<p>So this is really weird. I feel like I'm having an identity crisis. </p>
<p>I'm a junior. For the past like, year and a half I've been determined to leave California and go to a great school (theatre-wise) and get a BFA in musical theatre.</p>
<p>But today it hit me that I honestly wouldn't be happy at a lot of the schools on my "list" - they aren't academic enough for me. So now I've started looking at a lot more UCs and I have developed a complete fascination with Stanford, which is weird for me! I'm starting to think something like a double major in theatre and education would be a much better option for me. </p>
<p>I'm glad I realized this before I began the audition process, but I'm still really conflicted. I think I'm going to be applying to a "mix" of schools - some more academic than others, some audition and some not, etc. </p>
<p>Anyway...I just wanted to vent a little about what a weird feeling this is!</p>
<p>Holly -</p>
<p>There is nothing weird about you at all!!! My brother in law wanted to be a plumber since he was in 3rd grade - I wanted to be a lawyer since I was 7 - now THAT is weird. The average colllege student changes their major 2 or 3 or 4 times. I know sometimes kids put pressure on themselves because other people claim to know what they want to be. But the odds are those kids will end up changing their mind. College is a time for exploration and figuring out your major. You don't have to have a solid decision of one going in. </p>
<p>Even when my D did applications in August of her Senior year I had her apply to many schools with different majors knowing there was a real possibility that when April came around she could be in a different mental place. </p>
<p>You could take some class in your senior year and fall madly in love with it or more likely you could take a class in college and all of a sudden it just clicks. Nothing is set in stone. You can reinvent yourself until you suddenly find something you love. If MT is something you want and you continue to study acting, singing and dance you don't need a BFA as is pointed out many times on this board.</p>
<p>Holly, MoaP is right. The parents on CC could fill up cyberspace with stories of what they THOUGHT they wanted to study in college and what they actually wound up studying and doing for a living. I started as a Spanish major, switched to public relations, and now I'm an editor in pharmaceuticals. I have a very small suspicion (and large hope) that my D will switch in college from MT to clarinet. Keeping your options open is a VERY SMART thing!</p>
<p>My D did an MT BFA program for two years -- MT was, of course, her LIFE in HS -- but has transferred and is now happily studying for a BA in Fashion & Retail Management. I think she'll stay with it, but it wouldn't surprise me if she suddenly up and switched to photography or creative writing. It WOULD, however, shock me into a dead faint if she said she wanted to be a math major!</p>
<p>As for me: I majored in sociology (mannnnyyyy years ago); came out of college not knowing what I wanted to do; got a job as a newspaper reporter through a family connection; after a couple of years of that, I went to law school and then did law-related jobs (e.g., Capitol Hill) for a few years while also becoming an aerobics instructor; went back to journalism/PR/communications when we started living overseas, and kept teaching fitness classes; when we moved back to the states, I did freelance writing/editing and taught Spinning, then became a personal trainer, initially going to my clients but then setting up a gym at my house; after a few years of THAT, I actually decided I wanted a full-time job again, so now I work in development & communications in the nonprofit world, and recently switched from one such job to another!</p>
<p>I read somewhere that the average person graduating from college today will switch careers at least four times in his or her lifetime.</p>
<p>My son planned all through high school to be a music ed major, taking the electives, being in many ensembles, lessons in voice and trumpet, etc. etc. It was his whole life. He went through the auditions, passed some, failed others, and guess what he decided to do? He is now a mechanical engineering major and loves it. </p>
<p>So as the others posted, it is perfectly normal to rethink your career plans now, while you're in college, and throughout your life. The possibility of change is the adventure!</p>
<p>I'm on my 3rd career and wouldn't hesitate to switch again if something struck me. One thing I've learned about jobs - they are highly overrated.</p>
<p>If you still want to do musical theater, but want to also do education, there are many schools that will let you get a BA or BFA in Acting, Musical Theater or the like, and then you can go to grad school for education. Christopher Newport University in Newport News, VA has it set up that you can major in theater with a concentration in Acting, Musical Theater, Directing/Writing or Technical Theater and then do a 5 year fast-track program to get you Masters of the Arts in Teaching. So in 5 years you can come out with a BFA and MAT and you'll be certified to teach Theater, English, History (I believe) and whatever your minor (I believe). I have a friend who's doing this and she is more than happy at CNU</p>
<p>freedom_fri - i've heard of programs like that before! i think i'm going to explore and see if there are any others like that :)</p>
<p>MT is my life as of right now lol. But i'm glad i'm going to be a TS major because it'll cover so many different aspects of theater which always fascinates me. I love learning about lighting design and behind the scenes work so maybe i'll change as well. For now i'm going to continue working on becoming an actor but also work towards my second career goal....Haunted Houses!! I know that sounds CRAZY but the Haunted House industry is someting i've always wanted to go into. I got the opportunity of working at one of the most amazing high tech haunts in the state of ohio and got hooked. It's quite an operation and so much more than what people think it is. Alot of these places have high tech movie style effects that generate millinos of dollars a year in ticket sales alone. I'd love to either open up my own place or become a co-owner of a well established company. The Haunted House Industry is super competitive as well!</p>