About Media Arts Schools

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• Why should I choose IPR?

  Choose IPR because its faculty, equipment and placement services give you an edge in an constantly evolving industry.

  Our goal is to provide you with the knowledge and skills you need for a wide range of positions in the production and business of the media arts. We specialize in training for production (not simply engineering), which consists of three major elements: the creative skills of a producer, the technical skills of an engineer and the business skills of an entrepreneur.

• What makes IPR different than other production and entertainment business schools?

  There are many reasons why we feel IPR is a solid choice: experienced instructors with real field experience, high-tech facilities and equipment, more opportunities for independent studio time, smaller class sizes, career services and much more.

  When comparing schools, we suggest spending some time to research three main components:

  • Faculty. IPR's instructors include Grammy winners/nominees, Gold and Platinum Record recipients, Clio and Cannes award winners, certified expert level instructors and other nationally recognized/published experts. Their experience and industry knowledge is invaluable and they share their insights in the classroom, every day. Our faculty also includes Avid-certified instructors who teach our Pro Tools courses.
  • Facilities and equipment. IPR has 9 recording studios and over 120 computer workstations that serve as classrooms and training areas. We believe students learn by doing, so our students get access to this high-tech equipment from day one. You'll also have the chance to record your own music without additional hourly rates or rental fees.
  • Career preparation. IPR's programs are designed to prepare you for paying jobs immediately out of school. Our career services department contacts employers to find entry-level positions or internships in the industry and match them up with students. Though the type of job you get is based primarily on the work that you put in as a student, IPR's Career Services Department can help you get your foot in the door.

Admissions

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• What are the basic admissions requirements?

  Basic admissions requirements are as follows:

  • A high school diploma (or GED)
  • A passing score on a college entrance exam (ACT, SAT or Accuplacer)
  • Completion of IPR’s Dynamic Needs Assessment (DNA) survey
  • A personal interview

• What is the interview about?

  Our admissions team meets with each student individually for a informational session. The interview gives you the chance to hear about the school in detail, get your questions answered, see the studios and workstations where you'll learn and train and determine if IPR is the right choice for you. The interview gives us a chance to see if you're the right candidate for IPR as well. They typically last from 1.5 to 3 hours.

• Do I need an appointment to interview/tour?

  Yes, and it's simple to do. All interviews are scheduled by appointment with an admissions representative. You can call 1-866-477-4840 to schedule yours today.

• What do you look for in the interview?

  Because our goal at IPR is to provide the education and experience necessary for you to have a long term career in the industry, we're looking for people that are dedicated and passionate about the music and entertainment industries. We're looking for creative people that want to be "behind the scenes" and are ready to work hard to get the professional skills needed to be successful in the music and entertainment business.

• Do I need to bring a parent along to my meeting with an admissions representative?

  Most parents are involved in the decision-making process. If they will be helping you financially, we do require that you bring one or both of your parents. You may need them as a co-signer on a student loan. It is also to your benefit to have your folks understand IPR's credentials and career prospects.

• Is there a GPA requirement?

  Not at this time. Of course, we encourage you to get the best grades possible while in high school. We seek students with the dedication and discipline to become good students at IPR as well as successful entrepreneurs in the entertainment industry. However, there is incentive to do well—students with strong GPAs or SAT/ACT test scores may qualify for merit scholarships. Our financial aid department can provide more information.

• Do I need a demo to get accepted?

  No, a demo of your work is not required at this time. Experience is certainly helpful but not necessary. Many of the skills you will need to be successful in the industry are taught here at IPR.

• How do I get started toward enrollment?

  If you're interested in moving forward, the first easy step is to mail in the enrollment application. The application doesn't commit you to coming, nor does it admit you to school, but it does save you a seat for when you would like to attend, and it also locks in your tuition rate as of your start date while you attend, regardless of tuition increases.

• Is there an application fee?

  There is a $50 registration fee to be submitted with your application. If you are mailing in your application, a check or money order is accepted.

• What happens after you receive my application?

  Once we get the application, we will send you a welcome package containing a financial aid application, high school transcript authorization form, college transcript authorization form and immunization. Then, if you haven't already visited campus, we can schedule your campus tour, personal interview, financial aid interview and (if necessary) college entrance test. If all goes well in the interview and all your requirements are met, you may receive an acceptance letter within a few weeks.

• Should I graduate high school first before I send my application?

  Not necessarily. While a high school diploma or GED is required to start IPR, many prospective students submit their applications before they graduate high school. The college planning process can be long, so it may be worthwhile to apply and work toward acceptance while still in high school. The application also "saves your seat," avoiding any waiting lists for enrollment.

• Is there a college entrance exam?

  Yes. You may meet this requirement one of three ways:

  • A minimum of 21 on the ACT
  • A 990 on the SAT (composite math and reading)
  • An Accuplacer exam meeting IPR’s minimum requirements

  The Accuplacer is designed by the College Board (makers of the SAT), and a sample questions can be found at http://professionals.collegeboard.com/profdownload/accuplacer-sample-questions-for-students.pdf. The Accuplacer takes about 1-2 hours and is generally given here at IPR. We test in three main areas: reading comprehension (a minimum score of 35 is required for admission), sentence skills (minimum score of 54 for admission) and arithmetic (minimum score of 21 for admission). In many ways it is like the ACT test, where you read a paragraph about a subject, and answer multiple choice questions based on what you read. There may be study guide books available in book stores or libraries.

• Do you have multiple campus locations?

  No, just one campus in downtown Minneapolis.

• Why would I travel away from home to go to a school?

  Those who are serious about becoming successful in this industry will do whatever it takes to get the proper professional training to position them for success. Much like the aspiring actor or actress would travel to Hollywood or New York City to maximize their opportunities, our students come from all over the country and around the world to learn from our esteemed instructors at our first-class facilities.

Job Placement

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• Does IPR help students get jobs?

  Absolutely! IPR's career services department helps both students and graduates find and prepare for various job opportunities. While we can't guarantee of finding you a position, our career services department can be a valuable resource throughout your career development.

• What can I expect from the career services department at IPR?

  We will work with you one-on-one to help you find paid positions, internship, or freelance opportunities relevant to your education and experience. We can also assist you with résumé writing, interviewing and follow-up procedures. The IPR career services department also offers assistance long after you graduate.

• What kind of jobs do you train for?

  In the broad sense, our goal is to train for anything related to recording audio or involving the music and entertainment business. Many job opportunities will depend on which program students enroll in. Our students have found opportunities in audio production (film, TV, videos, commercial advertising, music recording) and entertainment business (record labels, management, promotions). There is a wide array of jobs in the industry, from entry-level internships to freelance opportunities to jobs that require extensive knowledge and experience.

Education Department

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• What is the length of your associate degree programs?

  Associate degree programs at IPR are two academic years in length. Students can usually complete their programs in eighteen to twenty-four months, although they are welcome to continue taking classes beyond the 98 required credits. Some students may finish their programs in less time.

• How much homework or work outside of class will I have to do?

  You should expect weekly homework and reading assignments. As a general rule, IPR suggests that you spend twice the amount of your scheduled class time reading, working on homework assignments and completing lab projects. Later quarters will require a greater amount of studio time for independent project requirements.

• What is a typical class size?

  Classes at IPR are taught in both lecture and lab/studio format. The majority of your classes will be in a recording studio or other hands-on environment. In these cases, our maximum student-to-teacher ratio is 8:1. Lecture classes can generally vary in size from 10 to 60 students. In IPR's computer labs, you will have a maximum of 15 students per instructor plus your own computer workstation.

• When are your classes?

  For most students, IPR is a full-time day school. Classes are offered Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Most students carry 15-16 credits per quarter, which is about 16-20 hours of class time per week. This works out to be 2 to 6 class hours per day. This doesn't count homework or studio/lab time outside of class. IPR is on a quarter system, so every three months you will start a new set of classes. For select students, IPR also offers an evening track. Students with full-time work commitments (for example, working professionals who want to enhance their competitiveness in the industry) may opt to extend their coursework over a greater length of time, taking classes between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. on weekdays and occasional weekend classes.

• How long are most classes?

  Class times vary from 2 to 4 hours in duration. Most classes occur twice a week for a total of 3 to 6 hours. Classes structured as lecture/lab typically include a 2 hour lab and 2.5 hour lecture.

• Are there breaks between quarters?

  Yes. Our quarters span ten weeks of class periods with one or two weeks break in between. Between Spring and Early Fall quarters, students enjoy a seven week summer break. Many students choose to stay close to campus and use the facilities to practice their craft during this time. Others use this as an opportunity to travel home and spend time with their families. On the quarter system, start dates occur in January, April, late July/August and October.

• What software and hardware platforms will I be using?

  Students are exposed to a wide variety of cutting-edge software at IPR, including the newest versions of Avid's Pro Tools, Logic, Final Cut, Adobe Creative Suite, Ableton Live and others. Many classes at IPR also feature "soft-synth workstations" like Reason and others from Apple, Avid and Native Instruments, including a vast amount of virtual instruments and plug-in effects.

• Will I need to purchase my own computer to complete my IPR assignments?

  Not necessarily. IPR's computer labs and studios are open beyond regularly scheduled class times. As a student, you can use the computer labs throughout the day and book studio time for projects according to your schedule. While some students do purchase their own computers for school, it is not required. Those that wish to purchase computers or professional recording equipment are eligible for student discounts through the IPR Pro Audio Outlet.

Financial Aid

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• How much is tuition?

  From late Fall 2010 through Spring quarter 2011, estimated tuition for an entire (2-year) AAS in Media Arts program at IPR is approximately $42,630, not including books and lab fees. Because of our large array of elective classes, the total tuition depends on which classes are taken. Tuition and lab fees are subject to change. For more details visit our tuition page.

• What financial aid is available for me?

  Financial resources can vary based on qualifications. IPR currently offers state and private funding that could cover tuition, lab fees, books and even living expenses if you qualify. If you are a Minnesota resident, you also may qualify for the Minnesota State Grant. Once we receive your admissions application, you can discuss your budget with our financial aid department. Learn more about financial aid opportunities at IPR.

Background

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• Is it necessary to be a musician to be admitted into IPR?

  No, but it can help—especially if you want to be a producer, since producers are involved in song structure and arrangements. However, you can learn these concepts in your music theory classes. Many of our students' strengths lie in the technical end of engineering such as post-production for television, film or video, or in the business/entrepreneurial aspects of the industry.

• What if I am a musician?

  For any aspiring engineer or producer, a musical background is always beneficial. While we are not a "performance" school, being a musician helps you here in many ways. First, many musicians have an understanding of music theory and song structure, and most have an ear for pitch and for talent – all which help in the role of a producer. Second, if you are a performer, you'll be able to record your own music and learn how to promote it. Third, you'll be able to apply what you've learned into practical use when recording your own music. Lastly, the networking opportunities at a school like IPR are outstanding. Whether it's networking to schedule gigs with a new friend's band, meeting fellow students to collaborate with, or teacher/producers to give you constructive advice, the people you meet at IPR can change your life.

Student Resources

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• Does IPR help find housing?

  Yes. While IPR does not have on-campus housing, our student services department works with all students individually to find housing. We have many options for local housing, whether you want your own apartment or want to keep rent low by sharing with other IPR student roommates.

• I will need to work part-time; where can I find work?

  There are many options for part-time work since we are only three blocks from downtown, where there are lots of restaurants, theaters, and retail stores. We recommend that students try not to work more than 10 hours a week if you can afford it –you'll want to spend as much time as possible at IPR honing your skills. Our career services department also has some great resources to help and recommendations on where to look and how to get started. We even have student loans that can potentially cover up to $500/month in living expenses.

• Where do students park?

  There is a large parking lot across the street from IPR, and our student services department can help you to get a parking pass, which ranges from $50-80 per month.

• Are there bus lines nearby?

  Yes. The Twin Cities has very good metro bus lines, and there is a bus stop just across the street from IPR. The student services office has full metro maps, including the new light rail network.

• How do I get to your school?

  We are located at 312 Washington Avenue North on the northwest side (the Warehouse District) of downtown Minneapolis. You can plug in this address to websites such as www.MapQuest.com or maps.yahoo.com. Contact your admissions representative for parking details and appointment times.

• What is there to do in Minneapolis?

  Minneapolis/St. Paul (or the Twin Cities) is a growing metropolitan city of about 3 million residents, but many surrounding areas still retain a small-town feel. Overall, the Twin Cities are known as an artistic, culturally modern environment.

  Music: There is a vibrant and diverse music scene, with many bands to see at a variety of clubs and concert halls. It's a popular tour stop for most big-name musical acts, and we have the fourth-largest jazz scene in the US. The underground alternative rock and hip-hop scene is growing quickly. There is also a wide variety of quality radio stations.

  Theater: Minneapolis is ranked number two in the country for theatres per capita, second only to New York City.

  Art: The Twin Cities is home to many art museums and galleries, including the well-known Walker Art Museum. There are also a variety of art fairs, local showcases, and festivals.

  Outdoors: If you like the outdoors, you'll enjoy ample opportunities for camping, hiking, bicycling, boating, water skiing, snowmobiling, and more.

  More: There are also a great deal of other features, including professional sports teams, great radio stations, shopping and nightlife. Our people are friendly, too--perhaps you've heard the term "Minnesota Nice."

• What is the weather like in Minneapolis?

  It can get a bit cold in the winter months, although the spring, summer, and fall are especially comfortable. Minnesota's changing seasons can paint a picturesque landscape. The winter months give you a chance to stay indoors and focus on your craft to get your career in gear while not being distracted. Because our studios and labs are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, there are plenty of opportunities for you to expand your skills. Since you are in school for a short time, choose a school not for the weather, but for the quality of your education. Once you have the professional assets you need, you can choose the location you want to live for the rest of your life.

• What's the next step for me?

  Hopefully you've researched and found that no other school gives you the opportunities to get the right experience, the teacher credentials, the quality of studios and technology, and a career services department to help you land a career in the industry. The next step is to give us a call at 1-866-477-4840 or request more information. You can also get started with our online application.We look forward to hearing from you!