Is it a turn off to big universities if I've developed a new interest?

Chance Me / Match Me
1

<p>My dream school is the PLME program at Brown because of the flexibility it allows, but also because I know that medicine is the major interest I want to pursue. But over high school, I’ve really fallen in love with the performing arts more and more, especially musical theatre. I really want to pursue this in college in some way, and I was hoping for a major or minor in theatre. However, because I don’t actually have much experience with that area, would that turn off colleges? </p>

<p>My academic data is :
GPA (weighted) - 4.94
GPA (unweighted) - 3.99
Rank - 3</p>

<p>SAT - 2150 (Math - 680, Writing - 720, Critical Reading - 750) I will be taking it again in June, so the score should go up.
PSAT - 226
SAT Subject Test Chemistry - 780 </p>

<p>AP’s - Statistics (4), Human Geography (5), English Language and Composition, Environmental Science, APUSH, and Calculus AB
next year taking AP Physics, AP Chemistry, AP English Literature, and AP Calculus BC</p>

<p>Discovery magnet program - completed two research projects, competed in various science fairs and won a couple of awards
state winner of Stockholm Junior Water Prize Competition, attended and competed at national competition in Boston
performed research at the local university over the summer and for my research project during the school year</p>

<p>NHS - junior officer
100+ volunteer hours at the library
Spring Valley Call 2 Action - Vice President, organized various fundraisers to raise awareness and money against problems like gender oppression, inspired by Nicholas Kristof’s Half the Sky
SVC2A blog contributor - we keep up with a blog dealing with major world or local issues; new entry every week
Mock Trial - 2 years, Best Witness award freshman year
Toys Co-chair (chair next year) of school’s Winter Days charity drive
Yearbook - copy editor</p>

<p>part of school’s honor choir, auditioned for All-State Choir, selected for Women’s Choir
in school’s production of Beauty and the Beast - ensemble
in school’s production of one acts (Katrina Project) - a short monologue</p>

<p>That’s the only real experience I have with performance, other than over 10 years of performances at the local Indian cultural events. I hope to be in a community theatre production this summer and take voice lessons, but I’m not sure I have what it takes to make a lasting impression with that, but it’s the only thing nonacademic that I actually love and am fairly proud of. </p>

<p>Other than the performing arts problem, what do you think my chances are of getting into Brown (I know that you can never really tell, but relatively), Duke, Johns Hopkins, Emory, or similar schools? </p>

<p>Also, if you can think of other schools with similar programs to the PLME and/or impressive theatre departments, I would really appreciate if you could tell me :slight_smile: </p>

<p>Or if you can think of any scholarships I can apply for with this, that would be amazing! </p>

<p>Thank you for reading all of this!</p>

2

<p>Brown PLME: Reach</p>

<p>Remember, if you want to apply to a program like PLME, keep in mind that it is very competitive.</p>

3

<p>Definitely a turn off. What you should do/what i would do is apply for the performing arts major as your first choice and another safety one as your next. Maybe also talk about why you are so interested in the performing arts in your essay and get rec letters from an old director. If you love it so much you should have no problem writing an outstanding essay. Just in general, try to bring up that SAT, 2150 is still very competitive, but with a bit of studying you might be able to get 2350+. Try taking the ACT if you can, but before hand be sure to practice.</p>

4

<p>Would it make more sense with my experience to go for a major in Biochemistry and just pursue musical theatre through extra curriculars at the university?</p>

5

<p>If i was you, i’d probably go for economics.
It’s all just your decision.
If you like biochem enough to the point where you will be happy doing it, then go for it. But if it is just something you are taking so you won’t end up jobless on the street, then you have to make the decision, if theatre is something that you are willing to pursue.
Have you thought about NYU Tisch?</p>

6

<p>I would definitely love to do Biochem as my major, because I really love both biology and chemistry and especially how they interact with each other. I also do really well in both biology and chemistry. And it would prep me plenty for medical school.
Theatre is something that I just absolutely love to do. I’m never happier than when I’m singing on stage ( I know how cheesy that sounds). </p>

<p>I actually haven’t heard much about NYU Tisch.</p>

7

<p>If you love both so much, just weigh it out for yourself and decide which one is more important to you. Ask yourself if in 10 years, you would regret choosing one over the other, and then you should have your decision.</p>

8

<p>NYU Tisch is so expensive; if there is a public school that still offers theater, pay attention to the costs. What state do you live in?</p>

9

<p>South Carolina</p>

10

<p>Are you sure Clemson isn’t an option?</p>