So I was accepted to Carnegie Mellon and UMD for computer science, but I did not apply for music… But I’ve been singing all my life and done stuff like all-state, all-county, ap music theory etc. I was hoping to do the BCSA or Music and Tech program or double major at Carnegie Mellon. But in order to do it, when I visited, they said I’d have to audition during my spring semester there as if I were going to major in the field. As a female soprano who probably doesn’t stand a chance against the beautiful voices at Carnegie who have probably consistently done summer programs every year and worked with crazy faculty, I was hoping to not only audition for their voice program, but also for their music composition program… I’m really just willing to audition for any music-related major program they have to ensure I get in to at least something music-related! My composition skills are pretty weak… 
Here’s my first piece… I just finished it today: https://youtu.be/QhEKD3Ve2zg …But either way, I was thinking of getting up to snuff over the summer and doing whatever it takes to get better (Textbooks, practice, possibly local teachers). If I do this, I would most likely be able to get recordings of my compositions… either by hiring someone online or singing the parts myself.
So the dilemma I’m facing is whether I should go to Carnegie, this amazing computer science program that I most-likely won’t have another chance to get into again. (Their acceptance rate is 4.8% which is pretty crazy.) If I go to Carnegie, I’m faced with having to somehow make it into their amazing dept. At UMD, I’d say I’d have a pretty easy time getting into their music dept. I know so many friends who transferred in, their program is a lot bigger and accepts more people, and some majors/degrees don’t even require an audition ex. the BA in music… Money isn’t really a problem here.
So, please help! And thanks to all the wonderful people who take time to answer questions on this forum! You deserve the world for what you do.
I’m sure there are lots of opportunities for non-music majors at CM – look into it, that way you can do both things that you love! Some schools (like USC) offer non-audition music minors, see if they offer that.
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Thanks so much! Yes, I have. I was hoping to have access to the major classes at CMU and to be able to work with the great faculty there.
Are you still interested in computer science? Carnegie Mellon is a top school in CS so it makes sense to attend. It seems there is a range of options for doing music there. But CS and music are both intensive majors with sequential classes that begin with foundational courses. For that reason I think a double degree in 5 years might serve you better than a double major. Or do lessons and performance as extracurriculars. It sounds like you have more experience with singing than composition so maybe go with that. You say you want anything musi-related and may feel that composition means easier entry. Believe me composition is extremely competitive. Generally student composers have a drive,specifically, to compose. Lessons and summer programs build experience over a period of years. As you know, there can be considerable intersection between CS and music technology, as part of the composition field, sound art, electroacoustic work, computer music, and studio production.
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How amazing do these compositions have to be for undergrad? I’m planning on giving it my all and learning everything I can to make my portfolio over summer, but I’m not sure if it’s enough
Would you suggest I go to UMD instead where it’s easier??? Go to CMU and pray for the best??? Use my CS income to do music in grad school???/
Dear @deadgirl —much of how you approach your life will not even happen in the classroom, so perhaps the place where you best fit as a human; and have found fellow humans you enjoyed talking with is the place for you. I’m assuming you’d like collaborators who also like working in several areas as you do. Where did you feel people had a desire to collaborate?