<p>Hello,</p>
<p>I'm looking for a fairly conservative school with good academics that has a good mt program. Most of the mt schools I've looked into are pretty liberal and I'm VERY conservative. I also have a 2400 sat and good grades in Ap classes.</p>
<p>prepster, I am assuming you are talking about "conservative" in terms of political views? If so, consider Brigham Young University. I remember reading in the Arco guide that they have a strong MT degree program, and the college is reputed (correctly, I would assume) to be on the more conservative side, as many students are member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. However, if you can forgive me for sounding like the mom I am :), you need to remember that though surrounding yourself with those who are of like mind in college will be comfortable and familiar, when you graduate you will presumably be out in the world with people who have a variety of different opinions, points of view, political ideas, backgrounds and so on. Among other things, college is about stretching your boundaries and comfort-level and being exposed to new places, people and ideas. This may happen, particularly, in the world of theater. Just something to think about! Whatever college you select, best of luck to you. You clearly are an extremely adept and successful student. I am sure your parents are proud of you. (By the way, how did you ascertain that most of the MT schools you have looked into are pretty liberal? I honestly would like to know what you found out, if you are willing to share here.) Thanks! NMR</p>
<p>Without really knowing what you mean by "conservative" ... Maybe look at Catholic University... Texas Christian University... Shorter College...</p>
<p>Check into Elon - I believe that is fairly conservative.</p>
<p>Just to warn you, while you may be able to find a conservative school with at MT program, it is very unlikely that you will be able to find an MT program that is conservative. It is probably one of the more liberal fields of study, and definitely one of the most liberal professions.</p>
<p>Perhaps you should be looking at BA schools. The grades/SAT scores are not as important in many BFA programs when compared to the audition. So to maximize your academic achievement and have some more control over the tone of your environment, the BA may be the answer. I've heard that Muhlenburg is more moderate and they have good MT opportunities. </p>
<p>There are also a couple of books (available on Amazon) that might help you to identify conservative schools. "Choosing the Right College: 2008-2009: The Whole Truth about America's Top Schools" by John Zmirak (Editor) This book features some 134 private and public universities. Also, "All-American Colleges: Top Schools for Conservatives, Old-Fashioned Liberals, and People of Faith" by John Zmirak (Editor). According to Amazon, "while Choosing the Right College covers America’s elite private and public institutions, many of them hotbeds of politicized instruction and saddled with anemic curricula, in All-American Colleges ISI’s editorial team provides personal, in-depth profiles of forty highly recommended schools and programs." </p>
<p>Some web listings include the following ~</p>
<p>Young America's Foundation Top 10 Conservative Colleges: <a href="http://media.yaf.org/latest/2006_2007_top_ten.cfm%5B/url%5D">http://media.yaf.org/latest/2006_2007_top_ten.cfm</a></p>
<p>BoycottLiberalism.com also has a list: <a href="http://www.boycottliberalism.com/Conservative-colleges.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.boycottliberalism.com/Conservative-colleges.htm</a></p>
<p>Princeton Review list:
<a href="http://encarta.msn.com/college_article_ConservativeColleges/Top_10_Politically_Conservative_Colleges.html?GT1=4244%5B/url%5D">http://encarta.msn.com/college_article_ConservativeColleges/Top_10_Politically_Conservative_Colleges.html?GT1=4244</a></p>
<p>By determining schools that have a conservative leaning, then you could research theatre and MT specific opportunities. For example, BYU has already been mentioned but James Madison U is also on one list and both have notable MT programs. </p>
<p>It is important determine for yourself what your ultimate objectives are. If you are looking for BFA MT, then limitations on the types of programs (be it geographic or political) will perhaps impair your ability to be admitted to any. Widening your net (via BA programs, more moderate, or less academic) will enhance your chances of admission. If academic rigor and/or political leaning is your objective, then that should focus your application efforts perhaps in another direction.</p>
<p>Look at Wilkes University PA.</p>
<p>Thanks guys! And the reason I want to go to a Conservative college is not that I mind hearing others' ideas, I just don't want to be brainwashed by some ex-hippie professors. But I will look at the suggested schools, except BYU because like 99% of the population is Mormon and I'm Catholic. And Catholic University doesn't really have the academic competitiveness I'm looking for. I know i could probably get into any Ivy League I wanted so I want to go to a college that's pretty competitive.</p>
<p>prepster:</p>
<p>You really believe you can be brainwashed? How?</p>
<p>You should know that theater professionals are among the most liberal of any group I've ever been around. If you choose this as a profession, you will not be around many political conservatives. You will also be around a lot of gays.</p>
<p>Perhaps some other field of study would suit you better?</p>
<p>I don't mind gay people. I never said I didn't like homosexuals. I have a lot of friends from theater who are gay.</p>
<p>prepster:</p>
<p>I'm a psychologist. What do you think brainwashing is, and what is it you fear?</p>
<p>Just curious.</p>
<p>Tarhunt, you are one Renaissance man. You got a BA in physics and English lit, your equity card, AND you're a psychologist? Pretty awesome.</p>
<p>mct:</p>
<p>Thanks. Not all that impressive, really. I spent three years out of college as an actor, then went back to school and got a PhD and am now a faculty member at a university. The double BA was just what interested me. Nothing special about it.</p>
<p>in response to brainwashing:</p>
<p>I've had teachers in high school that were extremely conservative, whereas I'm very liberal. I have nothing against conservatives and I don't mind hearing their opinion because they have the right to an opinion, but I still don't agree with them. There is a point where you have to forget about one's political and religious views in order to achieve something in the long run. </p>
<p>The one teacher that I had that sticks out in my head was in the 10th grade for AP Human Geography. His name was Mr. Crawford. He was a cool, funny guy, but had opposing viewpoints as me. This didn't stop me from trying in his class though (although it made for some pretty sweet debates when we got on those topics). I ended the class with a C, but not because I didn't try, but rather because it was a hard subject (I ended 3rd in our class of 27 :D). He expressed a lot of his political views, I never considered them to be right because I'm very strong in my morals. You may have a professor who expresses his views, but you can only be brainwashed if you allow it, and if you're strong in your views, then you won't be "brainwashed"</p>
<p>I'm also auditioning for a couple rather conservative colleges, but that's not going to phase my college choice.</p>
<p>So long-story-short: Put aside your views and you might find some other opportunities out there. It will widen your college search and it will expand your personal experiences.</p>
<p>BTW- Elon has a pretty nice MT program, and I believe they're semi-conservative.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>I would recommend checking into Belmont in Nashville.</p>
<p>My son attends Elon, and I believe that the Elon MT students would say that their school is more liberal. An example would be that a senior project show they performed last year was The Full Monty, and nothing was cut from the show. My opinion is that this show might not have been allowed at a very conservative program. They were only required to tell people ahead of time that the show included adult language, situations, and nudity. They did a wonderful job with the show!</p>
<p>I even believe that TCU, where I attended years ago, is not that conservative, but perhaps others can speak to this issue.</p>
<p>I agree with Ericsmom - Elon is not an overly conservative school. As to the original question, there are some good suggestions others have already mentioned here. I do wonder why you want a school that is academically competitive if what you want to do is MT? I say this because it sounds to me that Catholic University would be a great fit for you. I also have to mention that the world of performing arts does tend to be a more liberal group than most others - why do you want to put yourself into a situation where you might be exposed to some ideas that differ from your own? You have a long road ahead - I hope it is filled with much personal and professional growth - good luck.</p>
<p>Thanks freedom and ericsmom!</p>
<p>Yeah I didn't mean actually brainwashing, that was a little strong. What I mean is professors that share their oppinion and don't allow you to show your's. I also want to have some students that are like-minded and share my values. I don't mind a liberal professor, just one that will penalize me for sharing my conservative veiws, which I already have had problems with at my conservative high school as well as at a few summer college programs I have done.</p>
<p>Well if you don't go to a conservatory, you still can have outside contact with the university. So, you might not meet any conservatives from the MT or Acting program, but there are all of the other (boring!) majors :D</p>
<p>As a professor I have to say that any professor that would penalize a student for sharing an opposing view should not be a professor. I hope that in a college environment you will find professors who will encourage you to express the views which you hold. </p>
<p>However, part of the college experience is for a student to be exposed to views which are different than their own. Not to change your mind, but to open your mind to other points of view. A college professor should challange you to expand your horizons and grow. Everyone has different beliefs... it sounds as if you have already been in environments where your beliefs have been challanged. I do not think you need to worry about brainwashing :) You sound as if you are a strong person who can take in information and make your own decisions. </p>
<p>As you already know, theatre training is very challanging... in order to play a myriad of roles you have to be emotionally open, and be able to walk in another's shoes, being exposed to different view points is an important part of this training. </p>
<p>As far as finding kindred spirits goes... I think that you will find some like minded students (from a political standpoint) at any different schools. I would look for a program that you like, and if you are accepted then look into the kinds of political organizations that are on campus. Most large campuses have conservative political groups.</p>