@theotherparent - I don’t know about the grades part, but do know (from my non-performing child) that when he considered transferring after his freshman year, there was very little scholarship money available for transfers. He had very high test scores, so going in as a freshman had lots of $$$ offers from multiple schools. We are in the" make too much money to qualify for financial aid, but don’t make enough to pay for an expensive school" group, so needed the scholarship money.
For MT’s/Actors, every school is different, but at D’s school - Wright State (and it seems many I’ve read about), they have to start as freshmen in their programs to take all the required classes. I know of quite a few transfers in her program. Bottom line: check with the individual schools - they are all different.
A gap year can be very beneficial too. Your son can take a few gen ed credits, including foreign language credits, but not enough to jeopardize entering as a freshman rather than as a transfer. He can also continue working on material, attend auditions, work a job and save some money, and participate in community theatre, whether on the stage or behind it. All can be very valuable. There also is nothing barring him from attending straw hats or other professional auditions. There is much to learn, enough to easily fill a year. There was someone on this board last year who wrote a ton about her gap year. Anyone recall her name?? Also, I wouldn’t worry about auditioning twice for a program. I know of several kids who had great success the second time around, including at Michigan. I realize that’s not really your kid’s problem @theotherparent, but should he end up having to go through the process again because of academics, I would let that go and put all my energy into being the best HIM in the audition room.
Thanks everyone for the advice! I do think a gap year can be beneficial if he’ll do what needs to be done in order to make himself a better candidate academically. There’s obviously a lot of backstory here that I won’t go into, but I do think he’s finally turned it around and has been making much better choices this year, so I’m hoping that a gap year will be a good thing for him.
@theotherparent - totally understand the “better choices” concept. I have a 23-y-o and and 26-y-o still trying to get a handle on that one. Sometimes they have to fall down - again and again and. . . A tiny ray of light is appearing over the horizon - it’s dim, but I can just make it out. Wish I’d known when they were16 that it would take this long to kindle (feel like I’ve been blowing on those sparks for decades - oh, wait it’s been a decade).
@theotherparent,
First, as @MTmom2017 says, there is more money for Freshman than Transfers. That said, my older S did transfer to to a LAC after a long hiatus from college, and did get a sizable need-based grant (covered 100% tuition). So I’m not saying there is no money. However, there is definitely less money out there for a transfer.
Second, as far as a BFA specifically: Most are going to be four years regardless. So it is wasted money and time to get a full extra year if your intent is to be a BFA. it’s not so much that you need to keep Freshman status for a BFA as that you will still need the 4 year BFA program.
If you’re going to be a BA, however, there are some programs that will accept gen eds and other classes as credit and will accept your Sophomore status for the transfer. It will vary considerably from college to college, though, and is not something you can rely on beforehand! It really depends.
That said, yes, going to community college, and getting A’s in core classes can certainly boost your academics and look good for admissions academically. I think it’s also good for the student, particularly one who has taken more time to mature in high school–community college can be a great opportunity to wet your feet and get used to college classes.
My D took a foreign language in community college as she’d only taken 2 years in high school, and needed more for the colleges she wanted to apply for. One other thing you can do is retake the SAT/ACT in October after studying it in the summer. If you improve your score, that can really help as well, both in academic admissions and in scholarships (I think the reason my oldest S got the large transfer award, which is not usual, was because of his high SAT).
Our D is enrolled at Michigan. There are certain gen ed requirements that all students must take. This is true in many schools. If your son @theotherparent takes courses at a community college, it could open up time in his BFA schedule (once admitted) for other courses that he may find more interesting or applicable to his career. This has been the case for our D. She came into Michigan as a sophomore in terms of credits because of AP credits. She will still spend four years in the BFA program but now she has the flexibility to use her University time on other courses rather than gen eds. It’s kind of a nice position to be in. So I would encourage the community college route but keep the number of credits low enough to still qualify for freshman status.
Is the number of credits to be considered a freshman going to vary school to school? I’ve tried googling but can’t seem to find it. Since I know 12 credits per term is typically full time, does that mean no more than 24 credits to be considered a freshman?
Way back in stone ages of 2012 we were told over 12 college credits made you a txfr. But confirm with specific programs you’re interested in.
I wonder if anyone is familiar with Avila University in Kansas City? A friend who lives there was telling me its a solid programme, though her daughter is going to Loyola.
I was on their website today checking it out and a pop up came up and said apply here for a theatre scholarship.
I could not find out if it is an audition BFA or not. But if anyone is scrambling it might be an option. ( I know quite a few people who went there for teacher’s education back in the 80’s it was a good school back then)
@lalalovesmusic3 did you get an audition coach during your gap year
@theotherparent A couple more thoughts – at Michigan, and possibly other schools, you can test out of music theory and piano as a freshman, thus opening up more class options for you. Regardless, I would think boning up on those skills during a gap year could be very beneficial as well. Good luck!
@theotherparent, It’s usually 12 credits. I would play it safe and stay under 12.
@sean121, my kids did gap years (see earlier in this thread) and my D did get extra coaching during her gap year. I think it’s a really good idea, whatever amount is in one’s budget.