That is an interesting (although unsurprising) conceit for them to harbor since it is a rare university professor whose pay or job security is at all affected by the post-graduation attainments by their former students in the targeted job market.TexasTBone wrote: ↑Fri May 06, 2022 10:20 am ...Some trombone professors have been honest enough to tell me not to bother applying because either they aren't setup for non-traditional folks like me or they don't want to invest in someone who doesn't have 50 years of performing ahead of them...
Just about every teacher in the arts or humanities would be SOL if they ever had to show that even a notable fraction of their protégés were gainfully employed in their field.
The difference in career outcome between you and most of the 20-somethings they want to take instead is so small it's probably imaginary.
"...aren't setup for non-traditional folks..."
Other than age, what is that?
Are you in an iron lung? Is there an assistance animal involved? Do you emit strange radiation because our Sun is different from that of your home world?
You will show up for the same lessons, practice the same etudes, rehearse in the same ensembles, play the same recital as the other students and if you can't manage that they can cast you off like any other student.
If they are just trying to diplomatically avert your interest without telling you they think you aren't up to it, they ought to tell you straight, but "non-traditional" is a manufactured concern.