I’m a senior in high school and I really want to dual degree computer science and viola in college. I’ve gotten a list of schools, but I’m struggling to find a school that’s a target level. I want to go to the northeast US, but mainly I want to be in a big city and not in the south. Right now I’m just looking for more options.
My academics are very strong, and my music is strong, but not as much as my academics. I’ve been playing viola for about 9 years, but I only got really in depth with it in the last 3, partially because I didn’t know you could get that in depth with it. Although in those 3 years, I’ve gotten almost as far as people my age who have been always doing it that intensely, so I know I can learn a lot and quickly while still maintaining my academics.
Programs like Oberlin and Bard, my test scores and GPA make them more of safeties, but I’m worried about acceptance into the music schools. NEC/Tufts and Juilliard/Columbia are obviously really difficult in both aspects.
I have too many programs that are near impossible and one that should be easier (Lawrence University)??? Does anyone know schools where the music school is not quite so competitive but the academics are a little more so?
There are quite a few academically rigorous colleges/universities that don’t have conservatories but do have excellent music departments. Usually, these schools offer a bachelor of arts with a double major, in, for example music and computer science.
Under this arrangement, auditions are usually not required, but a music performance supplement submitted with your application can be a plus.
If you are open to a (very) non-urban environment I would look at Williams which has a strong CS department – for a small school – and a vibrant music department. Performance opportunities are available even for non-majors. If you are female, I would also recommend Smith.
Considering it has an acceptance rate of 30%, Oberlin should not really be anyone’s safety. However, they have a BA in music, you could do a dual degree…
You should probably look at BA music programs, instead of BM if you are worried about getting into a BM program. BA programs have a bit less music, a little more history, etc.
Consider:
Oberlin- conservatory + LAC
Wesleyan- LAC w/ strong music, especially contemporary and jazz
Vassar- LAC w/ strong music, especially classical and symphony
Connecticut College- LAC w/ a good focus on the performing arts
Brandeis- University w/ a strong music major
All of these schools are considered “Hidden Ivies,” so I wouldn’t worry about the academic quality.
Are you looking at the Tufts-NEC dual degree? There’s also a non-conservatory music major at Tufts. Boston University could be another possibility.
How about UMichigan? Top-notch for CS (in LSA or in engineering), and there’s a music major in LSA which isn’t audition-based, in addition to the one in the performing arts school. Doing both in LSA and being in the Residential College could be a great balance, and still give you access to the conservatory-level resources and ensembles.