<p>Hi Halflokum:</p>
<p>This is one of those topics that comes up with some parents and students alike, i think. Some kids that are really gifted in theatre are interested in other academic areas too…and maybe were high achievers academically in high school as well…or their parents are concerned that they might change their minds later, and would like them to be at a school where they feel like another major is not only accessible, but might have some acclaim behind it too. They might also just like the idea of being surrounded by high achievers, regardless of major. For reasons unknown , a lot of the BFA MT (especially) programs are not housed at academic powerhouses…though of course some are. Though i imagine all of the schools with BFA’s in MT have students attending them that could have attended more prestigious schools. I guess i was just making the point that if you must have both, there are schools that offer both. I certainly don’t think its a requirement </p>
<p>I agree with you in a bunch of ways, though! </p>
<p>My daughter is at a PERFECT school for her…truth is her dream school was the University of Michigan, a “have-it-all” school on the list…and it was for years. If she had gotten in in the end i am sure we would have moved hell and high water to get her there. If we could have. In the end, she didn’t get into the University of Michigan…she asked for two days to “get over it”…and truly she didn’t look back. The rest of the pack was made up of lovely schools that fit what she was looking for in myriad of different ways…none was exactly alike, a none were similar to UM in their highly acclaimed BFA MT program, coupled with the academic powerhouse reputation, BIG school culture, and all the things that go along with that.</p>
<p>Webster’s acting-heavy approach to the MT major is right up her alley. She loves the classic acting training she is a part of…she loves not having to take any more math! She is smitten with the conservatory approach in every way…so, so different from her “dream school”, yet turning out to be so right for her. She can take some GE classes (there are a few required), but there won’t be many. My guess is Webster’s academic threshold for admittance is well below UM’s or several of the other “have it all” schools…i think some would say that that might not allow her to mix with others that are wired for grand pursuits, whatever their field. There may be some truth to that, but in the end most of these kids, mine included will be 21 or 22 years old when they finish…and if mine decides that “grand academic pursuits” await her, she is free to continue her education at any school available to her. In the meantime, she is definitely meeting and interacting with all kinds of amazingly gifted people every day, despite the fact that her school had no Fullbright students (that i know of anyway!)!</p>
<p>That all to say that you are right, it doesn’t matter at all, unless it matters to you or your kid.</p>
<p>Hope things are going well for your girl!!</p>