Performing arts at Emory

Hi! I am a current High School Senior and I have been wanting to major in performing arts upon going to school in 2020. I have been doing research on colleges in Georgia and it seems that Emory comes out at the top of the list consistently for anyone wanting to major in this field. Emory is quite selective, however, I do believe I fall within the academic parameters to be accepted. My only concern is how would Emory’s arts program compared to a true arts school like SCAD (though I am still worried about acceptance). Does anybody have any information about performing arts at the two schools and which one I should considering going to if I intend to be a Performer (singing, acting, and dancing). I also hope to double major with something not artistically centered such as business or advertising which I believe both schools offer.

Answers would be lovely!!!

The double major in the arts and business is great at Emory. However, Emory as a school overall is a lot more academically/less artistically focused than any BFA program (or even most BA programs) you may be looking at. Emory has a great arts program and many opportunities in regards to that, but its reputation is much stronger in business than the fine arts. I believe the business/arts double major is a BBA, so it is geared more towards arts administration than performing. If your primary goal is to become a performer, SCAD is probably a better fit. Please keep in mind that at Emory, a majority of the classes you’ll take will not be performance classes (especially in the b school since the business school has such a tight curriculum), and you will be receiving a rigorous, well-rounded liberal arts education. A school like SCAD, on the other hand, will prepare you much more in the realm of the fine arts, but will be comparatively lacking in the liberal arts and business education you get. Most SCAD students are more prepared to be practicing artists, but don’t have that same liberal arts background that could apply to many types of careers in and out of the arts. Likewise, Emory is stronger in the business side of the arts. Unfortunately, choosing between a B(B?)A and a BFA is definitely a trade-off. It all boils down to whether you want a focused, pre-professional degree or a degree that approaches the performing arts from a more academic lens. (Both can lead to a fruitful career as a performer, but a BFA more directly prepares you for that. Emory’s program will open other doors but maybe not hone your performance skills as much.)