<p>I know of coaches who have recommended acting because they feel that is the student’s strength and their best opportunity to be accepted to the programs in which they’re interested. By no means was it considered a “back up” plan. Just their honest opinion of how competitive the student will be when applying to schools. A good coach will be honest with a student about that. It by no means is meant to say that student should never pursue MT. I would encourage them to train in voice and dance while pursuing an acting degre if they go that route. I would just assume the coach feels at present that the student is more competitive in terms of acting and perhaps less competitive in the MT arena and is just counseling them on where they might be most successful during college auditions.</p>