Son wants to combine engineering and musical theater

Parents Forum
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<p>What, exactly, is the OP’s son looking for out of his double major? Engineering certification AND a credential that would provide a meaningful leg up as a performer in the MT world? I have to believe that’s difficult, if not impossible. It’s not just, as many have said, that the academic demands of engineering programs are daunting for single majors, and that engineering programs leave less room for non-engineering courses than most majors. On the MT side, in any serious program, the hours and the competition are brutal. People who are serious about it work around the clock at both, and you just can’t do that at the same time.</p>

<p>But could you do engineering and perform in amateur musical theater regularly, outside of an academic conservatory program? Sure! Can you combine engineering and theater or music tech? I think lots of people do that, with or without a double major. Drexel I know has special programs for it.</p>

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<p>Hofstra has engineering and a minor in musical theatre (one of the few). It’s on Long Island just outside NYC.</p>

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<p>From discussions with some MT friends of mine it would be extremely difficult to major in engineering and MT. MT requirements can be very time intensive (being involved in multiple musical groups through the year). Engineering from the stand point of study time requirements can also be a time sink. Changing one to a minor would, of course, make it more manageable.</p>

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<p>Take a look at Lafayette College. One of the few liberal arts colleges with well regarded discipline specific engineering programs and they’re investing heavily in the arts. Double majoring in BS engineering and theater is tough but doable, or they also have an AB in Engineering studies.</p>

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<p>Music makes my son tick. But he never was interested in making it a major or a minor Music was is his passion, and it seemed that formalizing it into an academic major would take away the charm. (Plus the job prospects are not so great). To me I thought it similar to a writer that might not want to major in English. </p>

<p>He majors in Engineering, but he also does lots of music (sax, piano) and composing. And someday we expect he’ll buy himself the baby grand piano he’s always wanted.</p>

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<p>I agree with JHS and Erin’s Dad. </p>

<p>since both majors are VERY time demanding, a student couldn’t really do well at both. </p>

<p>Besides, doesn’t MT require a student to be at rehearsals and such at specific times outside of class? If so, that would conflict when the eng’g major has to work on a project or stay in a lab in the evenings doing various things. </p>

<p>another issue is paying for all of this. Some schools won’t give aid beyond four years. Your student wouldn’t likely graduate in four years, so aid could become an issue unless you’re paying all costs.</p>

<p>The engineering majors that I know can barely include any courses for interest. Some have found that they can’t even complete a minor. the exceptions have been when the student comes in with a LOT of AP credits AND the school allows generous credit for them (and not just elective credit).</p>

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<p>^That’s why a tech school like WPI or RPI may be a better bet, I think the music/theater programs there are more likely to mesh with the needs of an engineering student than at schools where there is a more diverse student body.</p>

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<p>^^^</p>

<p>How do those schools handle the req’ts for both majors? Wouldn’t they still require the same number of credits for both majors? Would they have over-lapping credits? (can’t imagine which ones would overlap outside of Core). </p>

<p>Or do you mean that these schools would somehow be more flexible about allowing an eng’g student more time to participate in MT req’ts, rehearsals, productions? </p>

<p>If so, while that may be so, it seems almost contradictory that a techie school would do that. JMO, but I imagine those schools to be filled with super-techie folks that put in gazillion hours of work to produce the best of the best projects. So, wouldn’t the student who has to divert his time to MT be at a disadvantage competitively? I’m just guessing this…I don’t have any real knowledge about this.</p>

<p>My sons’ undergrad is a flagship…not a techie school so maybe that’s different as you say… One a math major, the other Chem Engineering. Both very demanding. ChemE son rarely has time to attend a full home football game…often arrives at halftime, to just see the end…leaves early if the team has the game in the bag. I can’t imagine him having time to do something as demanding at MT. </p>

<p>Older math son did participate in the School of Eng’g’s theater group (yes the CoE has a theater group…it’s called CoE does ART…the ART stands for Amateur Radical Theater…and they put on 1 production per semester…and each production has 3-4 event times.). A student isn’t required to be in Eng’g to paricipate, but the CoE is who underwrites the group, and provides the theater/venue for their productions. The Dean of the CoE and the Dean of the Honors Colled are very supportive of this group because they feel that the acting, singing, dancing, and technical stuff all help with the social skills and presentations skills sometimes lacking in STEM majors. (who’d argue with that…lol???) Their productions are often musical comedies, parodies, etc…all are purchased rights of existing productions. It’s amazing how talented many of these kids are…they sing solos, duets, chorus, dance, and are very, very funny.</p>

<p>I’ve often wondered if math son’s participation helped with his PhD apps. I’ve wondered if schools accepted him, not only because he had super GREs and GPA, but because they figured since he had had leading roles, and sang solos, that he would be a good PhD candidate???</p>

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<p>Depending on what kind of engineering degree he’s interested in, I’d have to say that it is unrealistic to attempt a double major. Look if a MT department has a need for a designer. The Design focus may appeal to his technical side. IMHO ( or never to be HO) either take an engineering degree and audition for shows, or look for a BA or comprehensive theatre BFA where they do a musical or two a year. I tried a double at a Canadian school in Theatre and Astronomy. Guess the amount of requirements for night work clashed. Had to drop the Astro, but use my scope more than being on stage.</p>

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<p>Univ of Rochester has the school of engineering and Eastman school of music. I would suggest checking out how your S’s interests can be combined there. They also have a Take 5 program where you go for a 5th year for “free” in category outside your major. So if your son majored in Engineering he could take the 5 th year totally in music.</p>

<p>They have an open curriculum so it is possible to blend music classes into Engineering through a music cluster.</p>

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<p>Have a D who is an actor in Philadelphia. She went to a liberal arts college (Bryn Mawr) that didn’t have a theater major (there is a theater department and kids who want to major in it, create an independent major). Doesn’t matter if you’re performing or involved in the technical/set production aspect–it’s incredibly time consuming. My D participated in 2-3 productions during the school year and found that keeping up with coursework during those times was especially challenging.</p>

<p>I’d concur with posters above (JHS, Erin’s Dad, and Mom2)–it would, IMO, be difficult to manage both musical theater and engineering as a double major, maybe more doable with musical theater as a minor. OP didn’t say which of the two programs her son wants to pursue after college. If he wants to be an engineer, but loves some aspect of theater (either performing or production) then it might not be necessary to actually to do a double major or minor in theater/drama. Almost every college/university has student groups that put on productions. I’d look for a good engineering program at a university that also has active theater groups. The program Mom2 described (#28–CoE does ART) is the type of option that seems like a good fit for someone who wants to work in engineering, but has a passion for theater.</p>

<p>That being said–there are always kids who are strongly motivated and find a way to do it all and from the responses above, there seem to be places where a student could accommodate both interests.</p>

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<p>Check out Muhlenberg in PA - they have strong performing arts and also engineering.</p>

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<p>I would check out Allegheny College in PA! It’s a CTCL and a great school. I applied there, but got a bad need based financial aid package. Allegheny advertises “unique combinations” as their slogan. Many students double major in two completely different fields. One of the essays I wrote was actually about unique combinations (drama and communications). </p>

<p>Allegheny has a co-op in Engineering: [Engineering</a> Cooperative Programs Registrar | Allegheny College - Meadville, PA](<a href=“http://sites.allegheny.edu/registrar/academic-programs/study-at-partner-institutions/engineering-coop/]Engineering”>Engineering Cooperative Programs - Registrar | Registrar | Allegheny College)</p>

<p>Allegheny does have a theater program, but it isn’t musical theater. I’m not sure if you would be able to do the co-op and major in theater. You would have to ask Allegheny, but they would work with you since they’re all about different combinations. It may not be ideal, but just thought it would be an idea.</p>

<p>I got a $10,000 academic scholarship with a 3.398 and terrible SAT scores (Allegheny looks above test scores) when I applied. So, I’m sure if he has better stats, he could possibly get the trustee scholarship (which is like half tuition).</p>

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<p>One of the students who spoke at U of M’s orientation last week had just completed a double major in Engineering and MT. It had taken 6 years because hardly any classes overlapped. I got the feeling that she regretted the time spent on the Engineering part and she planned to work as a Music teacher.</p>

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<p>I also note that the artistic passion may surpass the interest in the engineering/math field. It seems to have been the case with my Dance/mathematical economics graduate son.</p>

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<p>MOMC is right. The MT forum would be the best place to discuss this unusual combination of majors. There have been kids/parents who have posted about this in the past. One young man was admitted to UMich in both Engineering and MT but it appears from a post in the past couple of days that he has dropped out of Engineering and continues in MT. It was going to take him five years, I believe. It’s a very unusual combination, a difficult road, and not one that would even be possible at most colleges. Keep in mind that most MT majors will require an audition.</p>

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<p>Some schools that come to mind that have musical theater or dance and may or may not have engineering. Whether they’re ABET accredited or not, I’m not sure.</p>

<p>UCincinnati, UCentral Florida, Wright State University, UWest Florida, Carnegie Mellon</p>

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<p>Growing up in Elbonia my passions were model airplanes and photography. I wisely avoided anything art related and also aerospace engineering because I knew back then that passions don’t make the best jobs. </p>

<p>Having said this, DD1 seriously entertained a minor in Music Theory and/or Performance alongside her Architecture degree, but wisely decided on something a bit more off-the-wall (Arabic Studies :)) but ultimately useful…</p>

<p>The bottom line - doable, especially at an ‘easier’ school, but at the same time one should plan for extra innings, and as parents at least, be aware of the ‘I can always do MT’ rationale for dropping out of engineering. If I were a bit more paranoid than I usually am I’d entertain the thought of engineering being the parent-approved major while MT being the passion-approved major. Much as I love my kids, I kinda doubt I’d cough up the cash for MT…</p>

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<p>Wow. I can’t thank you all enough. I’m going to share this thread with my husband and we’ll be talking about all of this with our son, of course. You’ve given us a lot to think about! I’ll also check this stuff out on the MT forum. Again, THANKS!</p>