College applications are an immensely stressful time for any high school student, but for senior Alex Miller the application process is twice as difficult.  Hoping to be a music therapy major, Miller has to apply and be accepted to both the school she’s applied to and the music program.
“I’m going into music therapy, a combination of a music and psychology major, which are both things that I love,” Miller said.
During her junior year, while in both choir and AP psychology, she decided to combine the two in college.
“I absolutely loved psychology my junior year, and I’ve loved to sing my entire life,” Miller said. “I was actually looking at majors I might be interested in and I found music therapy, which I hadn’t known existed, but it was a perfect combination for me.”
Although it may be a relatively unknown college major, music therapy can play an important role in the lives of some people.
“Music therapy really benefits children with autism, elderly with Alzheimer’s, and anyone who might be depressed,” Miller said. “Rather than focusing on discussion, music therapy tries to solve psychological problems with experiencing music.”
Miller has already started her application and audition process at Southern Methodist University and will continue trying to gain a spot at several music-centered schools.
“I’m looking at SMU, Iowa State University, Loyola University in New Orleans, and Arizona State University right now,” Miller said.
Despite how strenuous the application process may be, she believes the experience is worth it.
“I’m really excited for my major and to be able to help people who need music in their lives,” Miller said.