Hi, I’m wondering— when applying to BFA Theater programs, if you are rejected from the program, does that mean you are automatically rejected from the college as a whole?
It depends on the school. There are places where academic and artistic admissions are entirely separate (so you could be accepted to school, but not BFA) and there are places where it is all or nothing. Do you have specific schools in mind?
No. In fact, those schools often continue to pursue you for BA theater programs! Three off the top of my head: Pace, Texas State and UMinn/Guthrie. Purchase also has a BA track but admission is also very competitive (BFA candidates are not necessarily re-directed to the BA Theater program - especially if your application materials indicate a strong preference for a BFA/conservatory-style program). At application stage, some schools will have you indicate if you are interested in being considered for a BA track and some will consider you automatically.
I would say in general (it can be hard to find consistent rules in the BFA world) that generally, the more academically competitive a college is, the more likely it is to be an “all or nothing” school. I believe CMU, NYU, Boston, Michigan, Rutgers, and Syracuse are all that way- just to name a few.
Thanks, my DD is very interested in schools in NYC area, with the exception of NYU (grades). I am worried she won’t get into a BFA program, and that we are throwing away our chances of applying to the schools. Getting accepted via BA is easier, no? We’d be interested in Pace, Marymount, New School, Hofstra, Montclair. Anything else?
Getting into a BA can be easier- but it depends. I don’t know a ton about BFA/BA for the schools you,listed- none were on my D’s list. Are you interesting in BFA acting, MT, or both? A couple more schools to consider near NYC are SUNY Purchase (which has both a BFA and BA) and if you are interested in MT there is also Wagner and MalloyCap21. Idk where your D’s grades are, but the academic threshold at those schools are lower than NYU
When you say BA, do you mean BA in theater, or just being accepted to the college to major in something else?
FYI- Pace does not have a BA program for Theatre, Acting or MT. They only offer BA’s in Stage Management, Directing or Film.
I thought Pace had a BA Acting International Performance Ensemble?
@Reckless you are correct.
Yes, I’m looking at a BA in Theater. She’s interested in acting, not MT.
@Newsie most of the schools you listed are very competitive artistically. Sometimes you’ll get in academically and artistically. It’s all very random and it may have nothing to do with how talented or how smart you are. I’d recommend a balanced list of top tier and middle tier schools. Now my dd was mt. But only got into two BFA programs. NYU looks for a pretty high GPA. It’s also a pretty penny.
The schools I mentioned have BA Theater or Theater Arts programs (Pace is mentioned above). Interestingly, my D was rejected from the BA program at Purchase and was notified before Unifieds. She was then admitted into the BFA program. I thought it was unusual so I asked when we visited. The program director said some applicants are clearly more interested in the BFA style of training so they will not admit them into the BA program. SO - the BA is not necessarily an easier admit or a fall back.
Oops! Sorry as that was not in any of our paperwork (when D applied- was not even brought up as an option)- Also can’t for the life of me find it in their “current” listings on their website for BA’s either in Performing or Arts and Sciences. Didn’t know it existed! Now I am really curious- is that an auditioned program? Only could find mention of it in 2 year old blurbs of Pace…
@stagedoormama it does look like it’s omitted from their main page list of degrees, but it is listed in their catalogue,
http://pace.smartcatalogiq.com/en/2015-2016/Undergraduate-Catalog/Schools/Dyson-College-of-Arts-and-Sciences/Baccalaureate-BA-and-BS-Degree-Programs
Coming a little late to this discussion, here is my experience. My daughter was interested in exactly the same location and major as yours, so I think this may help. Here is my rundown of the schools to which my daughter applied. I would say that the first three would all be good prospects.
Schools where you get accepted academically first, and can still attend under a different major if you don’t succeed in the audition process:
Pace: Applied to BFA Musical Theatre and BFA acting, got a callback and acceptance for acting but no callback for MT. BA is international performance ensemble and didn’t appeal to her. If you look at the BA, make sure it is the right fit because it is definitely a different program. There is also a BFA for Film, Television, Commercials and Voicovers which is selective but you can apply to multiple BFA programs if you like. Pace does not have a general theatre arts or theatre studies program. Probably the closest non-performance major would be Arts Administration.
Marymount Manhattan: Applied for BA Theatre Performance with minor in Musical Theatre. Auditioned and was offered BFA Acting. This was her second choice behind pace, but a good option. Note that Marymount Manhattan is less selective than some schools, taking around 1/3 of their applicants. Also note that you can pursue other concentrations within the BA Theatre degree. Lots of possibilities there.
Wagner College: You didn’t mention this place, but you should take a look at it. Their BA Theatre has a Performance Concentration which is extremely selective (and which is a bit odd in that they select students for auditions based only on the application, without pre-screening…). But they also have a BA Theatre studies. My daughter was not given an audition, and was offered Theatre Studies. This was her third choice, but frankly the way that they handled auditions had left a bit of a bad taste. It is one thing to audition and be rejected, but to not be given the chance without any particular reason was a bit galling.
Of those 3, Wagner and Pace are just a bit more academically selective than Marymount Manhattan. All three offer merit scholarships at various levels.
Schools at which you must pass the audition in order to be accepted:
NYU: Applied BFA Musical Theatre, but with the “all studios” option that opened up BFA Acting. Was waitlisted, then offered BFA Acting for the Stella Adler school. That was very appealing except for the price tag ($67,000 per year and no merit aid offered).
Emerson (Boston): Applied BFA Musical Theatre, not accepted. This was a different case because their program changed a bit between the time we started looking and when she applied. They now have a BFA in Theatre and Performance that is probably easier to get into than the Musical Theatre program. Emerson also used to allow internal transfers (audition-based) after freshman year, but no longer does because they found that it was causing kids to go for a major they didn’t want, hoping to switch to theatre. That didn’t help anybody. We really liked this school, but not getting accepted that wasn’t an option.
Other schools that have non-audition theatre majors in NYC:
CUNY Brooklyn College: Has both audition BFA and non-audition BA programs, and very reasonable tuition. The housing situation is a bit limited, but the program looked strong enough that my daughter applied for the non-audition acting program as a safety. Never actually visited or toured, just drove past. (Our plan was to visit if she had to consider which safety to attend)
CCNY Harlem: My perception is that their program is probably a notch below that of Brooklyn College, but that isn’t based on anything concrete. This was another safety school for my daughter because it’s non-audition and in NYC. We did walk around the campus, and while the campus itself is nice enough, the neighborhood leaves a lot to be desired. I much preferred Brooklyn College and its environs.
Other Schools Visited but not applied to
The New School: Interesting place, but a bit too free form for my daughter’s tastes.
Ithaca College: Explicitly doesn’t allow applying to both the BA and BFA programs. Came across as very snooty and full of themselves. Has a penchant for claiming people as alumni who never graduated. Can you tell I didn’t like the place? 
SUNY Purchase: Great reputation, just didn’t like the campus feel. Purely a personal gut feel.
Hofstra: My daughter’s best friend is going to Hofstra for theatre in the fall. We never toured it, because while it is sort of in the NYC “area” it’s a 90-minute train ride into the city. That was further than my daughter wanted to be.
Suffolk University (Boston): Nice enough program, but really not meant for people who want to perform. More for people who want to study theatre and maybe teach or something. Much less selective than Emerson academically.
Your information is incredibly helpful! Thank you for your detailed response. If you don’t mind me asking where did she end up and how is she liking her choice?
One tiny correction to @Delegator 's informative post–Hofstra’s train ride to the city is under an hour, not an hour and a half.
The train ride to NYC from the closest station to Hofstra is about 45 minutes. The school is in Nassau County, not far from the Coliseum where the Islanders used to play. The issue is getting to and from the train station. I think the school has buses but I have never looked into that personally because we live about a 15 minute drive away.
Actually, I never even considered Hofstra for any of my children but I will look at the theater program for this one.