<p>I would suggest CMU but the voice program is in disarray with regard to faculty. If they can straighten that out, that would be a good choice. Northwestern certainly has a great music program and great academics. University of Michigan also comes to mind. I know little about engineering though so I'm just throwing out suggestions of music departments with competitive academics. Rice would certainly fit that category too. If Rice weren't in Texas - apologies to the Texans - that would have been near the top of the list for my daughter.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, both engineering and performance are time and credit intensive degrees. There will in all probability be scheduling conflicts with required courses in both disciplines. Even with the best circumstances, 5 full years and some intense summer sessions will be likely. Plan on additional costs accordingly.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, each pursuit individually is a tough schedule; together they may well prove unrealistic. Consider one or the other, and potentially positioning for either as a Masters pursuit.</p>
<p>Performance and an applied science is doable, yet takes a certain mindset to accomplish.</p>
<p>First, you have a GREAT SAT score. Congratulations!</p>
<p>Second, I think violadad has given you sound advise. Oldest D was like you but her passions were Eng and Spanish. She is now a senior Eng major and struggling to do Spanish minor with it. There are few "elective" credits available in Eng. She could do the minor because she had 30+ hours college credits from AP classes and tested out of 10+ hour of Spanish. She is taking some of Spanish credits by going to Mexico for intense classes in summer. </p>
<p>It is wonderful that you are so talented in both areas. I hope you are able to find a way to do both (like my d was). Good Luck!</p>
<p>Having one son who is a recently graduated engineer and another who has landed in a music BA program (after realizing that, for a mere mortal, music and a hard science were fairly incompatible double majors), I can't imagine trying to combine the two. they both are so time and commitment intense! Engineering programs love girls and you would have a great career ahead of you if you choose that route. There is certainly better chances for good merit scholarships for female engineers than for sopranos (child #3 will start as a vocal performance major- soprano- in the fall). I am not suggesting you give up your love for singing. I do believe that with engineering you might be able to study privately and sing in college choir. Also, if you have elective time (which there isn't too much of in engineering), you could take music theory or history for your "fun" course. There are a lot of great schools that have good departments for both. Ultimately, you have to do your research and go with your heart and remember, lots of kids change their minds!</p>
<p>I have a friend double majoring in both areas at U Michigan. Fine school for both departments, but the aforementioned warnings of courseload must not be taken lightly. Grueling.</p>
<p>I can second stephmin's recommendation for UMich, and can also reassure you that it really is not a "big state school" with a lot of greek life; that certainly exists in Ann Arbor if that's what you are seeking, but for the vast majority of musicians and engineers, and honors LSA students, among others, UMich can be as big or as small as you want, and there are a fairly high number of musicians who are doing double degrees.</p>
<p>Our daughter also just returned from the Oberlin Opera in Italy program, and raved about the level of the vocalists...many of whom are also doing doubles at Oberlin, so you should also take a lot. Certainly not a big state school, and the only Greek life I know of there involves of Classical Greek majors...</p>
<p>Carnegie Melon is also worth a look...good music, good science...</p>
<p>You need to check the voice departments, but I've heard of engineering/music double majors at Peabody/JHU; Northwestern, Michigan, CMU, McGill and USC. S's friends are doing engineering/brass instruments at CMU and Northwestern. The engineer/music major he knew from Peabody/JHU did say that there were conflicts with classes and performances at times. Both are intense majors, so it may be best to try to do a five-year program.</p>