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VanderCook College of Music Reviews

Average Rating Details

Academic Rigor

Dorm Life

Food and Dining

See VanderCook College of Music reviews submitted by students. Find out what students have to say about various aspects of attending VanderCook College of Music. Read about academic experiences and campus life in these free VanderCook College of Music reviews, or contribute your own VanderCook College of Music review if you're a current student there.

  • 1 out of 1 people found this review useful.

    Joshua from De Witt, IA

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments

  • Michelle from Romeoville, IL

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    VanderCook College of Music is a great learning environment. The students and faculty become more of a family, and they will be there to help you with anything whether it's related to school or not. VanderCook provides its students with a unique experience that they would be unable to get anywhere else.
    Tips for prospective students

    I would suggest picking up other instruments before you get here, and learning how to manage your time responsibly. The two biggest problems students have as Freshman are learning new instruments and managing their time. (When I say that you should start picking up instruments I don't mean you should become a virtuoso, but it would help tremendously if you could play a few notes or a scale on another instrument.)
    Academic Rigor

    The classes are only as difficult as you make them. Most of your Freshman and Sophomore classes are technique classes in which you learn the different instruments. For some people this is very difficult, for others it's simple. Most of your homework will be practicing the various instruments as well as your major instrument. Hence where time management becomes important. Your general education classes meet once or twice a week in the evening. These are the few classes that actually give you written assignments.
    Dorm Life

    VanderCook shares a campus with IIT, so we use their dorms. The rooms are expensive, but if you can afford living on campus I highly suggest it. Many of us have classes from 8am to 9pm, and it is nice to be able to just walk a few blocks across campus to your dorm rather than take a train or drive home after a mentally exhausting day.
    Food and Dining

    The Commons is the dining area at IIT. They don't always have the best food, but there are several restaurants around campus that you can eat as well. Meal and bonus points options vary depending on what meal plan you have.
    What to do for fun

    We have the city of Chicago literally right next door. Several times during the year students will jump on the train and one or two stops later their in the heart of the city. VanderCook is constantly getting free tickets to go see the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and we a re able to go see the open rehearsals. You can go to the beach or Navy Pier. You can grab a few friends and go see a movie or go shopping. Your opportunities are virtually endless.
    Greek Life

    There is a female fraternity(SAI) and a male fraternity(PMA) associated with VanderCook. The men's fraternity allows Freshman to pledge during their first semester, the women's fraternity requires you to be in your second semester. Both of these groups are professional not social. If you want to be a part of a social sorority or fraternity then any VanderCook students are allowed to pledge with any of IIT's Greek associations.
    Campus Safety

    We have campus security constantly driving around. We have call boxes outside all of the buildings. If you ever don't want to walk somewhere by yourself you can call security and they will escort you to wherever you were going to go. Plus there are policemen driving through campus at all times, however this is not because of security or criminal reasons. They headquarters of the Chicago Police Department is literally on the corner of campus, so crime rates in the area are very low.

  • Ajanette from Chicago, IL

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    vandercook really helps a person improve their playing skills. when it comes to learning other instruments they help you learn at a fast rate. its a small environment here with a lot of friendly people.
    Tips for prospective students

    don't underestimate yourself! everyone and anyone can help you whenever you need it.
    Academic Rigor

    you will learn a lot and it will all make so much sense especially when it comes to things you find really hard.
    Dorm Life

    i'm not really aware of the dorm life i'm a commuter. but from what i hear its very great.
    Food and Dining

    the food is great but you will get tired of the same old same old.
    What to do for fun

    practice! walk around campus, get to know other students

  • Elisabeth from Niles, MI

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    vandercook is an amazing place if you are planning on being a music teacher or are a teacher going back to get your masters. the information you learn is very useful. the staff is also amazing and very knowledgeable.
    Tips for prospective students

    apply now! you will definitely get something out of attending vandercook.
    Academic Rigor

    the coursework is challenging but very useful.
    Dorm Life

    you share with iit, but it's nice being so close to the vandercook buildings.
    Food and Dining

    there are some great options on campus and around the area. you are in chicago and right near chinatown!!
    What to do for fun

    anything you can imagine is within a train ride. you just have to get used to what cta line goes where.
    Bang for the buck

    for grad school, it is one of the cheaper programs for what you actually learn.

  • Elizabeth from Chicago, IL

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Am learning a lot

    The professors at VanderCook are world class teachers that not only inspire us to be great musicians but amazing educators as well.
    Am enjoying being here

    Being in music school is tons of fun! but also tons of work!
    Tips for prospective students

    Always keep yourself focused on what your goals are and map a way to get there! Make sure you keep distractions at a minimal level.
    Great for these types of students

    Students who like to help and teach others what they know and love about music.

  • Michelle from Romeoville, IL

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Am learning a lot

    All of the classes here are small and allow the teacher to give students one on one attention when they need it.
    Am enjoying being here

    There is tons of stuff to do on and around campus. Since VanderCook is located minutes away from the city of Chicago, there are literally hundreds of things going on every day. Plus, you have a CTA pass included in your tuition so you can take the CTA trains anywhere for free.
    Bang for the buck

    VanderCook provides so many resources for its students. If you need a score, it's right there in the library. If you need to work on ear training we have programs on the computers to help you. If you like to write your own music, we have recording software as well as programs like Finale, Sibelius, and MuseScore. College is never cheap, but here at VanderCook every cent of your tuition comes back to you in some way.
    Tips for prospective students

    Although this is a music college, the admissions board does focus on grades. They look for potential as well as academics, so always make time to study.
    Great for these types of students

    VanderCook is a perfect match for any students that work hard and are passionate about music. This is not a program that people can just glide through, it requires lots of practice and effort. If you like a challenge, then this is definitely the place for you.

  • Current Student

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments

  • Guadalupe from Streamwood, IL

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Am learning a lot

    The teacher at VanderCook strive to help you learn as much as possible. So when you start to teach, you will be more prepared than you could possibly imagine.
    Am enjoying being here

    The school is fun, there are ensembles that you can join or if you really want you can make up your own ensembles,. The school environment is really nice and there is no major hostilities. Its just a great place to be, if music is your passion
    Bang for the buck

    I feel that I am getting a really great education at VanderCook, I have learned some neat things about some instruments. Also some cool things about my major, violin.
    Tips for prospective students

    -Be very open minded about new concepts on how to do something.
    -Practice makes perfect or as close as you could possibly get to it :)
    -Relax and have fun, remember to breathe!
    Great for these types of students

    Students that have a passion for music and the desire to teach others about music.