<p>I already made a post about this before, but decided to refresh it, since it's been a few months and I've done a bit more research and development since then. I'm currently an Electrical Engineering major at UT Austin, but have decided to pursue my true passion. Thus, I am going to attempt to switch to becoming a Music Education major with emphasis on strings and orchestra, beginning Fall 2015. </p>
<p>Currently, my top choices are UT (internal transfer), UTSA, Texas State, Texas Tech, Baylor, and UNT, primarily because I'm told all of these universities have active String Projects, providing undergrad students with hands-on paid teaching experience. (Also, I hope to remain in-state).</p>
<p>Money is an issue in the sense that my parents are very reluctant to fund an expensive music education. My family is well-off to the point that FAFSA offers very little, if anything. Any scholarship I could hope for will likely have to be either merit-based or audition-based.</p>
<p>Does anyone have any opinions on these schools' programs for prospective string education majors? Or suggestions for other possible schools in Texas with good programs and providing of experience? Possibility of scholarships? Also, since I'm going to be applying to all schools as a transfer student, are all of my achievements before college, both academic and musical, rendered obsolete and useless now? I would greatly appreciate if some or all of these questions could be answered. Thanks much!</p>
<p>I gathered from your prior post that you started at UT Austin in E Engineering a few months ago as a freshman. And that you played Viola in HS. </p>
<p>You must have had outstanding stats to even get into the Engineering school. So congrats on a successful high school career and record. </p>
<p>UT Austin is your home base, so there is probably a lot you can do right there while trying to keep up your GPA (not easy in EE).</p>
<p>Contact the Viola professor for a sample lesson to review your skills and ask for advice on the pre-screen material. You can explain your situation and inquire about openings in his / her studio. As even the Music Ed majors must audition. </p>
<p>This may vary at schools across the state, so check their audition requirements and go from there. </p>
<p>Also there is a lot of information on the Music Major page that may benefit your parents. Like the article about " a degree in music not leading to the poor house". I understand they may be a little concerned that their future engineer is now following his passion into music education. My DS14 got into McCombs Business school and then opted for music performance, so I get it. </p>
<p>Your in state options for music education are still an excellent value. And the job prospects are plentiful. You have a very short window of time to prepare for auditions while you stay in school this semester and I assume next semester perhaps with some music school classes as electives? </p>
<p>The scholarship $ is impossible to predict. It has a lot to do with what the current needs are for your particular instrument. </p>