VanderCook College of Music
Undergraduate Student Services
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VanderCook offers personalized peer-to-peer music theory tutoring. This resource is available to VanderCook students that may need a little extra help outside of the classroom. For more information please contact Dr. Yu-Sui Hung at [email protected].
VanderCook’s Alumni Association’s Student Engagement Committee has developed a way to partner with the college and provide mentoring services to our students and recent graduates. This program is in its early stages and is currently being developed. We hope to implement this service for the Fall 2026 semester.
New this semester! All incoming first year students will be registered for the First Year Experience class.
An experience-based course focussed on introducing the first-year undergraduate student to the academic, campus culture, services, and curricular expectations of a VanderCook College of Music student. This course will focus on empowering students within their degree as well as establish a baseline for digital literacy and library skills. Focus is given to building academic habits that strengthen executive functioning skills which include organizing, prioritizing, best practice in study habits, music practice habits, and time manage ment. Experiences within the surrounding community, Chicago cultural scene, and VCM community-building events are scheduled throughout the semester.
VanderCook has boasted 100% placement rates year after year. Upon graduation, faculty and staff continually work with students to help find the best possible fit for their future.
The Harry Ruppel Library provides in-person and on line resources and services to support the education and preparation of music teachers at VanderCook. The library contains numerous volumes including print, audiovisual and electronic resources. The H.E. Nutt Archives document the history of the college through papers, photographs and sound record ings. Open seven days a week, the Ruppel Library is staffed by a full-time professional music librarian. The library’s policies and services can be found on VanderCook’s website
VanderCook College of Music provides academic advising each semester. You will be working directly with your corresponding Dean and they take the time to create a personalized plan for your college journey.
Additional information is located in the Student Success Center or by Contacting Cindy Tovar at [email protected]
It is not required that you have your own set-up, but many of our students prefer this option. At VanderCook we have a computer lab with desktop computers available for use and we will have laptops and other required equipment available for check-out. However, if you are seeking to purchase some or all of your own equipment, here is what will be used in your technology coursework and will enable you to accomplish the high-end creative work that will become part of your professional development.
H.E. Nutt was in the first graduating class and was VanderCook’s partner in developing the time-tested traditions and curriculum we love and enjoy today. Thelma Nutt and H.E. Nutt lived in a small apartment in the same building as the college. Thelma was always well known for taking good care of every student. She cooked for them and made sure they were well cared for.
Inspired by Ron and Angela Korbitz, VanderCook alumni, faculty and staff have gathered items and will continue to do so to keep the tradition of hospitality and student wellness top of mind. If you or anyone you know needs help, please do not hesitate to reach out. We are here to help!
Illinois law has established the recognized role of “Confidential Advisor,” who is an individual retained by a higher education institution who has certain mandated training and has the duty and ability to provide emergency and ongoing support to students who have experienced sexual misconduct. Vander Cook has elected to contract the following provider for Confidential Advisor services:
180 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 600
Chicago, IL 60601
www.OurResilience.org
Resilience On-Call Line (773-275-8340)
Chicago Rape Crisis Hotline: 888.293.2080
Financial aid is designed to bridge the gap between the resources of students and their families and the cost of attending VanderCook College of Music. Although VanderCook’s tuition costs are less than those of many colleges and universities, parents and students may need help meeting yearly expenses.
VanderCook College of Music awards financial assistance to 100% of its undergraduate students.
Our Financial Aid Office will work with you to make your education at VanderCook affordable. At VanderCook, we realize that no two families are the same, and our Financial Aid Office will work with you to create a financial assistance plan to meet your educational expenses. VanderCook’s financial aid staff help in both the search for financial aid and the application process. Be aware that specific deadlines and refund requirements apply to financial aid applicants and can affect eligibility.
For instrument rental please contact Cindy Tovar [email protected]
We are pleased to offer our students health insurance coverage through Aetna Student Health. Under this tab you will find some general information about our insurance plan.
The Student Health and Wellness Center supports your overall well-being through a variety of services designed to promote mental health, personal growth, and a thriving campus community.
Illinois Tech is a participating school in the Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) University Pass (U-Pass) Program. The program is intended to offer convenient, reduced-cost transportation to students, supporting accessibility to school and the Chicago metropolitan area with unlimited rides on CTA buses and trains throughout the duration of an academic term. To facilitate U-Pass entitlements, Ventra cards will be issued to participating students. Ventra cards are intended to last through the full duration of a student’s enrollment with Illinois Tech.
U-Pass entitlements are not valid between academic terms. Ventra card holders are expected to add value to their transit accounts for bus and train rides during those times. Ventra U-Pass card holders may also add value for trips with friends and family. On those occasions, the first ride will be applied to their UPass. The additional rides on that trip will be applied as full regular fare to the transit account. In the event additional rides results in a negative balance, the student is expected to add value to resume use of their U-Pass.
U-Pass Program participation is available to Undergraduate and Graduate level students on an opt-in basis. CTA has expanded U-Pass eligibility to include part-time students registered for (6) credit hours or more for fall and spring, and (3) credit hours for summer terms.
IIT Public Safety
Emergency – 312.808.6363
Non-Emergency – 312.808.6300
Chicago Police Department
Emergency – 911
Non-Emergency – 312.745.5603
All members of the VanderCook community, students, faculty and staff, should expect to be treated fairly and equally in all matters, free from harassment. These include all instances where they feel their treatment has been unfair, unjust, or their learning has been obstructed. If any member of the community feels that this standard has been violated, they may file either a complaint or a grievance. The following sections outline harassment in general and sexual harassment in particular, the process for resolving complaints, and filing and resolving grievances.