Can I suggest something? Tour guides (at least when I looked at schools many years ago) were usually students. One of the things I found was that admissions offices are pretty good at answering questions. If the policy of JHU with double degree students is they focus on music exclusively, they would know. This isn’t meant as a criticism or being sarcastic, it is just in all this it is so easy to forget that is what the offices are there for:)
1 Like
I’m not an expert on JHU, but I do know kids at Peabody, and while you “can” double major, it’s not easy due to the bus ride between campuses. If making social connections with the STEM group is a priority, then you might look into a college where the music building and other buildings are more close “together” - I know that BU, USC, DePaul all have campuses where music is integrated with the other buildings while not so much at Peabody. I’m not saying Peabody is bad or that you can’t double major, but you have to consider if the distance between campuses is something that’s worth it.
4 Likes
This was previously the reason JHU fell off my Dd’s list.
1 Like
Two years ago when my son applied (and accepted), he was told that double degree students had to live at Peabody; however, nobody told him he couldn’t take STEM class first year. That being said, finding the classes at Homewood (JHU main campus) that would fit in the Peabody schedule was not easy. We looked at the published course requirements and course catalog and found ways to likely work for his first year (IF applied lessons, studio classes, and chamber practice/coaching could be flexible). The biggest reason we said no to Peabody was that they didn’t give merit scholarship to double degree students. I’ve heard that it’s changed since last year though.
1 Like
@somethings thank you so much for your valuable first hand experience info! This is very helpful. My son doesn’t mind traveling between two campuses or living in music dorm, but not being able to take any STEM courses for the first year would give him a pause. It’s very different from NEC dual degree program, for example, in which you focus on academics and just take lessons for the first 3 years, if I’m not mistaken.
Yep, the NEC program is basically a BA from Harvard (or Tufts I think???), then you get an MM from NEC. You basically finish your academic work in the 3 years if what I was told was correct, then you switch more to the music program.
1 Like
That sounds like the Yale program where you end up with an MM but much of the early years is more academic focused.
I didn’t know Yale did a thing like that, I know their music program is grad only. The Juilliard exchange program with Columbia University is similar.
The Yale double degree program is relatively new.
Harvard and NEC is a BA/MM. Tufts and NEC is BA/BM.
What happens if main application is submitted on time for ED but the prescreen is late because you don’t have access to portal just yet to upload? Does that mean that voids ED agreement because not all components were in on time?
Check the portals. If I remember correctly the ED dates for the prescreens for some schools was after the application ED date. Also if he is running a little late he should email the music departments to see if there is any flexibility,
Same here. Peabody is known to be difficult to double major/dual degree-I think they tolerate it. Northwestern is more friendly and Oberlin seems to actively encourage. Son is senior so not first hand experience but have been researching this a lot.
2 Likes
Somewhere on here is a thread about dual degee with music. Vanderbilt is another one where kids do that, and I believe Indiana U encourages it as well. If I remember correctly (and I am getting old) Bard I think requires it, but I could be wrong. Other schools discourage it or outright don’t allow it (I believe Rice Shepherd doesn’t allow it).
Yes. IU Jacobs offers a BSOF degree. My oldest did this degree in Voice and History. I know others there currently with outside fields in computer science, arts administration, psychology, and film studies. Dual Degrees: Admissions: Jacobs School of Music: Indiana University Bloomington
Yes Bard still requires a double degree for all Conservatory students.
The other schools often mentioned are Oberlin and Lawrence, as well as Tufts, Harvard, Yale. Lots of other schools!
I know kids who have managed double degree at Rice even if Sheperd doesn’t encourage it.
There are a ton of audition dates at Berklee sites around the world. They audition everyone I believe. We looked at the dates, and had my son audition this past August in Boston. He was one of maybe four students to audition that day. He got his acceptance letter and merit offer a few weeks ago. It’s a huge relief for him to have a safety now. I strongly encourage people to apply early, since unless you get a direct statement from a program indicating otherwise, you never know when a school practices “rolling” auditions or admissions.
7 Likes
I had no idea Berklee had such early audition dates! This is good info for future applicants, would have really taken the stress down a notch to have that one already done!
@compmom I heard from a friend whose daughter started NEC in September that Tufts+NEC double degree is discontinued this year (I guess the students currently enrolled can finish their degrees)…
Thanks @CAMmama! Good to know! The college music department at Tufts is “vibrant” and I believe I heard that double degree students were few. It’s a long haul to NEC too.
1 Like