<p>When d was at Shepherd, her roommate was in Winkler’s studio until mid junior year. Roommate tried to get away with a double major, but Winkler found out and marched her down to the college office and made her quit (so I’ve been told.) Regarding science, Rice is a small school-all labs are in the afternoon and conflict with orchestra rehearsal. Vocalists can sometimes get away with science double degrees, no one else can.</p>
<p>That being said…Rice is the best place of the two to study music. Vandy is the best of the two to study both bio and violin. I also know of a few new violin teachers at Blair…not pedagogues but exceptionally talented. What are your priorities? You might want to meet with a bio prof at Vandy. And talk to anyone in Winkler’s studio.</p>
<p>to the OP - you must be a very talented violinist to be considering a Shepherd acceptance. It seems clear that in general, the music education at Rice will be better. However, it also seems clear from your posts that you’re not so sure you want to compromise, or give up, the science or pre-med plan. Vanderbilt is definitely a better option for that. You will probably be something of a big fish in the Blair pond - that might be a plus for winning competitions, etc. although perhaps a minus in terms of finding ensembles playing at your level. I can’t speak to teacher differences, and anyways, the personal nature of the teacher/student relationship for instrumental performance precludes any firm ranking of teachers by outsiders, I think. </p>
<p>One thing to think of is the possibility of a post-bac pre-med program – doesn’t replace being a bio major if your goal is grad school, but definitely gets the job done for applying to medical schools.</p>
<p>I did a double degree at Rice, a BM and a BA, and finished in four years thanks to some AP credits and special permission from the dean to overload my schedule. I know some others who did the double degree too–I can think of six music students who were doing this while I was there (not all in my year). Mostly it depends on the teacher. I have heard Winkler doesn’t allow it, although one girl my year was in her studio and, while not doing a double degree, took a ton of non-music courses and learned a few languages, which allowed her to work abroad later. </p>
<p>I think there are a few teachers at Rice who just don’t allow it. Sometimes it also depends on the student. My teacher supported me when I asked her what she thought, and I’m glad she did, because it opened up a lot of doors for me later. For example, I probably wouldn’t be living where I do now (Europe) if I hadn’t had the academic degree–even though these days I am mostly working as a professional musician anyway.</p>
kabbow, so end up which school did you go? My daughter is thinking apply both Vandy and Rice and she also hoping to double major in Econ and violin. Is it true that Winkler does not allow students to do double major?
@violinmom2000:
as with another post, responding to old threads is not a great idea, you would be better off with a new thread. That said, from what I know about Rice, if you are in the school of music they strongly encourage you not to double major (the website doesn’t mention it). Probably the easiest answer is to contact the school of music, either via phone or e-mail, and ask:).