College/Life Advice

College Majors Musical Theater Major
1

<p>Hello all, </p>

<p>So, I'm going to spare you the details and cut down to it. I will be a freshman in a few weeks at a four-year university (BA Theatre). I am torn between waiting two years, and applying to other universities. Or, applying this year again to musical theatre schools. I really don't know what I want, except that I want to transfer. Honestly, I believe I am talented and driven enough to make a life for myself in the theatre, yet I don't know if I would be satisfied with the academic aspect of a conservatory. Also, I am considering applying for a BM in Classical Voice at some schools. I just don't know how to decide what I want, and more importantly, what is best for me. If you're a person who believes they can give advice on this quandary, please do. </p>

<p>Thanks</p>

2

<p>I do know that if I audition again, it will have to be with everything I've got.</p>

3

<p>A question for colegePLEASE: how can you be sure that you want to transfer when you haven't even arrived at your college yet? I don't say that sarcastically: I really want to know. I am assuming that, when you applied to this school, you thought it would be a good fit in some way, right? Have you since learned something about it that has turned you off? If not and you were my son or daughter, I would probably recommend that you consider spending at least a semester (and probably a full year) settling in and seeing what happens. But perhaps I don't have the full story ....</p>

4

<p>NMR....I agree with that advice and that is what I would tell any matriculating student who speaks of transferring before they have even begun their college.</p>

<p>However, from reading colegePLEASE's other posts, I believe he/she was not accepted to any of the schools that he/she audiitioned for to study musical theater and may be going to his/her BA fallback option in straight theater and MAY be thinking about doing that for a year and trying to audition again. In that respect, I get it. Otherwise, he/she should give his/her college a good chance first. Hopefully he/she can study theater in his/her BA program and maybe there are some MT production opportunities there, and a way to take some voice or dance.</p>

5

<p>Thanks for that clarification, soozievt. I think I get it now. (She's got it! I think she's got it! :)) That does pose a dilemma. It also brings to life in a very real way a question that all rising seniors planning to audition for BFA programs may have to face and that is, "If you don't get into any of the audition based programs and are only accepted at a non audition program, would you really want to attend that school?" One mom (who has been through this process) told me that that's the reason that kids must "love their list" of schools. That's why people like soozievt and others who counsel college applicants urge candidates to carefully select their safeties. Anyway, sorry for getting off on a tangent here. It's just that colegePLEASE's dilemma is no doubt not that uncommon.</p>

6

<p>If your school has a Theatre dept. they probably also have a Music dept. I would suggest that you take some classes in the music dept. to get a feel for what being a Voice major entails. My freshman year of college I was in a similar situation as you (knowing I didn't really want to stay at the school I was attending) and took straight music classes thinking of switching to Voice since I had been accepted into the program sort of randomly. Though I did enjoy the classes, when I finished them I knew I didn't want to be a full-on voice major. I'm not saying that as a warning AT ALL that being a voice major isn't for you (how would I know that? haha) -- I'm just saying that by taking a few classes you'll get a better idea as to what to expect.</p>

<p>Also, since you ARE enrolled as a theatre major, take the opportunity to get some training, even if it's not in as intense setting as you'd like. Since you're in a BA program, you can always major in theatre with a minor or a double major and then go to an intensive 2-year program after you graduate or train during vacation at summer intensive programs. </p>

<p>PM me with your email/screen name/something. I practically have a degree in being confused about college, and I might be able to help you out a little bit.</p>

7

<p>If you are unsure as to whether you would want to pursue a degree in classical voice or a degree in musical theatre, I would suggest that you take Sporti's advice, take music classes in the music school, theatre classes in the theatre school, etc...</p>

<p>You may want to have decided the specific type of programs to which you want to apply to transfer before officially starting the transfer process.</p>

<p>I also suggest giving the school you wll be attending a chance. Take full advantage of all aspects of the college, all of the training in music, theatre, and dance tha you can. Join clubs, make friends.... you may decide that you can build a great training model for yourself at the school you are attending. Many people choose to go to graduate school for theatre, most classical singers go to graduate school for vocal performance , and there are some very good graduate programs in musical theatre that people choose to attend. </p>

<p>You have many different options available to you. Take the time you have at your school this fall to fully explore the positives of the school, and to further investigate your own desires, and the differnt paths to achieve those desires.</p>

<p>Good Luck!</p>

8

<p>One more thing...</p>

<p>CollegePLEASE -- I looked back over your previous posts, and if you are still going to the Liberal Arts college you listed back in the spring it looks as if they have a musical theatre minor, a music major (which will alllow you to focus on a major instrument... in your case voice), a music minor.... they also have the theatre major and minor and a dance major and minor.</p>

<p>On the Theatre & Dance page they list the requirements of the Musical Theatre minor at the bottom of the page of academic requirements for the theatre and dance majors. On the list of productions for this year it lists the spring musical they will be performing.</p>

<p>It looks as if there will be plenty of opportunities for you to be involved in music, theatre, and dance and to help guide your decision making process as to whether you want to transfer or love the school so much that you want to milk the programs there for all they have to offer. </p>

<p>PS... the weather there looks really great too!! ;)</p>

9

<p>Thanks to everyone who replied!</p>

<p>To better explain the situation, as soozievt said, I applied to a bunch of MT schools unsure of what I really wanted, was rejected by all of them (CCM, BOCO, CMU, NYU, UCLA), and was left with one school. I got a scholarship at the school so everything isn't all bad :) I do like the school, that is definitely not the problem. </p>

<p>The problem is I grew up 20 minutes away from the school, and my parents believe it to be beneficial for me to live at home until I can afford an apartment. The housing on campus is ridiculous! Also, the school is great, but it doesn't really "fit" me. I love california, lived here all my life, but I am looking for a more urban, east-coast enviroment for my college years. Not to mention something with my intended major (BFA MT, or BM VP)</p>

<p>Anyways, thank you all for the inspiring words. Absolutely, if you knew me, you would know I am going to make the best of this. I have already signed up for an acting class and private voice lessons. I did an internship at a professional theatre company over the summer, and now I am gathering possible audition material, just in "case" i decide in november, "Hey I want to audition!".</p>

<p>Looking back, I really wish I would have applied to NYU Steinhardt-Vocal Perf. Music Theatre. It is a perfect program for me, alas I had no knowledge of it the first time around. </p>

<p>I am going to try to take a theory class my first semester to see what that's like. Started piano a few months ago. Any other advice anyone has would be helpful. </p>

<p>Thanks for the responses!</p>

<p>Oh, yes, the weather is really nice, I am spoiled :)</p>

10

<p>CollegePLEASE -- whatever you do, don't fall into the trap of thinking that this year is going to be a waste of time. Your experiences this year will undoubtedly help you decide what you really want to do in the future. So do your best to get the most out of your freshman year, without any pre-conceived notions. And don't panic -- most adults are NOT currently doing what they anticipated at the age of 18.</p>

11

<p>colegePLEASE, you sound like a very intelligent, focused and realistic young person. Your plan is a good one. Make the most of what you have and where you are (the old saying is "Bloom where you're planted") at least for now, and continue to evaluate your options as you go along. I have a feeling you are going to do very, very well.</p>

12

<p>Ah, CollegePLEASE...I have now read more of your history and have a better understanding. For one thing, I noticed that while you did apply to many BFA programs, you also applied to some BAs and they were clearly NOT all of the safety BA variety (ie., Yale, Stanford, UCLA, Northwestern). So, it appears that you were strongly considering these fine BA schools, not just a BFA path. You also state now that you are not sure you'd want conservatory as you care about the academics as well. Before I go on, as an aside...I know quite a number of highly talented MT students (have either worked professionally, on Broadway, are Equity, have won NFAA awards, won state and regional awards, have played lead roles in many musicals in a competitive talent pool, etc.) who either got into top BFAs or could have had they applied but who OPTED to attend excellent BA schools (such as Yale, Brown or Northwestern). So, a BA path is a viable path for highly talented MT kids who want a more academic education while still doing a lot of coursework/majors in theater and participating in MT. </p>

<p>So, I know which school you plan to attend and I have actually recommended that school to others as a fine BA option with MT (compared to some schools with only straight theater). Your school offers a BA in Theater Arts, a Dance Minor, and an Interdisciplinary Major or Minor in Musical Theater and puts on musicals! Given that you had already contemplated a BA path, I think you ought to give your fine school a good chance because you CAN study MT there! Part of college is figuring out what you want to do. Take acting, voice, dance and music there and try out for shows, etc. See what you think. You may actually love it there. You CAN go into this field coming from such a school. However, if you feel the training is not intense enough for you or if you do not like the school, or if you come to the realization as to what you prefer to focus on and whether it can best be done where you are at or not, THEN you can put in for a transfer. Don't start college with the plan to transfer just yet. Give it a really good shot because your school DOES offer MT! Also take advantage of the training and performing available at your school because if you should opt to try for a BFA, you will be keeping up with the training of skills. I don't know anything about your qualifications or skill set, but your college list was full of very difficult reach schools and not much a step down. Thankfully, you were wise to apply to the school that you will matriculate at. But your original list was not very balanced. Again, I don't know your qualifications but those schools are tough to get into even IF extremely qualified. </p>

<p>So, use this coming year to discover what you want to study, what you prefer in a college and to explore it all at your own college and give it your full attention without a plan to transfer. You will come to discover the next step. You will know that transferring is possible, but it is too early to plan to do that. You have a good chance of thriving and enjoying the good school you are entering this year. Nobody can tell you which path to take but you can discover it as you experience your first year of college and that is the beauty of a BA degree. There is no firm committment ahead of time. Here is a chance to discover what you really want to do and then you can see which next steps to take and you may even decide to stay put! Good luck to you and go and enjoy your first semester......forget past rejections....you are entering a new adventure....embrace it! Things may change down the line but you have to discover that as you go along.</p>

13

<p>Thank you for the advice! The unbalanced list of schools comes from not knowing-at all-what I was doing, and just applying all over the place to cover bases. I didn't have a counselor that was knowledgeable of schools that fit my particular skill set. </p>

<p>And, before anyone says it again: Yes, I know, try out the school, see if you like it before you talk about transferring. </p>

<p>It's not that I know I won't like the school, because liking the school isn't the problem. I like a lot of schools, but not all of them are right for me. The school really doesn't "fit" me, and I will hopefully better define what does this first semester. </p>

<p>I have seen several alums from the school go to grad school for an art related major, and some just straight into their profession. However, that is not the path I wish for myself. </p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>Note: I don't know how this comes across on the internet, but take it as informational rather than smug. Reading it back to myself, I realized it could be read a few different ways. </p>

<p>Respectfully,
colegePLEASE</p>

14

<p>colegePLEASE, you do not sound smug. Not at all. You sound like a young person who has a lot of ambition and wants to spend the time you have for college/training wisely. That's a good thing.</p>

15

<p>I agree with NMR...you don't sound smug at all. You sound like you want the best fit for a college and you are still exploring what criteria you want in a college. This coming year will likely help you to figure that out. Best of luck.</p>