<p>I just finished what would be my junior year in the US. Problem is, I’m a U.S citizen living and studying my high school years in Spain (so I’ve been here for what will be 3 years in Sept.). Singing and writing have been my passions for a long time, so I have no doubt about sticking to them. As I know very little about college, except for the few things I’ve been researching these past few weeks, I’ve learned that it would suit me to complete a BFA. My life before the Big Move to Spain was in NY, so my choice for college would be withing NYU. However, I’m in desperate need of financial aid and I’ve read that NYU doesn’t offer financial aid to international students. Though I was born in Spain, I am, as I’ve mentioned, a U.S. citizen, too. Does this policy affect me? And if it does, does that mean I need to enter college as an international student because I’ve done high school abroad?</p>
<p>Please and thank you!</p>
<p>I’ve just looked up a few more things and there’s another thing I don’t understand: If I stick to writing under a BFA, doesn’t that mean Creative Writing isn’t a choice? 'Cause I haven’t seen Creative Writing anywhere under BFA, just Playwriting and such. Can anyone clarify this for me?</p>
<p>Again, thanks.</p>
<p>Are you writing specifically about NYU, or other programs? And by creative writing do you mean a specific genre? I teach creative writing at an undergrad institution. I have never heard of a creative writing BFA, only a major. In some places (such was where I teach) CR is a concentration under the auspices of an English major. On the other hand, there are many MFA programs for creative writing.</p>
<p>You should check with NYU about how they will classify you in regards to international status. I suspect that you will not be considered an international student, given that you are a US citizen. Where you did high school does not usually matter in regards to your international status (i.e. non-US students who do their entire high school in the US are still generally considered international students if their citizenship is from elsewhere). </p>
<p>Given that finances are a factor, have you considered any of the many other fine schools in and around NY other than NYU?</p>
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<p>NYU is notoriously tight-fisted with everyone. Agree with violin dad about checking directly with NYU or any institution in defining your status. </p>
<p>BFA for the writing or music? Agree completely with glassharmonica, the CW is most often designated as a concentration within an “English” BA major. </p>
<p>For the music, know the differences between BA, BM, and BFA offerings. The BM/BFA are more credit intensive within the major, the BA will tend to have more liberal arts requirements.</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/561184-help-understanding-ba-vs-bfa-vs-bm.html?highlight=understanding[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/561184-help-understanding-ba-vs-bfa-vs-bm.html?highlight=understanding</a></p>
<p>Great place to start <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/258796-so-you-want-music-major-one-familys-experience.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/258796-so-you-want-music-major-one-familys-experience.html</a></p>
<p>Glassharmonica: From what I’ve been reading, it seems I should be looking into the College of Arts and Science (Program? Not familiar with the terminology). I’d like to specialize in fiction, if that’s what you mean. I was wondering the same thing, which is why I mentioned I hadn’t found anything on Creative Writing under a BFA. Does this mean I should just major in English? I’m a little confused. And is the MFA for a major in English or Music?</p>
<p>Violindad: Yes, I agree on contacting NYU and I plan to do so as soon as I contact the U.S, Embassy here in Spain. As for the location, I’m somewhat bent on NYU, but I can consider alternatives if there are absolutely no possibilities of me studying there.</p>
<p>[NYU</a> > CWP > Undergraduate Program](<a href=“http://www.cwp.as.nyu.edu/page/undergraduate]NYU”>http://www.cwp.as.nyu.edu/page/undergraduate)
[NYU</a> > CWP > Minor in Creative Writing](<a href=“http://www.cwp.as.nyu.edu/object/cwp.ug.minor]NYU”>http://www.cwp.as.nyu.edu/object/cwp.ug.minor)
Looks like at NYU CW is available as a minor, not a major. I meant MFA programs in creative writing. As someone who teaches creative writing and thinks that writing workshops can be wonderful tools in the development of young writers, I would advise against majoring in creative writing. Major in a discipline such as English (or music!) and take creative writing courses as a minor or concentration.</p>
<p>correct,violindad. I attended an American high school overseas and the colleges will mostly, including UCs and NYU classify you as out of state. However, I remember UW-Madison classified me as an international student</p>
<p>In case the OP doesn’t understand the acronym - an MFA is a master’s degree which one receives after one gets an undergraduate degree. An MFA in Creative Writing is very common - and I completely agree with Glassharmonica - the OP would be better served to get a BA in something else - anything else - and pursue creative writing as a minor. Time enough after undergraduate work to get an advanced degree in creative writing.</p>
<p>violadad: I’ve finally found the time to read the posts you recommended about that one family experience and it has answered a lot of my questions about auditioning. However, I’d like to say that my music classes ended in 8th grade, right before we moved. My music teacher at school taught me privately for free (while other students did extracurricular activities at school). Had I needed to pay, I wouldn’t have been able to take his classes. That is mainly the reason I haven’t been able to continue classes over here and what little of theory I do remember is mainly from my four years playing the violin (grades 4 to 8). So, basically, I know that affects me in comparison to other students who have taken up private lessons, but I don’t know how that would affect me regarding auditions and such.
As for the CW/Music BFA, apparently I can’t exactly major in CW if I want to keep looking into NYU, so I’m guessing it would be a BFA for Music. I’m getting flashed a thumbs-down at every turn, apparently, so I need to research about that more. I really appreciate all the help!</p>
<p>Glassharmonica: Thank you for the heads-up! I don’t understand how I could have overlooked that, but iit seems to narrow some things off the list, whether I want to or not, I suppose. You teach CW? Would you tell me what your major is? Thank you!</p>
<p>SpiritManager: So, does this mean that people who have minored in CW have then strived for an MFA? I thought you could only get a Master’s through your major…? Your comment has left me a little confused…</p>
<p>americanspaniard, at the university where I teach, CW courses are taught through the English department. (I think that was what you meant when you asked my major. I teach fiction and creative nonfiction.) A student cannot major in CW, but can do a CW concentration in various genres, i.e., fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, or dramatic writing. There are actually a large number of courses to choose from, but for the most part under the auspices of the English department. (Some courses, such as children’s writing are taught through the grad school for education.) I have had many students apply for MFA degrees in writing; it is not necessary to have majored in English or CW. You can apply to MFA writing programs from any major. You are being judged mainly by your writing sample, and to some extent your scores, letters of recommendation, transcript, etc. I don’t see why you could not apply to MFA writing programs with a BM degree. MFA writing programs tend to be very small and very selective.</p>