<p>It’s great that you are excited about so many things! That will serve you well in life.</p>
<p>I agree that your list of what you want is really long, and you’ll have to make some choices, but really everyone does. Look at the spirited discussion on the Ithaca thread - it shows that you can have just as strong feelings about location and the vibe of a school as well as about anything else. </p>
<p>I would recommend making a list of 3-5 really important characteristics that you see yourself needing in college. You’ve listed a few already: balanced combination of theatre and academics; opportunities to do MT without having to major in it; and maybe some geographical considerations. Schools will start standing out in your mind as they fit those needs. You’ll be able to eliminate schools that don’t meet those criteria pretty easily, and you’ll feel less overwhelmed. </p>
<p>I’m guessing you’ll have a mix of BAs and BFAs on your list. Lots of people do - because they want time to make up their minds, because they could see themselves at either one, and because the differences aren’t as stark as you might assume. So make your list based on schools as a whole, not so much the degrees themselves.</p>
<p>Your initial list is pretty good - I am impressed. I do think a few might come off, as people have already mentioned, such as Fordham for not doing musicals, for example. I don’t think Sarah Lawrence is very MT focused, although I’m sure there are the kinds of classes and lessons you say you are looking for. Northwestern and Muhlenberg are great BA choices from what you have already posted.</p>
<p>Definitely look at how Acting and MT interact, at each and every school. My D visited Wagner, and she felt that MT very much overshadows Acting, too much for her taste, but it might be all right for you and your needs. Look at the online posted curriculum for any school you are interested in - there is a ton of information out there, and you can chart out a possible 4-year plan for yourself pretty easily. That is helpful in deciding where to apply and also in making your final decision among acceptances.</p>
<p>My D built a list of BAs with strong training and BFAs with strong academics, and she ended up with really great choices - in the end she has been very happy with her school (in a BFA combined with Honors College, at Adelphi University - which I don’t really recommend to you because they do virtually no musicals there). I do think fishbowl is right, that in terms of intensive studio training, there is only so much time in the day, and someone who spends more time in academic classes does give up some theatre “intensity.” But on the other hand, that can appeal to certain people and be how they want to spend their college years, and how they want to be educated. Life is long, and as she says, you can always pursue more training or graduate work afterwards.</p>