<p>I agree that professor support is key. I have told my story in another thread but I want to emphasize a different point. Many years ago, I did an BA/BA double degree at the University of Hartford/Hartt School. Two of my chemistry professors were accomplished musicians and we all played chamber music together. They helped me juggle my schedule and supported me through the rough patches. At the Hartt School, my flute teacher totally supported the double degree (he said that he did not have to ‘worry about me’). Also, several faculty members at Hartt including two chamber music coaches were total supporters - even rescheduling my jury exam because I had an organic chemistry final in the morning. They were also there when I needed to talk about things. </p>
<p>I needed 4.5 years to do both and took courses every summer.</p>
<p>A lot of the reason that I am not big on two undergraduate majors or degrees is that so many times the OP is kind of wishy washy on one or more of the degrees.</p>
<p>I mean if you have a great love for two different fields, then by all means study them both. But so often the person is serious about music, but is looking for a backup major if music doesn’t work out. When someone says “maybe my second major can be in history or math”, to me that doesn’t indicate a very strong “love” for the second subject.</p>
<p>imagep, if a student has a lot of support in terms of financial aid and merit aid, it might make sense to two two bachelor degrees. I know a number of students who are majoring in music performance (at places like Bard, CIM/Case, and Princeton), all 5-year programs. Arguably, the second, non-music degree will increase job-marketability. In this economy it is not uncommon to delay graduation in order to avoid going out into an impossible market only to have blank or under-employed years on one’s resume. </p>
<p>None of my own kids is doing a double bachelor’s, just playing devil’s advocate.</p>
<p>Sometimes, the double degree is the result of a family compromise, where the child wants to study music and the parents want a “practical” degree. If the kid is willing to do the work for two degrees and the parents are willing to pay for the extra year…for peace in the family, it’s a good solution.</p>
<p>Imagep, Spiritmanger, Glassharmonia, Chemusic, all your advices are right.
I learned a lot and appreciate.
Stradmom, you are right.
It is the combination of passion and life wisdom.
Life is tough and who knows?</p>