Last minute uncertainty with VP path

College Majors Music Major
1

<p>I've been pretty committed to a degree and career in vocal performance. It's been pretty much all I've thought or talked about for the past three years. Everyone notes that I'm so committed. I've struggled with some mental/emotional instability throughout high school and I was already worried about jumping into the application process. I considered taking a gap year, but my parents insisted that I not. I'm applying to 12 schools and I'm right in the middle of the process with half of my apps submitted and lots of time and money being invested. </p>

<p>I cannot really turn back now, but for the first time, I'm having doubts. I go back and forth. I read posts on some classical singing forums about how few people will have any chance at a career, even from the top schools, and all they end up with is hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt. I guess I've always assumed I'd be one of the people that could make it as a professional. Not as a celebrity, just as someone that could perform, teach, maybe do a little other thing on the side, and get by. I feel like every other day or week of these past couple months, my heart isn't in it anymore, and that scares me. This is all I've wanted.</p>

<p>I don't know if I have good enough grades to make it into a good college without singing. (Dropped from a 3.6 to a 3.4 junior year, another story.) I am honestly not interested in (regular degree) college at this point. I also do not think it would be the best thing for me to stay home, or to go to the community college with so many people from my school. Also, there is a lot of stigma with CC. I just hear over and over, "If you can imagine yourself doing anything else, then do that instead." The only other thing I might want to get into is beauty/nutrition, which I'm not sure if that's a better field. That and music are my main interests. I've been fantasizing about doing makeup lately, and I'm not sure if that's a very good path either. I don't know what I'd possibly say to my parents, and I don't know if or when I might change my mind again. I never thought I'd change my mind. I don't want college. I don't care about career stability. I'm not sure if my mind change is just a result of my condition, and I'm not sure if those problems will hurt my chances at a career. No matter how good I could be, as a soprano, someone else will be good too, and if she's mentally stable, why would I get a job over the next girl? I think I'm good. I have overwhelming support from my teachers. I've been leaning the university route for this reason, but my list is split half and half conservatory/university. </p>

<p>Ughhh sorry for the vent. Bottom line, how should I deal with my last-minute uncertainty? For universities should I put a second choice major? I'm so stressed. I'm so unhappy, everything I've known is messed up!</p>

2

<p>Take a deep breath. What you are feeling is perfectly normal. You say you have both universities and conservatories on your list. Do you like any of those universities well enough to attend there as some other major? If yes, then you might want to stick with your plan and see what results you achieve. If no, then replace a few applications with universities or LAC’s that are acceptable to you no matter what the major. In April, then you’ll look at the financial packages and weigh the pros and cons then. A lot can happen between now and May 1st, so as long as you have a few acceptable universities and/or liberal arts colleges on your list, you should be fine. You are correct to be concerned about debt, whatever the major. So pick the situation that avoids debt or keeps it extremely low. A B.M. is an undergraduate degree, which can open doors for you even outside the music field. You might end up getting a B.A. or double-majoring, or taking enough classes outside the B.M. to minor or get skills. For example, at Eastman, even students who are not dual degree students at U of R can still take a cluster of classes at the U similar to a minor. Best wishes!</p>