Chance/match me for double majoring in CS and Music Performance

Chance Me / Match Me!
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Demographics

  • US domestic
  • State/Location of residency: NYC
  • Type of high school: Public, but selective
  • Gender/Race/Ethnicity (optional): Non-Binary/White
  • Other special factors (first generation to college, legacy, athlete, etc.): N/A

Intended Major(s)

Music and Computer Science (double major/dual degree/combined degree/something of the sort)

GPA, Rank, and Test Scores

  • Unweighted HS GPA: 94/100
  • Weighted HS GPA (incl. weighting system): N/A
  • College GPA (for transfers): N/A
  • Class Rank: N/A
  • ACT/SAT Scores: 1570 SAT, 1590 SAT

Coursework
(AP/IB/Dual Enrollment classes, AP/IB scores for high school; also include level of math and foreign language reached and any unusual academic electives; for transfers, describe your college courses and preparation for your intended major(s))

Total 9 APs planned, already took AP Environmental (5), AP European History (5), AP Music Theory (3), AP US History (5), AP English Language and composition (4), AP Computer Science (5). Planning to take both AP Government courses and AP Calculus AB. 3 years of language, 4 years of band, college level english course + college level CS courses.

Extracurriculars
(Include leadership, summer activities, competitions, volunteering, and work experience)

Leader of 2 IT teams, private Flute lessons, All City Orchestra, All State, 2 years of debate.

Schools
(List of colleges by your initial chance estimate; designate if applying ED/EA/RD; if a scholarship is necessary for affordability, indicate that you are aiming for a scholarship and use the scholarship chance to estimate it into the appropriate group below)

The thing is, I have no chance estimates, I have no clue how I compare to other students right now. I have an intrinsic feeling that I’m shooting a little too high (too many reach schools and not enough matches/safeties). I’m looking for schools in big cities in the northeast (or Chicago) (my favorites are Boston and Toronto) that aren’t NYC. That being said, here’s my list so far. Please let me know if there are any schools that would fit me that I missed!

  • CMU
  • Northwestern
  • Tufts (dual enrollment with NEC)
  • New England Conservatory
  • University of Rochester (possible dual enrollment with Eastman)
  • Eastman School of Music
  • Boston University
  • Northeastern
  • Binghamton (safety)
  • University of Toronto
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You do understand that it’s probably going to take you five years to do these two majors.

Since you have similarly competitive programs listed…what about Peabody/JHU?

I’m not exactly sure if there is an arrangement, but maybe Case Western/Cleveland Institute of Music

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DePaul in Chicago?

Xavier in Cincinnati?

You need more safeties.

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Not in your geographic region of choice, but U Miami has the most open embracement/encouragement of double majors and is one of the happiest private (T50 or so) colleges to accept and apply you AP and DE credits on the East Coast. This combo is needed if you really want to double major in 4 years. Their music department is well funded with merit and their CS department has research and internship opportunities. The campus is self contained in a suburban part of Miami. Every student in our info session was double majoring…and had time to work for admissions. Many schools list you can double major or create your own focus, but UMiami seems to be delivering on that. More money is given to those that apply early in the process due to their merit levels and scholarships.

Frost School of Music

CS:

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You might want to post on the music major and math/computer science major forums.

On the music major forum, make sure to read the Double Degree Dilemma essay under the Read Me thread posted near the top. It covers different ways to study music, including double major and dual degree.

For double degree, consider Oberlin, Bard, Lawrence. Oberlin also has a relatively new Musical Studies program for non-BM students that offers access to conservatory resources. These three (and a few others) are very supportive of double degrees (in fact Bard requires conservatory students to do one) and the music campus is not on a separate campus (Eastman and Peabody are not as well integrated with the college).

I would add Harvard to your list along with Tufts, for double degree in Boston. Harvard’s is a BA/MM. Or apply to Harvard without the double degree. MIT might interest you as well.

If you are talented enough to apply to NEC and Eastman, then you are good enough to submit a music supplement for colleges where you would get a BS/BA, including Harvard. A recording/video, music resume, and letters of recommendation related to music. Music can sometimes really enhance your chances.

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Look into St. Olaf.

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Forgot to mention that another great option is to apply to excellent CS programs and continue music as an extracurricular. Many schools will provide lessons and give credit for both lessons and certain performance EC’s. You would want to check out the level of musicianship in ensembles. Again, a music supplement can be helpful.

If you go that route, there are instances where you may want to avoid schools with BM programs (conservatory or school of music) if the best teachers and resources go to the BM students. Not always, but worth checking out.

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Thank you so much for your post, and for suggesting that I read the dual degree dilemma essay—it really helped me with my doubts. As much as I would love to apply to Harvard, in the last year, 194 students from my school (graduating class ~900) applied to Harvard and only 18 were accepted. The thing that I’m worried about is that even though I have nice stats, coming from such a competitive HS might make my chances much harder. Still, maybe worth a shot… but I have the feeling that there are too many reach schools on my list and not enough schools that are easier to get into.

As for music, I have no frame of reference for how good I am, other than getting into All State, so I don’t really know if I’m qualified to apply to Eastman/NEC or not, just going off what my flute teacher tells me…

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You could apply to both double degree programs and schools with good CS where you can do music lessons/EC’s but not major in music (maybe minor).

Double majoring is tough and might take 5 years anyway.

You don’t have to decide what you want until the end of senior year, so it is fine to apply to several different options/paths and see how you feel in April of senior year.

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Flute is extremely competitive. If your teacher is in NYC and has sent students to these programs then they should know. If not then setting up trial lessons with some teachers at these programs should be helpful. I know this is college confidential but there are lots of ways in NYC to meet with people and find out what your fit is.

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Thanks for your response!! I definitely have been hearing about Flute’s competitive status as I’ve been researching. Can you elaborate on that last bit? Is there some people I should seek out specifically? How would I go about it?

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can you pm me? If you dont know how i will message you

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Post on the music forum. People there can help you as well.

If you apply to programs (like BA or BS) you won’t need to do an audition for admission, most likely. The only question is whether you should submit a music supplement. You don’t need to do trial lessons.

If you apply to a double degree program, you will of course have to audition. There are usually prescreens. If you want that route, you can do a virtual lesson if schools are too far away or COVID is an issue. Find a teacher at a conservatory prep, conservatory or school of music- or in the community if available- who can advise you.

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