Hi @dec51995,
You are correct in indicating that admission to both NEC and Harvard or NEC and Tufts does not guarantee admission to the dual degree programs. We typically select the finest 5-6 of the roughly 20-25 admitted each year to both NEC and Harvard; this program culminates in a master’s degree from NEC after five years, so the selection must be extremely rigorous. We typically admit the top 10 of the roughly 15-20 admitted each year to both NEC and Tufts; the program results in two bachelor’s degrees, and not every scholar/musician is ready for the demands of this program.
Students in both dual programs have individual advising support at both institutions. The scheduling of everything takes planning, so this advising is an important component of the program. New students are also assigned a Peer Advisor Leader (a returning student who assists with the transition) who is in the same dual degree program. There is a shuttle that runs between NEC and Tufts eight times per day to facilitate the commute, and Harvard is just 25 minutes (okay, 40 when traffic is bad) up Mass Ave. on the #1 bus line.
These are both amazing programs for the right type of student, so I encourage others here to give them serious consideration.
Best,
Alex Powell
Assistant Dean for Admission
NEC