Guest Author - D. Lynn Byrne, Ph.D.

Its not at all uncommon for graduate students in fine arts programs to struggle financially to meet the high cost of tuition, fees, books and supplies, and other expenses. For a select few, however, tuition and fees are no longer an issue.

The average tuition for graduate music students enrolled at Yale's School of Music roughed out to around $24,000 for the 2005-06 academic year. Unless these students had significant scholarships, they likely struggles with finances just as any other graduate student did. But this year the institution received a wonderful gift from a private donor that will allow the institution to provide graduate music education sans tuition and fees. Wow!

The new tuition-free program goes into effect for 2006-07 and current news articles already suggest that Yale has been bombarded with applications. Of course, Yale is one of the elite institutions and the music school is highly competitive, but for talented students this is a golden opportunity.

If you are interested in pursuing an M.F.A. in music, have demonstrated talent, are highly competitive and don't mind cold Connecticut winters, the Yale School of Music may be just the thing you're looking for.

Until next time! Lynn Byrne