Double Majoring?..Help!?!?

<p>I want to attend Nyu Tisch Drama and i was wondering how hard would it be to double major in biology at CAS? Ill have AP math credit by that time so i won’t have to take that? Will it take from me being able to be immersed in theatre? Help Please and thank you</p>

<p>If you check the prior posts to yours, there was just a discussion on double majoring. Of course, the best source of information would be a representative from Tisch. Just a recap, the discussion stated that while it is not impossible to double major it is in fact hard to do so with all of the studio time that is needed outside of your classes at Tisch. There was also mention of minoring in another subject but as it was explained to me, that was done more easily if the minor was in a related area such as music. Good luck!</p>

<p>It’s possible to go to NYU and double major. It’s pretty impossible to attend Tisch and double major, especially in something as difficult as biology. Tisch is a drama conservatory and requires full commitment. You work all day, everyday. You’ll have too many responsibilities at Tisch to also get biology degree, which requires plenty of work. You’ll find yourself overwhelmed and probably won’t graduate in four years. </p>

<p>If you do double major, I might suggest you match those two degrees. Your choices are extremely different and won’t really benefit each other. Having a major in Theatre won’t matter to a scientific research company. Many people double major in Theatre and English, or Bio and some math or science major. </p>

<p>Another good option is to minor in one or the other. Minoring in bio while attending Tisch might prove easier, but I can’t say they’ll allow it. </p>

<p>I think that you might want to avoid a conservatory if you’re planning to double major. Instead attend a liberal arts college and double major. </p>

<p>Don’t forget that this school cost a ton of money and is very difficult to get into. There are plenty of schools that are cheaper, have higher acceptance rates, and possibly better curriculum for you. </p>

<p>Also, testing out of one math class won’t open up your schedule.</p>

<p>I don’t believe hesterstar attends NYU, so please understand that her comments do not reflect the actual experience of TIsch.</p>

<p>At Tisch, you have studio three days a week, and academic classes two days a week. While it is true that double majoring is not easy, it is possible. You should note that studio training is required for a minimum of six semesters, so that a student could have a full year of academic courses only if they so desired. You can take a maximum of eight semesters of professional training.</p>

<p>Many students take a semester off from acting training to pursue a strictly “academic semester.” (and it is possible, as noted above, to do three years of training and one full year of academic classes only and still graduate with the BFA). </p>

<p>Classes can also be taken in the summer, when it is not necessary to carry a full load, and even if a student is not doing studio a semester, it is still possible to take Acting electives at Tisch to keep the hand in the training (and to still audition for shows). </p>

<p>The Math credit won’t help you, because it falls into the same distribution category as Bio. (students need a certain number of credits in Humanities and Quantitative – or something like that, I can’t recall the specifics right now).</p>

<p>Please note that during Freshman Year at Tisch, the student is required to take a full year of “Writing the Essay” (NO placing out regardless of any high test scores…) and a full year of prescribed Theater Studies. The school discourages students from taking on any more credits than that in the first year, and I think it is good advice.</p>

<p>So, academic courses outside of Tisch really don’t begin until sophomore year. And, students are required to take an additional five semesters of Theater Studies. </p>

<p>I would say that one of the more difficult things about Tisch and academics is simply that the students can only take courses that are offered on T, Th during any upper class years they are in studio. Sometimes this prevents them from taking courses they might otherwise be interested in. </p>

<p>The good thing is that there are creative ways to go about the education, as I said, taking classes in the summer – there are even studio options during the summer – which can free up more time during the year and help students take classes they might not otherwise be able to during the year, and the fact that beginning junior year, the students have flexibility in whether they take Studio each semester.</p>

<p>The program requires that the students do the first two years of Studio consecutively. After that, the students can do the remaining training in a broken up fashion. For example, first semester junior year, the student could take an academic semester in NYC or go abroad and then return for the second semester to a studio. (or any such pattern). </p>

<p>Bottom line: it is not easy to double major, but it is not impossible. Tutu is also right that the studio program requires work outside of the classroom (eg, scene rehearsals with fellow students), but I’m not sure why this would prevent someone from double majoring. It is the same for every student to balance theater demands with academic responsibilities. </p>

<p>Even students who don’t double major take on heavy credit loads some semesters simply because there is alot they are interested in. True, it is not as easy as being at a BA program to fit in all that one might be interested in, but it can be done!</p>

<p>Hester’s idea of a minor is a good one, too, but you would need to check whether Bio offers a minor.</p>

<p>I also want to address the expense issue. True, NYU is expensive and notoriously not great with FA. BUT – for some students the school offers phenomenal aid, and as I posted on another thread-- I personally know someone who picked Tisch BECAUSE of the financial package. </p>

<p>Personally, Trey, I hope that you will apply to a range of schools – auditioned BFAs and non-audition BAs and with a range of selectivity – so that April of senior year you will have a variety of options to choose from. It does not have to be an either / or situation during the application process.</p>

<p>In any case, I thought that the college audition process was well worth it, regardless of the outcome. It was just a great experience and of value in and of itself for growth as an actor.</p>

<p>@SDonCC I was wondering of you have a range of programs i could look at? I have a long list of school and I Need to figure out how to shorten it and get a more variety.</p>

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<p>do some searching on these forums. Lists of schools have been put on here so many times… These lists also depends on academic stats, eg., a school such as Muhlenberg is an academic safety for some, but a reach for others…</p>

<p>@SDonCC Thanks…Since You attend NYU can you tell me…us it as amazing and intensive as you expected to be?</p>

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<p>Trey- my son will be a junior at NYU (NSB/Acting) and absolutely LOVES it! It is very intense and challenging. The Writing the Essay class is a bear but he learned so much and had great professors for the class. Kent Gash is the best and so are the rest of the professors in NSB. It is definitely worth it and the program is AMAZING. Luckily he was a great student in high school and NYU gave him the best financial aid package.</p>

<p>@supportive what do you mean by the best financial aid package?</p>

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<p>Trey- of all the schools where he applied, NYU gave him the best financial aid package. True, NYU is a bit more expensive than the other schools (BU, Tulane, FSU, U of Miami) but it was still a nice financial aid package. It helped that he was salutatorian of his class and had tons of EC. Also, this fall, he will be an RA- so free room and board. We are not rich by any means and we also took out PLUS loans ans student loans. I’m just trying to point out that it is possible to go to NYU and get financial aid. It’s all worth it in our opinion as he’s making wonderful connections and getting great experience and training.</p>

<p>@supportive He applied RD? Did he get any type of scholarship? I’ll definitely be planning on Being RA. That’s like my main concern is if I get in…affording it. My mom won’t be able to take out a parent loan so that’s one less opportunity. I’m just so afraid that if i get in my dream school,NYU, I won’t be able to attend.</p>

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<p>Great post SDonCC!</p>

<p>Trey- my son did apply regular decision and he auditioned at a regional in Atlanta. He did get some scholarships but like I said, we still had to take out loans. He took out the max student loans which is only $5500 (that’s for every school- even for my daughter at her college). His FA package also called for work study which was nearly impossible due to his studio schedule at Tisch (although it is possible for some). As far as being an RA- it’s not like you can plan that. Over 700 people applied and it’s an extremely rigorous process and highly competitive. You may be able to get more scholarship money if your grades and standardized test scores are super high, or if you have something really special to contribute to the school but it’s still hard. I know of so many kids who got accepted to NYU from our area who agonized because they could not afford to go. It’s like they thought they would get scholarships and it just didn’t happen. The sticker shock came when most of their financial aid package was in the form of loans for those students. Those are kids who had good grades but were not in the top ten of the class and had standardized scores that got them in but did not blow them away. They really don’t give out talent awards, just merit awards and government assistance due to family income. So, sure, you can shoot for your dream school but also have other dream schools on the list. You never know! Hope that helps!</p>

<p>@supportive I definitely have more schools. I have a 3.86 GPA an I’m the top 10% of my class that had 500 students. And plan on getting SAT scores in the 2000-2400 range.</p>

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<p>Trey- sounds like you’re on the right track with those grades. Taking the most rigorous classes in your senior year also helps as NYU is half academic and half talent. Hopefully, your talent also matches your grade stats! Break legs!</p>

<p>@supportive rigorous is my middle name. I’ve been talking high school classes since 6th grade. I had 3 years of Spanish by the end of freshmen year.been taking AP since freshmen year. I’ll have 6 years of math by the time graduate. I’ll be taking, at least 3 AP classes senior year…of not 5.</p>

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<p>Sounds impressive! Keep making good grades in those classes too! My daughter said a lot of kids slacked off this year- especially when they found out they got into college. She worked even harder- and that was hard because she found out she got into her #1 choice on September 30th. She moved up about 15 spaces in class ranking when she graduated! It doesn’t sound like you have any slacking tendencies though! Hopefully, you have some great monologues picked out for the audition. When my son interviewed for NYU (right after his audition) he talked about his guitar playing. They like seeing that you have other interests as well.</p>

<p>Since I’m only a going to be a junior i have only a couple in mind. But monologue selection is definitely something i need help in… What advice do you have I’m choosing monologues? I know you have to have age appropriate monologues but what does that mean? And i don’t want over done monologues so should i do maybe some from less known published plays?..just for some reference what monologues did your son do?</p>

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<p>@supportive
That let comment was directed toward you.
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