I want to double major in theatre/english. My goal is to be an actor/performer, but if all doesn’t go well I would love to become a professor, and I have noticed that I love literature and english classes at my CC. My goals are to transfer to top schools like;
Yale (longshot)
NYU
Northwestern
CMU
Would a double major be doable, or should I major/minor?
Double majoring at a BFA (like NYU and CMU) is generally very challenging. Of the schools you listed Northwestern and yale, which are BAs would offer the most flexibility. I know for sure that a double major is very doable at northwestern. As I understand it, double majoring is not possible at CMU. It can be done at NYU- the amount of time it takes would depend on the credits you have to start. Just for the record- all of those schools are tough admits, either academically, artistically, or both. You might want to broaden your list. There are lots of great LACs with BA programs where a double major would be a doable path.m
As @toowonderful said, completing a double major in four years is very doable at Northwestern, but it is a lottery school for even those with nearly perfect academic stats. Depending on how many cc classes you’ve had you might be considered as a transfer.
As I understand it, if you eventually decide to pursue teaching at the college level you’d also need to pursue a graduate degree at some point, which might be possible even without the double major.
Best of luck!
D was a VP major at NYU with a MT concentration. She got her BM degree and had two minors, one in the business of entertainment, media and technology, the other in English literature. If she chose to double major she could have (instead of 2 minors.) But in order to graduate in 8 semesters D needed to take 18 or more credits per term, plus she came in with AP credits that exempted her from some requirements.
One thing to keep in mind is scheduling. Sometimes it is hard to juggle two majors because the requirements for each present real issues In scheduling. There were many classes for MT that D needed to take in a certain sequence that were only offered at a specific time. If your other major isn’t flexible, you just might not be able to get all your classes at the time slots you have available.
That would certainly be an issue with NYU Tisch since studio scheduling is so specific
The scheduling at Tisch, with studio on three days, actually makes it somewhat easier to double major than at many other BFA programs, for those who are interested in doing so. You will have two days a week on which to take academic classes. It can be done, and many students do it, but it is a heavy load and requires a lot of self-discipline. A minor could be done more easily.
Well, im actually hoping to get in as a transfer, my high schools grades were HORRIBLE (1.8 GPA). In college im in a honor society as well as a bunch of other clubs and have a 3.8 GPA and am in honors courses. Yale and Northwestern are my tops but I know are a long shot. What other schools do you guys recommend for this double major?
While not unheard of, transferring into a BFA is very hard and not very common. I believe that most transfers are done in their sophomore year and generally are done from one BFA program to another. If a BFA/BA in theatre is what you are interested in pursuing, you need to check into whether this is a feasible option.
My D is a BFA Acting major and English double major at University of Miami. She is incredibly busy every single day but she is managing and loves the academic challenge of doing both.
I think in some BFA programs it is next to impossible to double major.
As with almost everything in the BFA world, it varies by school. And even if it IS possible- it’s darn hard, as BFA schedules are pretty intense, often with set classes/times. Good for your D @skewlcounselor - that she is getting that done- she must be one organized cookie!
@toowonderful yes my D is very organized but to be honest, this second semester of sophomore year is kicking her butt with three intense writing classes as part of her English major. Also, she was cast in two back-to-back shows so there is no break. Ever. The one saving grace is that she is exempt from gen eds due to a particular fellowship she received (Foote Fellows) but it is not for the weak of heart for sure. I agree that in general, those who want to consider a double major should be looking at B.A.s. which for the OP is the only logical choice since he/she is a transfer. However, it is pretty challenging finding an acting-focused B.A.