Need help narrowing down 10 schools (music/journalism major)?

I’m a prospective Music Education/performance and Screenwriting/journalism major (depending on school).
-I am in all music ensembles (jazz, concert, orchestra, chamber chorus, afterschool choir, symphonic) and am first chair. (4 years) I am also currently Drum Major of my marching band.
-Awarded Division l ratings in IHSA solo and ensemble twice.
-won freshman instrumentalist of the year.

  • I was a three sport athlete before; 3 Varsity letters
    -I am Senior Editor of my school newspaper (2 years).
    -VP of my sophomore class, President Junior year, and currently Senior class president.
    -Drama Club; have competed at state for Group Interpretation, and won second place in Contest Play this past spring. Also a Thespian.
    -perfect attendance
    -B average student (taken Honors and currently taking two AP classes)
    -Help with transfer students/orientation leader
    -Job (1 year)
    -female
    -latina
    -in need of some financial assistance

Currently looking into: UIUC, DePaul, NYU, Milikin, University of Iowa, Northwestern, Western Michigan, Michigan State, Columbia (Chicago), St. Olaf, Indiana University, Bradley University, Bard…

Any suggestions on additional schools I should look into? Or insight on music programs mentioned above?

I forgot to mention I play the trombone!

Look at the NPC for each school with your parent.

It would be difficult to pursue a double degree in Music Ed or Performance, and Journalism/Writing at many of the schools on your list. Why exactly do you want to get both degrees? Because you can’t stand to make a choice? Or for future job prospects? I ask this as a parent of a Bard graduate who did get two degrees. (Also, note that Bard doesn’t offer either journalism or music ed, let alone marching band, but does have a great percussion program, and writing program.) Are you thinking of a performance degree as a percussionist?

I suggest you look into Mizzou - Univ. of Missouri at Columbia - it has a terrific journalism department, and an exciting music dept.

Know that you can always continue with music in college without majoring in it, and perform in ensembles and marching bands.

As for the cost of attendance - if you do apply as a music major, then it will be difficult to predict the cost in advance. The NPC’s don’t account for music merit money which is prevalent, but will be dependent on how well you do at your audition, in addition to financial need.

Ohio University? They have an excellent School of Journalism and a very respectable Music/Arts program. It would be a great fit for an B to B+ student.

https://www.ohio.edu/scrippscollege/schoolsandcenters/journalism.cfm

https://www.ohio.edu/finearts/music/index.cfm

In terms of financial assistance what state do you reside in? I think OU would be a good match and less expensive for you than many of the others you mentioned. You should get some merit money although I cannot speculate if it would be enough.

What state do you live in?

It may be possible for you to do a dual degree at Northwestern between the Bienen School of Music and the Medill School of Journalism.

http://www.music.northwestern.edu/academics/degrees-and-certificates/majors-and-double-majors.html

Good question about the home state. Most of the public Us won’t offer any merit aid to out of state students (or financial aid beyond that minimum amount from the Federal Govt). And NYU is truly awful with financial aid.

Indiana university has a great music program and a pretty good journalism school. May be worth a look, but little to know OOS aid.

Getting accepted into Indiana’s Jacobs School of Music is no easy task. Getting into the University is MUCH easier than getting admitted to their music school. The application fee is a $140 for consideration to the university and the music school and in addition you need music recommendations, an audition and interview to be considered for the school of Music. They are very selective. Northwestern would probably be an academic reach to get into the school. That said if you can afford the application fees you can always try.

I take private study now, and have music recommendations, howeverI am no longer applying due to
loss of interest. I understand NU is a reach school.

UPDATE: My list has changed.

I have just scheduled an audition at DePaul.
I have been weight listed at U of Iowa.

I still plan on applying to:
Western Michigan
UIUC
Valporaiso U
St. Olaf
Milikin

Schools taking into consideration:
NYU
ISU
Michigan State U

I live in Illinois.

Daughter’s best friend went through this program:

The University of Connecticut Department of Music, in conjunction with the Neag School of Education, offers a 5-year, triple-degree program to prepare music teachers. Students earn a Bachelor of Arts in Music and a Bachelor of Science in Music Education, plus a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction, and are prepared to teach general, choral and instrumental music in grades Pre-K – 12. This distinctive program ensures students’ ongoing musical development, even as they are gaining valuable on-site experience as pre-professional educators. And, the utility of the Music Education degree extends beyond Connecticut. Through reciprocity agreements, 38 other states accept Connecticut certification as the basis for a teaching license, enabling UConn graduates to teach in most states.

As stated in post #2, run the Net Price Calculator on each school’s web site to see how much your family will pay. It can be eye watering. You will get no aid at MSU, very little at NYU. Western Mich may give some merit $.

As someone else suggested, you should consider University of Missouri-Columbia… It has both strong journalism and music … and it DOES offer merit to out of state students. Not sure about chances for a B average student… might depend on your standardized test scores but it’s worth a look.