Applying to 5-year BFA/BA Program... Chances?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Tufts University
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<p>Helloo... I'm applying to the 5-year BFA/BA program at SMFA and Tufts... does anyone know if this lessens my chances of getting in? Can I not get into SMFA and still get into Tufts? Also... chances?</p>

<p>Academics:</p>

<p>GPA - Unweighted: 3.84
GPA - Weighted: 4.79
Class Rank: top 5 students
Class Size: 315</p>

<p>Classes:
English (2 years honors, 2 years AP (Language and Literature))
French (3 years honors)
Math (3 years honors, 1 year AP (Calc AB))
History (2 years honors, 2 years AP (U.S. and Euro))
Science (2 years honors, 2 years AP (Biology and Environmental Science))
Art (2 years honors, 1 year AP (Portfolio))
Civics (1 half-year AP (Government and Politics))
Theater: (1 year honors)
Orchestra (2 years honors)
Chorus (2 years honors)</p>

<p>In summation, I took 3 AP courses last year, and I'm currently taking 6.</p>

<p>Scores:
SAT I Math: 770
SAT I Critical Reading: 780
SAT I Writing: 790
SAT II Literature: 780
SAT II U.S. History: 700
SAT II Math Level 2 (IIC): 800
AP Biology: 4
AP English Language: 5
AP U.S. History: 5</p>

<p>Significant Extracurriculars:
Drama Club (9-12): acting, set construction, poster design, makeup;
Junior State of America (11-12): current issues debate and discussion;
Gay Straight Alliance (11-12);
National Honor Society (11-12);
Treble Choir (9-10): mezzo soprano;
Orchestra (9-10): cello and string bass</p>

<p>Leadership positions:
Drama Club: sophomore delegate, junior delegate, president;
Freshman Orientation (9-11): captain</p>

<p>Volunteer/Service Work:
Relay for Life (10-12)
Quilting for Hurricane Katrina (11)
Drawing with senior citizens (10)</p>

<p>Honors and Awards:
National Merit Semifinalist (applied for Finalist status)
National Honor Society
French National Honor Society
Smith College Book Award
Williams-Boland Art Award
Drama Club: Keeper of the Cup of Life
AP Scholar
High Honor Roll (every semester)</p>

<p>I'd say that my essays were pretty good.</p>

<p>Also, can recommendations be <em>too</em> good? Because my AP U.S. History teacher really went a bit overboard in the gushing area.</p>

<p>Thanks for your input!</p>

2

<p>I think you'd get in. My boyfriend is in that combined-degreed program and he seems to think that you have great stats for both schools. And you are accepted to either school individually -- if you get accepted to both, then you can apply to do the five-year combined degree. Good luckl</p>

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<p>Ok, thanks! I was just wondering because I had to write on my application that I wanted to do the combined degree program. I was just hoping that they don't have a small quota for the number of students they accept into that program.</p>

4

<p>I have an addendum to make to my awards.. I just received a Gold Key Award at the Scholastic Art Awards for a charcoal self portrait! So, perhaps this gives a nice boost to my credibility as a gifted art student?</p>

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<p>I think your chances are excellent. My daughter is in the combined degree program and your stats are a little higher than hers. She had a 3.7 GPA,
1490 SAT I, SAT II's 740M, 730 Writing, 770 Lit. She was also a National Merit Finalist. She attended a private arts high school where she majored in visual arts.</p>

<p>It's probably unlikely that you wouldn't get into the SMFA. I think their acceptance rate is about 80%. It's a lot tougher to get into Tufts which has an acceptance rate of about 27%.</p>

<p>I've heard that approximately 20 students are accepted into the combined degree program each year and only half of them stay in the program. Susan Lush at the Museum School says that some of the reason for this is cost since the program takes 5 years. I think the program is pretty rigorous, 5 courses every semester for 5 years and don't forget to add in the commuting time because it is significant. Also remember that the Museum School courses require 6 hours of class time per week, double that of the academic courses. Hopefully you don't have to put in as much work outside of class, but that isn't always true.</p>

<p>Lolabelle - How does your boyfriend like the program? What are his majors?</p>

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<p>Metrowestmom: </p>

<p>My boyfriend loves the program. He will be staying for the fifth year next year at the SMFA (he's studying painting there) after receiving his B.A. (in Architecture & Art History) from Tufts with the rest of us in May. He is actually the only one of the incoming dual-degree students in the class of 2007 who is doing the fifth year, but that's because most people decided that visual arts wasn't as important to them as they had originally thought. Also, a few were planning on doing an engineering degree and the BFA, which is basically impossible. The class of 2008 dual-degree class is quite different -- I believe about 80% who entered in the program will complete the five years.</p>

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<p>Would you mind asking your boyfriend what painting teachers he recommends? My daughter is interested in painting also.</p>