Hello!
I was recently accepted to several schools that I applied to. I’m still waiting for some final notifications from schools, but for the most part, there are three schools I’m considering:
University of Puget Sound
St. Olaf College
Case Western Reserve University
I plan to double major in mathematics and music. My question is, which school is the best choice for someone in my position?
Details:
UPS
I have visited UPS twice, because it’s only about two and a half hours from my home. I really like the flute professor (I had a lesson with her (at her house!))and the wind ensemble director, and I recieved a $22,000 a year scholarship (good for five years) for music. UPS’s music program is above average. A very close friend of mine was also accepted here and it’s one of her top choices. The math program seems fine, but nothing special.
St. Olaf
I recently visited to audition and will be notified in the next week as to whether or not I have been accepted to the music program and if have recieved a scholarship. I liked the school, but I was not overjoyed with my overnight experience in the dorms. This is just a minor part of my decision, but I was flabbergasted by the food. Never have I had college food that was so excellent. I like the flute professor. (I had a lesson with her and attended her studio class.) The music program is nationally acclaimed. The choirs are fabulous, but I’m only interested in the instrumental program (which is also great). The math program at St. Olaf is top notch as far as liberal arts schools go. I recieved $18,000 per year (for five years) as merit award.
CWRU
I have not visited CWRU. It definitely is the exact opposite of the other two schools, as it is a research university in the center of a large city. It is MUCH bigger than the other schools I have been accepted to. I recieved $27,500 per year for merit (for four years). The reason I’m so interested in this school is because of the doubtlessly excellent math program and the joint music program. The JMP allows Case students to study with and take theory classes from Cleveland Institute of Music faculty and take music history classes at Case for their music degree.
Money is a factor too. Because of my double major and the rigorous nature of a music degree, I may need to spend five years in school. My parents are 100% fine with whatever I choose, and will support me wherever I choose to go.
So, I realize that this is my decision, but I want others to weigh in. Should I roll the bones with a school I have never before visited just for the perceived academic advantage (CWRU)? Or should I stay close to home, still get a good education, and go somewhere with someone I already know (UPS)? Or, should I go for a slightly better education at a school that’s far away from home, but I’ve visited and am okay with (St. Olaf)?
Thank you for your time. I really appreciate you input and advice.
If I were you, I would choose Case. It definitely has the best math program of those three schools, and classes at CIM are probably going to beat the music at UPS and St. Olaf (I have heard amazing things about music at St. Olaf, though). Mathematically, you’d be receiving the same amount of aid as you would be from UPS.
But ideally, it would be good if you could visit Case before making your decision. I’d be especially wary if you don’t like the idea of a big school in a big city (though keep in mind the undergraduate population at Case isn’t much larger than St. Olaf).
Thank you for your prompt reply. These were my thoughts exactly. I think that Case is the best choice, but I guess I have cold feet about going so far away from home without ever seeing the school first. UPS is a much safer (as in closer to home) choice. I will check into visiting Case, but I’m not sure if I’ll be able to.
All good choices. I would lean to St Olaf or Case for the stronger math program.
But will any of these colleges offer the aid for a 5th year or are you on your own with that full pay? Do you actually need a degree in each major over just taking a lot of classes in the 2nd area?
Spirit:
It seems to me as though the Case students are considered “second rate” compared to the CIM students.
Brown:
Money is not an issue. I’ve discussed this many times (tonight too, in fact) with my parents and they are okay with paying for any of the three schools because they are all in the same approximate price bracket.
But just for the record, the UPS scholarship is the only one that is renewable for five years, rather than four.
The two strong contenders are St Olaf or CWRU, as both as strong in math and music.
At St Olaf the two majors are more integrated (and the music majors are revered). You’d be in a college town.
At CWRU your music experience would take a backseat to the CIM students but you’d have access to high-level classes. You’d be in a cool part of a city.
CWRU music majors get free tickets to see the Cleveland Orchestra play, which is one of the best in the country. Like @MYOS1634 said, however, many of your classes will be shared with the Cleveland Institute of Music students. I talked to my tour guide (who was a music major) and she said that everyone gets along because at the end of the day they’re all musicians, but this is something you should be aware of. St. Olaf is a great school for people interested in music, and it has sort of become it’s specialty. Whichever you choose, you are in good hands!
@minohi I do like the idea of getting free (or cheap) Cleveland Orchestra tickets, but I don’t want to let small ‘perks’ like that distract me from making a smart decision. Not to say that I don’t want to go to the Cleveland Orchestra!! Of course I do!
Perhaps I should mention that I’m shooting for a career in math. It’s very important to me to get an excellent education in music, but my plan is to find a career in math.
I apologize for not making this clear earlier, as this would have been a valuable piece of information. Does this change anything?
St Olaf has a great rate of Math PHD production, as you certainly know. There is a greater variety of majors represented and the environment is a college town. The students are more laid back and the professors get accolades.
CWRU will be more stem-y and is located in a great urban location. It’s a bit more competitive and classes will be larger.
So there’s really no wrong choice here. It’ll all come down to “fit”, “gut feeling”, etc.
Can you go visit, spend an overnight?
I have already spent an overnight at St. Olaf. I will not get a chance to do the same at CWRU just because of time. I can say now though that St. Olaf is going to be a better fit for me because I like the small college town feel. I am just disappointed because I feel like I’d have more opportunities and get a better education at Case.
This is not going to be a deciding factor, but I didn’t really enjoy my overnight at St. Olaf. It wasn’t terrible or anything, but my host and I didn’t really have anything in common. But that’s certainly not going to affect my decision.
