<p>Looking for good schools where I can study Poli Sci and Music (Theory or Performance). Preferably in/near a city, with a good music scene</p>
<p>Anything come to mind?</p>
<p>Vandy would be good…It’s by Nashville and has great academics.</p>
<p>Cool, thanks! I’ve heard Berkeley is good too. How does it size up to Vanderbilt in music and poli sci?</p>
<p>Berkeley is in general a better school, only because it is among competing ranks. Vanderbilt is not far behind. I don’t know much about Berkeley, but Vanderbilt is smaller, has the southern-east atmosphere, and a similar rigor. The name might just not be AS good, but both are still great. I say Vanderbilt because Nashville may be your best option among “music scenes” that you have mentioned. The networks into the city are great and its political-law program is among the some of the best.</p>
<p>To add on, I’m not certain on exactly how the Berkeley programs specifically measure against vanderbilt’s, I have just seen people with different interests pursue Berkeley and those of similar interest as yours pursue vandy</p>
<p>Selection will depend on your emphasis, be it career intention or avocational pursuit of either discipline.</p>
<p>From a music standpoint, I suggest you read [Peabody</a> Institute - Conservatory Admissions: The Double Degree Dilemma](<a href=“http://www.peabody.jhu.edu/doubledegree]Peabody”>Double Degree | Peabody Institute), an excellent overview and helpful to many in determining where they fit. <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/258796-so-you-want-music-major-one-family-s-experience.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/258796-so-you-want-music-major-one-family-s-experience.html</a> explaining what you need to know about music undergrad programs and the intricacies and pitfalls of music based admissions.</p>
<p>A lot will depend on your instrument for school selection as many pursuing a performance route place faculty selection and specific private instruction as a paramount parameter in researching and picking schools. It’s a bit less of a concern for those planning a theory emphasis.</p>
<p>You’ll need to know the differences between a BA & BM as it applies to performance degrees. Parameters vary, and are institution specific. The devil is in the details, usually buried in the undergrad handbook, not the overviews on an admission web page.</p>
<p>Be aware that an institution may advertise a double degree pursuit, prohibit it, or fall anywhere in between. What appears good on paper is not necessarily the reality. There have been numerous threads on cc’s music major forum <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/</a> outlining specific school/discipline combos and personal experiences.</p>
<p>Personally, I would not venture specific school recommendations without knowing a bit more about your musical training, experiences, choice of discipline and aspirations, or your leaning to one pursuit over another.</p>
<p>There are many schools that would allow you to explore either equally. They may not necesarrily what you want out of the experience in the long run for either discipline.</p>
<p>Michigan is excellent in both areas.</p>
<p>UC Berkeley is top-notch for political science and music history – one of the best in the US by any standard; but it is hard to get in for someone who is not a California resident (and for those who are), it does not offer “music theory” (no major music department west of the Mississippi seems to offer a music theory major, or many courses beyond the 2 year harmony sequence and counterpoint) and performance is not a strength, though there is a good orchestra and good chamber coaches.
There are innumerable schools that would meet your criteria. In the LAC category, Oberlin, Williams, and Wesleyan stand out.</p>
<p>The Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University. </p>
<p>
</a></p>
<p>Indiana University-Bloomington
Northwestern University
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
University of Rochester
Yale University</p>
<p>the Peabody/JHU program is very very small, requires admission to both and then to the double-degree program; Yale does not have an undergraduate performance degree, though it does have music theory as a component of the undergraduate music major. If you want more information about music double degree programs, look at the sites recommended by cc expert violadad and the music major site. Northwestern, Michigan, and Indiana have music performance programs, including performance – admission by audition – as part of larger universities. As does USC. Otherwise, one could list just about all the schools in the US – nearly all offer both political science and music.</p>
<p>For liberal arts colleges: St. Olaf, Oberlin, and Lawrence; all offer strong music and political science programs.</p>
<p>Alexandre’s list (post 10) has some great suggestions, but just be careful with Yale; it’s music school is entirely at the graduate level, and while there may or may not be options for undergrad music majors, it certainly won’t be as strong as the others.
Also, when choosing which branch of music to focus in for the double major (theory or performance), keep in mind how time-consuming performance is.
Good luck! :)</p>
<p>Just to clarify, Yale does have a Music department that offers a B.A. degree in Music, i.e., music history and theory. The Yale School of Music, which offers performance degrees at the graduate level, is not open to undergraduates, although they may take lessons with graduate students and sometimes faculty; there is a B.A./M.M. program that offers an opportunity to get through the undergraduate and graduate programs (MM is in performance) in 5 years; but you apply in your junior year. Harvard has a similar BA/MM program with NEC, though you can apply as a freshman; Juilliard and Columbia also have a joint BA/MM program. For the latter two programs, you must be accepted to both, and also to the joint program. Tufts has a BA/BMus program with NEC.</p>
<p>Yeah, Vanderbilt and Oberlin come to mind</p>
<p>IU and Vanderbilt are the schools I thought of when I saw this thread</p>
<p>mamenyu’s comment about Yale is correct, but realize that few if any undergrads study with Yale SOM faculty. Those that do are at conservatory level or above, may have a significant competition win or two under their belt, have professional performing ability, or are currently playing professionally.</p>
<p>There is often a previous longstanding relationship with faculty instructor and student, or the invitation to study is initiated by the specific instructor.</p>
<p>Most Yale undergrads will have their private lessons with grad students and doctoral candidates, who are excellent artists in their own right.</p>
<p>Brown and Wesleyan, because they have good programs in each and have open curricula so it’s easier to double major.</p>