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wct · 10-13-2004, 12:33 PM

DizzyDani88-

I read your post on the MT thread and my suggestion would be this.....

Do as much research as you can on schools in which you have some interest.

As someone else posted, interview with an alumni or current student. I know that CMU gives prospective students a list of graduates from all over the country that you can schedule to meet with.

Read and research the curriculum that colleges offer. I know many students who don't take this step and go to a particular college because of where the college is located just to find that they aren't happy with the program. Compare the BA and BFA offerings. I know a student at a particular college, (actor) who is in the BA program but feels the BFA program is stronger.

At some point, after applications are turned in, when you find out where you have been accepted, or anytime for that matter, get a real feel for the college by visiting. In our experience, and yes it was a stretch for us financially, it really helped our S know whether a particular college was a good fit for him or not. That is the most important thing in my opinion. You will spend 4 years of your life in this "place" so you want to be happy there.

In respect to becoming a well rounded person (BA vs. BFA). I have heard this from many people. I would agree that those in many BFA tracks will not have the knowledge base in regards to high level math, science and some other subjects, but actors in BFA programs do learn about human nature, behavior, and anything in relation to their role or subject matter in a play/film because their job is to study people, places,and circumstances, (and in most cases different time periods). I happen to believe that if an actor takes his job seriously, and this is just my opinion, that these are wonderful lessons that will be learned in the course of an intense BFA program. I happen to believe this provides a great deal of exposure to many subjects that help to build a well rounded person.

10-13-2004, 12:33 PM	#6
wct Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: California Threads: 10 Posts: 419	BA vs BFA for actors DizzyDani88- I read your post on the MT thread and my suggestion would be this..... Do as much research as you can on schools in which you have some interest. As someone else posted, interview with an alumni or current student. I know that CMU gives prospective students a list of graduates from all over the country that you can schedule to meet with. Read and research the curriculum that colleges offer. I know many students who don't take this step and go to a particular college because of where the college is located just to find that they aren't happy with the program. Compare the BA and BFA offerings. I know a student at a particular college, (actor) who is in the BA program but feels the BFA program is stronger. At some point, after applications are turned in, when you find out where you have been accepted, or anytime for that matter, get a real feel for the college by visiting. In our experience, and yes it was a stretch for us financially, it really helped our S know whether a particular college was a good fit for him or not. That is the most important thing in my opinion. You will spend 4 years of your life in this "place" so you want to be happy there. In respect to becoming a well rounded person (BA vs. BFA). I have heard this from many people. I would agree that those in many BFA tracks will not have the knowledge base in regards to high level math, science and some other subjects, but actors in BFA programs do learn about human nature, behavior, and anything in relation to their role or subject matter in a play/film because their job is to study people, places,and circumstances, (and in most cases different time periods). I happen to believe that if an actor takes his job seriously, and this is just my opinion, that these are wonderful lessons that will be learned in the course of an intense BFA program. I happen to believe this provides a great deal of exposure to many subjects that help to build a well rounded person.