<p>I think that the schools that have you enter as a BA and have a BFA option after one or two years are a really good option for either those who are not ready to commit to a BFA and want options and flexibility or maybe tried for some BFAs and didn’t get into those but will have a BFA option down the pike if they attend a BA school with a BFA track after two years. So, I actually think this is a viable option for many. It is more flexible. The con of it is if you truly would only be happy with a BFA (doesn’t sound like the case with your D, who could go either way), then there is no guarantee you’d get into the BFA track once you attend the school that has an audition for that track after a year or two. In your D’s case, I would certainly consider having a few BA with a BFA option after 1-2 years schools on her list. I think in your D’s case, she could have a college list that has some BFAs, some BA by audition, some BA with a BFA option track after 1-2 years, and some non-audition BA schools. </p>
<p>By the way, going to a BA doesn’t mean one is less committed to theater. I know a lot of highly talented committed young actors who chose a BA path as they preferred that style of an education. For example, my D has talented friends who opted to go to Yale, Brown, or Northwestern, despite being admitted to BFAs. They wanted a BA, but are not any less committed to theater as a passion and career.</p>