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.
Do you have any 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.)
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
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.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
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.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
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’s there to do for fun at your college?
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.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
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.
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
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.
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.
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.)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.