OK, so how does one study MT if they don’t get into any of the BFA programs?
@kippythomas Thank you for your kind words!
I was able to log in to the AU portal and find out that my daughter was accepted academically but no mention of the program acceptance. Has anyone received their AU MT acceptance yet?
@MTMomof2 , one takes acting classes, private singing lessons, and dance classes. You can certainly get training without a BFA! There are also 2-year conservatories that have MT training without a college degree (CAP21 used to do that before they teamed up with Molloy. AMDA still has a 2-year program, I believe. )
Ok- i need some major advice. All input welcome and feel free to private message me!!! My daughter is really excited about a BFA MT program she was accepted to (Rider) and starting to feel like that’s where she’s supposed to be!!! (And they gave a decent academic scholarship) But tonight she got an acceptance and extremely generous financial offer from Muhlenberg that would make it by far the most affordable option- this really threw us for a loop! (Academic scholarship / talent $ & need based). I know both are good programs, but my D is not sure she wants a BA now that she has gotten so excited about the BFA. (And Rider’s option to minor in Arts Management). I don’t want her to make a decision solely based on money because i want her to go where she thinks it’s the best fit and will most help her get the training she desires to reach her career goals. BUT i also don’t want her to take on tons of debt so I think money should be a factor. We are struggling financially as my husband lost his job a year ago and it’s been rough!!! We just have no idea what to do! And our local friends/ family that are non theater people will be of little help because let’s face it- they don’t even know what a BFA or BA even is. Any Muhlenberg theater parents on this thread?? Have any previous CC families chosen a BA over a BFA? All advice TOTALLY welcome.
Take the more affordable option! My daughter got a BFA offer with only $10,000 scholarship and a BA offer that with scholarship monies will allow her to graduate debt free! She will be heading off to NYC with NO DEBT! This is huge. IMHO I am a single mother, one income and having college only cost $20,000 a year was a godsend. The money we saved on tuition she was able to attend a 7 week acting intensive class over the summer, take extra voice lessons and go into NYC for many wonderful opportunities…shows, museums, social projects etc. The BFA would not have allowed for this because of cost. If she had chosen the BFA I would have made it work but she would not be able to move to NYC at the end of college. She would have to get a job and start paying of her student loans.
PS ask Rider for more money 
@penpal11 You are welcome.
@jbtcat Thank you. You are so right. They will need to protect their strength and sense of self. Tough business.
@savedrama4momma I whole heartedly agree with @bisouu. We were taught a gazillion times over to not go into debt for these degrees because 1. They will not care if its BFA or BA (Can she sing, can she act? You’re good)
2. She will need her $$ for all of those auditions. There is nothing like being debt free or close to it. She has some amazing options. Maybe she can sit in on acceptance day to see if she “feels” like the school is where shes supposed to be. That part matters even more. The energy has to be there
@ilovemt Thanks, now we just need to keep reminding ourselves. 
@MTMOM17 - OMG- I thought the arts and sciences was a rejection! (My son applied for Acting).
@savedrama4momma I really think what is most important is how your daughter feels! If she is super psyched about a BFA, well then go for it! Also, how many students are in each program and what are their chances of performing? I don’t really know about the numbers at those two programs, but a small program can have benefits. Of course , financial considerations trump most things, but I’d listen hard to what she wants too! Good luck and congratulations on having options!!!
@MomofJ5 the College of Arts and Sciences is where the theater department is at the University of Miami.
I think we should be getting some kind of message in the portal tomorrow designating which program they are admitted to
Has anyone that’s been accepted to Emerson MT received financial aid info? S was accepted back in December and every few weeks when he checks his portal it seems they are asking for more documents to be uploaded before financial aid can be determined. S really wants to go back to visit while school is in session (we visited over the summer) but I am putting it off in hopes we’ll hear back on financial aid first. I called today to confirm they have everything they need and they assured me he would hear back in the next few weeks. This is the only school that’s been this difficult and drawn out in getting FA info and I’m wondering if anyone else is experiencing the same thing??
@savedrama4momma Can you visit both schools for their accepted freshman days? That could really help with the decision. But try to get away from looking at it as BFA vs. BA. Evaluate what you know of the programs and hopefully what you learn from another visit and think about where she can best grow as an artist and as a person.
@savedrama4momma: The program at RIder is amazing. My daughter is going through this process for the second year in a row. Last year she got offers from 4 great programs including Rider. We visited all 4, and she just didn’t feel that any of them was the right fit for her so we are trying it again this year with some new approaches. But back to your question about RIder. The program is so solid and with it being so close to the city, the kids can go in and audition easily. They are having good success with their graduates and the master classes are amazing. I recommend visiting on their Fine Arts Admitted Student day. You will get a great feel for the program, and I truly believe that is THE MOST important part of the decision. Your child will know after visiting. Find the right place for her first time around so that you don’t have to do this process again.
I’m curious why so many seem to think BAs are cheaper than BFAs. Tuitions vary from school to school, it doesn’t matter whether the student is in a BA or BFA program. My D is in a BA and it was one of the most expensive options we had last year. Had she decided on Pace, Calarts, Guthrie, Point Pk to name a few, I would have saved a ton of money! I think the only school that would have cost more than LMU would have been USC, and it would have been the same price had she been admitted to the BA or BFA program.
Agreed - the BA programs my D is considering are in line with the BFA and BM programs. At least in her assortment.
Any SCAD MT insight from current students or families who have visited?
I don’t think people are saying that BA programs are cheaper than BFA. In @savedrama4momma’s case, her child’s BA option at Muhlenberg is cheaper because of scholarships.