Hi all, I was recently accepted into the Northwestern Dual degree program. I got in through piano, however, I am really worried about the rigor of a conservatory-level music program combined with an already tough undergrad. I plan to major in either econ or English, however, with the unexpected acceptance to Beinen I am also going to pursue a piano performance double major. Honestly, I am not an out of this world pianist and have relied on my talent and only seriously practiced for competitions. I love music but am worried that I am not on the level of those at a true conservatory level. I’ve never advanced past the regional MTNA and I have never had a contemporary my age to really compete with. I’m not a typical 5 hour a day grinder and to be honest I haven’t seriously played since recording my audition pieces back in November. I didn’t even opt to sign up for the live on campus audition and was somehow admitted solely based on the recordings. I’m just worried that I am not good enough for this kind of program and that there must be some mistake.
Congratulations on the acceptance. The first thing to decide is what you want from your college experience. Do you want a dual degree? Is furthering musicianship important to you? If they accepted you, they believe you are talented and smart enough, but unless you are committed to the venture and are willing to put in the effort, you won’t achieve success in it. In VP, I would estimate half of the students that start as dual end up dropping one or the other as they discover what they really want to pursue. The other half keep going for the five years and graduate dual. Some of them do it in less time because of AP credits and taking more than the minimum credits per semester, but you will be busy! It really depends on you.
What you’re describing is “impostor syndrome” and it happens in every field, not just music.
The nice thing about NU is once you’re there you can change your mind- if you got there and discovered the piano performance degree is too much for you, you could change your major to Econ or English or possibly another area of interest in music after a year.
The only caveat I’d make, which you’re probably aware, is that any music scholarship you may have been granted would not be renewed if you withdraw from your BM.
My daughter is currently there dual enrolled in Weinberg and Bienen, and thriving. She is on track to complete a dual degree in four years using AP credits. T that could change to a second major, or a minor, or a certificate, but what’s nice to know is that she has that range of options and it’s up to her to choose.
Try it for awhile and see what you think. It is fairly straightforward to add and delete majors, change schools, etc. at Northwestern (with some waitlist and pre-req. caveats). Review the Bienen/Weinberg dual degree requirements. They have in the past laid the courses out in three ways: front-loading music courses, equal loading W and B courses, and front-loading Weinberg classes so you can decide which way you want to approach your coursework. My D consistently took 2 Weinberg courses each quarter which gave her a nice balance with her music classes. When she enrolled in 2016, her AP credits and distribution requirements were based on her Weinberg registration (not Bienen), which is more stringent than Bienen (for ex., only credit for 4 AP courses, plan on a 5-year dual degree, for example). But the requirements are always being updated so check them out for 2019/20 - it looks like it is different for NYCMusicDad’s D and it may be different for your class. Call them if you have specific questions; the dean is super helpful.
Have you read the double degree dilemma essay by David Lane, a thread posted closer to the top of the music major forum? It might be helpful to you.
You mention dual degree and double major. Dual degrees are usually years and you don’t do 100% of both programs at the same time.
It sounds like you have talent but don’t really feel worthy of the acceptance because you don’t work hard at music. A lot of talented people feel that way and it is indeed a form of impostor’s syndrome.
It seems as if the best thing to do is to enter the dual degree program and then see how it goes. You can always drop.
That said, you can also investigate the possibility of doing just a BA and doing piano lessons (for credit?, and doing performance as an extracurricular.
Tough decisions. But don’t your feelings about not deserving acceptance to color them!!
Great advice from all of you for Canoeriver123. Congratulations on your acceptance into both programs! It seems clear to me that you should rest assured that the Bienen School accepted you because they believe that you have the talent and makeup to thrive there and that this really comes down to what you want and are passionate about.
My son applied for a dual degree and was accepted by Bienen only (which is the reason I find myself on this thread). He is passionate about classical voice, and music generally, and spends much of his free time playing piano and arranging music. He also loves History and writing and all sorts of academic subjects.
Northwestern is his first choice for many reasons, but before he accepts (and turns down several other excellent schools and scholarships), we want to make sure that what we have been told still holds true - that even if not accepted to a dual degree initially, students can count on being able to add a degree (in his case, it would be History or Political Science or something in that sphere) after they enroll. Also, any information on how music scholarships are awarded, when they are announced, and whether students are reconsidered for such each subsequent year, would be much appreciated. I take it that this is completely separate from the financial aid piece and, also, that as with other schools the music scholarship could be large or small. I know that the Bienen School is full of talented singers and musicians, so he/we absolutely don’t expect anything in particular, but my son has received glowing emails from faculty there after the decision was announced but, unlike every other school all of which awarded a scholarship (of varying amounts), has received nothing either way about a music stipend or scholarship .
I was hoping to respond to the specific posts from parents whose children are at Northwestern, NYCMusicDad and momzhood, with the hope of having my question answered without diverting the focus from Canoeriver123’s important questions but don’t think I’m savvy enough to pull that off. I would be pleased and grateful to hear back individually from anyone.
@collegeexploration I sent you a PM. D is a VP major, Bienen junior.