<p>Hey, i was just wondering,,
is double majoring really hard?</p>
<p>for ex, music and biochemistry??</p>
<p>Well, my son started out as a vocal performance/music ed major. After his first student teaching class..he called and said..........he can't stand little kids, and thinks its a waste of time for him to do the dual degree. He wasn't interested in teaching, and he wanted to be more involved in his music. His high school teachers etc, all urged him into the dual degree..but if teaching isnt a calling,..........he was worried we'd be upset. I always thought it was too much anyway. I know how obssessed he is with his music....he would never apply himself as much to the education part. </p>
<p>Having said that, my daughter is a bio major, and she's as into that as he is his music..so, you may have a much stronger calling to both. I think it will depend on the school you choose to see how that works out. There were only about 2 performance majors doing the dual degree at Oberlin the year he opted out, lol. Not sure if that helps you, but I tried:)</p>
<p>Actually Oberlin has around 30 students entering every year (not everyone completes both majors) in the double degree program, getting a BA and BMus; it is doable, particularly if you have AP credits. Labs would make it more difficult to coordinate, but not impossible.</p>
<p>You are probably right......I do know though when he was a freshman, there were only 2 vocalists doing it that year...I had tunnel vision, lol...sorry.</p>
<p>thank you!</p>
<p>I think ti is possible to double degree at some schools.... unless you are looking at schools that offer a BA music major (rather than a BM program), a dual degree is what you would be pursuing.... BM in Music and BS or BA in biochemistry (actually even in many BA schools you would end up with a dual degree -- a BA in music and a BS in biochemistry).</p>
<p>I think it is important to look at each school individually... identify the kind of educational experience you would like.... </p>
<p>There are threads you can search on here with information about schools that offer dual degree programs.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>First, be aware that dual degree programs like Oberlin's, in which the student winds up with a BM in music and a BA in something else, normally take five years. There have been several students who have completed it in nine semesters and a few have even done it in eight, but that is rare. A double major, with a single BA covering music and another major is generally easier to do in four years.</p>
<p>The main problem with coordinating music and a science is that the required ensembles and the required science labs are often both scheduled in the same 2 PM to 5 PM general time frame. It takes some careful planning of classes and perhaps a bit of flexibility from the academic advisers in both majors in order to be able to complete all the requirements.</p>
<p>Some schools have double major or double degree programs but make them virtually impossible to complete - they admit maybe two or three students a year into them and perhaps one of those manages to complete it. Others have a more substantial number both starting and completing the program. It is good to ask the admissions department about the percentage of music students allowed into such programs, as well as the number who successfully complete them and how long it usually takes. Once you have those numbers, you should have a good idea of how possible it is at any given school.</p>
<p>props to the OP. i'm going the BA biochemistry & music (double-major, not dual degree) route as well...for now.
i asked a sort of similar question in a thread earlier and got two very helpful responses. you should check it out.</p>
<p>It depends on the college, and whether you are double majoring or dual degree.</p>
<p>Dual degree generally means you are getting a degree from the Conservatory, and a separate degree from the college. It generally means 5 years.</p>
<p>Some schools are well integrated and are supportive. Others are not. Make sure you ask.</p>
<p>The Bachelors of Music is more difficult than Bachelor of Arts in Music. So getting a BA will be easier than a BM. However, if you want to go to grad school in music, you should go for the BM.</p>
<p>Lawrence University is well integrated and suppoprtive. You can get a double major (one degree) from the College (BA in Music, and BS in Biochem). Or, you can get two degrees: a BS in Biochem from the College and a BM from the Conservatory. The Dual Degree program is definitely 5 years. The double major is probably more than 4, but not necessarily 5 (not much overlap in the two degrees).</p>
<p>The Harvard/NEC program is much more difficult to accomplish.</p>
<p>Both BM performance based and BS science degrees typically are both credit and time intensive degrees. Studio time, ensemble and ipo courses are often large time chunks, with small credit hours. Scheduling headaches abound, and as mentioned there are often lab/performing conflicts which can be difficult to surmount.</p>
<p>Pursuing one or both as a BA may lessen the strain, but it would depend upon student's focus, committment to a specific discipline, and may not be the best solution for grad studies down the road.</p>
<p>The Peabody link here Peabody</a> Institute - Conservatory Admissions: The Double Degree Dilemma is well worth reading.</p>
<p>I wonder if the trick with Harvard/NEC would be getting into it in the first place, rather than completing it. They accept about 2 students per year. The Columbia-Juilliard program, which is also tiny, has been hard for students to complete. But both are BA/MM programs, not BA/BMus. Part of the difficulty of juggling courses, especially with science courses, is that there are serious transportation issues between the campuses of the schools with dual programs on 2 sites. Oberlin, Lawrence, UMich., and several other programs are at least on the same campus; I only am familiar with Oberlin of these schools -- there, the Conservatory is only minutes away from the science building and the practice rooms are abundant and open until midnight every day. That makes a big difference in itself.
It is true that Oberlin's dual degree program is more easily finished in 5 years for most students, but Oberlin is generous with AP credits, which can allow for completion of most of the breadth requirements before you get there.</p>
<p>mamenyu, even with AP credits, I would think it would vary by institution and degree pursuit. My son for example went into Hartt with 15 AP credits, and while they applied towards his UHartford general elective requirements in terms of total degree requirements, there were 4 courses for he received credit, he still had to physically take the courses to fulfill specific music ed requirements for that degree, even with 5's on the AP's.</p>
<p>Even with fully supported five year dual major or double degree programs, it can be hairy. He ran into courses that were scheduled once a year, or in alternating semesters, which can be a bane, even if you know your requirements, and the recommended outline. </p>
<p>It IS possible, but in most of these dual pursits, attrition is high</p>