<p>esudarsky-
After many exhausting college visits last year I felt that it seems some of the non-audition schools were fairly new-or at least the ones we looked at. I will say I was extremely impressed by many of them. Be sure you ask if they have a manditory audition at the end of your freshman year. I believe I remember some of them doing that. All of the programs my daughter auditioned to were BFA programs....a wide selection of private conservatories and colleges. D was very well rounded, with clubs, NHS, student government....but the majority of her extra curricular were linked to music one way or another. (Pits, musicals, orchestras, festivals, community theaters, solo performances, shadowing an elementary music teacher....plus AP music theory) What this did for her was to show her strength and diversity in the music field, which I believed lead to acceptances into music programs when she did not make it into the extremely competitive mt programs. She is majoring in MT, but there were other roads to travel if an acceptance did not come through that appealed to her. Are you more interested in a BA or a BFA?</p>
<p>That is an excellent question- which degree are you looking for, a BA or BFA? Also, is a school that holds a high profile showcase important for you? There are many up and coming schools that really deserve a look...</p>
<p>On our list of (many) questions for schools was always: do you hold a showcase, and what is your job placement after graduation.....We definately wanted someone to "get our d out there" her senior year.</p>
<p>What a BFA program?? Whats a BA program!!?? Am I that behind on things?? How do I trully know to what level my acting skills go?? Should I be stressing out now?? Am I not preparing well? One more question what is more impressive for a college, school plays or ones from my acting academy? what is better?</p>
<p>BFA stands for Bachelor of Fine Arts. BA stands for (as you probably know!) Bachelor of Arts.</p>
<p>As far as plays go- it really depends. If your school is known for having a strong theatre program, then those are great, if not, look elsewhere,especially if you get the chance to work with different directors (always good for recccomendations!) and cast. Mt D does her school musical, but as of next year (11th grade), will only be doing it IF it is a piece that has a strong role for her and does not conflict with other obligations she may have for community companies or competitions (she is a singer). Since her school has a very weak theatre dept. she has had to go out into the community and works quite a bit with a well known, older and well-respected company there. Each show is a different set of directors (regular and musical) and the casts are different, but there is usually a spot for a strong soprano that can "sing out" over the group for melody or hold a section together for harmony,especially since she can play older. I am curious about your "acting academy", could you please tell us a but more and we might be able to tailor our responses better? At first, I thought you meant a performing arts h.s., but now it appears that is not the case. Is is an "audition" group, or do they charge your family for you to participate? We have one(actually several, but one always comes to mind first..) of those here, and none of them are well thought of at all.Also, please tell us more about yourself also- are you concentrating more in drama, voice or dance?</p>
<p>I am not a parent of or a member of the class of '09... but, most BFA or BM MT programs are by audition only. However there are a few that are not. Some BA MT programs are also by audition only... some are not. There are not many non-auditioned MT programs out there, although there are a few... the "Big List" is a good resource for this type of information. However, it is important to check the schools website in the fall of the year in which you will apply, because many schools change their requirements from year to year.</p>
<p>I think that whole process of applying to MT schools was much easier 18 years ago when I was applying... there were not as many schools, not as many options, and not as much information.... :) ignorance is bliss ;)!</p>
<p>esudarsky,</p>
<pre><code>If you go back to the first page of this discussion, there is a thread about six down from the top called FAQ's. Some knowledgeable coaches and an MT professor named Dr. John put the FAQ's togethers and you will find it very helpful. There is a very good article there about the difference between BFA and BA programs! Good luck!
</code></pre>