The halls are alive with the sound of seniors trying to figure out where the h*** they should be going next year. They expect me to have the magic words that will tell them whether college or not is the right choice – and then IF college then theatre or not – and then IF theatre BA or BFA. Although all my suggestoins are spot on – or so I would wish – at times my crystal ball gets a bit clouded and I am not so able to see the future. BUT I don’t have to – the clues are all around you.
I ask students to look at the grades they receive on every test, every project, and every scene. In itself, a test truly means nothing. Who cares what you got on a test? In ten minutes that test will have no significance in your life. BUT the tests and grades do have a purpose. They are messages from the great beyond that are trying to tell you exactly what your next step is. Never look for important decisions in words – only in actions. There’s your best answer. I had a teacher long ago who offered this guide – and upfront I will tell you that it is very judgmental and negative about junior colleges. But, taking that into account, this is the theory:
When you throw all of the grades you have earned on various theatre projects, tests, and papers (and certainly you should toss in your academic grades) on the floor and looked at them as tea leaves in the cup, here is what they might say:
If you are led by “F’s” maybe college is not for you – – after all you didn’t like school – in fact you purposely sabotaged yourself – so just say no to college. You’ll find, should you ever get there, that college looks a lot like school.
If you are led by “D’s” then at best you should consider junior college (I know, I know this sounds very much against junior colleges). In what world does it become a good investment to spend hard earned money on your college education when you have a better then average chance of never seeing the return. Tread carefully; don’t spend unwisely.
If you are led by “C’s” then college may be a fifty/fifty option for you. You are as likely to see benefit as you are likely to regret the choice. This might be a case of maturity. Maybe once you leave home, and start paying bills, your maturity will kick in and you will become ideal college material. But monitor this maturity carefully. IF you do go to college – go to a larger university that allows you to change majors easily – because maybe the reason for the sub-par grades is that you are not yet working to your passions.
If you are led by “B’s” the world is saying, “go to college!” But with more “B’s then “A’s” – especially if this is in your theatre classes then I would advise the BA track and not the BFA track. Nowadays the BFA track is so ultimately competitive that you may get to the audition and find similarly talented people but people with a GPA just a point higher. Get to college – but be open to the BA choice.
If you are led by “A’s” – – especially in theatre classes then count your dollars, pick up the dice, toss a good roll and invest in your future. College is likely to worth the money.
Of course all of the above criteria does not take into account talent or maturity – – but do not ignore these clues – they are everywhere.