<p>Hey, I’m new to this forum…I’d like to go to a college and dual major in computer science and music. Is there a good school I can apply to that is balanced in these two fields?</p>
<p>There are some. How good are you at music? For some of the better programs you will have to audition. Are you prepared to do that?</p>
<p>I’m prepared for that. I had been preparing myself to audition for admission into Berkelee College of Music, and I had initially wanted to do music solely, but that probably isn’t for the best. I’ve been playing guitar for two years and I’m pretty good at it, but even if I wasn’t quite ready it’s only my junior year. Really I just want to continue my study of music and prepare to have a career in the professional music, while having a degree in computer science, another thing I want to do, in case music doesn’t work out</p>
<p>University of Rochester/Eastman School</p>
<p>Add Case Western and U Of Cincinnati.</p>
<p>As your name might suggest, there are not more than a handful of schools that have a focus on contemporary guitar. Besides Berklee, which is a conservatory and an extremely tough admit on guitar (think violin at Curtis, Juilliard, or Colburn). Have you looked into Belmont, UDenver’s Jazz and Commercial music program, The New School’s Jazz and Contemporary offering, and USC/Thorton’s (new) Popular Music paths? These are all audition based admits coupled with meeting the school’s specific academic thresholds. </p>
<p>Have you had any formal training and instruction, and experience with other genres? Other than Berklee, the audition criteria may well be jazz based, but do check. Can you relate your talent and skillset to a national/international audition pool? Do not underestimate the incredible talent that is out there. And remember, any audition based admit is a crapshoot.</p>
<p>Off the top of my head, the other schools mentioned do not have a contemporary/commercial focus. They are based in the classical tradition, although Eastman has a strong jazz program.</p>
<p>Spend some time in cc’s music major forum [Music</a> Major - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/]Music”>Music Major - College Confidential Forums)
While the discussion is typically geared to classical and jazz, there’s a growing number of posters with audition experience and knowledge of the programs I’ve mentioned. Whether they will work from a computer science aspect is a function of what your emphasis and path is.</p>
<p>Look at the Lawrence and Oberlin conservatories and DePauw music school.</p>
<p>I don’t want to discourage you, but a music major is very demanding and you might not have sufficient background to handle it. Also, it is very, very challenging to add another major if you are in a B. Music program. I would look at Belmont.</p>
<p>Well I would recommend Purdue if music is not very serious compared to Computer Science. Purdue has a great CS program and also has a well-known music department, specifically the marching band because they have the “World’s Largest Drum”. There are no majors in music but you can minor in Music Theory and History while being part of different music organizations like the jazz band and be a guitarist.</p>
<p>Northwestern University offers a 5-year dual-degree bachelor’s option for music students who want to pursue a major in another school (in your case, Engineering).</p>
<p>Many universities offer excellent, well balanced academics (Computer Science included) and have strong music programs. Among them:</p>
<p>Carnegie Mellon University
Indiana University-Bloomington
Johns Hopkins University
Northwestern University
Oberlin College
Rice University
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
University of Rochester</p>
<p>Among smaller schools, especially if your SATs are not at the hopkins/Carnegie Mellon level, look at Moravian and Susquehanna. For larger schools, look at Temple and Pitt, as well as the fine choices above such as IU.</p>
<p>University of Rochester would be great.</p>