Hey! I’m a student interested in medicine and music. I’m thinking about double majoring in music and bio with a possible minor in music composition. I was just wondering what the difference between a BA in music and a B M in music was. Which would be better with the science double major?
Thanks!
With a BM, ⅔-¾ of your classes would be music courses. They generally not conducive to double majors (except for specific programs), particularly if you want to graduate in four years.
I suggest you read the Double Degree Dilemma essay posted on the top of this forum. It is really about the different ways to study music.
Double major is different from double degree. You might want to do the latter, which takes 5 years. Oberlin, Lawrence, Bard, Harvard, Tufts and many other schools offer this path.
The problem with double majoring in music and science is usually scheduling and time: science has labs and music has lessons, practice, rehearsal and performance. Some people do do it but it is extremely tough.
I hope you are aware that you can major in music, whether BA or BM, and still go to med school. I read years ago that as a group, music majors had the highest rate of admission to med school of any major at 62%- sorry can no longer cite! Of course you have prerequ’s which can be done during college but also in special programs for that purpose. Goucher has one, so do many other schools “post back” programs.
A BA in music is 1/4-1/3 music classes and a BM is 2/3-3/4 music classes and is much more immersive, with emphasis on performance. A BA may have some performance but some programs don’t: academic music study includes theory, music history, ethnomusicology, music and technology, composition and other areas that are studied rather than played. If performance is not part of classes, it would be extracurricular and lessons would be available. Some give credit for lessons and performance.
If you have a real interest in bio, by all means go for it one way or the other, double major or double degree, but if you love music and are only considering bio for med school, you can consider just doing music (and taking some prereq’s as described).
Your options:
double major (BA or BS) or major/minor (bio major/music minor or vice-versa)
double degree (BA or BS and BM or MM)
BA music with some prereq’s for med school during or after college
BA or BS in bio with some music classes, lessons and performance
BA or BS in bio with only extracurricular performance (and lessons)
For composition, if that is your focus in music, there is a bit more latitude in terms of time management, unless you also plan on playing an instrument at a high level. Some composers don’t even major in music or indeed double major. Composition does require theory, music history and a composition seminar at the very least, even for non-majors.
Thanks @guineagirl96 now I understand the difference!
Thanks soo much @compmom ! The dual degree is a great idea, but I really want to graduate in 4 years and move onto med school by then. If BM does include more of performance, then I’d leaning towards that. However, you and @guineagirl96 did mention that double majors don’t usually enroll in that program.
Just to clarify, many BA music programs DO include a lot of performance, including for credit. Just check the department requirements and class descriptions for each school, since SOME do not. A BM is more of a professional music degree rather than a liberal arts degree, which is why so many of the classes required for the degree will be in music (⅔ to ¾ of all your classes in college), which may not leave you much time for much else except for the minimum of required pre-med courses. That’s why a lot of dual degree programs (BM and BS) take 5 years.
Many high school students want to go into medicine and some change their minds, obviously. I would be careful about making all your decisions based on that goal.
What do you want to study?
As I said, you can do a BM in performance and take care of premed later.
Daykidmom is right in that you really have to look carefully at BA programs to see if there is a performance component. And some that do not have performance classes do offer credit for lessons and performance in extracurriculars.
But no BA program in music will offer the kind of immersive experience in music that BM’s do.
If you want to study biology, out of interest, then you can of course do that in a BS and continue lessons and extracurricular performance.
There have been students on this forum who do a double major in music and science but it is quite difficult.
BTW I know students who have done science as an undergrad and music for grad.
Nothing is written in stone.
First of all, I can’t think of words to thank you enough for all the help!! I really appreciate it! My goal is to get into med school and music is something that I am really passionate about and want to continue through and beyond college. A BM/BS does sound like a nice idea, as well as a BA/BS or double major. I know UIowa allows options such as BA in mathematics with a BM in Music, a BA in psych with BM in Music. At the moment, I’m thinking about whether or not a BM is worth the extra year/tuition/ etc or not. @compmom
I want to second that medical school does not require a science degree. Any major is acceptable for medical school as long as (1) you meet the science prerequisites, (2) have strong MCAT scores, (3) strong overall GPA and science GPA, and (4) have a healthcare volunteer activity. In fact, music might make you a little more interesting as an applicant.
Yep, I’ve been getting that from many people as well. The only thing is that I don’t want to regret not taking enough science classes to prepare for MCAT and med school especially. @BearHouse
The MCAT tests material covered in the basic science classes. Advanced classes are not necessary to do well. And think about this for a minute, if medical schools are saying you only need the basic classes to be admitted, aren’t they saying that the basic classes are enough preparation?
I mentioned this on your other thread but for others reading this, there are many excellent post-bacc programs that help prepare college graduates for med school with prereq courses, MCAT prep etc. and you can also take courses on your own. There is, of course, a cost of post-back programs that needs to be checked for each school. Some are online.
That’s definitely true. I just thought that those with advanced classes (AKA science majors) may help them a bit. But, as you mentioned, that isn’t true. @BearHouse
@studygeek03 Since you mentioned u if Iowa I thought I would mention that U of Nebraska might be worth a look. They offer a BM, but also a BA in music with a choice of “tracks” or areas of emphasis, such as performance. The BA degree also REQUIRES a second major or a minor so would pair nicely with an outside interest. I think their website also specifically mentions that this degree option works well for students pursuing a pre med curriculum. They also offer very generous merit aid to high stat OOS students. Check out their scholarship estimator on the website. Daughter has applied for next year but hasn’t made any decisions yet but the financial package from admissions was a very nice. And, yes, I get it…it’s Nebraska. But a solid choice, lots of school spirit, and a great urban location adjacent to downtown Lincoln.
Thanks soo much! That’s a wonderful option! And I’m in NJ, probably not as much as a big difference than moving from Manhattan or LA. Thanks! @college-bound-parent
One other thing to consider studygeek is that there are many ways to be involved in health care and patient care besides becoming an actual doctor. Think carefully about what you like and why you want to go into medicine. Is it the science? Maybe you are more interested in getting a PhD in a bioscience. Is it working with people? There is music therapy, psychology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and nursing as options. Is it diagnosing and solving problems and working to keep people healthy? Nutritionists are in demand. Nurse practitioners can do everything an MD does except surgery. We need more doctors. But many people get focused on the title of being a doctor, go off to med school and then quit and do not enter the profession because they are unhappy and not satisfied with the actual work a doctor does. I would recommend spending time in a health care facility, an ER, and doing as much shadowing as possible.
FYI University of Utah has a great music department and an amazing hospital/bioscience program. The life style in Utah is very relaxed which might help if you were interested in spending 5 years to complete a dual degree.
Also physicians’ assistant programs are post-grad and that is a great profession for someone interested in patient care.