JakeBivens10

Alright so here is my situation. I just graduated from high school and it was always my intention to audition for a BFA MUSICAL THEATER program, but due to so many different things that occured during my senior year, I did not audition for any schools other than the in state ones (i live in idaho, and although schools offer Music majors and Theater majors..no musical theater). So i got accepted to my number one in state choice and was planning on majoring in theater and minoring in music, but i am not content with the fact that i will not be doing what i love, which is musical theater. I could attend the school for a year (2010-2011 academic school year) with the plan of transfering to a school and begin work on earning my BFA.. but due to the rigorous nature of this private school, i would have to give up my job and any participation in my local regional theater company. And auditions during the school year for BFA musical theater programs would be very stressful on top of that. OR i could take the year off, take private lessons, gain experience with my musical theater company and work to earn money. Then i would be able to audition without it being a huge stress. Ive pretty much come to the conclusion that taking a year off is the best decision, and that way i would have plenty of time to audition for 10 or so schools in hopes of getting accepted into a musical theater program for 2011-2012 school year. I keep wondering if taking a year off will look bad to schools and at auditions. Carnegie Mellon is among my top couple of choices and i want nothing more but to earn my BFA in musical theater. I do not know what to do, and i keep worrying that i have put myself in a horrible position. ANY suggestions?? any thing at all helps. Thank you -Jake

NJTheatreMOM

The gap year sounds like a good idea. So far as I know, schools don't look down on a gap year. On the other hand, transferring into a BFA program can be difficult.

I'd suggest that you post your question on the main MT forum to ensure more responses.

xatty

My D is at CMU and one of her classmates is a transfer after having done one year at another school - so, transfers do happen. One thing to note: if you are accepted and transfer to CMU you will not be able to use any credits you earn - you will go through the full four-year program. This is true for most, if not all, BFA programs. If your desire is to be in a BFA program, you are probably better off taking a gap year.

Carnegie2013

Hi Jake!
I am a Sophomore at Carnegie Mellon and there are plenty of students in the program who are transfers. In fact, one of my classmates (due to health reasons) completed a full 4 years of other studies at a different university before she was able to audition at CMU as an acting major. You are not in a horrible position!