I just want to start this off by saying yes the school itself is good and I might love (doubtful, so, so, doubtful) and everything. Like I get that. I understand, but I haven’t even attended it and I’m already miserable at the thought of going. I won’t be miserable because I’m missing my parents, or I’m not in my hometown or anything like that. I’m miserable because it was my last ‘choice’.
I had been pressured to apply the school I guess that I’m attending this fall by my parents and my sister. My sister had attended the school with the same major (theatre - acting concentration) and just graduated this past year. I was heavily resistant as the school is only an hour away from my small town in Ohio, almost everyone from my town ends up attending the school because of this, it isn’t in a city, and didn’t have the exact major I wanted, MT. However, I ended up receiving a free application from the school that didn’t require me to submit an essay. So, I applied, even though the school was the opposite of what I had wanted.
All of my top choice schools - even the bottom rung of the schools I had put on my list followed a specific formula. Musical Theatre Major or Theatre Major (this was more like a last choice if they were the ones I had gotten into), in a city, not super close to home, and outside of my sister’s reputation.
I didn’t get into any of those schools for my desired major, granted I didn’t really apply to many schools. Seven in total, three I had REALLY wanted to get into, three I would’ve been okay with as backup schools, and then ‘the’ school. However, I did get into all but one academically.
What I really want to know is, how do I cope with this? There aren’t really any strong benefits to going to this school - with the schools that I had gotten in academically, even when they were out of state they would be the same cost, but lack a major I would be able to do as they are ‘audition’ only programs for theatre. It’s not in a city, I’ll be stepping right into where my sister was and only be considered as her little sister and I’m already stressed about breaking that mould. I also want a chance to make new friends, and not be expected to pal around with everyone I’ve known since high school.
I’m just really depressed and honestly don’t want to go to the school even though orientation is in two days. Like literally the thought of going there makes me cry. I know this sounds a little whiny but, I just want to know what to do or how to cope with going to the school for at the very least a year. Should I go to another school for a year and reaudition like I’m planning to anyway or stick it out at this school. I really don’t think I’ll like it there as I have visited many times prior because of my sister and just haven’t enjoyed the ‘party school’ atmosphere.
Do your parents know how you feel? Have you or they paid the tuition yet?
This is your chance to make some adult decisions.
call the school yourself and ask what it would take to defer a year or a semester. This could buy you time to figure out what you really want to do.
what is your goal in majoring in MT? Are you realistic about what you can do with that specific of a degree? My D is a musician in LA, and she had to ask herself the same thing, but once she realized how else she could apply her music skills to make money, she felt like she had a realistic view of how a music degree would allow her to make a decent living.
there are still schools that have openings for fall, mostly because there yields for acceptance didn’t work in their favor. Could you attend one of these, and can you afford to?
are you willing to go to this school for one semester and transfer to another school in January? Many schools have similar pre-requisites for freshman year, so it is possible that many classes could transfer to your next school.
My point is, you don’t have to feel trapped, you own your destiny so get hopping.
My parents know how I feel but they really want me to do something that isn’t staying in my hometown because they know being here isn’t making me happy.
To go along with my parents basically saying I need to attend school somewhere so I don’t know I could defer, which kind of sucks.
I just want to be able to sustain a living on MT/Theatre. I don’t care where it takes me as long as it takes me somewhere.
I’m looking into those right now since there’s that list of schools with openings - thank you.
Honestly I’m willing to try anything, I’m just so not thrilled about this school in the least and it’s truly bothering me.
I would take a hard, realistic look at the likelihood that you would get a spot if you tried auditioning again for an MT program at any of your “better” schools. If NONE of the schools where you applied accepted you into their MT programs, perhaps MT is not as strong for you as you think it is, and perhaps you should think of other ways to apply your love of theater to a future career.
My BIL majored in theater at one of the top theater schools in the US. He had a wealth of experience well before he even auditioned, however, and it was quite some time, even with his college connections and experience before he reached anything remotely called success. It’s a HARD road There is a theater forum here on CC, I suggest you talk to the knowledgeable people there. Good luck.
I mean I know about theatre I’m very knowledgeable about it and everything. That’s why I’m attempting to pursue it. I just applied to schools that were crazy elite. For theatre it’s always really hard to find a middle ground school, so I didn’t apply to any that were really middle ground aside of the Ohio school. Like literally I applied to Juilliard and PACE.
Realistically I just don’t have a backup plan for theatre. It’s very important to me and I can’t see myself being happy with anything else. I know it’s a rocky road which is why I’m seeking options of other ways to study it and become better.