<p>I am considering transferring to Rice University for next fall, and am wondering if anyone has experience with/knows someone who is taking science courses while majoring in music at the Shepherd School. </p>
<p>From what I've heard, since there are not many different times offered for a single course, and I obviously have to prioritize my music major requirements, it may not be possible to take certain science courses during the school year (I am trying to take pre-med requisites). I suppose summer school may be an option?</p>
<p>Are you currently a music major? Shepherd school is one people go to when they want to be professional musicians and not as premeds.</p>
<p>Yes, you could take random science courses, but I believe it would be tremendously difficult to double major in bio-engineering and music.</p>
<p>If music is your priority, then make it such and save bio-engineering for later.</p>
<p>And yes, many courses are available for summer school, but not some (most) of the upper level classes.</p>
<p>Music college does not allow that at Rice. Call them. Also, transferring in is next to impossible.</p>
<p>and you cannot double major in music and something else. I asked. They said no. If they even caught wind that you want to double major, they won’t admit you. They said they will take that to mean you are not serious enough.</p>
<p>That’s what they tell you, but I happen to know several MUSIs who are double majoring.</p>
<p>At Rice if you want to be a music major then you can only apply for the music major. Your application only allows for one choice. If you do not get in then you are not admitted to Rice. There is no academic admission if you are not admitted to music. If you apply for another major at Rice, you cannot apply to be be a music major. </p>
<p>Shepherd is an elite conservatory within Rice University. It is VERY difficult to get into. On the other hand, it has a very robust program of music for non-majors. If a music performance career is not your goal, that would be the better choice. If admitted to music you can take courses to in effect double major, but most cannot do a pre-med sequence because of conflict with the required ensembles rehearsal times and some professors may kick you out of the studio if you try. The most common seconds are in the liberal arts where there are fewer schedule conflicts.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for your feedback so far. I was admitted to the Shepherd School, and am thinking about minoring in a science field (i.e. Biochemistry and Cell Biology), not double majoring. But I’m assuming from the general consensus so far that it would not be possible?</p>
<p>Congratulations on your Shepherd admission. It depends on what your instrument is, who your studio professor is, and what if any time you have in your schedule. Shepherd will schedule you for your required courses first. Then you can fit others in as approved by your advisor. There are the required distribution courses that can be used accommodate a lot of what you want, if there is no schedule conflict. I would take it easy the first term though until you get a better feel for what the major requires for practice time, performance time, music course work for the required classes, and ensemble requirements.</p>