<p>Hello all, I'm new here. I'm just beginning to get my college goals nailed down as I'm in the summer before my senior year in high school. My passion is singing and performing, I was raised in it, both my parents are theater majors and my mother is a dancer as well. I want to do all kinds of performing - movies, television, recording CDs, and especially Broadway, and I want to get started young since I already am behind. I want to go to auditions, meet connections, and start networking WHILE I am getting a college degree, and I know NYC is probably the best place to do this. My parents are both urging me to NOT major in theater, as their degrees (from Kansas University) have not served them well, so I've considered a double major in journalism, my other passion (is this double major, MT and journalism, even possible?)</p>
<p>I'm so nervous about all of this, and I don't know what to do. I want to go to Tisch, but it is very expensive. I've thought about Ithaca as well. Please give me guidance and suggestions!</p>
<p>Many people will give you various ideas, but I have one they won't think of - check into Texas Christian University (TCU) in Ft. Worth. They have an excellent journalism / communications school and a BFA theatre that allows various concentrations, one of which is MT. Many theatre students there also get into radio / TV / film and end up going into film / movie work in CA rather then to Broadway. I think their BFA theatre program is one of the few that actually allows time for a double major without staying extra years. </p>
<p>I think you might find this more difficult at Ithaca, for example, where your BFA theatre or MT degree will have many requirements and allow little extra time to take another major. Ithaca does have good journalism, I understand, as do many schools. Not sure whether this would be allowed at Syracuse, either, but journalism is one of their highest ranked programs.</p>
<p>Northwestern and IU could be explored, as they offer theatre programs with more flexibility, also.</p>
<p>Many colleges help you with summer or semester internships, so your networking can likely begin in college.</p>
<p>ActionTenor: How are your academics? From what I understand in your OP, you already have a good establsihed skill set in performing and want to continue with these (and audition etc) and attend college in NYC, but not necessarily to study or major in theater, correct? </p>
<p>My D had a similar goal in mind when making her college choice: she did not want to necessarily major in dance/MT but wanted to attend a good academic program and wanted to go to school in NYC where she could audition and possibly work (which she has done).</p>
<p>If your academic standing/stats are good, would you consider Columbia? Particularly if journalism is your goal? They are certainly NOT known as a performing arts school, but as I understand your post, you have a strong background already in that area and your parents (and you) really want you to have your college experience create other strong options for you...This is the path my D also took. She is a neuroscience major (or plans to be when she declares her major next year) at Barnard College (which the women's college affiliated with Columbia). She plans to minor in dance and has successfully auditioned in the city for summer jobs and had some amazing experiences at open calls for Broadway shows...</p>
<p>All the best to you in your search....</p>
<p>My academics are decent, all A's with the exception of one B. I got a 29 on the ACT and an 1850 on the SAT Reasoning, which I plan to take again. I've thought about Columbia, and I want to be in or close to NYC, but money is an issue (I do have a college fund, though, that has about $60,000 in it.)</p>
<p>ActionTenor,</p>
<p>My s is also going through the college process now and we are not sure where to start. Have you toured any colleges yet? Spoke to anyone at the schools you are looking into? Hopefully we will both get through this "fun" time with all our hair intact. Please keep posting on what you find out as you go through the process and we will do the same. Also if anyone could give us a sort of timetable as to what should go first and what we should be doing next or should have already done WE WOULD BE EXTREMELY GRATEFUL! </p>
<p>Thank you all for your time.</p>
<p>I think the first thing you should do is sit down and talk. Make a list of the qualities that you most desire in an institution and in a MT program. Next make a list of the characteristics that are "deal breakers" for you.</p>
<p>Now the research; there are many different methods researching programs and here is one suggestion.
Make a list of all the programs that you can find (there are very good resources linked here at CC.) Look at the program websites, CC threads and e-mail/call the institutions with any questions you may have. Then separate the list into categories (strong match/possible match/no match) Try to decide how many schools to which you plan to apply.</p>
<p>The next part is to find out as much as you can about each school starting with your strong match list. How you do that will partially rely on financial considerations. If you can't visit the schools, then make sure you talk to people from each school to try to get a feel for the program and the audition process. Ask questions about the admissions process to get an indication of academic eligibility. As you eliminate schools from the "strong match" category by learning more about them, fill in from the "possible match" category. Last, choose a couple of non-audition safety schools. Once you have your list, then it's time to plan the auditions. There are a number of wonderful CC threads on organizing all the data and preparing your audition material so I won't rehash it, but don't be afraid to be flexible. Say it's October and you have your plan in hand and someone tells you about a college they visited and loved. Research the school and add it to your list if you like it. We have had wonderful auditions from students who found out about our program a month before the auditions and were able to grab a cancellation appointment.</p>
<p>Part of the planning is determining whether you will audition on campus or at Unifieds (if that is an option.) If you are auditioning on campus, look at the school's performance schedule and see if you can see a performance while you are on campus. Also, if you don't visit the schools before or during the audition, make plans to visit the schools to which you are admitted before you make your decisions...while there are students on campus. I truly believe you will know which program is "home" for you.</p>
<p>Best wishes to all our rising seniors!
Michele</p>
<p>Thank you Michele,</p>
<p>I believe you gave me some wonderful advice at the FSU thread as FSU is on the top of the list for my son.</p>
<p>mtboymom - I'm willing to help you sort through this process and just sent you an e-mail.</p>