<p>My son (HS junior) has finally started to look for colleges. Unlike his sister who knew exactly what crieteia she was looking for (and found a perfect fit with Rollins College), he really doesn't know what he wants for the most part. </p>
<p>He is looking at some of the 'big names' (Carnegie Mellon, Columbia, MIT) but, based a lot on his sister's experience (he actually said today he thinks he may like Rollins, but doesn't really want to go to the same school as her), is thinking he should look at smaller, lesser known schools. </p>
<p>One thing, he wants to be at a school that isn't super competitive between students (once accepted), and, while the workload will be hard, he doesn't want it to be unduly stressful the majority of the time, if he can get the same quality education someplace else. He wants to be an engineering major but also be able to play in a quality orchestra (cello) at his college. </p>
<p>We are hoping to visit some colleges this summer before he decides where to apply (and then narrow it down to know which to return to in fall when he can go to a class, see the students, sit in on the ochestra, etc). Any suggestions are greatly appeciated!
thanks</p>
<p>Some smaller schools with engineering that I know offhand are: Lafayette, Bucknell, Lehigh (mid-size), Villanova (mid-size), Union, Trinity. My D is a chemistry/psychology major at Lafayette and plays in the school orchestra which is small but they sound good. During her college search she arranged with admissions to shadow a student for a day (attend classes, eat in the cafeteria) and I’d imagine you can do the same at most of these schools and that a specific request to sit in on an orchestra rehearsal could be accommodated.</p>
<p>Rice also fits your description. Its engineering and music programs are both among the best in the country, and it has a good non-major orchestra. Most colleges will have information about their undergrad/non-major orchestras on their school of music page.</p>
<p>The University of Rochester. Outstanding engineering school and can play cello in orchestra and take music electives or not. The University has a serious music department in addition to the Eastman School of Music. He can audition for and continue to receive lessons from the Eastman School of Music. If serious about music, he can also apply to both schools and study for double degree but hard to complete in four years, especially with going back and forth between campuses.</p>