<p>Hi everyone,
I really want to do a double major in biomedical engineering & music performance (or at least a music minor) but I'm not really sure which school would suit me best. Would it be easier to accomplish this at a liberal arts college or is it about the same? Should I go to a school like WPI or RPI and get a great education in engineering and just do a music minor? My primary instrument is the piano but I'm also learning the bassoon, and so I really want to continue music in college but it's not really my priority. I'm really conflicted, does anyone have any advice?</p>
<p>It’s very unlikely you’ll be able to complete music performance along with any other major. Typically, “music” students would do a BA in music at a college with a good music program along with a science BA or BA? ie, double majoring. The core requirements remain the same and you don’t have any electives but it’s doable in 4 years if you take 16 credits each semester and don’t drop any class. Biomedical engineering, being part of engineering, has a set path. There’s no space for music electives at all. You could try BME+ music minor in 5 years (most engineering students need 4 1/2 years). I don’t think you can minor in music at WPI or RPI (I haven’t checked).
A solution for you might be a school like Bucknell or Lafayette, or perhaps URochester (with music WITHIN Urochester, not with the conservatory).
Or you may want to try a school that’s really strong in science and music and do a Physics degree along with a BA in music (depending on your stats, it may mean Yale, St Olaf, Lawrence,…)
You can also look at 4+1 programs (NOT 3+2!): you complete your physics, math, or CS major at the college, then complete 1 year and get a Master’s from another university. In this system, you’d do the physics, math, or CS major along with a music minor & music ensembles, then get your engineering degree afterwards. I know Haverford and Bryn Mawr have an agreement with Upenn, if you’ve got really strong stats.
You could go to the music forum on this website, too.</p>
<p>Rochester’s Take 5 program, if you could get in, would be ideal to do this sort of program. But you apply for that after you’re already at Rochester.</p>
<p>OP, if music is not your priority then you don’t have to major in it to continue it. You could formally continue with a minor, or you can select a college that has a vibrant student music tradition and just take private lessons through the department and play in student productions (or community chamber groups, if you are in a relatively large city). My small, mid-ranked LAC offered private lessons for a relatively low cost (I think it was like $120/semester). Currently I attend university in a large city with two very well-known music schools, one literally blocks away, and I could probably pay a master’s student to teach me a new instrument if I wanted to.</p>
<p>You don’t have to find a place to double major - you can major in biomedical engineering and just look for schools that have music options as an extra-curricular activity.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for your responses!
I also forgot to mention - money is an issue (as it is with a lot of college applicants). I come from a middle-class family and we are fairly well-off, but I have three older siblings that are basically dependent on my parents even though they are out of college and/or didn’t go to college. Since only one is still in college, my EFC is still pretty high. I was hoping that with a double major, I could get scholarship for piano and/or bassoon. So, although I love music, there is more to it than just pursuing a music degree for enjoyment.
Also, I’m willing to do 5 years. I understand that it’s relatively impossible to fit the requirements for a BA and BS in four years. But, that was one of my concerns - I originally wanted to pursue a degree in biology, which could potentially be a BA and so requirements would overlap with those of the music degree. But after doing some thinking (and this still isn’t my final decision, but it’s what I’m beginning to lean towards), I think I want to do BME.
I have been looking at URochester, I’m just worried I don’t have what it takes to get in - and if I do, to get any merit aid.</p>
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I think any scholarship you get will be very small. How much can your family afford and what is your home state?</p>
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<p>Rochester’s Take Five program does not guarantee admission to the tuition-free fifth year, does not cover non-tuition expenses, and is not allowed for completion of another major, certificate, or other credentials.
<a href=“Students : College Center for Advising Services : University of Rochester”>Students : College Center for Advising Services : University of Rochester;
<p>@ Erin’s Dad, my home state is New Hampshire and the only in-state public university I’m applying to is UNH, however it’s not my top choice. My family can afford around $20,000 a year.</p>
<p>However, I have a friend at Holy Cross who got full ride for piano for doing a double major, so I’m hoping a fairly large scholarship for music could be possible? (Obviously other factors applied to her scholarship like grades, EC’s, etc., but still)</p>
<p>Case Western is great for engineering and has a strong music department and the Cleveland Institute of Music is on campus…might want to take a look- they also offer some large merit aid awards.</p>
<p>Northwestern has a combined Engineering/Music major.</p>