<p>There has been substantial discussion re: BA vs. BFA, and there has been some discussion re: non-acting opportunities post-BFA. My question. Do Law, MBA, etc. programs (those not requiring specific undergrad requirements) 'look down' on a BFA graduate, say, in comparison to a BA Theater applicant who has taken a wider range of courses? Assume the GPA/(LSAT, GMAT,GRE scores) of the applicants is the same.</p>
<p>I would go the BA route. BFA are specifically designed to give you professional level training so that when you graduate you are ready for the demands and competition in the professional entertainment industry. Depending on the program you will take little, if any other courses besides theater, voice and dance. Aside from places like NYU-Tisch, UMichigan and PSU where you do take some outside courses, it's very difficult to minor or do much else but your major.</p>
<p>If you want to be a lawyer, stick with the BA degree. You'll have more exposure to a variety of subjects and definitely have a more of a well-rounded education. That's not to say that a BFA degree will not give you a full education, but unless your career involves voice, dance and theater in some way; the education you recieved will limit you in such a field, especially when applying for something like law or business. If it's a subject MA, like Literature, Theology or something like...then no, I don't think it would matter. Since the education is not as specialized or difficult to get into like a top law or business grad school.</p>
<p>If you go the BFA path, then you are preparing to enter the profession upon graduating. If you could see yourself doing anything else with your life, then definitely go the BA path, you could always attend an MFA program from a BA.</p>
<p>It is possible to receive a BFA and go to graduate school in another subject if you have also met the requirements for that master program. I went to a BFA program with a number of people who when they entered school were certain that they wanted to purse a path as a performer. One of them was actually a performer on Broadway before deciding to go to medical school.. this person spent about 18 months taking the math and science courses missed as an undergraduate, took the MCAT (I think that's what it's called), went to medical school and is now a doctor... another person who went to the same BFA program decided to become a drama therapist... spent a year doing an internship and taking some counseling courses before applying to graduate school, and is now a therapist... another went on to get an MBA with the BFA degree... many have also gone to law school.... you may need to take a year or so of course work, interships, etc... but an undergraduate degree is an undergraduate degree... However, if this is already in your mind, a BA might be an option to consider... or a BFA at a school with a heavier general education requirement, or at the very least allows you time to take and access to general education courses.</p>
<p>My S plans to apply to both LACs and BFA programs. His interest is straight acting and not MT, but I post here because this is a more active thread. He is very interested in pursuing a theater career, but he (and we) are cognizant that, say, after a few years, he may have to pursue another path. My question addresses this potential moment. I am aware that, for example, he would have to take a few quantitative courses if he eventually went after an MBA. Law schools generally have no prerequisites. I guess that I could have alternatively phrased the question as follows. Say someone comes out of the BA Theater progam at Syracuse, while the other comes out of the BFA program at Syracuse. Both have equal GPA and scores. Further, both tried for three years to make it in theater, but decided to alter their career path. Would the Grad/Professional program view the two students differently, assuming that each was able to fulfill the needed prerequisite courses (if needed) before entering the, say, MBA program (common practice with MBA programs - many prefer non-business BAs).</p>