Thanks for all the feedback everyone! D is understandably lukewarm about the prospect of MORE applications and essays in order to apply for Honors College, so I think she’s done with it before she even got started! My opinion is that, as several of you have mentioned, a BFA program involves a very heavy workload…why add the additional stress of rigorous core courses and minimum GPA requirements. And I say this in the context of knowing my kid and trying to take some of the pressure off, although I understand why Honors College would be the right choice for others.
^^^ Those are our thoughts, as well. D and I have said that if the Honors program requirements can be fulfilled by using general education requirements (but with Honors classes, of course), with no additional classes, plus have a scholarship attached, she would do the Honors program. That means that she won’t be in Honors, lol! Oh, well…
In regards to the honors program where requirements can be fulfilled by using gen ed requirements but with honors classes and no add’l classes
that means more time in school for kids who have a lot of AP /IB / DE credit that can’t be used toward those honors requirements - yes?
huh?
Are students allowed to apply AP/IB/DE credits toward honors college classes?
We have been told at two universities that many students arrive from high school with enough AP and IB and DE credits for sophomore standing. Those students can go through the non-honors track and finish in three years, yes? If students enroll in an honors program where requirements are fulfilled with specific honors seminars, those students will not be able to apply all of the AP and IB and DE credits toward graduation and graduation will take four years.
I think it would depend on what the “honors” requirements were…
My D was able to bypass any math and English requirements in her BFA program because of AP credits and college level composition classes she took in HS. If she were not a BFA student she would be able to graduate in three years IF she took a big credit load every year. But the BFA requirements and her honors classes (she takes one honors class a semester so far - not sure of the total number she’ll have to take) will mean 4 years regardless for her degree.
So her AP credits and her college level classes in HS most certainly were useful. But they weren’t used in lieu of Honors classes, they fulfilled man of her gen ed credits.
It never occurred to me that a BFA candidate would want to (or could) graduate in less than 4 years. I’ve only been thinking of those classes as potentially exempting the kid from introductory classes in subject areas where he’s ready for more challenging/interesting work.
That is definitely a possibility, but it varies by college.
My daughter had a few MT friends at NYU/Tisch who graduated in 3 1/2 years. I believe the way they were able to do that is between AP credits and taking courses one summer. My D had no interest in trying to graduate in less than 4 years because she felt she had already entered college early (16) and had only gone to HS for three years and wanted to experience all four years of college. A couple of those friends who graduated mid year got to have a MT showcase midyear and then got cast on tour or on Broadway right after graduating.
My D is one who came with a bunch of credits- and at her meeting with her academic advisor was told she could easily graduate in three years. She wants to do all 4- but is working on a plan where she will be done with all academic requirements by the end of 1st sem junior year- and can focus on her studio classes and some specialties (she wants a certification in stage combat) for the last 3 semesters. We will see how it all works- but nice to have extra room in schedule to follow passions. All that time spent chained to her desk for AP classes paid off!!
My oldest (non MT) D was (well, is - she graduates in April) in the Honors College at her State University - she lived in Honors housing and 2 of her roommates had attended IB HS - both graduated in 3 years - with the Honors endorsement. Both of these roommates are now in grad school. So it seems it would depend on the University and the HC requirements.
Side note: Last week my D was delighted to be offered (and accept) a grad assistantship at the same university as one of those roommates! (No bearing on the decision - but certainly the icing on the top of a fantastic GA offer.)