Musical Theater is my life and passion, but my family doesn’t approve of me choosing it as a major- rather than a minor. I’ve been training since age four- under the condition that I recieve good grades. My parents want me to major in a subject that will build my career (sciences). I, on the other hand, feel my major should be what I am most interested in.
MY GOAL IS BROADWAY. I’ve been told by many that I should deffinetely try for it but I can’t depend on broadway as a future career and should have a plan B. I’m great at science but It’s not what I love to do. I love to sing, dance and act- my theatre resume is so perfect and up to date. Is it so bad to have science as a minor? I can really use some more opinions.
@letsbehonest There are so many options and great schools and programs out there. You really are the only one that can make those decisions. Schools that offer a BA or BM in MT are ones that will have the most options for you to minor in something outside of MT.
@letsbehonest - I am responding as a parent and not as a musical theatre pro, which I am not. We are very supportive of our daughter’s dreams of Broadway. She has also been told, repeatedly, that she has the stuff to make it and I know she’s a dynamite performer. What we’ve told her is - it takes more than talent and drive and commitment. It takes more than work and training. It takes all that plus toughness, good connections and a healthy dose of luck. You love MT, it’s your life - the same can be said of all of the kids whose parents are on this board. It’s important to do what you love but - and this is only my perspective - your chances of acting on Broadway for your living are slim, no matter who you are. If you can face that, you can commit despite the odds being against you, if you accept that you may have to earn your rent money doing something menial or educational and you are willing to trade the opportunity for a higher-paying scientific career for the very uncertain one of a performer, then go for it. It’s your life (although mom and dad may have a different perspective if they are paying for your schooling) - live it your way.
As to major or minor: again, this is totally just one person’s perspective and people are welcome to disagree. A minor in MT is just for fun, it won’t get you any of the training or contacts you need to work professionally. Even a BA in Theater only counts professionally if it’s from an excellent theater program that doesn’t offer BFA training (like Brown or Yale). If you want to get those all-important connections you need a BFA or a really well-connected school. Very few BFA programs give you any ability to double major or minor, especially in something as disconnected to performing as science. My daughter has asked about this and the best “compromise” she found was schools like Michigan and BU (acting, not MT) where you can enroll in a double degree program. It’s rare - most MT programs, even in large universities, want you to commit 100% to the MT curriculum, as it is quite demanding already.
So there’s no one good answer; it’s really up to you - in addition to figuring our what you want you also need to ask yourself what (and how much) you are willing to sacrifice.
I respectfully disagree with @CaMom13’s assessment of BA programs. Certainly within the acting world it is a really viable option. I know one VERY talented performer who turned down multiple BFA acceptances to pursue a BA, with the goad being a top MFA afterwards. Barrett Doss, who starred in Groundhog Day on Broadway last year, is an NYU grad who was accepted to the BFA at Tisch, but decided to get a BA degree through the Gallatin school instead. (In an interview she talked about how she wanted to be able to audition for professional jobs while at college, and Tisch does not encourage/allow that). Also - as a side note - you can dual major at NYU. It’s a tough road - but I know there are a couple kids in D’s class who have done it
@letsbehonest - If you have high stats - Northwestern might be a great option. they have world class training, and the way their modules etc work - lots and lots of kids there have double, or even triple major. Could be a way to compromise. But in the end, you are going to decide what YOU want to do with your life, not your parents. (which is hard while they are paying the bills)
No doubt that having a BFA from a well-known program offers some advantages for your first year or two out of school. However, I disagree with the following points in the post above from @CaMom1:
The many Northwestern grads with MT certificates currently working steadily on the professional stage, including Broadway, would certainly take issue with this.
No degree from a specific school will “count” much professionally, per se. No director, with their butt on the line to put on a great show, hires someone just because they are from school X, Y, or Z, nor will any director not hire someone because they are not from a certain set of schools. It is certainly the case that a degree from a well-known program makes it easier to get an agent and possibly gets you better representation for your first year or two, and some audition doors may be opened to you based on the school’s “mafia” in NYC. But what you show in the audition room will trump any degree.
Connections certainly help, especially in your first year or two. However they are not necessarily from BFA’s or solely from a “well-connected” school. It is certainly easier if you are from well-known and well-connected programs, but it is hardly “necessary.” For example, Katie Rose Clarke landed her first role in “Light in the Piazza” (backfilling for Kelli O’Hara) as a result of a connection through her high school voice teacher. Lin Manual Miranda does not have a BFA, nor does Sutton Foster, Laura Osnes, and the list goes on and on. While they are certainly not a majority, a fairly significant portion of the actors on Broadway and in National Tours do not have theatre degrees. Recently, Caitlin Ehlinger literally walked out of her high school in Houston and into the lead roll for the National Tour of 42nd Street.
I think more than “very few” BFA programs allow minors and double majors, I know my d’s program allows double majors and minors. However, it is very difficult to pull this off. Not only are the extra hours hard to fit into your schedule, but even when you have time to fit them in, it may be impossible due to schedule conflicts. For example, at my d’s school, trying to schedule lab science around MT studio, dance, and stagecraft classes is extremely difficult - they all seem to be offered within the same afternoon slots.
From a parent whose child turned down a reputable BFA to attend a BA program I completely disagree with @camom13. My D is already working professionally in NYC and is still a senior in college. Her program is not the top tier BA’s that everyone is familiar with. It’s about talent, drive, ambition, connections and LUCK! 
You can get good training in a BA program. It is often what the student puts into it and how hard they work and strive to meet their goals. I prefer to say goals over dream because this is not a dream for my child, this is who she is. Her soul lives and breathes the arts and can’t imagine life any other way. I hope you can fulfill your soul and follow the path that will make you happy.
LOL. Well I am popular. Whatevs. My point was not to offend BA programs but to give my honest advice based upon my reading and my conversations with teachers and coaches. I pointed out several times that it’s one person’s opinion and rather than line by line disagreeing with me it might be more helpful to address the OP’s question about minoring in MT.
I have one child in BM program and one in a BFA. Neither of them have pursued minors. S considered it but his schedule has never permitted the enough extra coursework for a minor. D1 says no way she could handle the extra coursework. It’s all a puzzle. I imagine pursuing science as a minor would be quite difficult given the coursework (often easier to pick up a minor in an arts-related field) BUT maybe not impossible. Research your schools - they often present this information on their BFA pages (whether it is possible to pursue double majors/minors). Good luck!
@CaMom13 - I think we WERE addressing the OP’s question, by presenting a BA degree as a viable option to pursue more than one interest - it has worked for LOTS of people
As for minors- my D is graduating with a certificate in stage combat, (it’s the same number of hours as a minor in another field would have been). She can be a fight choreographer- another marketable skill 
Also, let your parents know that there is so much more than just performing that can be lucrative as a profession in the arts. In a BA program my daughter found the love of Stage Managing and directing. This will provide her additional opportunities for employment.
@letsbehonest - your parent’s concerns are valid - trying to become a professional actor and make a living at it is exceedingly difficult. Only about 10-15 percent of the members of the Actor’s Equity Union, who have established themselves as bona fide professionals in order to join the union, are able to earn a living wage working on stage. In any given year, about 60 percent of Equity members do not report any earnings from working on stage (ouch!). This does not count all the non-equity actors also out there auditioning for parts. You can read more gloomy statistics in this thread:
Obtaining a BFA in Musical Theatre is certainly a way, and probably a great way, to increase your chances of success. Immersive study in the many techniques and skills of singing, acting, and dancing is great preparation for a career on the musical theatre stage. The connections and exposure to agents typical of many MT BFA programs is a big plus in getting started in the business. But it is certainly not the only way. Many people without BFA’s in Musical Theatre, or even any kind of theatre degree, do succeed on stage, although the long odds are even longer. The majority of actors in Musical Theatre nowadays seem to have MT BFA degrees, and many are from well-known programs, but certainly not all.
Unfortunately, the immersive nature of a BFA MT program makes it difficult to “hedge your bets” and double major or even minor in other subjects, especially those outside of the liberal arts. Some MT programs prohibit or strongly discourage double majors (and even minors). Where double majors and minors are permitted, it may still be nearly impossible to complete due to scheduling conflicts, especially outside of liberal arts. An extra year is likely to be required to complete a double major in conjunction with an MT BFA, or at least summer school and/or some/many AP credits.
Many schools offer a BA in Musical Theatre which combines much/most of the same training that you would get in a BFA program with the flexibility to double major or minor in another subject - however, at some of the programs, it may still be difficult to complete a double major or minor outside of the liberal arts. A program like this might be a good point of discussion with your parents. You find a long list of these programs in this thread, which is pinned to the top of this forum:
Some of the more well-known BA MT programs you may want to look at include: Alabama, American, Brandeis, James Madison ,Marymount Manhattan, Muhlenberg College (not specifically an MT program, but very popular here on CC as an alternative), Northern Colorado, Northwestern, Point Park, San Diego State, Tulsa, UCLA, Wagner. You will certainly see these programs listed in Playbill bios.
A minor in MT (or MT Certificate program) is most commonly paired with an acting, music, or dance major for those seriously considering a career on the stage at schools like Northwestern, USC, Kentucky, SMU, and Michigan State. A list can be found in this thread:
Doing a minor in MT with a major outside of theatre, dance, or music provides far less training (60 percent or more less training) compared to BFA and BA programs in MT - a minor is usually about 18-21 hours vs. a BA MT major with 50-70 hours in the major and a BFA with 60-90 hours. However, if this is your only option, it does provide a way to get some training and performance opportunities in college while pursuing other subjects. You may be able to augment an MT minor with additional coursework in theatre, dance, and music to boost your skills development at some schools.
Wow! I am overjoyed to receive these responses. It seems to be that I have a lot of work ahead of me, though as a theater teen that’s what I expected. Yes, I’ve been told repeatedly that it takes more than talent and drive and commitment (quote @CaMom13) I am prepared for the journey for I have already completed a dance major in high school, in addition to the usual studies, two languages and I managed to perform in outside theatre companies after hours 6 days a week; I work summers to pay off some lessons-Hard work and Effort is my life.
My parents’ opinion however, will interfere with my decision for the reason of tuition -“paying the bills”@toowonderful mentioned. I need their support since my summer earnings are not close to enough. I can’t just “live it my way” @CaMom13. I will for sure look into the double majoring option and I kindly thank you all for details.
Thank you @EmsDad for all the info, you sure did a lot of research. I will look into the schools you suggested.
Looks like there are plenty of opportunities for me- each with their own ups and downs.
I understand my parent’s concerns however I quote @bisouu “Her soul lives and breathes the arts and can’t imagine life any other way.” I feel the same.
All your responses have truly helped and given me a better understanding of what I’m getting myself into, Thank you @artskids for your response as well.
I hope I’ll choose what will fulfill my soul and follow the path that will make me happiest @bisouu.
I was looking for opinions and am greatful to have recieved such wonderful ones. I will take it all to consideration.
Many thanks and appreciation.
This students other thread also indicates he is an international student who needs financial aid to attend college in the U.S.
Really…that adds a whole different angle to his college search.
What schools possibly would,be affordable for him given that info.
look into Southern Methodist University. They have a minor in Musical Theater and curriculum in the Sciences. Engineering and Cox School of Business. SMU encourages double majors. They also have a Theater Major and Vocal and other various music majors. But MT is only a Minor.
And how exactly will this international student pay for the costs to attend SMU?
@thumper1 -I am not positive if they offer international students scholarships, but in general SMU is VERY generous with scholarship money. They also “stack” scholarships -meaning a student can get one or more merit type scholarships, plus a talent scholarship. My D’s year, the Meadows School (where theater lives at SMU) even sent us a name of someone specific to contact if we needed help figuring out more money! I was very impressed with them – most generous of all the schools my D got offers from and she got several large scholarships other places too.