<p>So, I think I'm going to go to Southern Methodist University (SMU) but I want to double major in business and theater. I have talked to the theatre department about an audition, I just need to know if it is in fact possible to double major in business and theater there. I wouldn't be starting my theater degree until my sophomore year (I know that means I'll be there for 5 years).</p>
hey I know this is a dead thread but I’m very interested in a similar decision and was wondering how it turned out for you.
I know of two SMU students. One is a grad and the other a current student. Both did the BFA in Acting or Theater Arts plus an additional major in a foreign language.
How did they feel about the experience in the double major? What was the workload and did they feel that SMU had a strong enough Acting/Theater Arts program?
I can’t really speak directly to their workloads, but what I know of both of them, they both probably transferred a good chunk of AP courses to help offset the gen eds. My D also got into SMU and chose not to attend. She really liked their BFA Theater Arts major and the faculty, but felt like she wanted more of a conservatory experience and not a university one. SMU is definitely a university experience (Pony UP!). It is not a liberal arts school–it definitely has a conservative bent. Not sure if that matters to you.
My Ds overall take was that she didn’t want to spend a lot of time on gen eds and wanted to focus right away, as much as possible, on theater. At SMU/Meadows, there is still a decent load of undergrad requirements…all time she wanted to spend acting.
I will add this caveat—they offered one of the best financial aid packages of all her offers. On paper, SMU is WAYYYY to rich for our blood. She got a great scholarship directly from Meadows (they actually increased it within a few weeks because of a grant they had received), plus her academic scholarship/grants were pretty significant. She’s strong academically, but definitely not at the top of the class or anything. SMU became a real contender on her list because of the FA package.
Other good stuff about SMU–they have relatively new housing and great food service.
My opinion is this: If you’re driven and don’t mind the extra workload and are already used to keeping a full plate—it’s totally possible to double major at SMU successfully. Will it be hard work? Yes! SMU is not a bad school from which to have a degree. It’s academically sound and well respected.