bang for your buck, all other majors should be charged significantly less tuition, this college is stingy with giving it's student body, those majors are only well funded because of their department chairs' being complete animals.
Tips for prospective students
If you are going into any other Major besides MP&E or EPD, neither of which I am, then be ready to Network and create your own opportunities, you need to make your own bang for your buck here, which is exactly what I have done, but something I have seen from few of my peers.
Great for these types of students
Great for any music related career, there's Composition, Contemporary Writing and Production, Electronic Production and Design, Film Scoring, Jazz Composition, Music Business/Management, Music Education, Music Production and Engineering, Music Therapy, Performance, Professional Music, and Songwriting... so we pretty much have it all, but unless you're getting some financial aid, grants, or scholarships I think the tuition is a little over the top.

Joanna from Boston, MA

a current student here
8 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
I am learning so much, in so many areas! Learning to be a performer, musician, writer, composer...the list goes on. I just finished my first semester there and scored a 3.95 GPA!
Am enjoying being here
Enjoying isn't the word--I'm in absolute heaven! This is what I was born to do and I'm loving every minute.
Bang for the buck
Yes, YES! And that's saying a lot because attending Berklee is, well, rather expensive. Don't let that throw you though--student aid and private loans can make your dream come true and believe me, it's very worth while!
Tips for prospective students
Just do it! Apply, and when you audition, have fun. That's the main thing that will make you shine.
Great for these types of students
Anyone who is sincere about becoming involved in the music scene on any level. Berklee is the best!

Natasha from Biloxi, MI

a current student here
5 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
I have improved so much since I started attending Berklee. My singing is so much better, and I understand my voice a lot better than I used to. I love learning here, and most of the teachers are outstanding people.
Am enjoying being here
From the future stars you meet to current stars (Bruce Springsteen visited when his son came to audition, and many more visit on a regular basis to speak with the students), there is always something interesting going on. Not to mention, you are surrounded by music everywhere you go. This place is amazing, and most of the upperclassmen I have spoken to say they hate leaving because the experience is so great.
Bang for the buck
While you have to learn, at least you're learning from experienced musicians who have done many inspirational things. They all have so many stories to tell, and most of them seem to be extremely passionate about what they're teaching. It is worth every penny!
Tips for prospective students
Go in with the right attitude and meet people! Don't go in thinking you're the best or that you're there to compete with those around you. Berklee, being a music school, is not nearly as competitive in spirit as one might think. When I was leaving, I was terrified I would never make friends because everyone would look down on me. I quickly learned that everyone is as impressed with your talents as you are with theirs, and it is a community of musicians, not some televised competition.
Great for these types of students
Great for people who are passionate about music. If you just enjoy playing here and there and have no real love for the music, you will hate it. Berklee requires that everyone understand music from the boring basics. Your first two years will be filled with boring theory and ear training classes that will drive you insane. If music is just a passing fancy for you, making it through those classes will be really tough. You have to love music. Be passionate!

Gretchen from Boston, MA

a current student here
4 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
It's a college for people who want to be the best in what they chose to do.
It's a college for people with determination and guts to follow their passion and do it at an outstanding level.
It's a college for people who believe in music.
Tips for prospective students
Embrace and be grateful everyday for being part of the Berklee Community.
Get to know the teachers as much as you can.
Participate as much as you can inside school.
Be friendly and make friends from different parts of the world. You never know where life would take you.
Academic Rigor
It's a High Demanding School and they slap your ego every day, but what you learn here you won't learn it anywhere else. You don't learn only about music, you learn about different cultures, you learn about yourself, you learn how to give and receive help. You learn how to be persistent receiving 300% support from the Berklee Family, teachers, students, anybody.
Dorm Life
I never lived in the dorms but I've heard people love it! They have made their best friends out of the dorms.
Food and Dining
Cafeteria has a lot of different options, even for vegan people.
What to do for fun
Attend to concerts. Collaborate with other musicians. Join Berklee Clubs. Study music for fun.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Theres a Berklee barbecue every beginning in fall semester. There are bunch of events where they help you and teach you how to chose your music direction.
Campus Safety
I've never experienced anything being at Berklee Campus. Berklee guards are 100% available for anything.

Brandy from Butte, MT

accepted here and planning to attend soon
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Warm, accepting atmosphere. Knowledgeable, well-connected staff. Excellent location.
Tips for prospective students
Do your research before you audition. Read student blogs and learn from their auditions. Be prepared to work hard but because you love music, it won't feel like work...mostly.
Academic Rigor
I attended the summer program in 2011. There was alot to it but everyone helped each other which made the program really fun. I hear the curriculum is rigorous but definitely worth the effort.
Dorm Life

I stayed in the dorms for the summer program. The other participants come from everywhere but all have the same love of music. Typical dorm beds but the rooms were nice sized and in a really cool location.
Food and Dining

Loved those cheesy eggs!!!
What to do for fun
Chill in jam sessions, explore Boston, sing, sing, sing!
Bang for the buck
You can't put a price on the pursuit of passion! I believe wholeheartedly that Berklee is worth every penny.
Great for these types of students
Dedicated to their craft. Open minded. Hard working. Seeking the best education for their musical future.
Campus Safety
I felt really safe in and around campus.

Song Kwan from Brookline, MA

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
what you put in is what you get. professors will try to help you. it is expensive so don't be careless
Tips for prospective students
know what you want to do after graduation.
Academic Rigor
just started so nothing too rigor but the workload is constant and seems like it will increase
What to do for fun
too busy practicing and doing homework to invest in other things