How much do HS math/science classes matter in BFA acting admissions?

College Majors Theater/Drama Majors
1

A lot of BFA acting programs are found in universities with high academic standards for admission; for example, Carnegie Mellon, UCLA, University of Michigan, USC, NYU, BU, etc. My ds hates math and science, but his guidance counselor recommends that he take pre-calc and physics in 11th grade so he can meet certain university admission standards when applying to BFA acting programs. My son would rather take very watered-down math and science classes that are for kids who really struggle with the regular curriculum. Do you think that his taking the easier classes would hurt his chances of admission into a university BFA program?

2

It wouldn’t, but because BFAs are so selective and so unpredictable, he needs to be in college prep/regular classes in math/science so he can qualify for BAs if need be. Not taking all 5 core classes would hurt but as long as he takes 5-6academicmclasees each year, he can modulate his rigor and still get into good colleges (English would likely be doubled up with drama/theater/creative writing, history and foreign language at max rigor, plus math and science regular but all 4 years- precalc regular and conceptual physics would be fine- or, if aiming for less selective 4-year colleges, precalc regular in 11th then regular stats in 12th, and two random sciences in 11th and 12th as long as he’s taken biology and chemistry).

1 Like
3

Many schools with BFA acting programs give out merit aid based on academic records, so if merit aid would factor into your decision, it’s worth it to have a good academic showing on the transcript.
This really depends on the schools you’re looking at, though, but taking the classes your ds is capable of will keep his options open.
Best of luck!

1 Like
4

Michigan and Carnegie Mellon treat BFA applicants differently than the rest and auditions are highest importance, though they generally have a floor like lowest acceptable SAT score, though that may have changed given testing challenges with covid. The others you listed you generally have to compete academically and artistically to get in.

There are plenty of BFA’s with less competitive academic standards.

2 Likes