<p>Hello,
I am a freshman currently studying engineering at the University of Rochester looking forward to transfer. My prospective major will probably be computer science or other physics related engineering. Interested in voice, I also would want to get a minor degree in voice performance(or even a major if the workload is manageable). I hope to transfer to a higher ranked school (top twenties) but at the same time have access to the music school. Does anyone have suggesting schools that is both strong in engineering and music or has exchange programs with nearby music institutions? Thanks!!!</p>
<p>Why do you want to leave Rochester? Is it only because you have problems with its ranking by a for profit, defunct magazine, or is it due to deeper issues with the quality of education, academic opportunities, and/or social scene?</p>
<p>Hmm… I would say that going to another college with a better school of engineering is one of the reasons. Another reason is that the Eastman Music School is too exclusive that I am not getting as much music training as I was expecting. The cold in Rochester is also a problem since I am from a tropical island!</p>
<p>What makes a school with a better engineering program? Are you dissatisfied by what you expected of Rochester, or its ranking on U.S. News? You kind of give off the notion that you never wanted to end up at Rochester in the first place. but still went for the sake of being in college. Don’t let pre-college impressions affect how you will enjoy your life for the next four years. Unfortunately, students won’t actually realize how less people care about rankings until it’s too late.</p>
<p>There are really two things you can do here. You can move back to your local community college where the tropics are and save money, or hope that you can build up your academic record that will be competitive enough for transfer admissions at other schools, which are statistically much harder than first year admissions. </p>
<p>I think your best bet is to look at your top 20 list and investigate their music departments to see if they have a minor in voice, or to what extent you would be able to participate in the voice program. Would you be satisfied with just taking private lessons? Do you want to participate in performances? Michigan, in general, has an excellent music program, as do Carnegie Mellon, Northwestern, and Maryland. But, sometimes the better the music program, the harder it is to be part of it as a non-major. And, none of these are tropical, though Maryand might feel that way after a Rochester winter. For more tropical, you might need to look at a Florida or California college.</p>
<p>It all depends on what level of music you are looking for. It’s tough to beat Eastman at Rochester, though it is on a different campus and not terribly convenient. Is the music aspect what you are unhappy with, or are you unhappy with the Engineering program as well. Are you looking for a specific major that isn’t available at Rochester? I think you need to be more specific as to what you want in engineering as well as music.</p>
<p>You might need to open up the search beyond what you are calling the top 20.</p>
<p>@VMT Thanks!!! I would say since Eastman is one of the top music schools, like you just said, I am not getting as much training as expecting as a non-music major. Now I changed my mind and want to get a minor degree in voice performance. Unfortunately, Eastman only offers Bachelor of Music.</p>
<p>So, just to be clear - you are looking to transfer out of Rochester because you want to be able to get a minor in Voice Performance. Is that correct? Are there other reasons for leaving Rochester, besides the weather?</p>
<p>You really need to do your homework as to which schools even have a voice minor, and contact the music departments and find out what it involves. Do you need to audition? Do you get lessons all 4 years? Can things be scheduled around your engineering classes?</p>
<p>If you plan on being an engineer, I would let that guide your decision. </p>
<p>very few schools will have engineering and voice in such a way you can do both. If you want a very good school of music it’ll be even harder. Perhaps at large state universities?
Will you need financial aid?</p>
<p>＠VMT Yes! I came to college with a plan of double majoring in both, but later on discovered that it is better to focus on one major and learn it well, which is engineering. But I would not want to give up on music and is considering about going to grad school for music. So I feel that i is better to get a minor degree in college. Or grad schools dont care that if you are a music related major or not? Thanks again</p>
<p>Pauline, I think you really need to think long and hard about what you want to do in the future. Picking up a minor in vocal performance would likely not be enough to get into a good grad school for vocal performance. Any music performance major is very intense, and requires hours of practice, focus, and dedication. Voice is extremely competitive. I think it would be challenging to complete an engineering degree (which, in itself is demanding) and add to it enough vocal work to qualify you for graduate school in voice performance. I suggest you submit this question to the music forum. The contributors on that forum are very knowledgable and helpful. Good luck!</p>
<p>Pauline is singing a different song here:</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/colleges-universities/1613265-university-of-rochester.html#latest”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/colleges-universities/1613265-university-of-rochester.html#latest</a></p>