Q re: Columbia College...BA into BFA

<p>I have searched the forums and can't find this answer but thought I had read it here before. If anyone can find it or knows the answer, I'd appreciate it. I believe there is a poster Jiddir who attends this school and maybe he has the answer....</p>

<p>I know you enter Columbia College as a freshman as a BA without an audition. Then, you have to audition after the first year to get into their new (ish) BFA track. What are the numbers of freshmen in MT and then how many of those are accepted into the BFA in MT track a year later? I am guessing.....I thought I once read there are 100 freshmen? But I am not sure. Are there 20 per grade in the BFA track or less? Anyone? Thanks. This sort of information is not on their site.</p>

<p>For that matter, their site doesn't even have any mention of their BFA in MT program which is too bad.</p>

<p>I chose to call Columbia College directly on behalf of a family to get this information. First, the admissions office. Person sounded young, like a student. I explained that no information is on their website about their new BFA in MT Program and I had a question. He tells me they have always had a MT program and I said, not a BFA, that's new. After he asked me to hold on many times, he was like, "oh yes, that is new." I asked about the numbers and he said he didn't know anything about it but connected me to the theater department. Got that person's voice mail that they are away on vacation but gave another number in the theater department. Called that number, got a student aide. The student had no idea about any of this stuff, gave me another number in the theater department for MT. Called that number, got a machine. I gave up. :D While I did tell the two "live" people with whom I spoke that there is no mention of this program even on their site, I doubt it meant anything as they were all students who basically knew how to answer a phone but knew nothing about the department! This family already visited the school as well and still doesn't know this information.</p>

<p>Unfortuantely, that tells us a little bit about their program... (just a little bit!)</p>

<p>(I know....but even if I have reservations about a school....and not just for this one reason, let me say.....I can share what I know about schools objectively with families but it is ultimately up to them where they end up applying...:D )</p>

<p>As a college faculty member, please don't judge a program too harshly on phone calls made during the summer. Our faculty contract, as many universities, does not include the summer so we are not expected to be "in the office." This means that yes, phone calls do get sent to people who may know little to nothing about the program you are inquiring about. Since I am working during the summer, I get many phone calls transfered to me about programs in my college but that I know nothing about. I recommend to potential students to please email, since this can be addressed from other locations and at a time when the person actually has information in front of them.
Admissions offices do work in the summer, but many faculty do not.</p>

<p>^^^I totally agree with that! Problem is, their website does not even mention the BFA in MT program. It is hard to get information in general there. This family even visited the school. But I do understand the summer issue and I do understand that often students monitor these calls and don't have a clue. I was truly just saying that I could still use help on this answer as between their website and four different phone numbers, I also could not get an answer at this time. I normally don't call schools for families but thought it might be a quick way to get this basic question answered but I guess not.</p>

<p>I have to say that when all these calls got transferred, it wasn't that they said the faculty were not around in summer....they felt these people were around to field these questions. The other thing is that the two live people I spoke with....one answers for admissions and one answers for the theater department and both seemed to be students and I think that is not the best "first line" to answer or handle inquiries.</p>

<p>I am not judging the school on this, believe me. Just commenting on how hard it was to get any information. </p>

<p>I may have other reservations about a school, but am not saying here.</p>