My son was also told at an info session that it would be possible to do a double major.
My point is that it simply *isn’t * realistic in all instances and that @piranhavator should talk to the folks at UNC who would actually know. For all their good intentions, those people aren’t necessarily the people in the music department. For example, my son’s major requires 74 hours specific to that major and a B.Mus. 63 hours. Add in the Gen Ed requirements and I challenge any student to squeeze that all into 8 semesters. Oh, and my son also wanted to have a life outside of the library and practice room.
I looked at some of @piranhavator 's previous posts and it’s clear that s/he is driven, but I think it’s important to understand what an actual course schedule would look like if s/he wants to do a similar degree combination (or if someone reads this thread in the future looking for information.) Would s/he mind taking 18 hours each semester? Is summer school an option? If the goal is a dual major of a B.Mus. and a BA in something like History (30 hours for the major requirements), that would seem reasonable. But degree program requirements vary so widely that any student considering a double major should take a good hard look at how this would actually work in practice. Again, why would one expect a music professor to know what the requirements are for, say, a biology degree–unless s/he just happens to know another student who’s gone that exact route.
As I said in my first post, I’m not trying to discourage @piranhavator from coming to UNC. Come on over! But know what you’re getting into before you do. Talk to a professor in the other department you’re thinking about studying in. They might not be so quick to say you could easily get a double major. Or they might say, “sure, no problem.” It depends on the major.
You can petition UNC for an extra semester to finish your degree. Previously the rule was that if you did this, you wouldn’t graduate with a dual major even if you had completed all the requirements for both. Harsh, wasn’t it? Thankfully this year they’ve changed that rule and it no longer applies. (You can read about the eight-semester policy on the [UNC website](Additional Semester Appeal - UNC Advising), btw.) Maybe these extra semesters are granted as a matter of course, maybe not. The info on the website would indicate not, but this might just be tough talk. Still, I think it’s important for students (especially those who have such lofty goals) to know this rule exists so they can ask the appropriate questions of the people whose job it is to know the answers and not of the professors who are hoping to welcome them into their department. Let me be clear, I have no doubt that the people in the music department are answering your questions to the best of their knowledge, but I don’t think it’s wise to assume they know everything that will be expected of you when you’re working outside of their department.
@piranhavator , I hope this provides some clarification. I also hope that the semester limit won’t end up being a hindrance in your case and that you’ll ultimately choose UNC because it’s a great school we’d love to have you. If you do, I hope I’ll get to see you perform next year. I live just up the road from UNC and go to many of the student performances. Best of luck to you, whatever you choose.