Western Kentucky is an audition later school. The audition for the BFA takes place at the end of the Fall semester Sophomore year.
In terms of numbers of students auditioning, this is hard to say. I’ll actually know more in a few months since my daughter will be auditioning at the end of this semester. I believe there may be twice as many students as what is stated in the following excerpt from an e-mail sent to my daughter from Tracey Moore (now at Hartt) in July 2013
[Italics]You are reading the handbook correctly: students who are interested in the BFA are accepted as freshmen with the status “seeking admission.” They take all the classes required for the degree and are evaluated as though they are BFAs, but their status is not “fully admitted” until after that 3rd semester audition.
Right now, our program is growing a lot, so we usually have between 15 - 20 students entering as freshmen. By the time we get to that 3rd semester audition, there are usually about 6-8 students who will audition for full admission to the BFA program. Don’t be shocked by these numbers: it is actually a very natural progression. In those first three semesters, many students find they are not prepared for the rigor of the MT classes, or discover that they do not want to major in MT, or discover something else (design, directing, acting) that they love more, and so THEY decide that they are not going to audition. That usually accounts for about 8 to 10 of the initial 15-20. Then, there will be a few who are encouraged not to audition because the teachers do not feel they are going to pass. Then, there are some do not make it through the 3rd semester audition. Those people have a couple of different options. Some may choose to audition again (you get two tries). Some decide to complete a BA degree in theatre with a music theatre minor. (There are many differences between the major and minor, but the main one is the number of classes: MT majors, for example, have 8 semesters of voice lessons. Minors have 2 semesters.) Some decide to become BFA in acting and to minor in MT or dance. And a few – usually not too many, because people love being a part of the theatre & dance dept. – change majors to other programs all together, such as Business or Political Science.
Before I leave this question altogether, let me say one more thing. It may seem weird that we wait until the 3rd semester to audition, but here’s why we do it: If we base our decision on an early audition, you have ONE chance – just a few minutes – to “make it or break it.” We prefer to look at your work over the longer term. For example, how are you in classes? Are you a good student? Do you work hard and apply yourself? Are you a good citizen in the department? How do you treat the tech staff? How do you conduct yourself in tech classes? In backstage assignments? And, finally, if you are cast: How is your work as a performer? Do you show up to rehearsal on time, prepared and attentive? Do you respect the director? The choreographer? Etc etc etc. We are interested in finding out about you as a WHOLE person, not just the 3 minutes of our first meeting you and auditioning you. And here’s the other side of this: This 3 semester period ALSO gives you a chance to get to know US: Are you learning what you should? Are you being challenged and pushed by your teachers? Are you in the right level of classes or do you need to move up? Are you getting a chance to have your voice heard in the department, to contribute to your environment and make a difference? All of this is important.[/Italics]
I hope this helps. My daughter absolutely loves it at WKU and has no regrets about her choice. She just joined a sorority this year, was cast in a play, and is carrying 19 units. She barely has time to breathe and couldn’t be happier!