Good to know about the terminology, thanks. Yes I guess I’m talking about two majors. A BFA in dance and a BA in conservation/sustainability. The BS would be too hard to coordinate labs and DD’s interest is more policy than research anyway. But hanging out with black footed ferrets is pretty compelling. The BA might work if there’s flexibility. DH is adamant she add a second degree if she wants to dance in college. |
The majority of students at GMU are locals! |
Would you say the same to an athlete getting a scholarship to play a sport? As a professional dancer who has always balanced artistic and administrative work, I can say from experience that there are many ways to build an artistic life. I’m sorry you saw no way to do that yourself, but it sounds like OP’s kid has a different vision. The kid is planning to get two degrees. Awesome. But even if she wanted to do nothing but dance, that’s fine too. Mason’s dance program is amazing and she would be exposed to way more opportunities to grow as an artist than she would by joining a single company. And not all dance majors want to teach. I performed for 20 years without teaching. Every serious young dancer I know is great at managing their time and juggling academics and dance. I see no reason why OP’s daughter can’t make this work. Good luck! |
DS got 18k/year for OOS. 4.1 weighted/TO - 9 AP/IB/DE courses. |
I agree that the PP has a very limited vision of the opportunities. Sure it's not the same as getting a pre-professional major that sets you up for a clear trajectory, but people make it work and do far more than babysitting and temp work. That said, it's important to have some realism about it. I would look to graduates of GMU program and get insight on the range of things they have done and try to set herself up for paths that look most promising to her. Dancers are often highly disciplined, socially skilled (it takes a lot of social awareness to respond to partners/align yourself in choreography and communicate non verbally to an audience), and have body language that communicates confidence and poise--even if they decide not to pursue dance as their primary profession, these qualities are valued in a wide range of work environments. |
Oh, wow - I had no idea it was that high -you are correct. |
This is actually true. |
My niece graduated from the dance program two years ago. She was OOS. Lives on campus all four years. Had a great experience. But based on what she said it seems like the dance program was almost a school within the school (which isn't necessarily bad thing). |
I think that's true of many majors at a big school like Mason and especially true of a major that has an intensive component outside of classes like dance. If you want connections across the university it's not hard to develop them, but you will have the strongest community within your program. |
Not sure all the 75% live at home. There are lots of student buildings and townhomes in the area. They college kids I know all live with roommates not back at home. My friend's son lives off-campus, does visit home more often since it's less than 15min. away though. At UVA only 38% live on campus and lots of kids also go home often to visit. |
I think its a great thing! You have an instant community of friends from even before you step on campus. To this day I think my kids were successful at their college choices because they had that instant community of friends. |
OP- one of my kids went to GMU from OOS to play a sport and loved it. We had lived in the area previously and were skeptical that it was still a commuter school. Our child had a tight knit group of friends all four years (from the sports team) and a wonderful academic experience. I always heard about parties near campus, and they loved going into Clarendon and DC to the bars on the metro. Not every weekend but a lot. Lived on campus freshman year and off campus the other three years. |
This sounds terrific! |
That really sounds ideal. Did your niece feel that living with dancers 24/7 was limiting socially? DD would like to date a boy or two. Did your niece pursue other academic interests while at GMU? |
She didn't feel like she was limited socially. She was an RA and joined a sorority and did some other things I don't immediately recall. I know her social circle was not limited to dancers. |