If you have decided that you want to be a sound engineer, you will be happy to know that you can now find audio engineering schools online. This is great, because it allows you to compare the different features that each school has, so that you can find the one that is right for you. But what is it that you should look into, specifically? There are a number of key factors that matter to everybody. How much each factor matters to you depends on you personally. Let’s take a look at what matters most, therefore.
Location
Location is important. Perhaps you want to stay in your own geographical location, or perhaps you specifically want to move away. If you do want to move away, you have to think about where you are going to live. Some schools offer dorms and sororities, others do not, meaning you have to find arrangements yourself. Further, if you do leave home, you also have to think about how often you want to return home, and how easy that will be. Can you drive, or will you have to fly or take a Greyhound, for instance?
Cost
Unfortunately, gaining an education costs money. This shouldn’t be the determining factor in terms of choosing a school but, unfortunately again, it is. Not only do you have to pay tuition fees, you may also have to pay registration fees. You have to pay for your textbooks and materials, and you may also have to pay for your accommodation. Luckily, there are scholarships, grants, and financial aid that you can look into. You may have to get a job, however, or take out a loan.
If you do take out a loan, you need to think long term about how you can repay them. Financial aid is generally the best option, as it is interest free and you only have to pay it once you earn a certain amount of money. However, there are also financial institutions that offer similar types of loans, although generally with some interest to pay for it. Naturally, if you can, try not to take out a loan at all because the last thing you want to do is start your career with a huge debt.
Specialty or Liberal Arts?
Certain schools are liberal arts schools where you can follow an audio engineering schools. Other schools offer nothing but audio engineering. There are pros and cons to both. In a specialty school, you can really delve into the ins and outs of this type of work, but you won’t get many transferable skills. If you are not 100% sure yet about the actual job that you want to do, therefore, then a liberal arts school may be better.
Reputation
Last but not least, you need to look into the reputation of the school. Make sure that the school, its degree, its curriculum, and its faculty is respected in the industry. Find out how many alumni are employed in a relevant field one year after graduation.