I would appreciate if anyone has any first hand experience with either of these programs. The biggest differences we see (aside from Belmont being a Christian school) are that Belmont is an ABET accredited engineering program and does not have any music theory or performance as part of the degree. And Elon has AET as part of their Music School and therefore requires performance and music theory (and an audition) but not as many engineering courses. Of course there is also location Nashville vs. Elon NC. I know there are many other good programs out there but due to a variety of other factors we are narrowed down to these two. Thanks.
Have you already been accepted by both? Are both of them equally affordable?
Apply to both, as well as to MTSU, and decide once your financial aid offer is in hand.
Accepted to Belmont. Auditioning for Elon in November. Applied EA. Should be fine academically, all depends on what level of musicianship they are looking for in an AET major. Background is in rock music and not classical. Will be auditioning on bass guitar and drums. Money is not a deciding factor. Schools are similar in price. Really just looking for feedback on the difference between the music major track and the engineering track. Thanks!!
If admitted to Belmont and the Engineering is ABET accredited, that’s what I’d go with in terms of professional outcomes, keeping in mind you’ll have to keep up your technique.
However you should really look at costs (if one expects a Parent PLUS loan or a private loan, that’s an easy way to cut it).
Have you applied to MTSU also? It’s pretty well reputed for that major and may be less expensive.
@myso1634 thanks for the input. Money really isn’t the deciding factor. We are not at all eligible for FA and won’t be taking any loans. We are just hoping for merit money. Based on the NPC at both schools though we do expect academic merit to be close enough that it won’t be a factor. I agree with you about the ABET but really don’t know enough about the industry to know for sure. The pull of Nashville is also very strong… MTSU is too big… my son wants a small to med LAC.