<p>Hello all,</p>
<p>I'm a student at Columbia College Chicago, taking a year off to figure my life out. I was studying Film, but decided I would rather be in front of the camera than behind it. I have struggled with school in the past, but CCC seems to be an alright fit for me. Not perfect, but okay. The people I have met there is what keeps me drawn to the place. Anyway since I'm already a student at CCC, I have the option of transferring into the theatre department worry free.</p>
<p>Now my question is, how do I know if a BFA is right for me? What is the criteria for a student that wants to pursue a BFA? I know these are vague questions, but I'm just wondering if I'll be in over my head. Should I continue at my 4-year school, another 4-year school, or try a conservatory? Should I just pack up my bags altogether, move to L.A., and take classes there, while trying to "break into" the biz? I already know the steps that need to be taken. Is a degree really necessary? These are questions that plague me.</p>
<p>A little background on me. I'm already 23, but I look about 16. I am tall, have a distinctive face, and speak without an accent. I've done acting in high school and studied at the Second City too. I can't picture myself doing anything else, to be perfectly honest, so I don't know why I tried to convince myself to pursue a more "lucrative" career.</p>
<p>I need some guidance, please.</p>
<p>Also, I'm originally from New York, so I have the option of going to a New York school too, if that would seem to benefit me.</p>
<p>Thanks!!</p>
<p>Nobody has advice?</p>
<p>fruityloops: There is a ton of advice on this forum. You are asking yourself very important questions, that so many people have to ask themselves when they are in this field. Why don’t you read through a bunch of threads that talk about these choices, and see what touches you. </p>
<p>You’ve said a lot about yourself, but still we can’t decide anything for you. You are at a great school for performing arts - surely there are profs and mentors who know you better than we do, with whom you can talk out all of these ideas. Since you are at a school where you can explore and study any of these areas, it doesn’t sound like an emergency that you need to transfer, move, switch gears. Probably you need to take a few different courses and explore, look for a summer internship to try some of your new ideas, etc.</p>
<p>This is a place where people help each other find resources and information, share their stories and perspectives. We can’t come up with a life plan for you, however. When you have some definite goals and questions, we’ll do our best to answer them.</p>
<p>Good advice from Emmybet. Talk to people (current students, teachers, etc) in the BFA program at Columbia first. It is a good school for the arts. Write your list of pros and cons. Any conservatory or conservatory style program will require you to start from the beginning, although you will have some liberal arts credits in hand so that will help. There is a wealth of information on this website, just start digging and you may find the answers here from people who have been in your place. Good luck to you.</p>
<p>Also – there are a number of threads about the pros and cons of a BA versus BFA program that may help you with your decision making.</p>