<pre><code> She cannot declare until next year, but she needs those 18 credits of studio art under her belt before officially becoming a BFA art major. You are right that it seems there isn’t a BFA program because she cant take the needed studio credits to get into it. So is it really there? Also the bottom line is that it is still ridiculous to not let her take any studio credits this fall since she came there to focus on fine art. SiS and Communications freshman have sections put aside for them that NO UPERCLASSMEN can touch. So should be for the BFA program.
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<pre><code> Also, she is not supposed to be strictly taking all gen eds the first year which is what is happening here. You need to take 73 credits in the BFA art program. That is alot of courses to not be starting freshman year with this.
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<p>Also, The fine arts registrar specifically said in order to OBTAIN a BFA, you MUST start freshman year taking those studio courses to finish on time!!!</p>
<p>Cadmiumred
I think your daughter needs to make a decision, up to and including sitting out first semester if she is not going to get into the school she wants to be at. It is a bit late to try to fix this, clearly AU is not well versed in Fine Arts, or this would have never been an issue, nor would it ever been misunderstood. If you daughter wanted an intense, direct Fine Arts School, then AU is not the place for her to go. There are many schools that would fit her needs, as you know, work on those. If you daughter still wants to go to AU, then make that decision, if not, let it go.</p>
<pre><code> Thank you for your post. I have not dealt with admissions, only the advisor, Office of Provost, and fine art registrar. Tried calling President’s office with no results.Today, one of the head advisors said that they were working on opening possibly another section of art studio 200 levelbecause of the demand but didn’t have anyone scheduled to teach it yet. It would take a while and would affect my daughter’s schedule. I called back the assistant to the provost who says now that she has no power over the art department, the Dean of arts and Sciences does. The advisor apparently is working with the Department of Arts and Sciences. I asked why my daughter cant just be placed in an advanced course, but they are dragging on this, because the Head of the Art Department is on vacation and they say they may not get to him for a long while. They continue to say that they need to talk to him, but other sections may be opened. Everything seems so iffy.
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<pre><code> Thank you as always for your responses. I already talked to this so-called Asst. to Provost today and don’t know how I could get her to put writing her lack of power over the art department. She isn’t even capable of calling me back when she says she will. It is weird that they are all saying now, that the Dean of Arts and Sciences is the one who has power over the art dept. One of the FIRST administrators I called was the Dean of A & S. but was immediately switched to the Dean of Academic Affairs who was very cold and made that statement that it is easy to add students to Math and Econ classes but never studio art. He never called me, never followed up, never lifted a finger to help us. He was not at all aware of the BA in Studio Art or BFA Studio requirements or policies. Does AU staff sit and twiddle their thumbs all day??? I have to wonder. What is holding up placing the seemingly only incoming art major into a studio class, REQUIRED for the B.F.A. Pre-requirement??? The Pre-requiremnts for BFA are clearly presented in catalogue. Aren’t they obligated to place her these classes? She is not supposed to take straight Gen Eds the whole year. They are supposed to be spread out!!!
The advisors do not know how long it will take for a new class section to be approved or to find a teacher to teach it. I would teach it for free since I have degrees in Art, just so that my daughter could get in a class. Also the establishment of her feshman schedule is being placed on hold because of all this, putting her at a disadvantage for getting all of her other courses. They also suggested my daughter check in with the other advisor who came back from her vacation and the art registrar, like my daughter has all the time in the world with her finals do deal with the runaround and lack of resolution.
<pre><code> Could you please place my daughter in a studio art class? She is a freshman intended art major for the B.F.A. program. Please help an innocent, serious high school student get her required classes. She was sold on AU’s art program by your staff. Please stop telling us that no one has any power to correct this.
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<p>Don’t assume that staff members from American University are reading this thread. This forum is in no way associated with the university itself.</p>
<p>Okay, I went back to the beginning and found this in Cadmiumred/Upsetmom’s second post:</p>
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<p>Based on the above, I know your daughter will get into these classes, although it may not be official until the first week of classes. She was accepted as a potential B.F.A. student, and so they will make room for her. The above comments made by the Fine Arts registrar imply that there won’t be a problem unless the professors block your daughter – and I doubt that will be the case. “High on the waiting list” means that they expect to get her into those courses. However, since it’s not up to her, the registrar doesn’t want to promise anything. </p>
<p>As for the “rarity” of advanced courses being possible, ignore that as well since you say your daughter is an award-winning artist. When I was an entering freshman at a different university, I thought I had to wait for advanced creative courses until I was a sophomore because that was what everyone – and the course catalogue – said I had to do. However, as soon as I introduced myself in the two departments I planned to major in, the chairs immediately placed me in advanced courses. It seems that they had been expecting me, based on the samples I had included with my application. (I now have an M.F.A., not in visual arts.) I suspect that your daughter will discover the same when she arrives on campus.</p>
<p>I know enough how universities work to understand from the comments that all will be well in the fall. Yes, I’m not familiar with B.F.A. programs and especially not the one at American, but I know how anxious departments, particularly small ones, are to attract and keep potential majors. They will not let your daughter fall through the cracks.</p>
<p>When is orientation? Does AU have one in the spring or summer, or is orientation right before school starts?</p>
<p>Cadmiumred, you are stress out.
Your letter is not as compelling and explanatory as your previous posting.
I suggest that you include the following:
Introduction: My daughter was admitted at the …she selected AU because (three sentences). Write the problem, your request and solution. Avoid criticizing the personnel or staff (I know you are frustrated, but be super positive in your letter/Be polite. Just now you are very upset and we understand).
Include in your first paragraph: The information provided to you by the university (expectations in the conference and information from the catalog)
Second paragraph: The courses your daughter should be taking to graduate and for her to not be behind her graduation schedule.
Last: Request for her to be enrolled…
E-mail your letter to the Director of Admissions, President and Head of Department.
Best wishes!</p>
<pre><code> Thank you for your encouragement. My duaghter’s orientation is June 18, 19. This is right around the corner, and I am concerned that her schedule needs to be set(according to them), long before this event. It is being held up because of this mess. I was told if you don’t hold spaces for courses right now, the odds are low that you will get them. (Advisors office say this). The temp schedule of courses sent to my daughter, had her art studio class replaced by a communications course and at exactly the same time as her writing course. Then they asked her in an email, should they drop the communications course to wait for possibility of an art course or should they secure the communications course and move her writing course to another time. How is my daughter supposed to know what to do? Are they getting her an art course or not?
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<p>This is not rocket science or curing a major disease. This is so incredibly easy to solve and taking up alot of time for all. I appreciate everyone who has taken the time to post on this discussion board.</p>
<p>Your D has chosen to pursue her BFA in a place where this degree is atypical. Personally, I would question the quality of the program and what her curriculum will be vs. what other art students will be pursuing in established art schools. Since she is determined to pursue the BFA (instead of the BA degree) she will be unable to double major or even possibly minor. So therefore, what is the benefit you are seeking by having her pursue the BFA degree at American?</p>
<p>Have you ever done a mock schedule through all 4 years of her program to have some idea of what liberal arts classes she will be able to take while pursuing the BFA degree? I think you willl be surprised with how few classes there will be room for and by the fact that ultimately you may be talking about one introductory math class, one science class, etc. Nothing on an advanced level that will make a profound difference in her ultimate education.</p>
<p>However, if she was in a better BFA program, the impact on her art education can be immense. Not only in terms of the quality/breadth of the art classes she is exposed to, but in the networking opportunities she may be missing out on.</p>
<p>Your D can pursue other liberal art courses by taking advantage of summer classes or independent studies, etc. Personally my main concern would be that the quality of her major (especially one requiring so much of her time)–be top notch.</p>
<p>I received a pretty good call today!! Apparently, there may be a new chair of the art department. Also, the senior academic advisor in Arts and Sciences, the fine art registrar, and the Dean of Arts and Sciences worked together to create a new section of Painting 210 geared for incoming art majors and existing art majors!!! They are offering her some other opportunities as well. regarding other courses. Well I hope this all works out and that it will be much easier next time. Thank you all again! </p>
<p>Special thanks to Cherryhillmom, Uskoolfish, Mini, Jerzgirl, MommaJ, MomwaitingforNew and everyone who posted. You really offered productive suggestions that I used and obviously helped me a great deal!</p>
<p>My post above was only to get you to think about the reasoning behind sticking with AU or not. I totally understand your frustation and disappointment with how they are handling your daughter’s scheduling issues. And I understand that this is still an issue whether or not she goes for the BA or BFA degree in fine arts. In either case, she hasn’t been able to register for studio classes!</p>
<p>I truly understand your dilemma and as I have said in previous post, my D was considering AU for exactly the same reasons that your D enrolled. It seemed like a place to pursue a talent while still receiving a liberal arts education and possibly having the opportunity to double major. The biggest difference was when D went there to audition for a vocal music scholarship, we came away jaded, whereas you came away from your initial contact with AU’s faculty impressed that they would provide for your daughter the balance you were seeking.</p>
<p>For my two cents worth, if you can work out the scheduling, I would try to stick with AU if D would be satisfied with a BA in Fine Arts and another major. I think that is very appealing. </p>
<p>However, I would not stay with AU (even if you work out her program for this semester) to have her pursue a BFA degree which would preclude her from double majoring anyway. It seems that they are not equipped to offer your D enough if she chooses to pursue a BFA. American does not seem like a serious enough art program to warrrant going there for that concentrated a degree.</p>
<p>I have shared your concern (as has my D) about concentrating in the arts, instead of a more generalized liberal arts program. D is getting a BM in vocal performance. She is a very well rounded student (an artist, too) and could have studied a number of things at good schools. She chose NYU because they have a fairly large liberal arts requirement for their BM degree. But the truth is that after finishing her first year, she feels like she is growing in ALL areas while studying music. Not just because of her liberal arts requirements, but based on the expectations, discussions, papers, performance opportunities etc. she has done for her vocal and musicianship courses.</p>
<p>If she loves art and is a real talent, perhaps she should just worry about finding the best environment to grow as an artist for now. She has her whole life to pursue other areas. You don’t want to give her a watered down education by trying to get too much out of her undergraduate degree.</p>