Hi @IamCandide
Take a look at the essay titled “The Double Degree Dilemma” at the top of the Music Major forum here at CC - it talks about the different ways to study music in college and how music may be combined with other disciplines. Here is a link: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/1948726-double-degree-dilemma-essay-written-by-david-lane-p1.html
As you will see if you read the essay, there are many ways to study music, and you don’t have to decide which way is best for you right away. You do need to decide if you want to apply for a BM - bachelor of music - program (performance-oriented, usually requires an audition) or a BA music program (more of an academic, liberal arts type degree, often does not require an audition). Some people apply to some BA and some auditioned BM music programs in order to have (hopefully) a variety of options in the spring. Applying to audition-based programs is complex and in many cases different admissions rules apply. Application and prescreen recording deadlines are generally early, as well.
In most cases those looking at BM programs as well as another academic disclipline will have to do a double degree (e.g. BM and BA) which normally takes at least 5 years because you have to fulfill the requirements of two different schools within a university, and there is very little overlap between those requirements. Those looking at a BA music program can more easily do a double major all within the school of arts and sciences because the same general requirements will apply to both a BA in Music and another liberal arts major.
Some music schools are generally supportive of double degrees (like Northwestern, for example), others strongly discourage it (I’ve heard that Rice falls into this category). Some highly ranked schools do not offer a performance-based music degree at all and will offer a BA only. Some majors are easier to combine with music than others, too. Classics would probably be easier than a STEM program with lots of labs that might conflict with music rehearsals, for example. You have to look at the details of the music offerings at each school you’re interested in.
At top music schools like Northwestern and Rice, some music opportunities, ensembles and professors may be reserved for performance majors and a BA music major may not have access to them. Also be aware that at top music schools, the audition is often much more important than GPA/test scores as long as your stats show you are likely to succeed academically at that school. Double degree students, on the other hand, will need to meet the standards of both the music school and the other school at the university to which they are applying.
If you are thinking about a dual degree, then take a look at Johns Hopkins/Peabody Conservatory, U of Rochester/Eastman School of Music, and U of Michigan (Ann Arbor is not a major city but it’s an AWESOME small city). Those schools all have established dual degree programs and are very strong in both music and academics. If you’re willing to consider smaller schools that aren’t in a major metro area look at Oberlin, Bard, and Lawrence, which have many students doing double degrees.
There are also some top schools that have dual degree programs with a conservatory e.g. Tufts and Harvard and the New England Conservatory. The link below says there is also a new Harvard/Berklee program. Be aware it is often much harder to get into this type of dual programs than it is to get into either school by itself.
http://admissions.tufts.edu/academics/school-of-arts-sciences/special-degree-paths/combined-degree-with-the-new-e/
https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/application-process/dual-degree-music-programs
College lists for musicians applying to BM programs are often developed based on the professor(s) teaching your instrument. Many music schools are better and/or more competitive on some instruments than others, and some schools that aren’t necessarily top music schools will still be worth considering if they have a top professor on your instrument. If you post over at the Music Major forum and tell us your instrument you will likely get good suggestions from music parents and students. Talk to your private teacher for college and summer program suggestions tailored to you, as well. If you are serious about applying to BM programs, look for summer music programs where you might be able to study with one or more top teachers on your instrument. Good luck!