<p>At any rate, I would think both Williams and Oberlin would be better choices for a double math/music major than either Rice or CMU. (Others will feel differently of course).</p>
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<p>Regarding Oberlin’s double math/music major…if you’re talking conservatory music major/math…be prepared to spend 5 years as that’s the minimum time required to complete requirements for both majors. Moreover, the conservatory tends to be exceedingly competitive and even doing that alone would be tough…especially considering students can be dropped from the major/school if they accumulate too many mediocre grades. Putting that together with math will make for an exceedingly tough 5 years. </p>
<p>While I did know plenty of conservatory majors and math majors…didn’t know anyone who did a Double Degree in conservatory music major/math. </p>
<p>I did know a few who did it with other STEM fields.</p>
<p>If you are interested in a music major at Rice you have to apply, audition and be accepted into the BMus in the music school. You do not apply for another major at Rice and if rejected from music you are rejected from Rice. After you are in the music school you can add a major if your studio professor agrees or drop to a BA after one year and take more academics. </p>
<p>At Rice, majors are not declared until after sophomore year so you can just take the academic courses that fit the schedule and see if it works out. It does not work the other way. You cannot just declare a music major if you have been accepted into an academic program.</p>
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<p>Wow! That sounds a lot less flexible than Oberlin’s admissions policies. From what I heard from Double Degree candidates or those who applied to both the conservatory and the college, rejection from the conservatory doesn’t necessarily mean rejection from Oberlin altogether. </p>
<p>Knew plenty of rejected Oberlin Con aspirants who were accepted by the college and opted to attend majoring in other fields.</p>
<p>Also knew some college classmates who were accepted into the Con…but opted to not accept the offer due to concerns ranging from conflict with academic interest/schedules to not desiring to place themselves under the exceedingly competitive environment…especially in some departments such as Piano.</p>
<p>I don’t know of any rejected Oberlin conservatory applicants who still chose to go to Oberlin. Most pursued music elsewhere.</p>
<p>Young person I know who attended Rice’s music department is a world class cellist. He would not have been able to do a math major, but he wouldn’t have wanted to either. He knew he was a world class talent by middle school.</p>
<p>I’m not sure an average music student who wants a math major too would feel comfortable in the conservatory style music program.</p>
<p>You can major in music at Oberlin without being in the Conservatory. This music major would match up well with a math major.</p>
<p>Williams would be an excellent choice, too. Both the math and the music departments are strong.</p>
<p>@Imkh70</p>
<p>Both are great schools! I attended a college fair recently, and Rice was one of the presenting universities. I was pleasantly surprised by the representative’s display of the school! Before hearing him speak, I had not even considered Rice because of it’s location (my first choice would be somewhere in the NE) but looked into it, and it seems like a place I would definitely apply to. Large undergraduate focus, many activities. One of my close friend’s had an aunt that went there for Graduate school in Architecture over Harvard, actually…Carnegie Mellon is also top-notch, but rather different. It’s more known for it’s arts and drama departments and is located in Pittsburgh, which is obviously not near Houston. Depending on your daughter’s interests, I would recommend looking into both schools to see which is a better fit (if not both). Good luck!</p>
<p>An average music student would not be admitted to Rice or Oberlin as a BMus candidate. The year my daughter was admitted to Rice, she was one of only 3 or 4 vocalists admitted. She also was admitted to Oberlinand they only took a few more. The students getting in are national or world class musicians. my kid had planned to double major, but figured out in the first week that it would be almost impossible and would take 5 years.</p>
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<p>The ones I knew who opted to stay at Oberlin after being rejected by the Con tended to be those who loved the campus environment and placed greater prioritization on an academic field of interest offered in the college. </p>
<p>In so doing, some turned down admission to some fine conservatories…including peers like Eastman and Peabody.</p>
<p>Another plug for Rice. My s graduated in 2008. He and all his friends love love LOVED it. My cousin’s dau transferred into Rice (also loved it) and her brother is there now. I agree-- sorry your mom didn’t have a good experience, but I’d not give it a lot of consideration.</p>