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<p>Plenty of state schools are good at engineering, and some are great at engineering (lists of “top engineering schools” tend to have greater state school representation than other lists of top schools). And even lesser known schools with ABET-accredited engineering degree programs need to maintain a floor on the quality of the engineering program to maintain ABET accreditation.</p>
<p>However, instead of doing music first and then doing engineering, perhaps consider the reverse. He can go to a school where he can do engineering (preferring a school where he can take courses or minor in music). After completing the engineering degree, he can then go to a music school, or he can defer the music school until after working as an engineer for a few years, paying off any loans and saving some money. If this is of interest, check the music schools about how they handle applicants who have bachelor’s degrees in a non-music subject.</p>
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<p>Other things could trip up a student trying to do a 3+2: (a) not getting admitted to the “2” school as a transfer applicant from the “3” school, (b) not getting enough financial aid at the “2” school (even for the first of the two years there).</p>