# Help for Prospective Freshmen Choosing whether to study music in college can be daunting. This page helps you take your first steps. **These steps apply to prospective majors *and* minors in music.** > [!Example]- Some things to consider... > Please do your research, discuss with family, and learn about what it takes not only to attend college, but to do so in Music. > > 1. Don't let finances scare you away from college. > - Planning in fear will only result in shortsighted risk aversion as opposed to investing in yourself and your craft. > - The most common trope is "musicians don't make money." > **Educated musicians do.** Trust your instinct, work hard, and music will support you. > 2. All that said, **know the costs beyond just money.** > - A music degree requires a significant sacrifice of your time and energy. It is not a comfortable process from start to finish. > - **Prepare your family for your absence:** you cannot be the family babysitter and chauffeur, or attend *every* family function, while in music school. > 3. Learn and understand [FAFSA](https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa), [Financial Aid](https://www.unlv.edu/finaid), Grants, and Scholarships. > - FAFSA is a huge help, but often doesn't cover everything, nor do scholarships — learning about funding is your responsibility. > - Learn about the **pros and cons of [student loans](https://www.unlv.edu/finaid/loans)** > 4. You may have to change jobs or work with your employer on flexibility. > - Your time commitments will make employment challenging. And work conflicts are rarely (if ever) fully excused. > - Work with your employer or find one who understands your obligations. > > > [!Info]- A note regarding **jobs** and **school** > > Full-time (or near full-time) work and a music degree **do not coexist.** > > > > Music majors carry the same academic load as every other student, ***plus*** daily practice-room hours, ***plus*** concerts and events on an irregular schedule. That total exceeds what a job can be layered onto. > > > > A job taken to completely eliminate tuition cost creates a worse cost: overwork cuts into practice and study time. Less debt at graduation, but less preparation than peers who committed fully to their training. > > > > **Loans are frequently required.** Treat this as a structural fact of college, not a personal failure. We know it's not perfect, but nothing is. > > > >> [!tip]- A perspective on loans: > > > Most people will take out a loan for a car or a house at some point. Nobody hands over the full price in cash. The debt is accepted because the purchase justifies itself — a house shelters you (and is an investment), a car gets you to work safely, and both are worth years of payments. > > > > > > A completed music degree works the same way. It is not a purchase that sits in a driveway or a garage — it is four years of training that becomes your skills, credentials, and access to a career for the rest of your life. Refusing a loan for that, while accepting one for a car, says the car is worth more than your own future. > > > > > > That is the actual math being done when loans are refused outright — not "debt is bad," but "this specific investment, in myself, isn't worth what a car is." > > **This isn't meant to be scary.** However, UNLV Percussion doesn't endorse "predatory recruiting." We want you to understand that college *can* be a detriment to some. While recruiting is important for us, *being a steward of healthy perspectives and helpful insight* is more important. > > College is not for everyone, and some people dive in without realizing the *true* costs. They enroll because they think it's their only option, or because they were inspired by a teacher or friend (or any other reason) but didn't fully understand the rigor. They end up burning out, poorly representing themselves, developing financial problems, and often resenting music because they didn't **think, plan, and prepare** for such an undertaking. > > **We want you to be informed.** We will own our part — please own yours. Once you're ready, check out [[#First Steps]] just below. ## First Steps When you're ready, start working on the following items. - **STEP 1:** Fill out our [Interest Form](https://airtable.com/appV2UFEOZdQxBIMH/pagqI37v3buD3u4hS/form) - This puts you on our radar and helps us get to know who you are - It is also our Audition Form (but you can fill it out again later for that) - **STEP 2:** [Apply to UNLV](https://www.unlv.edu/admissions/undergraduate/first-year) - Even if UNLV isn't your first choice, it doesn't hurt to apply to get the process going - Getting applied helps set you up faster the sooner you do it - **STEP 3:** Read our [[2.1 Audition Requirements (all levels)|Audition Requirements]] - This page has all the *when* and *how* stuff - It will also help you with the *what* to play part - **STEP 4:** Visit the [[2.3 Scholarships and Funding|Scholarships and Funding]] page - Get an understanding of how money does and doesn't work - Get linked to FAFSA and student aid - **STEP 5:** Audition! (for entrance & scholarship) - You don't need to wait for your admission decision to audition - The audition takes care of both [[2.1 Audition Requirements (all levels)#Auditions are both for Scholarship Consideration and Entrance|Entrance and Scholarship]] consideration >[!Warning]- Missed the audition dates? > >Email the [[1.3 Faculty and Staff|Percussion Area Coordinator]] to schedule an individual entrance audition. Auditions are accepted up until just before the semester begins, but **scholarship consideration for the immediate semester is unlikely**. - **STEP 6:** Still have questions? - Email [email protected] ## After Admission Once you're admitted to UNLV and have passed your entrance audition: - **STEP 1:** Sign up for [UNLV Orientation](https://www.unlv.edu/orientation) - Orientation is where you will receive your [RebelCard](https://www.unlv.edu/rebelcard) - You'll need it for studio access later. - **STEP 2:** Monitor your email and gather your materials - Check your email regularly for any updates - Check the [[2026-2027 Orientation Page]] regularly before the semester starts. - Then work through the [[2.2 Before You Arrive (Freshman Checklist)|Before You Arrive checklist]] — books, sticks and mallets, orientation, and PAS membership, all on one page. ## What do I need to know before I get to college? Our [[2.1 Audition Requirements (all levels)|Audition Requirements]] covers the music side. Beyond that: 1. **Understand the cost — time and money.** - Do your research. Ask people already in college. - Ask faculty and advisors; that's what they're there for. 2. **Get your communication skills into shape.** - *Email is everything* — clear, timely communication will make or break you as a student. - Be respectful and use appropriate language (no "lol," "omg," or emoji). Learn your professors' titles (Mr., Mrs., Ms., or Dr.); when in doubt, "Professor." 3. **Help yourself first before asking for help.** - Immediately asking for help without trying yourself makes a fast negative impression. - Everyone is managing their own problems — manage *yours first*, and if you hit a true dead end, *then* ask. 4. **Use this site to find answers.** - Virtually every detail you need to thrive as a UNLV Percussion student is here. - If it's not here, email [email protected] ## Additional FAQs and Links to Helpful Topics - What [[3.1.1 General Requirements and Materials#Sticks & Mallets|Sticks and Mallets]] do I need before getting to college? - more FAQs soon...