I am a senior in the midst of applying to colleges. I’ve been involved in musical theatre since i was two, and the thought of not pursuing that in college kills me. I would also like to pursue international relations, as I have had a lot of exposure to international law & politics and am very intrigued by that. I’m hoping for a school where I can double major. Any ideas for good schools? I need one that offers merit aid!
Ideal School:
-urban/suburban
-has non-BFA MT or Theatre program
-offers international studies/affairs/relations major
-allows double majors
-offers merit aid (I won’t really qualify for much need-based, so this is important)
Stats:
ACT 34 (35 English, 34 Reading, 33 Math, 33 Science)
SAT 2190 (770 Writing, 760 Reading, 660 Math)
4.0 GPA unweighted, 4.35 weighted
10 AP classes by graduation (three 5s, one 4, one 3 currently)
on track to be valedictorian in class of ~600
ECs:
NHS
Beta (Officer)
Key Club
School Play (lead roles)
School Musical (lead roles & Choreographer)
Community Theatre Productions (lead roles & Choreographer)
Advanced Choir
Y Club (Founder & President) -> this is like Youth in Government in some states
Model UN (state officer)
Model State Legislation
Moot Court (8th overall at nationals)
Mock Trial
French Club (President)
Drama Club (Officer)
DECA (Officer & International Medalist) -> business & marketing competitive organization
over 500 volunteer hours
Tutor
Other:
Governor’s School for the Arts (Musical Theatre)
Governor’s School for Entrepreneurs (1st place team winner)
Thanks for any help you can provide!!! It’s much appreciated!
I moved this to the musical theater forum, because CC has a large, active, and very knowledgeable music theater group who can probably answer this question better. Good luck!
As far as schools strong in both areas, I would recommend NYU, Northwestern, American University and possibly Elon. Muhlenberg could be a possibility although I don’t know their offerings in the International arena.
We also have a friend who has gone to Western Kentucky University and is receiving a double major in International Business and Musical Theater with a minor in Dance. She had similar stats to yours and will graduate college debt free after receiving full scholarships. She will use what $ she would have spent on college as her nest egg to give life in NYC a go post graduation. Something to think about.
Northwestern might be a great option for you, though I think you may find that top academic schools don’t offer much Merit aid since every admitted student would deserve it. They are, however, very generous with need-based grants and research grants.
Take a look at Tufts. It is a top school for International Relations, and I have heard good things about their Drama program from the parents of Tufts students who were very involved in MT in high school and have been able to continue to do MT at Tufts.
The University of Mississippi has both programs. Their Croft Center for International Studies is very well known and their MT program is up and coming. Absolutely beautiful campus but not urban setting.
Thank you all so much for all of the suggestions! I also just found out that I am a National Merit Semi-Finalist, would any schools with the above programs offer more scholarships because of this?
National Merit is full ride at University of Mississippi and University of Alabama. Mississippi has an outstanding International Studies program and ok MT, Alabama has a better theatre department, but the International Studies isn’t as great.
I think National Merit is Full tuition at both University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma City University and both have great MT. Not sure about the International studies at ether of those.
Congratulations on National Merit Semi-Finalist status! That is quite an accomplishment and can be VERY useful at some schools. Wright State gives full ride to National Merit Finalist (possibly Semi-finalist??) and CCM/UC also gives hefty NM scholarships to finalist/semi-finalist. Double majoring with MT BFA would probably require extra time at both schools. A “minor” or certificate might be possible, but would also require extra planning/time on the student’s part. There are also Theatre BA options that could accommodate.