<p>My S is considering a gap year before he goes to college. He would like to apply and get in a school and then defer a year. Does anyone know if this is possible if he were to get accepted into a BFA program? I know at almost all of the BA schools on his list they will let you. I am thinking that it would probably not be possible at a BFA school. My S is going to ask this question at some of his schools, but just wondered if anyone knew anything first hand.</p>
<p>I think he would need to contact each of the BFA programs in which he was interested directly.</p>
<p>My daughter successfully deferred a year for a BFA at a well known visual arts college. But I agree with KatMT that your son should directly contact each BFA program, as a BFA is unique in that many are trying to find a balance and vision for each particular class, and deferring might disrupt that vision. I’d suspect some schools might be open to the idea, and others not.</p>
<p>If he is considering a gap year, I would have him sit out the BFA audition season. It is extremely expensive/time-consuming/emotional/demanding and requires 100% commitment from the student and the parents. There really is no room for uncertainty. Moreover, after a gap year, his goals and abilities may change, which might elicit a completely different audition list.</p>
<p>Thanks all for your thoughts. It gives him yet another thing to consider. I tend to agree with skewl… but I think he will ask at all of his top schools. I also agree with connections that they are looking for a certain balance, and that is why my original thought was no.</p>
<p>It’s been a while but I remember the year my daughter was auditioning CMU only had 2 or 3 female spots open for MT (I forget now how many they usually admit) because 1 was asked to take a year off mid-year (weight issues - underweight) and was coming back as a Freshman, 1 was offered a spot the summer prior after attending their summer program, and 1 was a gap year student. It was an unusual year for CMU. </p>
<p>It might be worth looking into because if he got into a program he’d feel “better” and more settled during his gap year and if he didn’t get admitted anywhere he was interested in, he could just begin again the following year with more prior knowledge and more training. But there is no question that it is a strain on the whole family (especially because you’ll still have 3 boys home) in every way.</p>
<p>My daughter is graduating from high school this June and is taking a gap year.
We had mixed feeing about whether to apply and audition to schools or wait until the gap year. But, we decided to take the time to visit and tour many of the schools on her initial list - which she narrowed down as a result. Yes a number do not allow you to apply and defer for a year. Because everyone at her school was in the process, she ultimately decided to apply to two schools for the experience. One a BA program and the other a BFA Program. They both allowed for taking a gap year if accepted. I believe it was very enlightening. She had visited both schools prior applying and auditioning and liked them. But felt differently afterwards.
The BA school she felt a connection to from the first visit and felt like she would be happy in the school’s community. The BFA school which she initially liked felt cold the second time and at the audition. Even though she auditioned for both, she felt she would go with the BA school if she was accepted at both. The B.A. followed by more MFA training is what appeals to her. The college experience should be a one of self discovery and personal growth. She was wait listed at both. Even if she doesn’t get accepted, with the gap year she will have more experience to apply and re-audition.</p>