I’m a Freshman and I do choir, multiple local and school productions a year, an Opera Academy program, and voice lessons. Is this dedication enough to show Ivy schools that I am committed to Theater? I feel like I’m lacking.
Welcome to CC. You seem to be conflating many errant things by your question.
-
The “Ivy Leagues” by and large, do not admit by major (theatre studies, e.g.).
-
By “Ivy Leagues” do you specifically mean those 8 Ivies or “top schools” in general? When students say “Ivy Leagues” – it’s generally a blunt label much more than any studied analysis of the hows and whys of choosing to apply to any school. Often, it’s naked prestige chasing. It’s like asking your cousin his ideal future wife and he says: “I want a hot babe!”
-
Selective colleges’ first criteria is spectacular academic achievement and potential.
-
People who actually attain admit offers to top schools aren’t asking if they “show” enough dedication. They’re confident in their choices and strive fwd regardless.
-
The theatre scene at the 8 Ivies varies greatly. Some more homework is required on your part here.
–Freshman year is too early to think about any specific colleges.
–For a chance at an Ivy or equivalent school you need a complete package which in addition to strong ECs must include (but is not limited to): high degree of course rigor, outstanding GPA, outstanding standardized tests, outstanding LORs, outstanding essay and admission package. Even then, with admission rates generally under 10% it is a crapshoot.
–The Ivy league is a sports league. There are many other amazing colleges and universities out there outside of the Ivy League.
–Make the most of your HS experience and come back when you are a junior.
@happy1 I see nothing wrong with a freshman questioning here and planning ahead.
It sounds to me like you are doing plenty in theater - my recommendation would be to try to secure a “leadership” position in one of the activities you are currently doing as you progress through high school. Colleges look more at quality and dedication than number of activities.
Since you’re still young, in general, try to keep your grades up, GPA matters and take the PSAT’s for practice if you can, at least by your sophomore year. Other than that, relax and have fun!
@Fishnlines29 Well we will have to agree to disagree on that. Our HS guidance team told us not to even mention college until the end of sophomore year and I felt that was very sound advice. HS is not just a 4 year college prep school – it should be an experience in an of itself – a time to learn, grow, socialize etc. IMO too many kids approach HS thinking “if I do ABC I can get into college IVY” and I happen to think that is a mistake.
And in terms of planning ahead, IMO students in their freshman year should do the best they can in the most rigorous schedule they can handle and get involved in things they enjoy. They should not be targeting a group of 8 hyper-competitive schools.
If the OP asked “I love theater and can you give me ideas of how to get more involved as a high school student” that would be a different question. The OP’s question IMO is only “is this enough for an Ivy League college” which to my mind is not the best way to go about choosing activities.
But I gave my advice and you give yours. Nothing at all wrong with a respectful difference of opinions.
@ happy1 Well, I certainly agree with everything you said here ^
I think our advice is similar actually, teens have way too much stress these days and socialization and having fun are certainly important. Also, no need to get into an IVY to get a great education, there are so many excellent schools out there.
If you are serious about vocal performance and theater, then you probably don’t want any of the Ivys. You want a program with a track record of launching your career. So start by reading through these sub-forums:
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/theater-drama-majors/
As for the question about it being too early to think about college, it is never to early to start the money conversation with the parents. The OP should also address that issue.
@Jane2002, my daughter right now is applying to schools and she would like to major in theatre. She is applying to several ivy league schools. It was mentioned that you should do more research on theatre programs. The big decision for theatre kids is whether you want to get a Bachelor of Fine Arts in theatre or get a BA. You are accepted to BFA programs largely based on an audition. Your acadmics are secondary to that audition. It is extremely difficult to double major at a BFA. There are not any BFAs at Ivy Leagues. When you hear about the Yale Drama School, it is their graduate program. They do have theatre as a major. My daughter did not love Yale so she did not research it that much. Brown has an excellent theatre program. You can be onstage within weeks of arriving to campus. The program seems very supportive. There is flexibility that will allow you to double major. Columbia shares its theatre program with Barnard with all of the facilities on the Barnard campus. It is a strong program with a lot of access to internships. This is the 2nd year that Harvard has theatre as a concentration (major). Their program is growing. They have a great relationship with American Repertory Theatre which may also provide access to internships. From what we understand, Penn and Princeton do not have theatre as a major. She was not interested in Cornell so we know nothing about its program. Dartmouth supposedly has a good program, but my daughter was not interested in that school.
If you are thinking about this caliber of school, please look at Northwestern. They have almost a hybrid BFA/BA. Their program is stellar. It gives you a lot of a BFA style education and allows you to double major. There is a ton of theatre going on constantly. The alumni connection is incredible.
Read a ton of plays. See a ton of plays. Build sets. Sew costumes. Write a play. Direct a play. Basically, look at theatre from every angle. But, do this because you love theatre. Do this because you really want throw yourself into theatre constantly. Don’t do it just to pad a resume during the next 4 years.