<p>Hi. I'm a junior in highschool, and I decided (long ago..) that I want to Major in MT. I've done TONS of research myself, I've got my list, and I know how I need to prepare and whatnot, but the thing is.. My parents don't have a CLUE. I know in the coming year I'm going to need alot and I'm going to have to travel and I know that being a MT major has circumstances that aren't typical. I've tried to explain all of this to them, but it seems to pass right through them as nothing more than my own exaggeration. I've also given them this website, and told them to look at it and read, but, as you all may know, this is a VERY overwhelming page. My question to you all, is where can they start? What are the first things they should know? I'd like something I can print off and give to them to read at their own convinience, because I know they'd be less likely to brush me off that way. I've got my heart set on this, and I don't want to be at a disadvantage because of my parents. I'd like very much if you all could help me out.</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>*edit. I HAVE read the FAQ page. I'm looking more for ways to help them understand that I'm going to have special needs in the next year or so, and that things (such as private voice lessons) can no longer be avoided.. and are REALLY necessary, and actually putting me at a disadvantage with acceptance rates being what they are, and how I can get them to understand exactly how much is going to be expected in this process. I was also blessed with a clueless and uninformed guidance councelor as well.. So I really do need all the help I can get.</p>
<p>Welcome to CC! You sound like a young person who knows what they want and is willing to put in the time to do it! You are off to a good start!</p>
<p>Now, regarding the parents.....(of course, not knowing you or them, makes this a suggestion worth limited value) I would begin with the discussion of what I would like to study in college. You do not say that they have even agreed to that yet which may be why they are brushing you off a bit. I would do the following:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Start by presenting your case for MT - why you want to study it in college (not just you want to be famous :)).. but why you feel that a college degree is important to what you might want to do later in your career. It is important they understand this is not a whim for you. (and you will need to know this reason because everyone will be asking you why soon!)</p></li>
<li><p>Then move on to your list of schools. I hope you have used the CC data on BFA/BA etc, audition/non audition etc. I would do it in a spreadsheet (if you can use Excel) or in a document with a separate page per school and make it a bullet pointed list. For each school, put down, the particulars(location, size, BFA, cost etc) and be sure to put down some approximate numbers of auditions and acceptances(which can be found either on CC or by calling the schools) . I would also include audition requirements by school. A list such as this shows you have done your homework and are serious about this. This might also be a good time to mention CC again if they want to fact check.</p></li>
<li><p>NEXT>> and important! is develop a plan to complete applications, write essays, and schedule auditions. You have to do the first two things yourself and I would show a plan to complete these over the summer (again shows dedication and planning - important skills for a MT major). Scheduling will probably require their help and financial assistance. You might want to mention the idea of Unifieds to save some $ if that could be an issue. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>My suggestion is to do #1 and 2 first and get a feel for their objections/concerns. Do it when their are no other issues to discuss so I would almost say make an appointment with them. I would do Step 3 at a different time and I would also be sure to address any concerns they raised during discussion #1. </p>
<p>Your job at this point is to show maturity and dedication to pursing MT! We are a theater family and we still had a lot of trouble understanding this whole process - so be patient with them! It is such a different process than what they might have gone through for college. </p>
<p>And the good news is, you can take your reserach with you to your GC and show them what you will need as well and by when! </p>
<p>Good luck on your journey and know you can always come here for help and support - I consider it our lifesaver over the last 2 years!</p>
<p>syrso2yrsago,
You are an excellent writer. Being a journalism major, I love that in a kid! </p>
<p>You do not say that your parents <em>object</em> to your majoring in MT, but just that they don't understand what that entails. Since you have done all the research and seem to have a firm grasp of what it takes to get into a BFA, I'm reading between the lines (and I could be wrong) that what you really need is for your parents to cough up some cash to accomplish this. Assuming they actually can afford all this, the best way to approach them is with specifics. Instead of saying, "I want to take private voice lessons," do all the research and say, "I want to take private voice lessons from Mrs. Voiceteacher, who has a slot for me on Tuesdays at 4:30. It's going to cost $xx an hour. Will you pay for it?" You may have to lead your parents through this process, rather than the other way around. Good luck.</p>
<p>Backstage.com has a page on training that is more the "cut & tear" type you may be looking for...just a thought, and good luck. I tend to agree with muscimom, make concrete proposals and requests. This process is overwhelming, and many people (including guidance counselors) are unintereted, unwilling to learn so much on their own unless very interested.
Perhaps you could draw up a potential budget, and ask for that for starters, and then just go ahead more on your own, trying to stay within a budget. It's pricey, without a doubt, merely to apply to schools, but Idk if finances are an issue.
Good luck, and feel free to check in for moral support. Kayla did a great job reaching out for support on this forum and had similar issues.</p>
<p>First off, Thank you so much for your quick replies, and thank you musicmom for the compliment.</p>
<p>My parents aren't particularly thrilled with my choice to major in MT, but they have accepted it. The thing that they are having trouble with is the fact that I'm going to have to leave home to go to school. I've been very overprotected my entire life, and I know that they have my best interests in mind, but they've got to see now that going away IS my best interest. I am also being reasonable (ex. I love OCU's program, but I know that it is just too far) with them, and so I think I've just about gotten them to accept it.</p>
<p>Money is another issue that comes up from time to time. I have offered to get a job and do everything I can to help out with these expenses, but my parents are very set on my working at one place, and their open interviews are not until the beginning of May. How can I convey the urgency of my getting into voice lessons without sounding like a spoiled and demanding brat (which we all know.. would set me back even FURTHER)? I do have a set voice teacher, and her number has been on a post-it note on our refrigerator for months now. It is just a matter of my mother ending her procrastination.</p>
<p>Thank you Mikksmom, that is a wonderful plan of action, and I will definitely follow through with it.</p>
<p>Tashmu, is there any way you could give a link to the page you suggested? It sounds like a good resource to give to my parents.</p>
<p>Thanks again everyone. I'm so glad that I finally found the nerve to post!</p>
<p>Dear Syrso,
As a "reformed" believer in the importance of a liberal arts degree in college (actually, I still think it's a good idea, just not for everyone!), I wonder if you and your parents are able to talk about what they hope your education will accomplish and what you are hoping to accomplish. If you have been reading many of the discussions on this board, you'll see a preponderance of interest in BFA programs in MT. However, if you look at Playbills, you'll see that performers come from many paths. If you are truly focused on MT and triple threat skills, your most direct "path" is probably the MT BFA. However, having gone through the application/audition process this year with my S and his friends at a performing arts hs, I can say it is daunting. These kids have most of the parental commitments you seek but have found the focus on just BFA MT schools sometimes yield frustrating outcomes. For example, would you really be better off attending an MT program that has little reputation in the professional world instead of a well-known college or university? If you can keep your college choices open you may keep more "paths" viable, even if it means doing fewer auditions next winter because your parents will only support those closer to home (where are you located; perhaps we can confer on your local options?). </p>
<p>Please don't regard my note as attempting to dissuade you from your dream because I'm not trying to do that. S will enter CMU's MT program in the fall and we're delighted and supported it in every way we could. I just realize the odds of this outcome were so daunting even for someone with all things aligned in support. Having some strong BA schools on his list would have been a smarter plan! </p>
<p>My career has been in higher education and we've just come through our own application cycle as a family. If I can offer you and your parents any advice as you go into this next year, feel free to send me a note.</p>