<p>I'm interested in going to PAFA over a few other art schools because of the UPenn agreement- students who have a 3.0 at PAFA can apply for the BFA program at UPenn and finish their degree there. Do any of y'all know how difficult it is to get into the program? Thanks!</p>
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<li><p>You should probably call Penn and talk to someone about this.</p></li>
<li><p>I think you have a critical piece of the puzzle slightly wrong. Students are eligible to apply to the joint BFA program as soon as they are accepted at PAFA. Once accepted, you can’t start classes at Penn until you have completed your first year at PAFA, and you need to maintain a 3.0 GPA at PAFA. But I think many/most people would apply to the Penn program now, not after being at PAFA for a year. I doubt it hurts your application if you wait until the fall to apply, however. But that’s the sort of thing you could talk to people at Penn about.</p></li>
<li><p>PAFA is unique enough as an art school that you shouldn’t go there unless that’s the kind of art training you want (super-conservative). Having a diploma from Penn is nice, but a Penn BFA and five nickels will get you a quarter. It’s not worth going to the wrong art school for you (if PAFA is the wrong art school).</p></li>
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<p>@JHS, thanks for the reply. I’m interested in PAFA as it is, but I feel that the Penn agreement gives it a bit of an edge than the other Philly art schools for me personally. Plus, PAFA has an articulation agreement with my current community college, which is great. I’m just curious that if going into the Penn BFA program through PAFA is as difficult as it would be for a student who isn’t currently attending PAFA (extremely selective), or if the 3.0 GPA would be enough (for the most part). Does that make sense? It was kind of difficult to word, heh.</p>
<p>I don’t think Penn offers a BFA program other than in coordination with PAFA. I don’t fully understand the program or what it costs, but it certainly adds some academic breadth to what you would otherwise get from PAFA. My guess is that any PAFA student who has adequate academic preparation and SATs, etc., will be admitted to the program. It is offered through Penn’s College of Liberal and Professional Studies (i.e., Penn’s extension school), which is not in the business of turning people away, although it looks like the courses you take would be in the School of Arts and Sciences (i.e., the main undergraduate college).</p>
<p>JHS: Wrong, just to put it out there, PAFA offers TWO degree seeking programs, one is just a BFA with all classes taken at PAFA and the second is the Penn and PAFA dual program. “PAFA student who has adequate academic preparation and SATs, etc., will be admitted to the program.” Wrong again, you actually have to just maintain a 3.0 and above your first year a PAFA. There is no SAT scores required to attend PAFA, Penn dual program. Once you are in the dual program, you have to take 16 credits of liberal art classes. Also be aware that none of your credits will transfer to the PAFA dual program, seeing that you are attending a community college. I decided to post on this old thread to correct miss given information, it’s best that you direct question like this to PAFA Admissions Office. Lastly, PAFA seems like a CRAZY good school for Fine Arts, the kids that attend seem to be very talented. </p>
<p>Wrencher94, thanks for correcting my mistake re SAT scores. The application makes clear that they are not required. But secondary school record is required. The other “mistake” you corrected wasn’t a mistake at all. Penn, as I said, offers no BFA degree other than the joint program with PAFA. Of course PAFA offers a stand-alone BFA; that’s its bread and butter.</p>
<p>As for PAFA having talented students, no argument there. And no argument that it’s a great school for the right student. But students considering PAFA and other art schools will figure out pretty quickly that PAFA has a unique approach and program that’s a little out of the art-school mainstream. You have to want what it offers.</p>