Should I consider Music Production / Film Scoring Major? Als0 is it very competitive?

Hi there! I’m 15 and I will become a sophomore this fall, and I’m planning for college.
I’m really interested in music, and I learned piano and guitar myself years ago. I play the guitar in my high school’s jazz band. I started to write and record my own songs last year, as well as mixing and mastering them. I mainly work on logic pro and cubase. I also compose and arrange for jazz orchestra, and I’m considering to enter some competitions.
I want to major in music production or film scoring, is it really competitive to get into a good university? What do I need to work on?
Also my parents don’t want me to major in arts or music, they think thats just wasting time and money, they think artists won’t find a job. They want me to get into a medical school. I kinda agree with them, but I don’t really want to study medicine, what do you guys think?
btw thanks for your time and suggestions :wink:

For film scoring you might want a more classical foundation. Have you taken theory? Would you consider working with a teacher, or doing a summer program in composition next year? While you can certainly study film scoring as an undergrad, a top program like USC Thornton wants you to get a foundation as an undergrad and then has film scoring in grad school. Up to you.

I believe music production is very much a studio-based program. The terminology varies as does the focus of each program so you want to look into it in detail on websites and on visits when you go. I believe a portfolio is needed for applications in this area and of course for composition as well.

You can major in anything and go to medical school. I read, a few years ago, that music majors as a group have the highest admit rate to medical school. You do have to do some of the prerequisites but some so those in post-graduation programs.

For undergrad years, my personal feeling is that it is fine to major in whatever you want. Whether a BA or BM you have access to many different kinds of jobs- which don’t have to match major- and also grad and professional schools.

This is a frequent topic on this forum of course. Some of us on here have kids who are making a living in music, and some want on to other fields but keep music in their lives. Some went to conservatory, some to college, and some didn’t major in music at all but are in the field. You have al lot of options.

You have some time. Keep working and clarifying what it is you want to study, and try to get a teacher if you can afford it and have access to a good one. Good luck!