<p>So right now, I'm thinking that mechanical engineering is what I'll want to study, but I'm not set on it. I keep going back and forth between that and music composition, so in an ideal situation I'd try to double major in both (then continue pursuing whichever field decide I want to make a career of more in graduate school). Does anyone know if an engineering-music double major is common at Carnegie Mellon and how hard it is to accomplish?</p>
<p>I've also been considering more recently the possibility of doing math or statistics instead of engineering. I think a double major with one of those and music would be easier with the lighter courseload, and I'd have a broader range of options to pursue that way after college.</p>
<p>Would applying to all four schools that I'd be thinking about majors in (CIT, CFA, MCS, and H&SS) make me look like a weaker candidate than someone who has a more focused vision of what he or she wants to study? Or should I just apply to CIT and CFA, knowing that I could try to switch from engineering to another school my first year if that's what I decide I want to do?</p>
<p>Thanks a lot.</p>
<p>CMU is really big on combining STEM and art, so I’m pretty sure it’s possible to combine MechE and Music. I don’t think its common, but I’m sure there are at least a couple people that are doing it.</p>
<p>If you’re looking at Math and Music, check out CMU’s BSA program. It’s a bit less work than a full double major, and its a pretty popular program.</p>
<p><a href=“BSA Program - BXA Intercollege Degree Programs - Carnegie Mellon University”>BSA Program - BXA Intercollege Degree Programs - Carnegie Mellon University;
<p>One of my good friends did a dual degree in Materials Science & Engineering and music performance, so it’s certainly doable. It was a lot of work, and he wound up taking an extra semester, but he seemed pretty happy to be doing it. (After graduating in the fall he went to Europe to study under some master in his instrument, and he’s now working on his PhD in MSE.)</p>
<p>Its not really a disadvantage to apply to 4 schools within cmu.</p>
<p>Actually, you don’t have a broader range of options post-grad with math/stats than you do with engineering. It’s weird but I was having a conversation not 40 minutes ago with my senior statistics major friend, and she was telling me that there’s a lot of issues with stat/math majors getting jobs right now - she said that last years’ seniors have also been having a hell of a time finding any job to pay them for their major because most employers will always take an engineering or CS major over a stat major for open positions.</p>
<p>That said, music+anything else is definitely doable. Keep in mind that you can only apply to one school ED, so this would need to be a regular decision application, and you would DEFINITELY need to be able to demonstrate interest in each of these areas in your application. Whether that means you mention them in your essay or have ECs related to them, it doesn’t matter - but if none of your ECs are relevant to music composition/statistics/engineering/math and you can’t draw ties to them in your application, it’s wise not to push your luck by applying to that college.</p>