<p>I'm trying to help my D sort through the hundreds of MT programs to identify which schools have a conservatory type program (no science, no math, etc) within the traditional university setting (college sports, greek life, etc). Any help in identifying these schools would be much appreciated.</p>
<p>Just no science or math… or little to no general education requirements in any subjects?</p>
<p>CEAdad-Are you looking to be in any particular part of the country?</p>
<p>The less gen ed the better. The curriculum at Carnegie Mellon is a great example of what she’s looking for.</p>
<p>She’s not particular as to location.</p>
<p>Carnegie Mellon, Syracuse, Shenandoah. Syracuse and Shenandoah have more general education requirements than CMU, but small in comparison to many other university based programs. There are likely others as well, however… many university based programs have academic requirements that are dictated by the university. So, most university based BFA programs will have some general education requirements. you can go on the websites and look at the catalogs for programs that interest your D to see what the academic requirements may be.</p>
<p>Otterbein is a great looking small university with all the traditional stuff like Saturday afternoon football in the fall (NCAA D3 like CMU). I’m not sure what their curriculum is like, but I think most MT programs are comparably light on the gen ed courses.</p>
<p>I also agree with Kat, Shenandoah is a nice looking traditional place, and Winchester is a very cool looking old town. </p>
<p>I’d say Penn State if you want a really big school with all the traditional college trappings, but they have more gen ed courses (like three science classes, yikes!) than some. But it’s a great program and it is a great place.</p>
<p>Coastal Carolina University is very much a conservatory program within a university setting. There are gen eds but there are options as to how you fulfill those. Typically my D has had 1 CORE class each semester. She did go in with AP and community college credits, and has taken some CORE courses during the summer through a community college because she wanted to free up space to take more dance classes. That strategy has worked well for her.
<a href=“http://www.coastal.edu/media/academics/catalog/2013-2014%20Undergraduate%20University%20Catalog.pdf[/url]”>http://www.coastal.edu/media/academics/catalog/2013-2014%20Undergraduate%20University%20Catalog.pdf</a></p>
<p>Most of the BFA programs in university settings are fairly light on academics.</p>
<p>CollegeSearchDad is right–extremely limited liberal arts requirements for BFA performance majors at Otterbein. They take an integrated studies seminar (which everyone there takes) each semester, and there are various emphases kids can choose from, but the performance BFA kids are exempt from math and foreign language requirements. There is an optional short term in January–my son hopes to take a math class or two during that time, but he’s relieved to be finished with foreign language, an area of weakness for him. Otterbein’s small (under 3000 undergrad) but has a very “normal” college feeling to it, complete with sports, activities (including greek organizations), lots of community service opportunities, etc. My son was looking for the same thing you describe and felt at home the minute he set foot on campus.</p>
<p>Similar request but slightly different…colleges with minimal gen ed requirements for a trombone performance degree, warm climate!!</p>
<p>I think that you really have to look at each school’s curriculum requirements and course offerings in some depth in order to make an informed decision. For instance, as noted in a previous post, Penn State requires three courses in Natural Science (gasp!). On the surface, this would be less-than-desirable for my d if the requirement was three semesters of typical laboratory science (Biology and Chemistry and Physics, oh my!) . </p>
<p>However, upon further review, the requirement can be met by what seems to me to be fun, interesting, and applicable courses such as:</p>
<p>Natural Disasters: Hollywood vs. Reality
Analysis of the causes and consequences of natural disasters; comparison of popular media portrayal of disasters with perspective from scientific research. </p>
<p>Anatomy for Performers
To provide performers with anatomical theory and concepts applicable to the disciplines of the performing arts. </p>
<p>The Science of Music
Waves, physics of sound, hearing, musical scales, musical instruments, and room acoustics. </p>
<p>Science in Our World: Certainty and Controversy
A science appreciation course, aimed at making non-scientists more informed consumers of science.</p>
<p>Out of the Fiery Furnace
A history of materials, energy, and humans, with emphasis on their interrelationships. For nontechnical students.</p>
<p>To be short:
Webster University</p>
<p>Webster isn’t exactly at a traditional university is it? I haven’t visited but have heard people describe the facilities as a little unusual. The training sounds like what we are looking for but I understand it’s very small and utilizes a mini-mall for dance. Has that changed?</p>
<p>University of Hartford/Hartt School of Music – 4 or 5 core (cross-curriculum) courses, 1 math, a fair amount of English (often cross-referenced as Drama), not sure if there’s an additional science requirement beyond the science/tech core course.</p>
<p>OMG, Montclair!!! It IS a conservatory program! MT BFA students are exempt from many of the gen ed requirements, INCLUDING science and math. This program is growing by leaps and bounds and is a 24 minute bus ride to Manhattan. Reasonable out of state tuition (compared to some others), gorgeous guaranteed dorms, unbelievable theater space and rec center, and all the amenities of a university; there is even an indoor ice skating rink on campus that students can use for free. They have a VERY reasonable (like $5 a week) bike rental program, even a car rental program… Lots of faculty from The City, very strong dance and music programs, new Acting faculty added last year. . Definitely worth a look.</p>
<p>actingmt- I just visited Webster a few weeks ago. The school has about 2,400 students and is very avid in diversity, study abroad, etc… They have locations all over the world, so in that sense it isn’t “traditional”, but they still have dorm life, clubs, a variety of majors, and so forth. I enjoyed it very much.</p>
<p>My son was in exactly the opposite position four years ago…had trouble FINDING a BFA that WASN’T a conservatory program. So I can tell you the few we found, so you can stay away from them…Ball State, Michigan, Western Michigan, Penn St., and Elon. These schools require everyone (even the theatre kids) to take a well-rounded core curriculum.</p>
<p>Most BFAs have “core requirements”, but other than those listed above, the core classes like, say English, could be fulfilled by taking “English for the Theatre” or some other theatre-related course. The nature of the BFA is that it is very conservatory-like.</p>
<p>My suggestion would be to pick what you feel is a “traditional” university from the Big List, go in-depth to the course catalog or the actual four-year schedule and see what they are taking. Pretty easy to tell that way, even though it is time-consuming.</p>
<p>Although about 25% of the required credits are gen eds, there are no science or math requirements for MT majors at Michigan, in case that matters to you. I know my daughter didn’t lose any tears over the fact that she never has to take another math class again as long as she lives!</p>
<p>Ems Dad is correct. While there are science and math requirements at Penn State, my kid had no trouble finding classes that were interesting and non-traditional that met the science and math requirements. She would have preferred that she didn’t have to, but she met people outside of the program in the classes, learned something and well - it was a small requirement in light of the excellent training she got. Examples of a math class include one that covers personal finance (budgets, etc). One science class was about nutrition. If they choose wisely, they’ll find math and science courses that meet the requirements but also give them what they need and are interested in.</p>