I need to rank them on a special application that may get me a full ride if I get admitted. Whichever is ranked higher and admits me, will be the only school I can go to (binding). I'm kind of in a pickle, as I don't know both schools well enough. I do live close to Northwestern though, but I'm not so sure about their piano faculty...

Anybody care to compare and contrast a bit?

Also, Yale could be on that list, but I've heard undergrad there is a bad idea - no performance program? Only thing is, I heard that a B.A. offers you more flexibility when going to graduate school instead of a B.M. ... and a B.A. from Yale would certainly be great (if I can get in, of course)

What do you think I should do? It's quite the pickle, and of course there's the chance of not getting admitted to any of those.

I believe that Rice is a stronger music department, whereas Northwestern is a better school overall. How sure are you that you want to do music performance? If you have any curiosity, I'd recommend Northwestern without reservation. I also believe that their music is excellent, if not top 10.

Northwestern's practice rooms get hot in the summer, as there is little ventilation.

Concerning Yale, a friend of mine earned his BA in Trombone performance there. I assume that there is also a piano performance program.

I would also steer you away from an Ivy League/Research Powerhouse for your undergraduate. The professors are there to produce, as are their grad students and postdocs. Whoever teaches you will likely be disgruntled and not as helpful as someone elsewhere.

I'm considering having wider options for graduate school. Though I've read that the B.M. will not hurt you, I wouldn't want to have to go to school to basically do another undergraduate degree in case I want a career change... I realize that being a professional musician is a tough world. I'm gonna try my hardest, but even the ones better than me sometimes fail, so you can see where I'm coming from...

I played in a masterclass with Alan Chow, who is the head of Northwestern's piano department, if I remember correctly. It was a great experience and he was very nice. I have friends at Rice as well, and they love it there.

You should try to contact the teachers and see who fits your personality the best.

TSSR, do you have any other aspiration in life other than pursuing piano performance? You may want to take a look at other things. I do not think it is easy to make money from piano, unless you are extremely good. There are so many people having Doctorated degree in piano and also won competitions who still barely pay their bills. If I were you, I'd rather do other things. Piano should just be a hobby! Unless, you do not need to feed anybody or being responsible for the well being of your family.

However, if you are totally unable to do other things in life (no talent in other things such as bad in math, science, etc etc) or if you just cannot live without being a pianist, you may go ahead pursue your piano life. It is not fun to dedicate your life playing piano all day long ( I cannot imagine if I have to play all the time). People who have normal job will play piano for an enjoyment and challange.

Well, from my experience excellent musicians are also extremely talented in academics. That's why I'm considering these schools - they still require you to be admitted the same way any other major would be. I already have a music related job, and I know I could sustain myself without any issues. I dare not imagine sitting in a cubicle 9-5.

But that's beside the point. That would turn us onto a discussion of whether being a musician is possible or not. Times have changed since musicians were at the brink of poverty ...

I am indeed interested in other fields, but I think I'd like to stay in academia anyway, I'm a humanities person, and I enjoy a good intellectual workout. A B.A. in Philosophy probably will not be any more practical though, than my Piano Performance degree...

I think this statement is more true for Northwestern than for Rice. For the Northwestern admissions process, you must get into the main school and the music school separately (there is no communication between the two) and if one rejects you then you will not be admitted. With Rice, the music school will ask the main branch to accept the really talented kids even if their grades are a little lacking.

I agree with you that in general good pianists are also very smart in other subjects. So I am glad that you know what you want to do.

By the way, if one is really smart, one will not sit 9-5. He or she will wonder around telling people what to do. So do not afraid of going to a regular industry if you are smart, because you will be the boss. Being pianist form 9-5 can also very tiring and boring.

Ron