Good colleges for music/science double major?

PercussionJustin
Sun, 15 Sep 2013 06:09:31 +0000

I am a double major in physics and music performance and I went through the entire process of checking out all of the schools that offer double major programs, so I think I can offer some good advice on this topic. First and foremost, find a program that offers the ability to earn a degree in each area! This means either a double major or dual degree program. Many schools offer combined music/academics degree programs, but I can tell you from my experience visiting schools and spending many hours talking with admissions reps and program directors that these programs will usually neglect one area of study or the other. A school that offers the ability to double major is preferable, because you can fully pursue both areas.

Also, many of the people posting above me are recommending some of the schools that I applied to (and got in to) as good options for double majoring. I can tell you first-hand that the Eastman/U of Rochester double major is extremely rare and close to impossible. It is highly discouraged at Eastman - there are a handful of students each year that start the program but it is rare that any given student will actually earn both degrees. This is due to the demanding nature of both schools, but also largely to the fact that the schools are on separate campuses. The transportation time between Eastman and U of R may seem like a minor detail, but when it comes to handling the actual workload, this can play a huge role. Other programs that combine two different locations (NEC Tufts, NEC Harvard, Columbia Julliard) also have ridiculously low dual degree graduation rates. So, try to look at programs that have one location.

Sidenote, the professors of my instrument at IU Bloomington told me (when I asked) in my audition that they did not know of anyone in the percussion studio ever completing a double major successfully. They highly discouraged it and were very dismissive.

The school had by far the most double major graduates (in my experience) was definitely Oberlin. The atmosphere was very pro-academia in the music school and I spoke with at least 15 people during my time visiting that were on track to graduate with two degrees. Northwestern, as well, is super supportive of the double major and it is very possible. Carnegie Mellon has quite a few double majors, however, Carnegie Mellon is also notorious for having enormous academic workloads. Expect to work, really really hard. That applies to everywhere as a double major, but especially CMU. Other schools with top class music programs that support the double are Miami, Univ of Maryland College Park, Michigan, Rice, and BU.

If you really want to earn two degrees, make sure you know your capabilities in both music and academics. When a music school accepts you, that means they think you would do well in their department as a music major. When a university accepts you into an academic degree program, that means the university thinks you will do well in that degree program. There’s no way for the university to tell if you will be able to earn both – just because you are accepted into both degree programs doesn’t mean the school thinks you will be able to complete both degrees’ workloads in four or five years. That’s for you to decide. If you really want both degrees, evaluate your limits and make sure you’re not going to a school that will overload you and force you to pick one or the other. Schools with world class academics and music schools – CMU and Northwestern come to mind – will be incredibly difficult places to earn two degrees. Some people can do it, but not many. Before you enroll, make sure you have a feel for the workload and your ability to handle it. From experience, it’s super super hard and requires extreme time management skills.

The most valuable resource I used when selecting schools was speaking to students who were actually double majoring. Shoot that professor at CMU an email, and ask to be put in touch with some double major students, and ask them how its going! It’ll help so much. Feel free to message me as well.