Bfa --> ma?

<p>Hi,</p>

<p>I'm about to be a first year BFA drama student at NYU Tisch in a few weeks. I had only applied to a couple BFA programs with intentions of going the BA+MFA route. However, I've come across a couple of interesting MA Applied Theatre programs (most notably CUNY and Central School in London) and I think that's the route I want to go. I'm considering doing a minor in Applied Theatre at Tisch as well (very easy, can be done thru already prescribed requirements)</p>

<p>My question is, does simply the label "BFA" as your first degree turn off admissions committees at MA/MFA programs? What else would I need to have a better chance at acceptance? I'm also thinking about doing this a couple years after I finish undergrad anyway. </p>

<p>I know I have more than enough time to think about these things but when I can't sleep I think about future plans and this question really piqued my curiosity ahaha</p>

<p>Geesh! You are earning a BFA from NYU! Many kids would love to be in your place. I can’t imagine that being a hindrance to an MFA program. NYU is considered one of the top programs. You will get excellent training at NYU and I’m not sure why you are doubting that- maybe panic. Relax! Why are you worrying about a master’s program when you haven’t even started your BFA yet? Have fun and learn everything you can.</p>

<p>I’m not actually worried or stressed about it, I was just curious. I’ve heard a lot of people say that it’s tough to get into grad programs with a BFA, especially into MA programs (as opposed to MFA) so I was wondering how to go about that. I know I have a lot of time, and I’m certain I won’t be thinking about this when I have a busy schedule this year, but I like to keep a plan in the back of my head because my family is in a very fiscally unstable position right now and I like to have an idea of what I need to save for. (I thankfully got an AMAZING package from NYU - yes it is possible)</p>

<p>Thanks Kyle. Seems like I read your post with an incorrect attitude so I apologize for that. I hadn’t heard of a BFA hindering entrance into an MA or MFA program- especially when it’s NYU. My son will be a junior in NSB/Acting and he also got an excellent financial aid package thanks due his very hard work in high school. I’m glad you have confirmed this. He’s also an RA this fall and that took a HUGE load off our shoulders! Which studio are you? You will have an amazing year and yeah- you will be very busy- especially with the Writing the Essay class! Break legs!</p>

<p>I’m curious what people say about going into MA programs from BFA. I’m wondering if it’s because many BFAs don’t include much grounding in liberal arts (which is why a lot of people go to them, after all). I would think an MA in a theatre-related subject wouldn’t be a problem. Also, at NYU and other schools, students in BFAs do significant gen eds, so I wouldn’t worry on your account in any way. </p>

<p>I feel a bit relieved, as a parent, that my D will be getting very solid liberal arts at Adelphi. I think lots of us wonder if someone who pursues Acting as an undergrad might end up going to grad school to broaden their training or get credentials for a second career. I’m not worried at all about her ability to apply to or get accepted by grad programs. I did a Master’s in a completely unrelated subject to my undergrad; I’m convinced I was accepted because I had good grades in college and because I had work experience in the field, and based on my peers’ undergraduate background, I don’t think their choice of BA made any difference, either.</p>

<p>This is an interesting question, since you specify MA and not just MFA degrees. I’m curious about your reasons for looking into MA programs following a BFA–seems like an unusual path unless youre aiming for something specific. I’ve looked at acting MFA graduate listings, mostly out of curiosity, and from what I can tell, there’s real variation between schools on terms of their students’ backgrounds. Just to use two high-profile examples: Yale MFA grads in 2012 were split 50-50 between BA and BFA backgrounds (along with one BS student from Evansville), whereas Brown’s were almost all from liberal arts undergrad programs, with only one BFA (from Hartt) and the rest BAs in a range of subjects. And on the conservatory side–again, just one example–ACT had 3 with BAs, 3 with BFAs, and 2 with BS degrees (one Skidmore, 1 Evansville). It does seem as though a BA from an excellent liberal arts program or strong university program is at least equally likely to help you enter a top MFA program, but it varies. I just looked at MFA websites that made this info easily accessible, so it’s a VERY limited sample! But clearly there are many possible configurations.</p>

<p>I specified MA only because all the Applied Theatre programs I looked at said they were MA. I thought about getting an MFA way way way down the road as well.</p>

<p>@supportive - I’m in Playwrights Horizons, so I’ll be getting a very broad theatre experience. Will probably concentrate in Directing or Devised Theatre later on.</p>

<p>Small sampling but…my kid went to Tisch for a BFA. Off the top of my head, I can think of three friends/classmates from Tisch…two at Yale for MFA and one at UC San Diego for MFA.</p>