I am a 16 year old going into senior year at a competitive public school in Southern NY. I have been researching vocal performance majors (specifically opera and classical music) and I would love some input about the schools I’m currently considering. My ideal school needs a great school of music or conservatory but also a strong liberal arts program, as I would like to pursue a dual degree, perhaps in Communications or History. I have been singing classically for almost 7 years now, and regularly participate in my schools MT productions, choir concerts, as well as 5 concerts a year with my music school. I can play some piano, and have decent theory knowledge. My GPA is roughly a 3.5 and my ACT is 31. I really love UMich, Indiana, and Syracuse for the atmosphere and strong communities- this is hard to find at schools like Mannes and Berklee. I also have a preference for larger schools, as I feel I am able to have more flexibility with my interests in education and extracurriculars. So, here is my list, in no particular order (along with some questions/concerns I have regarding each school!)
Carnegie Mellon University
Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University*
Setnor School of Music, Syracuse University
Oberlin College (too small?)
University of Michigan
Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester
NYU Steinhardt (not well-known for classical VP…but I love the ‘vibe’)
Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati (are there opportunities for dual degree?)
Mannes School of Music (no student life!)
SUNY Purchase College
Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam
Boston University (need more info on this program)
Thornton School of Music, University of Southern California* (tentatively…I have heard mixed reviews on USC’s VP program)
*I am aware of the issue with performance opportunities due to the graduate program- any advice regarding that would be highly appreciated as well!
(The reason schools like Vanderbilt, Rice, Yale, and Princeton are not on this list are simply because, academically, it is not likely I would get in.)
This is just kind of a patchwork list of schools that I have been considering. I am concerned about getting into some of these schools academically, but I’ve heard that schools like UMich generally consider all VP applicants with 3.0’s or higher. I am very open to more options, preferably on the east coast or in the midwest. Any advice on the programs and the dual-degree ability at any of these institutions would be greatly appreciated. It’s getting close to application/audition season and some clarity and advice from people knowledgeable about VP majors would really make the confusing process of applying to music schools that much easier. Thank you!!!
Warning, my response is less than great.
I know of only two people who went to college as a VM. The first was from Buffalo and she went to SUNY Fredonia. The second was from Portland OR and went to some school in St. Louis. (Sorry, DK name). I know both loved their colleges. I recall the period when both of them were auditioning and that entrance into each school they wanted was far easier than their voice audition process. I recall both did not get their desired VM, but did get accepted at many colleges.
Both completed their degrees.
With a 31 ACT, you should apply to Northwestern. Just as U Michigan does, they have a curve for the music school students, providing they are talented. D is a senior in VP there and about half the VP students are dual degree or dual major. Even if (as she did) you choose “just to major in music”, you have access to all university courses, the MT program, and will not miss out on a true undergraduate experience. P.S. :Majoring in music will keep you plenty busy - a lot busier than in high school.
Since you mention liking Syracuse, Indiana, and UMich, you may want to also check out Miami of Ohio, Christopher Newport (although smaller), Ithaca (also smaller), Penn State (although bigger), and James Madison. All have a liberal arts curriculum as well as strong music. It may be harder to dual degree at some than others.
You may also find once in college that a minor in Communications or History might work better with the BM, depending on your goals, and the school.
Your list is indeed a patchwork 
Have you read the Double Degree Dilemma essay closer to the top of this forum? It details the various ways to study music and also ways to combine it with something else.
You can do a BM, BA (sometimes BS), double major within a BA, double degree BM/BA, major in music and do extracurricular performance, or major in something else and do extracurricular performance.
If you truly want a double degree BM/BA then that helps determine your choices. That would include schools with both programs on campus, as well as conservatory/university affiliations like Tufts/NEC.
I would add Bard even though it is small https://music.bard.edu/classical-vocal-performance/ Voice for undergrads is not in the conservatory. Overall Bard is so dedicated to double degrees that conservatory students are required to do one.
Vassar also comes to mind. BOth Bard and Vassar are relatively close to NYC. Barnard College, which has all the resources of Columbia and is next door to Manhattan School of Music, has a good music dept. https://music.barnard.edu/node/80891
St. Olaf and College of Wooster get mentioned. University of Puget Sound.
I am not good with VP and there are others who are so just google the ones I mentioned but know it is only through contact with this board and not personal knowledge.
I know people who did undergrad VP (BU, Westminster Choir, NEC) and then did something academic (like Medieval Studies) afterward. And of course there are peope who do something academic then go on the grad work in VP. Many paths!
I agree with @compmom about reading the double degree dilemma. Then let us know if YES a double degree is really important … or NO maybe you are simply looking for outside academics but not necessarily a double degree.
This is really important because…some schools AND teachers are supportive of double degrees and some are not. Some top teachers at top programs (some on your list) will not take double degree students. They are not interested in half of your time. If you enter their studio, they want ALL of your time. Still…that’s OK bc you don’t need to work with those teachers in undergrad anyway! But a double degree does create some “limitations” that people don’t always understand. The limitations aren’t a big deal for some students bc…those limitations are what is needed to get them to the right school and right teachers. But for others, those limitations are a surprise and/or a frustration. For example, if you truly want a double degree, IU may not be the right school (where my D went for VP). My D did do another “emphasis” which was acceptable…but another degree is rare there (unless things have changed so always check my opinions, please). I think Northwestern (as mentioned above) and U of M are more amenable to double degrees…but it is never easy as music keeps you very, very busy. Of course others may have different opinions on these schools…but that’s my 2 cents.
@bridgenail I have read the Double Degree Dilemma! I think I am a ‘Jennifer’- so I’d like to start as a double degree student and then determine whether or not I want to continue in either of those paths. Either way, I do want to continue with academics/liberal arts and not go down the conservatory route. The option for another ‘emphasis’ at IU is intriguing if I decide I want to focus primarily on music. Thank you so much for your response!
@compmom I think I’m interested in a BA/BM double major, mainly because I’m worried about the graduate school options if I graduate with just a BM, and I do want to continue with academics. The university and conservatory affiliations seem much more difficult to juggle compared to schools with conservatories or schools of music within the university. Thank you so much for your suggestions, I would love to look at Bard and Vassar. Barnard is definitely a reach, but still worth a shot considering Columbia is affiliated with MSM, a great school for VP.
So you mean a BA/BM double degree right? 
I should add that, at Bard, since VP is not in the conservatory, it is probably a double major actually.
By the way it’s okay to apply to several options and decide in late April of senior year because a lot can change in one year. My kid applied to conservatories and colleges, meaning BM and BA programs, and decided at the end of senior year. Also, as I implied before, some people do things in sequence, so you could focus on academics as an undergrad (with lessons and extracurricular performance) and then music for grad, or vice-versa.
Since it is 4 years of your life you are also wise to think about the criteria everyone looks at, such as size, location, cost (of course) and “vibe.” Visits help!
For VP and liberal arts, considering also your academic record and assuming you’re really good, I’d look at St. Olaf in addition to the colleges you’ve listed.