Need info on IPR (Minneapolis: loans, employment, transfer to)

[musicstudentnj]

I am thinking of attending the Institute of Production and Recording (IPR) in Minneapolis. I would to hear opinions about their audio production and engineering program, internships and job placement assistance. I am also interested in McNally Smith College of Music and how their program compares to IPR.

[Camden Northsider]

I've never heard of IPR, and I know that McNally Smith is quite a $pendy $chool to be earning an associate's degree.

I tend to have a fair amount of distrust for schools that cater to very niche fields that are very popular with younger people- I think many people go to these institutions as it's what their interested in/ want to do but come away with a lot of loan debt and not a lot of job prospects. The question you'll want to ask yourself is - do you think that there are a lot of jobs out there in this field? I personally haven't seen much/ any job postings for this type of work and I have several years exp. as an employment placement professional in the past. My impression is that of the persons in this field that are technically trained, either through formal schooling or informally, only a small percentage of the best and the brightest in the field actually become employed in the industry, and this may be after years of trying- in my opinion, it's a gamble to be paying/ taking out loans for vasts amounts of money for this type of education if none of the skills/ education you receive transfer to other industries.

I would advise giving additional thought to attending a traditional college/ university for music, music performance, music business, and/or some type of related engineering, but maybe others will pipe up about these schools...

[music7lover]

You will probably get a good education, however at a big price. You may succeed with your degree or you may end up in retail working the counter at Guitar Center. Jobs in music are always a gamble. I wouldn't believe the claims for job placement tho. You will most likely have to hustle and make all of your own connections / networking.

[raney1123]

well...i don't know a ton.
but i have heard that mcnally puts alot more attention on their music performance students and doesn't put as much into the business and production students. and are not very helpful when it comes to finding employement afterwards. you are kind of on your own.

also, i know quite a few people in the industry...and most of them say that going to school for that is a waste of time. that industry is all about who you know, connections, and real experience. someone even told me they laugh at people who come into their production company fresh out of school looking for a job thinking they know so much...when they don't. i mean the school can be somewhere to start to help you get those things...but if you have other options i would persue those first.

also i know alot of people who have gone to school for that...spent so much money and can't find jobs....probly because of what i said above.

just know it's risky, and it's not gonna be any cake walk.

[cbgroves2000]

I've been through the IPR program, email me with your questions. I loved the program, I researched audio schools for many years before deciding on IPR, and I appreciated the fact that my admissions rep. gave me a realistic look at the types of jobs I might see in the industry. The job placement program worked well for me too. But, I have to add that I was a very hard working student, and I earned a few important awards upon graduation. You can't enter a program like this because you want to be a rock star or you think your beats are going to carry you to success. You have to be serious about this and only go into it because it's your life's passion. Otherwise, it won't be worth it to you.

[Niana]

Hi there, i have a 2 short questions . When you were attending IPR, how many students would you say were attending each year? Also, was the area a place with many distractions? I am ecstatic that there is a school that understands the passion, but also has a strict curriculum. I can't wait.

Thankyou,
Niana Dela Cruz

[FuturesPerfect]

cbgroves2000> Just messenged you.

I'm also thinking about IPR for their audio recording / post production / mixing and mastering classes. I'd really like to do some recording in the studio but also want to venture into the post production as far as soundtracks for movies, tv, etc.

What is everyone's thoughts on IPR? What did you not get out of the school that you wish you could have?

Thankz!

-Aaron