I want to study natural sciences (leaning toward bio), and I’m considering a double degree with music education. But I know very few schools offer this double degree option, so a minor in music or just extensive EC involvement would probably be my go-to if I go somewhere else (so, a decent music program is always appreciated).
I have a 3.9 uw gpa, SAT 1550 (780 math and 770 ERW), and a pretty impressive EC resume (founded a service and a music club, pres of a media/tech club and music honor society, lots of music things, RIBS - a prestigious summer bio research program, and quite a couple honors, though no ISEF or research awards).
I’ve heard a lot of people online say “state flagship”, but I’m a US Citizen living outside the US, and I don’t think I have residency in any state (honestly not sure how that works)…
Current top schools are Northwestern, UMich, Rice, Hopkins, Vandy, Emory, MIT. Case Western as match-safety. Any other suggestions? Thanks;)
What is your budget? Have you run the NPC on the schools that you are considering?
We live in the northeast of the US. For us our safeties were our in-state public university, and schools in Canada (which for us is not all that far away). Canadian schools are more stats-oriented than comparable US schools which makes admissions more predictable.
In our area of the country, U.Mass Amherst is good at both biology (including premed) and music. UVM is also good at biology, but I would not recommend it for music. Both would however be out of state public schools for you.
There are of course huge numbers of universities which you could consider. More information about what sort of school you are looking for might be helpful.
Your price limit and whether the net price calculators of the colleges under consideration show a net price within that limit are important in determining what can be a safety.
To have a safety that’s really good for science and music, apply to St Olaf and their music scholarships (=thus indicating high interest). Deadline is Dec 1 I think.
-U of Rochester–great music and sciences
-Oberlin–great music and sciences
-College of Wooster–very nice school and you’d get merit I’m guessing. Check out its music
-Temple–has scholarships (or it did in the past)
-Syracuse – has music scholarships
-Ithaca – expensive usually
Definitely check out St Olaf, especially if your music interest is choral, but they are great across the board. Another one that hasn’t been mentioned yet is Baylor in Texas. Totally 2nd hand info here but my niece is a music education major now at St Olaf and Baylor was her 2nd choice school (University of Houston was her safety). Getting decent financial aid was a priority for her. I think Baylor has a more conservative climate than a lot of schools so may or may not appeal (my niece isn’t conservative and didn’t seem to mind it but felt like St Olaf was a better fit). One more to look at for a safety is University of Oregon. We have another young friend doing music education there loving the program (this one is doing instrumental and in the marching band). Not sure how hard it would be to combine that with a 2nd major in arts and sciences but I’m sure you’d get in with your stats and Eugene is a fun college town if you don’t mind rain.
Maybe take a look at Lawrence University in Wisconsin. Lawrence is one of the few US universities with a music conservatory, and they have a five-year double degree program for people who want to study both music (including music education) and science. Lawrence is also very generous with merit aid.
What are your parents willing and able to pay for college? OOS costs forvthr state universities are likely going to run less than those schools you are listing unless you are counting on financial aid.
Are you looking at being pre med or going into health services, possibly graduate programs in that field, or are you looking to be a bio major to continue research or other academic type work in that field? You do not have to be a bio or natural sciences major to be premed. Excelling as a music major and making sure you take the necessary courses for a health/Med career is possible and maybe even preferable. I know many doctors who majored in liberal arts and arts in college.
UMaine offers flagship match tuition for OOS students. For a U.S. Citizen without a home state, I believe you fall into the “all other states” category: