<p>This is really a question for Mikey, though anyone who wants to can weigh in. My S has been accepted to the MT program but is trying to decide whether to go to Shenandoah or go to a Christian school and major in Theater instead. He loves MT and loves the program at Shenandoah, but his concern is whether he will fit in with the other students. He’s a pretty committed church-goer and does not party and all that. He’s easy to get along with and not overly judgmental, necessarily, but he wouldn’t want to spend 4 years as the class outcast if the students are all about partying. Mikey, are there other Christians in the program, and do they fit in well enough?
Thanks.</p>
<p>My D has also been accepted into the musical theater at Shenandoah University. She is also a comitted church-goer and does not like to party but loves to socialize and have a good time talking and meeting new people. We are very happy with her choice to attend Shenandoah. I do not feel that your son will be an outcast. What we saw on our daughter's audition day is that the students at Shenandoah were all nice and very helpful. On the way home from her audition she stated to us that Shenandoah is where she wanted to go and that it felt right to her. Our daughter cannot wait until Fall 2008 to start the program at Shenandoah. We believe and hope that our daughter makes the right choices in any situation she is in, rather good or bad, she always knows that we will stand behind her. Getting into a musical theater university/conservatory has been her dream since the 5th grade and we are very happy to see her dream come true. I believe your son would be happy at Shenandoah.</p>
<p>My D has been accepted at Shen and she is most definitely not a party girl...so there are MT kids out there who know how to have a good time without substances. This is a reasonable concern...she has been goofed on for being a good kid all through high school and I don't want her to run into the same thing in college.</p>
<p>That is wonderful to hear. My daughter has had the same thing all through high school. She does not drink and smoke, etc so she generally is not invited to the so call "cool parties." She believes in good grades, academics, and loves to read and dance so that is pretty much her social outlet along with theater. It is nice to know that there are other kids out there who have the same values and just want to enjoy life and what they love to do. We are very proud of her for not changing her values due to peer pressure and feel she will continue these values throughout college. My D has a good group of friends through marching band, majorettes, and theater and we have had many parties in our home and have enjoyed interacting with these kids very much. We are hoping for the same in college as my husband and I enjoy being around such talented group of kids who love theater and music as much as our daughter.</p>
<p>Shawnee'smom, it has been my experience that theater kids in general are a different breed...the ones who are serious about it, anyway. They don't mind so much the parents being around because, let's face it, they can't do what they love without our support, without us driving them around, fund raising, doing costumes, etc. My D has done summer theater with a huge group of kids since she was 11, and you can't imagine a more wholesome bunch. Remember Proverbs 22:6...we have raised them well so far, they won't forget when they get out of our sight.
I AM worried, though, about how my D will eat when she is away from home. I left her baked ziti for dinner tonight and she couldn't figure out how to heat it up!</p>
<p>Sandie and other parents,</p>
<p>Your concerns for your sons or daughters are very normal and I absolutley understand where you are coming from. But you have no need to worry. There are a lot of students in the MT program that are very religous. Some of my best friends in my class that are religous go to church every weekend and there has even been a group set up called "SU Conservatory Bible Study". </p>
<p>Here is a little information on their facebook group:
"So the time is set! We will be meeting on Wednesday's at 3 PM when we don't have a performance forum. </p>
<p>Here is the run down of what the study will look like:
- Open in prayer
- GBD's: Good, Bad, Different. Just a time to check in with each other and be real!
- A musical element presented by different people each week.
- A message/story/verse that is centered around God's word. We feel that it is important to keep this group centered around the Bible. This will also be presented by different people each week.
- Discussion of the message
- Any sort of announcements
- Closing Prayer"</p>
<p>It is a fairly new group (just started in February I believe).</p>
<p>Also, if students are not big party-goers it is not a huge deal at all. The key is to SOCIALIZE and get yourself out there one way or another!!! If students participate in activities (such as Guerilla Theatres, Directing Projects, Alpha Psi Omega events, etc.) they will certainly have no problem. Even if people don't drink, some still come to parties and just hang out/chat/play games etc. It is just common sense that if you isolate yourself you are going to have a harder time in the social world. </p>
<p>I hope this helped! Ask away if you have more questions! :)
-Mikey</p>
<p>Thanks for the information. I will have my daughter check out facebook. This is good to hear. I believe college is about socializing and trying to find out where you fit in the world. I also know that college is where you meet most of your true friends. I also know that my daughter is not the kind who will just sit in her dorm room. She will be out and about trying to get into clubs and organizations anywhere to meet people and have a good time, especially if involves singing, dancing, or acting. She has not been totally sheltered and has been around parties with drinking but she has just been there to socialize and we have trust in her that she will make the right decisions in any situation. The activities that you mentioned sound like fun. In reference to skwidjymom, I know how you feel about the eating part. My daughter is not the best cook in the world so we had her sign up for the most meal plan you can get at Shenandoah. She is not a big eater but at least if she can grab something to eat big or small it would make us feel better. We have already been on her that she has to take time to eat and drink lots of fluid and will need a lot of rest with the extra dancing etc. that she will be doing more of. Please feel free to contact me and I would be happy to give you my D e-mail etc. She would be happy to talk to anyone that is going to Shenandoah currently or who will be going to start in the Fall. I feel so much better that there are other parents and students worried about the same thing we are concerned about. Have a great day. We heard that the best way to meet current Shenadoah students is through Facebook. My D is going to check it out as well as the above mentioned facebook group.</p>
<p>Thanks for replying, Mikey; it sounds like there's a wide variety of students in the program and that they are pretty accepting of one another. I think we're planning to come to see Jungle Book in a couple of weeks and S will make his decision after that.</p>
<p>It was also great to hear from other moms--thanks!</p>
<p>we're going up at the end of the month to see the campus and Jungle Book as well. My daughter will make her final decision after the visit. Anything interesting we need to see while we're there Mike? we'll be there from the 30th through the 1st.</p>
<p>DisneyD and Sadie, my D and I are also coming to the March 30 performance...we should all meet somewhere!</p>
<p>Sounds like a good idea. we are seeing the show on Sunday and then touring the school on Monday.</p>
<p>For all of you visiting Winchester and SU you should visit the downtown walking mall. It is small but cute. There is a nice/comfortable restaurant to have lunch or dinner at with reasonable prices (Brubakers). I'm not sure of the spelling, but it is on the corner across from the little bookstore. If you arrive at the walking mall by Shenandoah Conservatory you have to walk to the other end of the walking mall to get to the restaurant. Enjoy!</p>
<p>So let's all sign up for the 11 AM tour on Monday, March 31?</p>
<p>that's the one we're on and then Margie said she would do a more MT specific tour after.</p>
<p>I am so sorry that I haven't been on collegeconfidential in a couple of weeks! My life has been crazy. Spring break, coming back to school and being the costume crew captain for the Spring 2008 Dance Concert!</p>
<p>I hope everyone had a nice tour of Shenandoah and enjoyed your time in Winchester! </p>
<p>Let me know if you have any more questions about anything! Feel free to PM anytime! :)</p>
<p>-Mikey</p>