Over Thanksgiving break, my daughter told us that she is considering changing majors from MT to possibly writing. She doesn’t think she has the passion for theatre anymore or the temperament to handle constant rejection. She is currently a sophomore. Has anyone experienced their child suddenly deciding to change majors half way through college ? Of course, I want her to be happy, but I’m not sure if she’s a good enough writer or if it truly is her passion. She can’t take any writing classes next semester because of her MT classes. Her goal is to be in NYC, not to be an actor. She’s miserable now and I’m not sure the best way to support her. Taking a year off is not really an option because I know she’s be even more miserable. Any advice ? Can anyone relate ?
Hi @desertrat I can’t really say I know anything about anything on this as we’re just working on applying for MT programs. That said, one of the things that we’ve heard is that some programs really push students to write their own material in addition to performing. I don’t know about your daughter’s program, but I wonder if that is an angle that she could take within her current program? Also wonder if there is an opportunity to do a minor in creative writing while continuing in her current major? I think this is possible with some programs but not with others. Obviously, we all want our kids to be happy, but it’s hard to think of possibly adding a couple of years to your college bill - so it makes me wonder if there is a creative path to get her what she’s looking for without essentially starting over.
@desertrat She should check out The New School in NYC - I think the Eugene Lang College (the liberal arts college at The New School) offers writing and we know someone who transferred from a BFA program someplace else into The New School after sophomore year.
Another possible option also at The New School is their BFA in dramatic arts. It is fairly flexible and focuses on much more than “just” performance. Your D may be able to “design” her courses to include more writing and perhaps her previous credits would transfer as it is a similar major (?).
I would see if she could switch out of her major into another major, while staying at her current school. In most BA colleges (where most students in the country land for any major), one doesn’t declare their major until the end of sophomore year. It is just that your kid is in a BFA degree program which required her to declare a major before entering college. So, in any other degree program, she would either not have chosen her major yet, or could still easily change her mind in the middle of sophomore year. So, she should meet with advisors to switch out of the BFA degree program and into a BA liberal arts degree where she can sample classes next semester and choose her major by the end of the year.
@desertrat - I think this is something that is a possibility for all of us to be aware of. I think it is particularly difficult to hear about a change of heart when so much time, effort and money had to be spent just to go through this crazy audition process. But I don’t think it is unusual for anyone this age in any discipline to have a change of heart somewhere along the way.
And yes, we have seen a lot of kids change their minds about their degree. Some even further down the road than your daughter. I have an example in my own family where they got an economics undergrad degree, had no idea what to do with it, nannied for a year, then went back to school and became a dentist! It required going back to undergrad first to do some prerequisite sciences before even applying to dental school. So that was a big change of heart and plans after graduating!
As far as MT majors go, we’ve also seen kids change their mind and decide to pursue everything from teaching, medical school, law school, church music, broadcasting – all sorts of things … I think what happens to many is that training for MT professionally can be a big change from enjoying performing in shows in high school. It can be much harder than anticipated. And the competition for roles at some colleges is fierce. Most of these kids are used to being cast in good roles in most shows they auditioned for the lifestyle is definitely anything but easy. It does not surprise me that many realize this is not the profession for them after all.
As parents,a child’s change of heart can be really hurtful because we have been with them and supported them through this all along the way. We’ve spent hours at rehearsals, making costumes, volunteering at shows, paying for countless lessons and training, and getting through this crazy audition process and finding a good spot for their college training. So we can take their change of heart very personally.
Certainly if they aren’t passionate about this field they should not be in it. It is too competitive if you aren’t going at it100%. I would say just make sure she’s leaving for the right reasons. And make sure she thinks it through before quitting her program, because it would be awfully hard to get back in a program if she changed her mind again down the road.
I think changing majors at this point in college should still allow time to get in her required classes for a writing major. It might require a summer school class or two but probably could be done if she stays at the same school. If she changes school she may need an extra year depending on what credits transfer.
If you don’t want her to change schools or degree programs, do you think it would be satisfying to her to do some sort of writing intensive in the summer while still finishing up her current degree? I’m not sure what kind of writing she wants to do but maybe some sort of writing internship in NYC? Maybe there are ways within her her current degree she can use her writing skills? Then after she gets her undergrad degree if she is still passionate about writing maybe she can go to a grad school program specific to that? Just thinking as I’m typing.
I know it is hard to see them let go of something that has been so important to your family for so long. But in the end we want them to be happy and productive citizens. I am sure with your help she will figure out what path she wants to take and a way to do it.
The academic counseling center at her school should be able to offer advice and diagnostic tools to help her assess her interests, explore other majors, and understand career opportunities. She may be able to access some of these tools directly via the college website (look for “exploring majors” or related subjects on their site) or via the student portal. She should still have plenty of time to change her course schedule for the Spring.
@desertrat hugs to you. Is your daughter currently doing writing? What type of writing would she like to do? You can really write anywhere. Back in the day I transferred out of a BA theater into English and it was a pretty seamless transition. The only thing is she might have to go longer to fulfill major requirements. Most writers these days have masters and it’s just as competitive. Good luck to you.
Thank you for all your responses. They have definitely given me something to think about. She’s going to continue in MT at least through spring semester. She needs to complete the year. I would love her to stay where she is whether it’s MT or not because she is getting a full ride with tuition. I just can’t see her transferring into another school and not knowing what she wants to do. Of course, she would want to go to NYC as an out of state student costing us tons of money. I don’t care if she never auditions for anything once she graduates. She needs to have some kind of degree before trying to find employment in NYC. I’m advocating that she finish up the program, find a job in NYC for a year or two while exploring what she’s passionate about…THEN she’ll have residency and can go back to school. But do I want her to be miserable for the next 2 1/2 years ? No. Ugh…it’s going to be an interesting Christmas break !
@Ducky312 She just doesn’t have time to fit a writing class into her schedule. I think once she finishes her gen eds( two more to go) she’ll have time. She wants to do something with creative writing. Of course, this is another extremely competitive field. I want her to take some classes before she makes any changes. I have no idea if she would even enjoy it. It’s just a very confusing time for her. Also, by the end of next semester, she’ll have over 60 credits and many schools only accept 30 credits as a transfer student. That’s like a whole year wasted ! It just doesn’t make sense to me.
We know of quite a few people who have switched out of MT after they realized it wasn’t for them. Those at larger schools have usually stayed where they are, just switched majors. We know of kids who switched after the first semester, those after the end of the first year, and a couple after the second year! If your D is really wanting to get out of MT, she doesn’t have to stay till the end of the year, it’s usually a pretty easy switch and she should have plenty of time to change and get new classes before Spring.
I know I already said this, but why not switch out of the BFA after this semester? She is miserable in it and says she doesn’t want to pursue MT. That gives her five semesters to do something else, plus lets her use spring semester at her university to explore before declaring a major. She is at a huge university with lots of resources. I think switching to a BA degree (major to be determined) after this semester at her own university is the way to go. Why stay in the BFA program? That just doesn’t make sense to me. In terms of writing, you don’t even have to major in writing, just saying…she could take classes in spring in various interests and then determine an ultimate major. I see no need to actually transfer, generally speaking, and add in the full ride, even more reason. Also, she doesn’t have to decide her new major yet. She just has to decide that the BFA in MT is not for her. Then, she’ll be in a new selection of courses for spring semester and can have time to see what direction she may wish to explore as a potential major.
Lots of kids change their minds while in college, yes, including theatre kids. It’s not uncommon. I would not recommend forcing her to remain in a program that she is not enjoying. I would explore how she could switch out of the BFA so that in January, she can begin to explore something new.
(@soozievt, big congrats on S’s latest wonderful achievement! I know you must be so proud. I owe you an email.)
@alwaysamom OFF TOPIC, but thanks for the above^^. I was there for it! 
@soozievt - I got curious and looked did a search for what @alwaysamom mentioned… can I just saw WOW!!!
@desertrat - I 2nd the suggestions to get a degree from the school kid is attending- particularly if there is a full tuition scholarship involved! Is there a 4 year limit? If your D switch majors there and spend another year? Even if you had to pay for a 5th year it would seem cheaper than starting over at another school. Has she considered looking into other aspects of theater? If she thinks performing is too much rejection, but loves theater - what about something like stage management?
@soozievt please share the good news!
Thanks for the interest, truly. For one thing, this thread is about another young woman. But even so, I haven’t posted on CC forums any specific theater productions, concerts, awards, etc. of my young adult daughter’s since graduating college. They are specific enough that she is named and in the press, and so on. Sorry about that. I’ll just say that she is having a good year so far !! 
PS…I decided to say ONE THING…LOL…because I think it is relevant to the MT Forum…when your kid wins an award(s) and gives a speech in front of the industry and friends, and thanks her mom for her unwavering support since she was young and interested in this field, and all the driving her mom did long distances to rehearsals, dance, voice, etc. and how she would never be where she is without that…you know it was all worth it. This happened at two presentations this month that I was in NYC for…and I hope your kids thank you so publicly (or even in private)…All you moms and dads on this forum…keep supporting your kids to do what they love and know that they feel lucky for it and are appreciative. <3
And…related to that and this thread…support whatever path they choose and if they choose to change direction, that’s fine. My other daughter changed graduate schools partway through as she changed direction within her field (not to an entirely different field) and thought people would think she was nuts to leave MIT of all places, but yet, she went after her dreams and is working in her dream job in NYC too. When your kids are happy doing what they love, that’s what really matters.
That is wonderful @soozievt
I was confused b/c other post said your son and i didn’t know you had one. I was thinking it was a non MT related thing.
I know your D has worked a lot and it is exciting to hear about.
@bfahopeful …I don’t have a son (well, I do have a son-in-law now!)…just two young adult daughters. The other post was referring to my daughter in a different way, not meaning “son.”
^^Ahhh. Got it.
Could she attend a writing workshop or classes over a break, or summer? That could be a way for her to check in with herself and decide if she is “running toward” writing, or “running away from” musical theatre. It’s hard to watch them as they figure it out, and it’s all about supporting them through their journey. She’s in the driver’s seat, and the good news is that she’s speaking up and saying, this is not working for me. Otherwise she would feel trapped. Personally, I don’t see the value in continuing in a degree program she is not passionate about. It might invite resentment, depression, skipping class, etc. Better to get into a writing program and make connections that will be relevant to her after she graduates.