Hello , I’m about to start my first year at community college, and I plan to transfer to a four-year university as a theater major. My problem is that I’m struggling to build a list of schools that I 100% love. I would have a great experience at any school on my list, but none of them impress me when it comes to their theater courses/performances. And then, when I look into schools known for their theater, I do love their courses/performances, but I don’t really like anything else about the school. I feel so conflicted, like I have to pick between a good theater school and a good school for me personally. Could you help me pick out some great colleges?
What I NEED from a school is good theater classes, good connections through the school (like they set me up for success in the theater industry), and a well-rounded education (I don’t want 100% of my classes to involve theater)
What I WANT from a school is lots of school pride, a good study abroad program, a pretty campus, a campus in or near a big city, a fun social scene, and a medium to large student body (I’d like to go to a big school)
I want that typical college experience with fun events, friends in different majors, and study abroad. I also want a great education and industry connections, if possible.
Please help me . Any advice is appreciated. Thank you!
I would also suggest double majoring in something in addition to theater—just to improve job prospects after graduation. Maybe it’s best to apply to several schools, and then see where you are accepted/what the financial aid picture looks like. Best to be choosy once you’re actually accepted into a variety of schools.
I’m guessing this doesn’t exist. As a field, it’s going to be difficult - high demand, low supply (and pay).
Study abroad can be done from anywhere - through that school or another program. But will have cost.
I’m not sure your financial need but that’s more important than anything you say. Some schools meet need for all students. Others are not near as generous for transfers.
So start with budget and perhaps your in-state school.
As you’re just starting CC, you have time.
Did you apply to / get into any four year schools last year?
Performing arts can be an elite-or-bust profession, so you may want to think of other career paths in case getting into it as a career does not happen, or at least something that can provide decent day jobs while you try to get into a performing arts career path.
No, I took a gap year to work and save up money, so I didn’t apply to any schools. My plan was always to go to community college first, since it’s more affordable.
So o don’t know your state or hs stats but you start with budget b4 any desires. What state are your from? How much can you siend a year ? What is your gpa, test scores?
What level in math, English, foreign language and social science did you achieve?
Thank you. I also have an interest in marketing, and I was considering minoring in it. But I decided against it because I didn’t want to overstretch myself academically.
OP, what about double majoring in education? (Particularly special education)—you’ll have an advisor that will help make things doable. You won’t overstretch yourself.
I’m from Florida and high school GPA was 3.5. I don’t remember most of my scores or anything like that. But I of course plan on grinding in community college since my dream schools are pretty prestigious (BU, NYU, etc). Also, I don’t want to go to a state school, none of them interest me. I love the schools on the West coast and North East the most.
Of all the business majors, marketing is considered the least rigorous. It’s not a knock. Someone suggested it and OP was worried about workload. They need a plan.
OP - what you described you want is not NYU and is most likely a state school but short of in state, it’s unlikely any will work. That you don’t want a state school is odd because based on what you described - most likely would be a state school. A VCU comes to mind but - you likely can’t afford it - I’m guessing but don’t know the budget.
You haven’t mentioned budget even though I asked a few times - ultimately that will drive your decision more than your desires.
Do well, figure out a budget and next year you can look at options.
Back when one daughter was considering majoring in music, a professor of music I know introduced us to someone who used to be a singer and dancer on Broadway (yes, THE Broadway). She had discovered that the pay is bad, New York is an expensive place to live, and you eventually get tired of playing the same music over and over again. She had gone back to university, gotten a PhD in voice, and at the point that we met her was also a professor of music (and was doing well).
I think that the point of this introduction was that at least music and musical theater is a tough way to make a living. I do not think that regular theater would be any easier. That particular daughter currently has a very different career as a veterinarian (which she seems to like a lot).
Do you know what your budget is for university without taking on any loans? I would be very reluctant to take on loans for a theater degree (or for any degree that does not immediately lead to an obvious reasonably lucrative career).
I did not think that BU or NYU meet need for transfer students, and they can be expensive.
I think that between budget, location, a good theater program, studying somewhere outside of the public universities in Florida, and a well rounded school, you are not likely to get everything exactly the way that you want it. I would not drop “budget” from the list of important considerations.
To me this seems sensible, particularly since you are not likely to get a full financial aid for somewhere like NYU or BU with a 3.5 high school GPA (which is a pretty good GPA, but not quite “NYU good”). I think that this is most likely a good way to start.
The schools you noted are notoriously expensive. Take your shot if the net price calculator results make sense. But if affordable options are in-state then please don’t dismiss those schools. You can always move after you finish college.
And one note about marketing majors – just be aware that in today’s world marketing typically involves a great deal of data analysis/statistics. And business majors have a separate core curriculum so a double major may be difficult to manage.
Agree that starting at a CC makes sense. An in-state public may make transferring CC credits easier but YMMV.
If you were my child, I would urge you to focus on getting a job after college that allows you to live comfortably. Education is the best way (or, one of the best ways) to improve your income/living situation. And in this country, currently, your life can be pretty good if you have money (meaning you can access good health care, eat healthy food, afford to have kids, not worry about where you are living etc) and pretty tough if you are low income. Accordingly, I would urge you to focus on making enough money to be comfortable.
I strongly support students who want to major in the arts. (Disclaimer, I have a freelance musician son with two degrees in music performance).
Here are my thoughts…my opinions.
It is extremely hard to transfer into TISCH at NYU, if that is what you are thinking. So check this out before you make this a plan.
I would suggest you do a LOT of technical theater and behind the scenes theater work. Things like lights, sounds, costumes, sets, stage management, directing, assistant director, choreography, make up, etc. There are jobs for those with the expertise to work behind the scenes. (Disclaimer, my DH was a freelance theater technician in the late ‘70’s, early ‘80’s in NYC…and still knows folks working in technical theater jobs now).
Building a theater resume is important…including on and off stage positions. So, what have you done, and what opportunities are available to you.
Make sure your community college choice has a good amount of theater opportunities.
I’m going to tag @happymomof1 . She has a student who started at a community college and finished at a four year. IIRC, it was technical theater, but perhaps this parent can provide some valuable perspective for you.
And my opinion…if you want to become a teacher, then do that. But if you do not want to become a teacher…please don’t do that!
And I forgot one important thing…transfer students are often less likely to get any kind of financial aid or far less (need based or merit) than incoming freshmen.
, I’m about to start my first year at community college, and I plan to transfer to a four-year university as a theater major. My problem is that I’m struggling to build a list of schools that I 100% love. I would have a great experience at any school on my list, but none of them impress me when it comes to their theater courses/performances. And then, when I look into schools known for their theater, I do love their courses/performances, but I don’t really like anything else about the school. I feel so conflicted, like I have to pick between a good theater school and a good school for me personally. Could you help me pick out some great colleges?
. Any advice is appreciated. Thank you!