Transfer student looking for a university with good music performance

College Majors Music Major
1

As the title says, I am a transfer student at a CC in California. I am double majoring in psychology and music (vocal performance). Soon I will have AAs in both. I would love some advice as to schools with strong psych and music departments, especially schools that really emphasize performance and are well connected with large chorales or opera houses.

I would like to do both majors, and it is a plus if the school offers a BM instead of a BA for music. My parents would really like the school to be prestigious, and would prefer it to be in California. They don’t mind if tuition is high, but cost is a factor. I also know that some schools may not accept all my transfer credits (such as cal-states needing transfers to test into classes), which I really would not prefer but will nonetheless prepare for if I really love the school.

My current GPA is 3.97. I was originally planning on applying this semester, but that may not work out as I couldn’t get some important classes in this semester. I do not mind waiting a year to apply. That would also give me time to visit some campuses and see what the schools have to offer.

Schools I am considering:

  • Cal State Fullerton (I have visited and like)
  • San Jose State University (I visited and like SJSU, but double majoring may not be possible. Also, very impacted)
  • Cal State Long Beach
  • USC (have visited and like, but COSTLY)
  • University of Washington (visited and like, but out-of-state tuition is costly)

Schools that I may consider:

  • Oberlin (I know it is great for double majoring)
  • Lawrence
  • Chapman
  • Syracuse
  • UCLA (academics are self explanatory, but my voice coach says the music dept would not be a good fit for performance majors)
  • UC Irvine (If I decide to do a minor instead of 2 majors, but I probably won’t decide that)
  • CSUN (I hear the atmosphere is quite competitive, and parts for their productions usually go to grad students)
  • CSU Fresno (visited, like, growing music program)
  • CSU Bakersfield (visited, like, growing music program. But to be honest, I am not sure that I like the area)

Also, how are the music depts at other UCs and CSUs? What about Ivys? Berkeley? Princeton? Yale? Are they good for vocal/operatic performance? Are they well connected? How are professors and voice instructors? And I would much appreciate any other schools I may be missing, or critiques on my current list

Some recommendations I have already gotten for elite/distant:

  • Hopkins/Peabody
  • Vanderbilt/Blair,
  • Northwestern/Bienen
  • Rochester/Eastman
  • CWRU/CIM
  • Boston U
  • U Michigan (my voice coach is getting her doctorate from here)

Thank you so much!!

2

Do you know the difference between double degree and double major? The Double Degree Dilemma essay posted closer to the top of this music forum can be really helpful in explaining the different ways to study music.

3

The voice programs at the UC’s tend to be smaller. However, UCLA, UCI, UCSC and UCSC all have vocal performance majors. The first three require auditions for acceptance. UCSC does not. The Cal States generally have much larger music programs than the UCs. Long Beach is impressive and Fullerton is well regarded. My D was pleasantly surprised by her interactions at SDSU and that moved high on her list after auditioning there. However, Long Beach seemed to be the standout of the CSUs for her. Northridge is reportedly strong as well. And I think most of the CSU have decent music programs.

It seems that all the voice faculty have or have had working professional careers. They all seemed to be well connected. I think to determine if you can pursue music and psychology you will need to really dive into the course catalogs and graduation requirements at each college. I know students at UCI double major but it is much easier if you are in the BA track rather than the BM track.

By the way, the person who likes the atmosphere at UCLA may not like Chapman (and vice versa). Don’t forget to consider the type of environment and size of college as this can impact general contentment and performance.

4

If the OP comes back and answers whether a double major or double degree is best, we can offer more suggestions. A performance major plus a major in psychology might be best achieved through a double degree, which takes longer, but there might be a way to do double major or major/minor at some schools.

5

Hello! Sorry, I forgot about this post.

Compmom: I think I would prefer to do a double degree. I know that I want the skills to excell in both disciplines. I am not completely sure, though. I am going to schedule an appointment with a counselor at my college to discuss transferring, so I will bring this up.

BearHouse: Thank you. I hadn’t considered the atmosphere of the schools. As I narrow my list, I will be sure to visit the different schools and especially the different music and psych departments. While I know thay CSUs have great music programs, my parents really want me to go to a UC (or another prestigious school). However, my professors all say the same thing: CSUs are better places to be for music (especially vocal performance).