I completely agree that the BFA vs. BA debate is a completely personal thing. My D (who was a very high achieving student - top 5% of her graduating class of over 500 students) wanted a program of intensive study in the field, with a smattering of academic electives sprinkled in. She is in the Honors program and was fortunate to be selected for a special Women’s Leadership group on campus that provides leadership training, mentorship and scholarship opportunities. She has met students outside of the MT program through that, but the majority of her time, she is living in the MT bubble and loving every minute of it. She has absolutely no desire for the “typical” college experience (whatever that is) and the BFA was what she wanted, not because of the letters but because she prefers an immersion approach to learning, That is what works for her. She is finding opportunities to be engaged in rigorous learning, even at a school that is definitely not known for rigorous academics. BA, BM, or BFA you really have to look at the specific course requirements for each school and see what appeals to you. The fact that there are so many paths to get to same place is good. Everybody gets to be their own snowflake!
And don’t forget the BS degree offered at Skidmore College. This falls somewhere in the middle of a BA and a BFA and it’s non-audition. I think a student takes 60 theatre credits. There are probably others out there like it. I’m not sure.
“Again, worry less about the letters of the degree and more about the content of the program. All BFAs are not created equally. Make sure you will get the training you want regardless of whether it is a BA, BM or BFA degree.” @vvnstar post #19.
“you really have to look at the specific course requirements for each school and see what appeals to you. The fact that there are so many paths to get to same place is good.” @gingersnap97 post#20
Agree completely with the statements above as well as many others on this thread. The letters of the degree do not always indicate as much as one would think in terms of rigor of training, or opportunities to take classes outside of the major in others areas of interest. Look at the required curriculum, then make sure to contact the schools directly to find out what is possible.
For example, I teach in an auditioned BA program where there are 58 credits required in the major (going up to 62 credits next year), but the seniors are graduating with 85 - 90 credits in the major, some with more than that if they came in with significant AP, IB, or Dual Enrollment. The students still have to take the gen ed requirements (except for the ones they have AP, IB, or Dual Enrollment credit for, or test out of), so a student who really does not want general education to be a part of their college experience may not thrive here. But, for a student who is looking for an environment that combines both artistic and academic rigor it could be a great fit.
There are also BFA and BM programs where it is possible to take significant coursework outside of the major, pursue a minor, honors programs, etc…
It is important to assume nothing, and always to feel free to ask questions of the program directors, faculty, and students of the different programs. 
Here’s a question related to the BA vs BFA conversation. Let’s say a school has both a BA and a BFA program. The BFA program has 15 units of general ed and 85 units in the major, for a total of 100 units. The BA program has 15 units of general ed, 40 units in the major, and 45 units of electives for the same 100 units. Could the BA student, for his electives, take all the same classes that the BFA students are taking?
To put it another way, if a student is redirected to a BA program could he end up taking all the same classes as the BFA, get the same educational experience, but just end up with a BA instead of a BFA at the end?
I think that depends on the program. I know when our D was at Northwestern, kids who were not admitted to the auditioned MT Certificate (a BA where kids are able to take upwards of 80% MT classes if they choose to) were still able to complete most of the same training and could audition for all of the same shows.
@Tahuna – @MomCares is right, it will depend on the school. There are some schools where students who are not in BFA will not have any access to the classes for the BFA students, others where some of the classes may be available, but not all.
For example, where I teach all of programs are BA, but there are some students who audition for both Musical Theatre and Theatre, and are admitted for Theatre, but not Musical Theatre. There are certain classes in the Musical Theatre curriculum that Theatre students can take on an auditioned and space available basis, certain classes where there is a similar class available to Theatre students, and certain classes or sections of classes that are for Musical Theatre majors only. All students can audition for all shows and Theatre studetns are cast in Musicals, just as Musical Theatre students are cast in plays.
Each school will handle it differently, so it is always good to ask how it works on paper, and how it works in practice.
@Tahuna - it really depends on the program. At many schools with BFA programs, the BA curriculum includes much less performance-related training and more general theatre studies courses in theatre history, stagecraft, playwriting, etc. BA students may not be permitted to take Acting past level I or II, may not be allowed in the upper-division Musical Theatre courses, may not take private voice with the MT voice faculty, may not take dance past the introductory level, and while they may be cast in shows, it could be a relatively rare occurrence. In some programs, BA students are not even permitted to audition for shows (rare, but it happens). Due diligence is recommended. Look carefully at the curriculum and the stipulations on the advanced training classes - in the course guide, look for the phrase, BFA Musical Theatre students only in the course descriptions.
I have had two kids go this route! One chose a strictly BFA route…was never interested in a BA auditioned or otherwise. The other chose to both audition for BFA programs and apply to highly academic schools with BA programs. These two kids could not have been more different in their approach to school.
Our D was always a very good student. But her real love and passion was in performing…she felt the BFA programs suited her goal more readily. She wanted 4 years of intensive training…she wanted to feel like her time was spent preparing for her job, rather than having the traditional college experience. She attended a small midwest liberal arts school with a world class conservatory. She still had academic classes, although she took less than normal, because she went in with AP classes…she converted those extra spots to more dance and elective training courses. She loved the small intensive setting. She loved that the whole program was about 100 performers… She is out in the real world now and feels very confident about her training and what she spent her four years doing! It was just the path that worked for her.
Our S on the other hand was torn about what to do. He applied to a number of first tier academic schools…got into several, was denied by a couple. He also auditioned for several highly regarded BFA’s…he was admitted to all but one. He had a lot of choices…but the bigger issue, was which route to take. He has always been really academically minded…a jock…and an actor. Fun to be “well-rounded” but harder to choose at this junction. In the end he narrowed it down to one very prestigious BFA in Acting where he would take limited “outside” classes, though some(at a Big University)…or one highly regarded University where he could choose a BA with an acting emphasis, and double major in another area. BTW, that school also offered an auditioned BFA, which he was never interested in. In the end, he chose the BA in theater with an acting emphasis, is double majoring in poli-sci. He has been in 2 shows so far…1 with all BFA juniors, 1 with largely upperclassmen. Because he is familiar with his sister’s path, he knows he is not getting the intensity of training that she received…he simply won’t have the time to get quite as much in in the “professional” training area as she did…but he will have a double major. He will have the big school experience. He actually still has the opportunity to showcase. He still wants to be an actor when he is finished.
I think my point here is that both of my kids want to leave school and work as actors. My gut instinct is that both paths will work. The BFA path is not new…there were BFA’s when i went to college 30 years ago…we had one at my school. But the BFA grad often (not always) has a well worn path ahead of he or she, (made by alums of their program)…so knowing what to do next is often clearer. Most BA students (though not all) don’t have as clear a path…and may have to do more networking on their own…may not have showcases, etc…but it doesn’t mean it’s a no-go. it’s just a different route.
BTW…just out of curiosity i looked up the GE requirements for BFA at Michigan (a program i respect) and the GE requirements at my kids two schools…i think sometimes people forget to look at the catalog for specifics. So the difference in "real academic classes between my D’s program and Michigan is 5 classes or required work…and perhaps 1 additional elective.
BFA UM: 30 credit hours of GE required. (13 credits of additional electives allowed)
BFA MT: 15 Credit hours of GE required. (9-12 additional electives allowed) Daughter’s program
BA Acting: 32 hours of GE required (37 credits of additional electives allowed) Son’s program
BFA Acting: 36 hours of GE required (8 credits of additional electives allowed) BFA at son’s school
Intersting to see the similarities and differences!
I think D’s BA program (and perhaps @mybroadwaybaby’s S’s BA program as well) is an exception to this general rule. They have a vast alumni network spanning all aspects of the entertainment industry, with a very long history and showcases are available to all students who are plan to perform (not all Theatre majors at Northwestern are performers… some are directors, writers, stage managers, designers, etc.). That said, however, I wouldn’t describe many MT grads I know, either BFA or BA, who have a “clear path” after college. 