<p>Ok, I really need some suggestions. Here is my situation:</p>
<p>I am in my second year at a top liberal arts college studying for a BA in music. However, I think that I want to pursue a career in engineering (possibly civil/structural or architectural). I have always been interested in architecture and construction in general, but I think that doing engineering would suit my interests more than doing a M.arch. I have always been strong in math and the sciences even though they are not my major (I have been using them to fulfill my elective requirements).</p>
<p>I understand that music is probably not the best preparation for a career in engineering, but when I got to college I didn't really know what I wanted to do, but I knew that I enjoyed studying music a lot and would do well in it, regardless of whether I made a career out of it. I am a hard worker and although music is difficult (despite what some may say), it is nowhere near as hard as engineering.</p>
<p>So, what are my options? I really enjoy the school that I am at now and I don't want to transfer to an engineering program at another university until I finish my BA. Also, it is not likely that I would be able to switch majors and still graduate on time. </p>
<p>Should I be looking into getting a second Bachelors when I graduate or would it be best to apply to a Masters program and make up the deficiencies before starting grad. work? About how long would it take for a masters, knowing that I would need to make up courses, yet already have a Bachelors in an unrelated area? What sort of courses should I be taking in order to prepare for grad school?</p>
<p>Am I totally out of my mind? Is this even possible? Is there anything important I should know? Any advice you can give would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>Those gifted at music are usually very good at math. With that said, however, you will still need a BS (preferably in engineering) to get accepted to a masters program in engineering at any school worth it's salt.</p>
<p>My son debated between music performance and engineering too. He is now a junior MechE student and happy with his decision. He still studies different instruments and composition and plays in a chamber orchestra for fun. I agree that math and music seem to go together.</p>
<p>You are only in your third semester. Did you ever consider switching majors to engineering? I mean, if you plan to study engineering in grad school, why spend the next 2.5 years paying tuition to study music? Are your pockets that deep? You really can do music on your own (lessons, ensembles, etc). You will undoubtedly graduate a little late, but not all that late. Being one year behind is better than being 4 years behind. </p>
<p>Does your liberal arts college have a reciprocol agreement with an engineering college? Some let you begin in liberal arts and then transfer to finish your engineering credits. Even if you take your math and science courses at your current school, you may not get credit for them at an engineering school that is not affiliated with your LAC.</p>
<p>I agree with Japher. Engineering is not like med school where any major goes. Some people go to grad school in engineering with a BS in physics or chem, but I don't think anyone will take you with a music degree. If engineering is your ultimate goal, consider how to most efficiently prepare yourself. Studying music may be fun, but it is not going to be efficient.</p>
<p>This is really odd. I just met a guy doing his PhD in GA Tech who did his undergrad in Music theory. I can try and ask him more if you want, but if I remember correctly, he did an unfunded pure-coursework MS first(either at a different school or at GATech, I'm not sure), and then got a research assistantship from a professor he liked to start his PhD. However, he does work on acoustics right now, which is one area where Mech E and Music move in step. </p>
<p>Your switch seems more drastic, like a change in majors. I think it should be possible. See if you can switch majors to physics or math first. If not, consider taking up a minor and piling on coursework in that area. Definitely look for professors and opportunities to do research in Civ E. I don't know about a PhD or a Top-10 school, but my gut says you're early enough in school that you can get into a pretty good MS program for Civ E if you really put in the effort.</p>
<p>At the very least, talking pre-engineering requirements like calculus, differential equations, physics, etc., is the first step - you simply can't do anything at all without those.</p>
<p>Since you go to a LAC you should try to see if they have a 3-2 program with a local engineering school (or conversely, try to find an engineering school with 3-2 programs at other LACs and see if there's something that can be worked out)</p>
<p>3-2 programs are essentially exactly what you're looking for - you spend 3 years at a LAC earning a BA and taking pre-engineering courses, then spend 2 years at an engineering school finishing up the BS requirements. Typically, 3-2 graduates get both a BA in whatever and BS in engineering and are positioned well for grad school (assuming GPA/GRE/etc is in order as well)</p>
<p>Hmm. That's interesting. I've never heard that correlation before, but I guess it makes sense. I play four instruments, and I'm a physics major, which does require a lot of math like engineering.</p>
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Hmm. That's interesting. I've never heard that correlation before, but I guess it makes sense.
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<p>Music is pure math. Even the likes of Albert Einstein and Alan Greenspan were/are virtuosos on their selected instruments (violin and clarinet, respectively).</p>
<p>I play 3 instrument, 1 that I use to be extremely good at, to the point that I was petitioned to play professionally on.</p>
<p>Maybe it's why most bands are full of geek?;)</p>