<p>Chiming in on the Minnesota question, my son attended the precollege summer intensive there, and it’s run by both the BA and BFA faculty, so the kids experience both “sides.” My son’s a BFA kinda guy (and is in a BFA program now) but at Minnesota he very much preferred the overall vibe of the BA–faculty, students, mission, curriculum, everything–to the BFA. Since the summer program was taught and TA’d by current faculty and students, his impressions were based on more than rumor. The work they did with the BA folks was definitely not “theory based” (whatever that really means!). They did clowning (including red-nose), movement, devised work, lots of music and vocal work, improv, etc., and created their own scenes for the final night of the summer program. The BFA classes worked intensively on Shakespeare and kids were placed in short scenes Day One, based on their resumes, so they presented those scenes on the last night also. These were very well done, but not better than what the BA program had them do–as Mountainhiker says, just different. VERY different.</p>
<p>The school in general wasn’t his style and he didn’t apply, but he was really impressed with their BA, felt that there were plenty of performance opportunities plus much more (e.g., directing, writing, etc.), and loved the city and the Guthrie. I have heard (but can’t confirm first-hand) that in the earlier years, there was a top-dog/underdog rivalry between the two programs but that this is no longer the case. Definitely do a lot more research before dismissing that BA, as its reputation and value are wonderful.</p>
<p>No need to disclose your reasons for crossing schools off of your list. Those all are great programs, but not all programs are a good match for everyone… this process is about checking out programs, and clarifying what collection of schools will offer what you are looking for based on your specific criteria. A terrific match for one student will not be for another.</p>
<p>Penn State is in the college town State College. I went to Penn State for graduate school. The surrounding area is safe.</p>
<p>Thank you for all the useful information and I will definitely take a second look at Minnesota’s BA.</p>
<p>I’ll be applying to both the BA and the BFA at USC - mainly because I really like the university and the BFA is extremely selective, so the BA could be an alternative option if I don’t get accepted.</p>
<p>I was speaking to an alumnus of the BA program (USC) last week and she described the difference between the BFA students and the BA students. She said:</p>
<p>"The BA students have a wider perspective on life, they are better prepared for the outside world beyond college. </p>
<p>The BFA students are cliquey and think they’re better than the BA students. I can’t fault them though as they are all incredibly talented." </p>
<p>I found this opinion interesting, although I can’t comment on it’s accuracy.</p>
<p>dPB as a British citizen, why do you want to attend a conservatory in the States when there are so many great acting schools in the UK that cost much less? I hope you don’t mind me asking - I’m genuinely curious. Thanks</p>
<p>dBPMw99U My son and I went to a USC drama workshop and info session, with the drama dean, the admissions rep and several professors all spoke along with BFA and BA students. </p>
<p>The feeling we walked away with regarding the BFA or BA was that the faculty and the grads that spoke hold the students in both programs in very high regard and the BA actors would not be looked upon as less then in the eyes of the faculty. USC due to the location of Hollywood will afford BA students things that the BFA kids may not find it easy to do. The BA kids find it easier to work professionally while in school.</p>
<p>dBPM, my son is a Theatre BA at USC and I think the school offers two equally excellent but different experiences. The BFAs are a small group and, while I wouldn’t label them as cliquey, they take all their BFA classes together, perform in BFA shows together and are closer to one another. This is a great choice for those who are looking for a more concentrated approach, but the classes they take, by and large, are not much different than the req classes for the BA in Theatre. While BFAs do have more units req than the BA, BA Theatre students have much more free space in their schedules to take the additional Theatre classes as electives. At USC, both BA and BFA Acting students must take the university’s core GE classes. However, BFA are not required to take a foreign language, while all BAs must either take 3 semesters or place out (through AP or placement exam). My son tested out of the first 2 semesters, so for some this isn’t much of an issue.</p>
<p>Perhaps the biggest differences are:
BFA is a little more insulated, a little less flexible in terms of outside classes or activities, but have a great conservatory-style company to bond with over the 4 years<br>
BA’s may work professional acting jobs (BFAs may not), may double major or take a minor, like Musical Theatre (BFAs may not), may more easily fit in sororities, football games, easier access to a wider assortment of friends, and can do study abroad (not sure if BFAs can manage that).</p>
<p>I’ve seen shows at USC for BFA-only (there’s one each semester per class) and shows that were open to all theatre majors–where the majority were BAs. The quality of the BFA show I saw (Arabian Nights) was staggering. Wow. And the quality of acting in the regular School of Dramatic Arts plays was also incredible. So while the BFAs have a right to feel lucky to be in that program, the BAs are not exactly chopped liver.</p>
<p>Sad to report that unless son changes his mind in next few hours, he will not be applying to USC I have encouraged him to at least apply but he does not see himself starting there and since he is 17, does not fully get the importance of freshman v transfer scholarships. I respect most of his reasons for not wanting to start there but still wish he would have thrown his name in the hat and at least kept that door open in case he changes his mind between now and May 1</p>
I have encouraged him to at least apply but he does not see himself starting there and since he is 17, does not fully get the importance of freshman v transfer scholarships. I respect most of his reasons for not wanting to start there but still wish he would have thrown his name in the hat and at least kept that door open in case he changes his mind between now and May 1</p>